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March 31, 2015 0 Comments

3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Working From Home

When a home-based worker tells someone that they work from home, they are instantly envious. They imagine days spent laying on the couch and working whenever it’s convenient. While working from home certainly has some excellent perks (flexibility, casual clothing and more time with family, to name a few), it is still work!

Read along and ask yourself the following three working from home questions before obtaining home-based work. It’s important that you understand and realize the changes that are about to take place before committing to a work from home position.

  1. Why Do I Want to Work From Home? It’s a misconception that working from home involves laying around in your pajamas and watching TV. Yes, you could do that, but you would get very little accomplished! Working from home is still work, and establishing why you want to do so is important. A home-based career can change your life in wonderful ways, but it can also be a shock if you aren’t prepared for the changes. Are you pursuing home-based work to have more time with your family? This is a great reason and one that will give you the motivation needed to succeed.
  2. Are My Skills Applicable To a Home-Based Position? If you’re a lab scientist, it might be tough to find a work from home job. It’s not impossible, and you can lend your skills to tutoring, technical writing, project-based work, and so on, but it’s not as easy as finding social media or editing work. Consider your background and industry before applying for home-based work, since jobs that often require you to be on site will not always translate into many work from home options.
  3. How Will This Change My Lifestyle? Working from home is a change! You will be home each day, which is both wonderful and challenging. You will be in your house, so it’s tough not to notice the things out of place or the rug that needs swept. When you work outside the home, those things are put aside till later. You will also notice that the errands and chores may fall more to you, and sometimes that is easier since you’re at home during the day. It’s important to know that home-based work provides a lot of flexibility, but it can also bring more work to your day. This can make scheduling a bigger challenge, and you’ll have to be extra diligent with your time.

Take these working from home questions to heart. While it’s a great experience, it’s also a major lifestyle adjustment that’s not for everyone.

Check out these other great articles about home-based business as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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March 30, 2015 0 Comments

3 Tips to Separate Work-from-Home from Home

When you work, it can be very difficult to separate work from your personal life. But if you work from home? It’s even more difficult! Since you work from home all day, the lines can begin to blur between work projects and home tasks. There’s so much talk about balance and separating work from home and make them both work smoothly, and it can be done with some deliberate action.

Although working from home will always be unique and lend itself to a different kind of workday, there are a few ways to keep your career as your career and your home life as your personal life.

Start and Stop

Have a set start and stop time. This is very difficult when we work from home, since we can get emails, hop on our computer, and complete a task. When you work in a traditional office, it’s much more difficult to go to the office, unpack your stuff, and get to work.

Secondly, keep your evenings for personal obligations and relaxation. It’s important to your mental and physical health keep your evenings open. If you work in a home-based job that is considered 2nd or 3rd shift, that’s different, but you still need a section of time when you aren’t working. As with traditional office jobs, there will be days when working late isn’t an option, but keep it the exception instead of the rule.

Designate and Separate

It’s a common tip with home-based careers, but that’s because it’s so very true. Do your best to designate a separate room for your work, meaning that you should avoid working on your living room or dining room, and make work feel like a work setup. This also makes tip #1 a bit easier, since you’ll physically have to leave your workspace to move on to the rest of your night.

Save the Housework

It’s so tempting to look around, see what all needs to be done in the home, and start to take action. While a few breaks when you pick up a few annoying items is okay, avoid full cleaning until you’re done with work. Again, this keeps you in “work mode” and allows your off work time to be much more productive. This should also make it easier to ignore those housework items that you just can’t seem to get to, since this way, they’re off limits when working anyway.

Working from home provides some challenges when trying to balance work-from-home and home life, but it’s not impossible! Do your best to separate the two, and take steps to make your day feel more like a traditional workday.

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March 23, 2015 0 Comments

4 Tips to Spring Clean Your Job

Spring is here and it’s time to change out the old for the new! Spring cleaning your job is a lot like spring cleaning your life. We spend many hours at work, so it’s important that we renew there as well. While we often see cleaning as tedious and something we have to do, it can actually be refreshing and a great way to move into spring and summer.

With this spring cleaning job list and tips, you can get a fresh restart. With the first of the year out of sight, some of us have fallen back into old routines. While routine is great for productivity, we often let the little housekeeping things slide. When we take some time to get these items in place, we feel so much better! As Spring is now among us, it’s time to clear out the old and establish fresh habits.

