Guest Blogger

March 4, 2019 0 Comments

10 Key Questions to Ask During the Interview

In our last article, we gave you 4 Tips on Writing a Great Job Post to help you attract some great candidates for your job.

Next you’ll want to narrow your list of candidates down, and then you’ll want to make sure you ask the right questions to confidently hire the best professional for the job.

Here are some great questions to consider asking potential hires:

What interests you about this job?
What other virtual jobs have you held and what were your responsibilities?
What did you like and dislike about this job(s)?
How do you structure your work day?
How do you handle disruptions?
What do you like and dislike about working virtually?
How do your skills and experience fit this job?
What makes you think you are the best candidate for this job?
What is your top tip for having a successful virtual working relationship?
How would you describe yourself in 5 words?

If you want to get more in depth, the Book, “Who”, authors Geoff Smart and Randy Street outline a thorough process for hiring “A” players. The process may be overkill for some smaller remote roles but the basics of the process provide a solid foundation for selecting the right candidate.

The interview questions Smart and Street recommend are easy and conversational. They recommend an initial phone interview asking the following questions:

What are your career goals?
What are you really good at professionally?
What are you not good at or interested in doing professionally?
Who were your last five bosses, and how will they each rate your performance on a 1–10 scale when we talk to them?

Each of those questions should be followed up with “tell me more”, “how” and/or “what” to dig deeper to gain more insight about the candidate and their performance, work ethic and skill level. Other tools and resources are available on their website.

After you’ve interviewed the candidate make sure to contact at least 3 of her references to see what they have to say about her and her past work.

Once you’ve asked these questions and talked to their references decide which candidate:

Has the skills you are looking for or is a quick learner willing to be trained,
Is confident, reliable and trustworthy,
Is Independent, self-starter, and doesn’t have to be micro-managed,
Meets deadlines and stays on task,
Is a great communicator both verbally and in writing.

Hiring a great remote employee or contractor doesn’t have to be difficult. Putting in a small amount of time up front and being intentional about the process will help you and your hires have a much more productive, satisfying and successful outcome!

And don’t forget we offer, our personal “VIP Concierge Service” which was created for busy entrepreneurs and small business owners, like you, who need to hire help but don’t have the time or desire to go through the time-consuming process.

With our full service Concierge service, our HR Specialists will do it all for you start to finish and present you with the top candidate(s).

Written by Guest Blogger

February 18, 2019 0 Comments

4 Tips to Writing a Great Job Post

As a business owner, we know that your time is valuable, and you do not want to spend unnecessary time on the hiring process. That’s why we’ve created a strategy to help you attract and hire the best candidates for your needs.

The first thing you need is a great job post.

A well-written job post will:

Include a brief overview of the job role and responsibilities including an explanation of the tasks the candidate will be doing.
Indicate any specific experience or skills you are looking for.
Give estimated hours needed per week and if applicable, the specific hours of the day the candidate is needed.
Include your company / team values. Give the candidates insight to what’s important to you and your company to make sure they are a good fit for you and your business.

Here is an actual job post we’ve had on HireMyMom: “I’m looking for a VA I can grow my business with long-term. Hours will increase with growth. I need soeone good.”

Not only does the job post have spelling errors but it does not include any real information about what the job entails or what skills the candidate needs.

Aim for clarity with your job postings.

If you want qualified, experienced, knowledgeable applicants, make sure you job posting is clear and thorough. It doesn’t have to be long but make sure the applicants have a clear understanding of what you need.

If you need ideas to get your kick-started, try doing a search for “______ job description” and work from some of the duties and skills you find online. You can then refine it to reflect exactly what you are looking for.

If you would like us to craft the job post for you, contact us or if you would like help with the entire process, we do offer our personal “Small Business Concierge Service” which includes:

- consultation to learn about the position,
- writing a professional, descriptive and thorough job post,
- posting the job on our website (once approved by client),
- reviewing all applicant resumes and cover letters, including a check of LinkedIn to reality check the resume.
- Scheduling interviews – Reach out to selected candidates, coordinate interview scheduling,
- Interviews -prep & conduct interviews, record interview notes, save interview recordings, etc. ,
- Select top candidate(s) to pass along to client, write candidate summaries, upload interview video file(s) to Dropbox, email client with resume, summary and link to video file.
- Follow up with client, answer questions about candidates, etc.
- Wrap-up – Send turndown email to candidates interviewed but not selected, etc. along with final notes.