Dust Off Your Desk

This is an actual cleaning tip! Do more than just dust – do a good deep clean of your work area. Cleaning may never be fun, but we all work better when our workspace is clean and functional. Use products that smell good and create a sense of wellbeing. If you’re really feeling like you need a change in your office, consider investing in a nice, new chair or another supportive office tool or device.

Start a New Notebook

Who doesn’t love the fresh pages of a new notebook? Start a new paper, notepad, or online document where you can keep track of your daily list(s). Keep one for home and one for business. Starting fresh means prioritizing, keeping things separated and organized, and preparing for upcoming tasks and events.

File Away

We get in the habit of keeping stacks of papers and important information on our desks and in random cabinets. When you get into your job spring cleaning, don’t forget to file! Filing is important, and it keeps all of our paperwork organized. Whether you file actual papers or online copies, file everything. If you aren’t one to file, or you simply don’t have a system in place yet, now is the time. Create a filing and organizational system that will work for you, and one that you will actually do on a daily or weekly basis. If you file and organize as you go, it’s much less overwhelming than starting with a huge stack of papers every single time.

Decide for the Future

With spring cleaning comes a sense of renewal and starting over. What do you want to accomplish in the upcoming year? If that’s too broad of a question, focus your wants and desires on your job and organizational tasks. How could you be more organized? What systems make sense to me? Should I look into a professional organizer or online program that might help me to be more functional? Working smarter is key to eliminate having to work harder. Give yourself that gift this spring – an organized, smarter, and more productive work life!

Check out these other great articles about home-based jobs as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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March 9, 2015 0 Comments

4 of the Best Web-Based Organizational Tools

Staying organized is at the top of the list for success in a home-based career. When you don’t have a typical office to report to, the organization of your day and work falls to you. Luckily there are numerous web-based organizational tools to help you succeed!

Utilizing project management and organizational tools may sound like more work at first, but once you have them in place, they truly keep you on task, allow you to remember everything, and simplify your life.

We’ve compiled some of the best, most well reviewed tools so you can focus on career success while having your organization covered. These tools help you to manage projects, life, and everything in between so that you don’t miss anything.

Trello

Trello is an effective tool that utilizes lists for project and task organization. It allows you to create master lists (Boards) and then tasks under your Boards to stay organized. On one screen, you can see the big picture of your projects within your projects, keeping priorities at the top. Trello is free, has a simple interface, and is intuitive to use. Click here to check out Trello.

Basecamp

Basecamp is another project management tool that works very well for individuals, companies and organizations. Since you can assign tasks and organizing within your organization, it’s perfect for those working from home within a company. Similar to Trello in using checklists, you can organize clients, projects, and assignments in a simplistic manner. Basecamp has a free trial then starts at $20/month.Click here to check out Basecamp.

Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, easy-to-use tool within Google. If you have a Google or Gmail account, you’re set! In Google Docs, you’ll find Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which allow you to create documents, spreadsheets, and details presentations. The best part of it all is that you can share your Docs with your company, clients or employers, and everyone can edit documents from their own computers. Google Docs automatically save, so you’re good to go as you work. Google Docs is free to use, and it’s a very easy way to keep important documents organized and easily shareable. Click here to check out Google Docs.

Dropbox

Dropbox has become very popular in recent years, and for good reason. It’s the perfect place to share, organize, and store online files, photos, videos, and so on. When you download Dropbox, you can keep the feed on your desktop, so when anyone from your team uploads a new file, you can access it instantly. Dropbox is also web-based, so you can login and access your files directly as well. It’s an easy way to free up space on your computer and share files easily without utilizing email. It keeps space clean and creates a central place to find any file. Click here to check out Dropbox.

The best way to stay on top of your to-do list for a successful home-based career is to stay organized with any one of a number of web-based organizational tools. These tools were developed to help you succeed!

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.

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March 2, 2015 0 Comments

3 Best Tips for Office Stress Relief

If you work in an office, you likely experience stress on a fairly normal basis! Working from home also brings another level of stress, since you have home items and a family to care for as well.
Finding ways to eliminate your worries and find office stress relief is very important to the health of you and your family. When you aren’t feeling well or you’re overwhelmed, it’s tough for you to be positive and helpful to others.

By acknowledging and taking action with the stress in your life, you’ll be better equipped to handle tough situations down the line. Take care of yourself with these tips for stress management in the office:

Natural Relief

There are a number of new, natural remedies for stress without the side effects or jitters. Bach’s Rescue Remedy comes in a dropper or in lozenge form, and it’s a homeopathic stress and anxiety remedy. This all-natural solution is become very popular, and many people report excellent benefits from using these remedies when stress hits. Another useful tool is to diffuse essential oils or something that smells pleasant, such as lavender, known for its calming properties . Chamomile tea is also very calming for the body and mind, and it’s a great way to boost energy midday.

Get Moving

Exercise has natural stress-reducing benefits that go well beyond the calorie burn. When you work from home, some good ideas would be to sit or do crunches on an exercise ball, use a mini trampoline for breaks, or take a brief walk around the neighborhood. Another great idea is to do some stretches, as this relaxes the body on a deep level. If you’re feeling extra stressed and serious, dance it out! Dancing is a fun way to release tension, and when you’re in the privacy of your own home, you can truly dance like no one is watching.

Schedule It

Schedule a massage for yourself! If you don’t like massages, schedule another treatment or treat that will allow you to relax. Although it can be tough to get out of the office during the week, be sure that you’re giving yourself enough care and attention. When stress hits, we often cater to ourselves last to get it all done, but if you’re not happy or well, this isn’t ultimately helpful to others. Be kind and gentle to yourself – schedule something fun or relaxing every so often to keep yourself balanced and on the right track.

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

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February 25, 2015 0 Comments

Network like a Pro: How to Make a Flawless First Impression

If you make your living doing freelance work, you understand the perks and drawbacks of such a lifestyle. You save money on gas and time spent on long commutes, and you can largely set your own schedule. But you are also responsible for finding new clients to keep business humming, which can be one of the toughest challenges. To maintain your work-from-home contract career, new business is a must.

So what’s one of the best ways to gain new contacts? Network like a pro! Here are three tips for making a strong first impression and upping the odds you’ll walk away from a networking event with new business.

Accessorize With Taste

Your appearance is what people notice first. While you may have a free-spirited sense of style at home, rein it in for cocktail hour with your peers. A flowing gypsy skirt and arms full of bangles may suit you well normally, but this laid-back look will paint you as flighty before you’ve even said hello. Instead, opt for subtle fashions and clean accessories. Think stud earrings, a delicate silver necklace and a sophisticated tote from a high-end brand.

Aim for Elegance, Not Attention

A tight-fitting outfit that hugs all your curves may get you some lasting glances at a nightclub, but it’ll just make people take you less seriously in a professional setting. You can (and should) still show a sense of style without looking like you want attention. Plunging necklines and short hemlines are a no-no, even if the event is set in the evening at a posh bar.

If you’re jonesing to wear black, your signature color, add some class and style with a jumpsuit. Something like this Dolman Jumpsuit by Feel the Piece is professional but youthful. Not feeling the jumpsuit? A dress is always a stellar choice. You can layer a Chevron Sheath Dress by The Limited with a well-tailored blazer and pumps for a fancier event or pair it with a soft cardigan and ballet flats for something more casual. You’ll exude taste and charm, without sacrificing modesty.
The most appealing part of your outfit? Your confidence. Throw your shoulders back, put a (genuine) smile on your face and be proud of the reputation you’re building.

Articulate Who You Are

Enough about your apparel; it’s time to talk about the other elements of nailing a first impression. You’d be surprised by how many common-sense rules many women forget when they enter a business setting. Give a strong handshake and make direct eye contact. Don’t forget to hand over a business card before saying goodbye to a new acquaintance. Another good tip is regarding something you may not usually think twice about, which is how you introduce yourself. Typically you say hi and state your name, right?

It’s been found that females often only say their first name, and do so in a long, drawn-out or even singsong manner. “Hi, I’m Liiiiiiila. This makes you seem juvenile and less intelligent. Instead, you should confidently state your first and last name. “Hi, I’m Lila Everson.” This will make you appear powerful and in control, and leave a more lasting impression on your new colleagues. And last, but not least, know how to communicate what you do. If someone asks about your business, be ready to concisely say, I facilitate relationships between children’s shoe-makers and department store buyers. Hemming and hawing is unpolished and unprofessional, and trying to be too clever with a response almost always backfires.