Contact us for details.

Written by Guest Blogger

February 11, 2019 0 Comments

5 Keys to Success as a Mompreneur

Being a mom and running your own business is no easy feat. You have one hand on raising the next generation and the other slaying your day as a mom boss. So how do you do it? We’ve got 5 keys to success to help you.

Be Passionate

First of all, Be PASSIONATE about what you do. If you love what you do, working and making an income are met with enthusiasm and eagerness. Not only will you enjoy it, your customers and clients will enjoy doing business with someone who truly loves what they do. If you do not enjoy your line of work, consider what other options you have. Do what you love and the money will follow.

Find Your Balance

BALANCE is KEY! You must make a conscious effort to give adequate time to each area of your life that is important to you. That includes your business, your health and wellness, your marriage, your family, your faith as well as recreation / relaxation. Periodically review where you are in your business and personal life and make adjustments as necessary to meet your goals and to keep your life in balance. Finding balance is one thing; keeping it is another. You’ll want to consciously keep tabs on where you need to make tweaks and adjustments to keep your life as balanced as you can.

Keep Learning

Be a CONTINUAL LEARNER and frequently seek ways to learn, grow and improve your business. New technology, apps and tools are continually being brought to the market. Make a point to regularly seek out new things to learn. Take online training. There are so many options out there. Ask for feedback and suggestions from those you trust — this includes your customers, friends, family, networking colleagues, etc. Don’t let your business get stale.

Make New Connections

NETWORK! Look for ways to network with other virtual professionals and small business owners both online and in person. Attend local networking meetings, join online groups, interact to serve and to learn. Be open to collaborating with other small businesses. You will not only gain business insight, you may make some great new friends and connections.

Remember the Golden Rule

Have awesome CUSTOMER SERVICE. Treat others the way you would want to be treated! Clients and customers are generally very loyal to a business that has wonderful customer service. Make every effort to make your clients feel valued and special. Go above and beyond when you can and let them know how much you appreciate their business.

Written by Guest Blogger

November 27, 2018 0 Comments

5 Secrets to Landing that Dream Work From Home Job

Working from home is attractive to so many, especially moms. The freedom to set your own schedule and work around your family is such a wonderful benefit. However, landing that perfect job can be tricky if you are not prepared. So here are our 5 tips to landing your dream work from home job.

Resume Ready

Take a look at your resume. What does it say? Is it engaging? Does it stand out? Or is it just black and white letters on paper? Today’s resumes have gotten more creative and allow you to show some of your creative side and personality. Include a photo and some color! Click here to see some sample templates. Be sure too that your resume sells you to potential employers. A well-written resume is worth gold in your job search. If you need help in this area, consider getting check out our Resources here.

Take Initiative

As an applicant, take the initiative and show the employer you are not only qualified but sincerely interested in their job. Educate yourself on the their business by visiting their website. Read their “About Us” page and get to know about the company and their owner(s). They can tell if you’ve looked at their website and took some time to familiarize yourself with them. Bottom line is you will stand out if you show you are willing to go above and beyond what you are asked to do.

Be Detail Oriented

Read the job description thoroughly 2 or 3 times and make sure your application, resume and / or cover letter addresses everything they are seeking or requesting. If you leave key things out of your application, it tells the employer you may do the same thing in your work. In that case, your application may go straight to the virtual trash can.

Don’t Waste Your Time or Theirs

If you don’t have the experience the employer is asking for, don’t apply. You waste your time and their time and leave the impression that you didn’t read the job description very well. Many employers state how annoying this is for them to go through applicants who clearly do not have the skills or experience they are looking for. And if you are finding your skills and training lacking, consider some of the Training Resources we have.