As you prepare for your next networking event, view it as a job interview. In a lot of ways, that’s exactly what it is. Be deliberate about the outfit and accessories you choose, work to project an air of confident approachability and remember the best practices of networking like stating your first and last name, keeping eye contact and quickly sharing the basis of your business. Network like a pro! You’ll not only feel much more assertive going into the event, but you’ll also impress your peers and increase your chances of gaining valuable contacts and new business.

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

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February 23, 2015 0 Comments

The #1 Tip for Work-from-Home Moms

The #1 work from home success tip for home-based working moms is more like a tip for success in all areas of your life. You’ve likely heard the expression “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” It’s a common phrase that holds a lot of truth, especially when you have a home-based career.

Having a Plan

Having a plan in place when you work from home is the first step to success. Numerous people will wonder how you can get anything done at home, but you know that by planning, you have it all covered. Although working from home may seem like a simple way to pursue your career, it can be much tougher than a traditional office job!

First of all, just consider all the distractions. With everything that goes on in your home during the day, it’s easier to see why it’s difficult to stay on task and be productive. Distractions, sick kids and emergencies will happen, but the more organized you can be, the less those incidents will throw you off your schedule. Here are a few simple tips for making the most out of your home-based career planning.

Stay Consistent

Don’t simply write things down for a day or two – make it a part of your daily life. Get on a schedule that works for you! Maybe you’re better equipped to organize at 7:00 in the morning, or maybe you want to take a look at your whole day the night before. Whatever option you choose, get in the habit and make it work for you.

Write it Down

It’s not enough to mentally plan your day, week or month; you have to write it down. When you put the pen to paper (or cursor to document) and have it somewhere where you can see it, you’re far more likely to stick to the plan. Yes, it takes a few more minutes to do this, but think of all the time you’ll save by being more productive and not forgetting important tasks and items.

Get Back on Track

There will always be things that throw you off of your game, but it doesn’t need to completely derail your plans. Refer to your list and jump back in when everything becomes more manageable, and you’ll be even more glad that you took the time to write it down. By now, all you have to do is look at your list and jump into action. Having a solid plan in place truly makes everything easy and seamless when you’re in an environment that has the possibility to change constantly.

So, our #1 work from home success tip is to have a detailed, written plan and stick to it.

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

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February 17, 2015 0 Comments

3 Job Tips to Working from Home Online

Working from home online and telecommute type positions can be hard to find if you don’t know where or how to look. Fortunately though, searching for and locating work from home jobs doesn’t have to be impossible! With a few working from home online tips and tricks, you’ll be able to find legitimate home-based work in a short period of time. Here are a few great tips:

1. Use LinkedIn: LinkedIn is great for home-based work for a variety of reasons. First of all, it’s a great place to put in your profile that you are wanting to work from home online. Second, virtual jobs are often listed in the jobs section of LinkedIn. Third, there are numerous groups that feature telecommute jobs and opportunities. Simply search “telecommute” or “work from home” in groups, and you’ll be surprised to find a wide variety of jobs and group listings. It’s a great place to get connected with employers and others looking for home-based work. As always, it’s another positive way to use LinkedIn to build connections and find legitimate work.

2. Use the Right Words: When searching for work from home careers, people often assume that the positions will simply be hiding among the usual jobs; this is not always the case. You need to search with the right words! Use words such as “telecommute,” “virtual,” “from home,” “home office,” “remote,” or “home-based” after your industry of choice. For example, “social media telecommute” will give you more of what you’re looking for in terms of virtual work. When you use the right terms and do a little bit of digging, you’ll typically find numerous opportunities that may not be listed on other job sites.

3. Use HireMyMom.com: HireMyMom.com is the perfect place to search if you’re looking for work from home job and freelance opportunities. This is the point of the site, and we strongly value home-based careers. You’ll find hundreds of listings from reliable, legitimate organizations looking for virtual workers, and it’s easy to apply. Simply register at HireMyMom.com and begin your search! And you don’t have to be a mom to apply. The jobs are available for anyone with experience looking for a work from home job, which affords you more flexibility and freedom in your life.
As you can see working from home online doesn’t have to be a dream. You can start today finding that perfect home-based job you’ve always dreamed of!

Check out these other great articles about home-based jobs as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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February 10, 2015 0 Comments

5 Ways to Prepare for a Skype Interview

Skype is a major communication tool in our modern world, and it’s not any different in business. With more telecommute positions becoming available across the country and beyond, more and more employers are utilizing Skype interviews to keep low costs and increase the chances of finding a suitable job candidate, no matter the location.