Respond Quickly

Many busy entrepreneurs are looking to hire now! They post a job and are ready to hire someone ASAP. If you are not logging in daily to check for new jobs, you may miss out. Some jobs are taken down after 3-5 days or sooner because they have enough applicants. Now you know, timing is of the essence.

So now, get that resume polished up and incorporate these tips. You may find your dream job just got a whole lot easier!

If you’re not currently a member of HireMyMom, click here to see how we can help you find that dream work at home job!

Written by Guest Blogger

November 12, 2018 0 Comments

Tips for Hiring the Best Virtual Assistant For Your Business

If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner, there comes a time when you can no longer do it all yourself. At that point, you have to decide what to do. Do you (A) stop growing and give up or (B) do you find someone to take on some of your daily tasks? I think for most the answer is (B).

So how do you find and hire the best a work from home virtual assistant?

Where to Find the Best VAs
Tim Francis, owner of ProfitFactory.com has been using Virtual Assistants (VAs) for many years and has learned the tough lesson of why overseas VAs are not the best solution. He now recommends HireMyMom.com as the BEST choice for his company and his clients for the following reasons:

Similar or same time zone: I’ve got my VA doing both business and personal tasks for me. She’s calling prospects to invite them to my live, in-person events. She’s coordinating our venue, partners, and volunteers for the production of our live events. All of this is WAY easier if she’s in the same (or similar) time zone as me.
Excellent English – both written and spoken: Most Moms from HireMyMom.com are from the corporate world, so they’re usually quite good with spoken and written English. This makes working together WAY easier. My assistant catches spelling errors I make in blog posts, can suggest similar keywords when talking SEO, and can send basic emails on my behalf.
Reliable electricity and internet: You probably don’t realize how vulnerable overseas VAs are in this regard. In my earliest days, I was trying to work with a VA from India. Suddenly she went “radio silent” – wasn’t writing or responding to me. A week later she suddenly re-appeared online with a flurry of messages. Turns out there was political infighting in her region and a corrupt politician had the electricity to her region shut off. No power = no internet = no VA. Canadian and American VAs are far more stable in this regard.
Same culture: I also have tried working with VAs from the Philippines. Nicest people on the planet. In fact, TOO nice. They were so terrified of offending me; they’d totally shut down if I asked for feedback and/or suggestions. They’d rather be “yes-men” and women than take ANY risk of offending you. Not productive. North American Moms on the other hand will (usually) be both gentle and honest.
Punctual: A few years ago I hired a half-dozen contractors on Elance. All were from India or Pakistan, and literally 100% of them were late on 100% of projects. As in, everything took at least TWICE as long as they quoted. Two week projects turned into 4 weeks, then 6 weeks very quickly. In my experience, North American Moms, though, are generally quite solid in their commitments.

The Hidden Cost of Mistakes and Delays
When hiring a VA, it’s easy to just hire the least expensive option offering $10/hour vs. $15-20/hour, right? WRONG.

If you are waiting or paying for costly mistakes then your costs just went up. It is better to hire and train someone qualified and eager to work and pay them an hourly rate that saves you headaches and problems.

So What’s the Catch?
You may be wondering why these “qualified, talented, professional” Moms would be willing to work for $15-20/hour instead of the a corporate salary with benefits. For most of these Mom Professionals this is a good deal for them because:

they don’t have to pay for costly child care ($6k-$16k per child per year) as many work during naps, hire a part time sitter or work while their children are in school,
they save a good chunk of time every day by not having to commute or dress in fancy business clothes every day,
they save money on gas and business attire since there is no commute or need for fancy business clothes,
and they value freedom and flexibility to work from home!

What’s in it for the Mom Professionals?
In addition to saving time and money, the #1 benefit for moms is flexibility to be with their family! I speak from experience here as shortly after completing my Master’s degree, I had my first child. All of my lofty career goals went out the window, and I begin freelancing and working from home when I realized working full-time outside the home was too unbearable for me. That was 20 years ago. Gulp! Here I am today helping other Mom Professionals do the same thing.

In addition to flexibility, these Mom Professionals want to:

Make some extra money to contribute to household income, save for vacations, college savings or just “fun money”.
Avoid a big gap in their resume while they take time off from their full-time career to focus on their kids
Have meaningful, adult interaction as well as express and use their creativity and professional skills

As you can see, hiring a work from home Virtual Assistant is a win-win for Businesses and Mom Professionals. Business owners have more time to work on more pressing business needs, and Mom Professionals are able to work flexible schedules and have more time with their families. Go ahead and take that next step. You won’t be disappointed.

If you need help with hiring, try our Small Business VIP Concierge service and we can do all the hard work for you from posting your job, to interviewing, to selecting the top candidate(s) for you!

If you are a Mom Professional, check out some of our current job postings.

Written by Guest Blogger

September 27, 2018 0 Comments

Spotting a Work-at-Home Scam

Here at HireMyMom, we strive to be “the” resource for moms looking for great work at home jobs. And we aim to keep HireMyMom 100% scam free. Each job that is posted goes through our approval process. We look for negative reviews and other red flags before deciding if a job will be posted to our members. And there are many that do not pass the test and do not get posted.

We want to help educate our audience on what to look for if a job starts to seem suspicious.

Here are some signs of potential scams:

• The person offers to send you a check to buy equipment, supplies or some other business items. In this scenario, they will usually send a large check and have you purchase the items and ask you to send back the remaining balance. Once you have sent the balance back, their check has bounced and has left you out your own money that you sent them.

• Another red flag is if the person wants to chat by text or Google Hangout or hires you without an interview. Normally a person hiring for a real job will use email and then interview you by phone, Skype or FaceTime.

• Also of concern is if the person asks for personal information up front relating to your identity or banking information.

These are some of the techniques that we’ve learned of scammers attempting to use. There may be others. If you have any suspicions or are unsure about a job posting, please contact us so that we can look into it further.

If you are aware of a scam, here are some other places it can be reported:

Let’s work together to keep scammers out of business!

Written by Guest Blogger

June 25, 2018 0 Comments

4 Tips for a Home Office Renovation On a Budget

When you work from home, your home office is a space you’ll spend a lot of time in, so it’s important that it works for you. Whether you’re just starting out from home, or you need to renovate, you’ll need to make the space your own.

Renovating any room in your house can be quite a process, and it’s usually not inexpensive either. Read along for some of our tips for renovation on a budget!

Repurpose

Repurpose furniture with a fresh, new coat of paint, or utilize unused items from other rooms. Can that table behind the couch be used as a table for your printer? Take what you have a make it work!

You can take a boring chair, add some fabric, and make it new again. A little bit of paint or fabric can make a world of difference. If you have a sofa in your office, add some fresh pillows or a throw. You can also repurpose someone else’s disregarded items – look to antique or garage sales that feature desks, solid furniture, or any other items that can be spruced up with a minimal amount of work.

Get digital

With sites such as Etsy, you can get a lot of artwork in a digital format. You can simply search for art prints that feature inspirational words, photos, art from other countries, and so on. There are truly an endless amount of options!

From here, you can print out the piece and have it framed, or purchase an inexpensive frame at a local store like Target or Michael’s. Digital, print-it-yourself art is typically much less expensive, and generally runs from $3-20 per piece on Etsy. Adding just a few prints will likely run you $30-100 total, and it can really change the vibe of the room.

Spend where it counts

Some items will just always be more expensive. A good, solid ergonomic office chair is a great place to spend money! A nice desk is also a place where quality is important, but you can also find good furniture at repurposed places, such as flea markets or garage sales.

You can really go “budget” on things such as office supplies. There are plenty of cute options out there that don’t break the bank!

Make a list of all the items needed for your renovation, and jot down where you can save, and where you’ll need to spend a little bit more. Once the major items are decided on, you’ll also have a better overall view of your renovation budget.

Change slowly

Start slow! You can start as small as adding a tiny plant – it can literally breathe fresh air into your space. Paint your walls one month and get a new desk the next. If you’re budgeting, earmark a small allowance each month (or every few months) to make the changes.

Creating a cozy home office doesn’t have to be expensive! Start slowly, be economical, and spend where you need to. Over time you can transform your space into your dream office with useful and cool office supplies. In no time, you’ll have a space that reflects your taste and allows you to work in peace.

At HireMyMom we want to help our Mom Professionals succeed at home and in business. We have a supportive community of Mom Professionals as well as great work from home jobs posted by small businesses around the country! Learn more about HireMyMom and how you can join a supportive faith-based community of Mom Professionals!

YES! Tell me more!

Written by Guest Blogger

June 16, 2015 0 Comments

5 Tips for Successful Networking

Networking is a key component to any professional career. It’s necessary to connect with others in your industry, pursue job opportunities, and expand your business network.

Whether you work from home or in a traditional office, it’s important to network every so often. Some of the best job and career opportunities come about by knowing someone in the right company, and building relationships is the key to this strategy. Although any time you can put yourself out there via networking opportunities, there are some networking tips and tricks that will make your time and effort more effective.

Know your goal(s)

When you go to a networking event, establish your goal or goals for the evening. Do you want to secure a job opportunity? Are you hoping to meet a specific person? Are you looking for a business alliance? Knowing your goal going into the event will help you get more out of it. A goal can be as simple as getting 5-10 business cards – as long as you can establish it ahead of time.

While you shouldn’t ignore others or additional opportunities beyond your goal, setting one can give you a target and a sense of accomplishment once it’s completed.

Dress the part

Networking isn’t always a formal event, but it’s always a chance to dress your best. Dress the part you’re looking for – business person, business owner, job applicant, and so on. Does your outfit match your goal and the venue? Is it appropriate for the type of event you’re attending? Your outfit and appearance can also provide a lot of confidence, so don’t discard it as something unimportant; it can really give you that boost you need! If you’re unsure of the dress code, contact the event organizer or a friend that will also be in attendance.

Give out cards

Sometimes we’re so focused on receiving business cards that we don’t give ours out nearly enough. While it’s more important that you receive cards so that you can follow up, it helps that others have your information as well. If you don’t own or work for a company yet, order inexpensive business cards with your name and contact information.

Even if you don’t secure the job that you hoped for, or you don’t get to talk to the person you set out to meet, you never know what a networking event might bring. You could end up receiving an unexpected call that truly alters the course of your professional career. Hand out your cards after you connect with someone, as it’s a habit that can truly help you.

Know what you offer

Also known as the “elevator speech” – know what you bring to the table. If you’re seeking a job, have a brief 30-60 second commercial that details what you’re looking for and what you can bring to a potential employer. If you own or work for a business, know what you’re promoting, the type of lead that would be useful for you, and how you can help others.

Keeping this short and concise keeps people interested and allows you to remember it sharply and professionally. Truly keep it short and sweet – the quicker you can get to the point, the more memorable and top of mind you can stay.

Follow up

Following up is the most important – yet most difficult – part of networking. You’ve collected all of those cards, and now it’s the time to do something about them. Follow up within 24-48 hours, indicate how and where you met the contact, and then ask for or state what you’re hoping to gain from the relationship. You want to be sure that you’re also giving as much as you’re asking, since everyone is busy also needs to keep tabs on their own professional development. Offer to help the other person while making your request known. Appreciate their time and thank them for any help, insight, or time you might request.

With these networking tips, you’ll go into the professional arena with a great start and some advice for forming true relationships in the business world.

(Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)

Written by Guest Blogger

June 11, 2015 0 Comments

Gadgets for Working Moms On-the-Go

Times have changed for working moms. With the amount of technology available to helps moms juggle work, kids and the home, it all seems a little more doable. Whether you work from home, the office or both, check out these gadgets for moms on the go:

Smartphone

If you’re looking for a change or needing an upgrade on your current phone, the ZTE ZMAX works well for moms who toggle between work at home and the office. With a 5.7-inch HD display and 2 GB RAM for memory, you have both an easy-to-see monitor, which is great for video conferencing, and plenty of storage for filing digital work. It also comes equipped with a long lasting 3400 mAh high capacity battery so you can rely on this phone to last through long webinars or your kids’ recitals. Plus, through carriers like T-Mobile, the ZTE ZMAX is affordable for as little as $10.50 per month.

Smartwatch

One of the most cutting edge tech gadgets is the smartwatch. Because working moms usually need a third hand to get everything done, a smartwatch is the optimal tool because it’s hands free. For instance, Sony’s SmartWatch 3 SWR50 or Kronos’ ZeWatch2 offer communicative technology on the wrist. They can text, funnel calls and send social media messages from a phone connected through Bluetooth. Plus, any calendar and email notifications for upcoming meetings or checkups for baby will appear right on the watch face.

Bag Tracker

Between your work briefcase, baby bag, purse, luggage and other bags, it’s easy to lose track of things. Gadgets like Trakdot Luggage Tracker aim to prevent this problem. The Trakdot is a device you place in your bag, and when it reaches its destination the device wakes up and sends you a text or an email confirming where it’s located. Especially when traveling for work or with the kids, this device helps you stay organized and makes sure you don’t lose anything. Plus, it only uses two AA batteries and only costs $19.99 a year.

Attachable Photo Lens

Attachable camera lenses like the the Photojojo Lens Set are a trendy way to take photos. Whether you’re a travel writer, public relations officer, a buyer or a small business owner, a high-quality lens can come in handy. This set of lenses comes with a super fisheye, telephoto, wide angle/macro and polarizer so you have something for almost every situation. Pack these lenses in your purse to take from your product meeting to your child’s baseball game with ease. All you have to do is place the removable metal ring on the back of your phone, and then attach the lens magnetically. This makes for an easy transfer between lenses or an easy clean up. Plus, they come with a felted wool storage pouch, which keeps them safe next to your notebooks, wallet and keys.

Being a working professional and a mom can be hard when you constantly have to shift between your home and the office. Luckily, these gadgets for mom make it a little easier to get everything done.

Check out these other great articles about productivity / time management as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

Written by Guest Blogger

April 1, 2015 0 Comments

How to Stay Social When You Work From Home

The first thing you may notice about working from home is the lack of social interaction! You may be feeling some social isolation. Even if you’re very busy during the day, not talking with others can be tough. This isn’t the case for everyone, as many of us have children, numerous calls, social engagements, and so on, but it’s important to make social interaction a regular part of your daily life.

To avoid the habit of not speaking to others for hours or days at a time, follow these simple tips below.

Get Out and About: If you’re able to, try taking your work to a coffee shop or local business with Wi-Fi a few times per week. The change of scenery is always helpful and may make you even more productive! This also forces you to get ready, get out of the house, and arrange the outing into your schedule – all things that may help you feel more likely yourself in a home-based position.
Schedule Your Social: Planning social outings and activities becomes even more important without the workplace friendships and opportunities available in a traditional office job. Plan social or networking events at least 1-2 nights per week, as this will keep you from getting bored and lacking social interaction during the day. Often times there are networking events that take place over lunch, so those may be a great option too. Try Meetup.com for networking events in your area.
Talk with Friends: When you get a break, try to chat with your friends. Send a text, schedule a quick call, or just chat briefly on Gmail Chat, Facebook Messenger, or any other chat feature. This allows you to break up your day, laugh with a friend, and maintain your social relationships.
Interact with Other Home-Based Workers: There are groups, such as the HireMyMom.com Facebook page, that have a large collection of home-based working moms and people. They can offer tips and advice and lend an ear when you might want to chat. It’s a great idea to cultivate friendships among groups like this, since working from home is not extremely common. It’s nice to have someone who knows what you’re going through, and who also understands that social interaction is key to a happy, successful life – especially in the home-based working realm.

So, the next time you’re working from home and feeling social isolation, get out of your chair and onto the phone to call a friend for a chat or a coffee date.

Check out these other great articles about staying healthy as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

(Image courtesy of Serge Bertasius at freedigitalphotos.net)

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Author: Guest Blogger

10 Key Questions to Ask During the Interview

4 Tips to Writing a Great Job Post