While a Skype interview may be a bit less conventional, it’s still a crucial step in the job process. The next time your interview is over your webcam, utilize these Skype interviewing tips below to ensure success.

1. Dress to Impress: It’s not an official interview in an office, but it’s still an interview. By dressing like you’re going to a regular interview, you get yourself into that mindset. Additionally, the interviewer can see part of you, so it’s important to look your best. Dress for success! Wear your favorite interview outfit, even if you’re just taking the call in your spare bedroom. Take the time to make yourself look your best, since we often perform better that way.

2. Remove Background Clutter: Look around your interview room, make sure that you don’t have random clutter in the background. This does not look professional and may be distracting to your interviewer. Turn on your camera before the interview begins and make sure that all clutter is cleared from visible spaces.

3. Hire a Babysitter: If you’re at home with the kids all day, hire a babysitter during your interview time. It’s worth it from a time standpoint too, because you’ll need time before, during, and after the interview to debrief and get yourself situated to do a good job. It’s worth hiring a babysitter and eliminating any distractions from your kids to ensure a positive interview. You’ll know that your kids are being well cared for and have everything they need, versus rushing an interview to get back to them in the other room.

4. Step Away From the Noise: This should go without saying, but be sure to turn off all radios and televisions before your interview. We can’t always do anything about our neighbor cutting grass outside or any other noises from the outdoors, but we can eliminate them inside our homes. Do your best to choose the quietest room in your home and turn off anything that would make a noise; this includes your cell phone and any alarms or notifications on your computer. If you have pets, keep them outside during your interview, or ensure that you are far enough away from them to avoid barking or other noises.

5. Print Your Qualifications: Have you resume, notes, and any other qualifying documents ready to go. This is an important tip for any interview that does not take place in person, since you can reference these documents as you proceed. Since you’ll be on video, it will be difficult to be discreet and walk across the room to access your notes, so be sure to have them ready before the interview begins. Additionally, keep a pen and paper with you and let your interviewer know that you are taking notes at appropriate times.

You are sure to make an impression on your potential employer by utilizing all five Skype interviewing tips. Start here by checking out our current work from home job postings.

Check out these other great articles about interviewing tips as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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February 2, 2015 0 Comments

4 Secrets of the Most Successful Home-Based Workers

Whether you work from home or know someone who does, we all know home based workers who makes it look seamless! Success in a work from home position can be easier said than done, but with a few organizational and logistical shifts, you can create calm and productivity in your home-based career.

  • Focus: Focus is always #1 for a reason! Have a “to do” list, utilize a program such as Trello or Basecamp for task organization and checklists, and put everything into a daily calendar or schedule. Set your alarm for each task, and give each task a set period of time. To improve focus, take frequent stretching, exercise or snack breaks to keep yourself mentally sharp. When successful home-based workers are able to accomplish so much in a day, it’s because they give a lot of thought to their focus and how to eliminate the unnecessary.
  • Minimize Distractions: It can be tough to do in a home environment, but it’s entirely possible! When you work from home, not only do you have the computer and other work distractions, you have the distractions of home, family, pets, and so on. Set yourself up for success by creating a separate workspace or eliminating noise and distractions in your main living spaces. If you’re able to, get out of the house a few times per week to get away from home distractions. If you find that distractions are coming between you and your work, adjust your schedule around them to avoid losing time. You can truly accomplish so much in a home-based position, as you don’t have the typical office job distractions; you just have to prepare for it!
  • Prioritize: Successful home-based workers know how to prioritize everything in their lives. When you look at your list, it can be overwhelming to look at your day on paper, but it’s also incredibly helpful. Number your tasks by order of importance in order to complete the most crucial tasks first. Prioritizing your day can really make a difference in your productivity level, and successful work-from-home moms are incredibly productive!
  • Keep it Real: Treat working from home like a real, normal job with set hours and a professional set up. The most successful home-based workers don’t see their jobs as less important or less effective than a typical office job, so you shouldn’t either. While you have the advantage of working from the comfort of your home, treat your work assignments and daily work life as you would in a corporate office.

These four secrets of successful home based workers will make you become the envy of all your friends and family. Start applying these tips today.

Check out these other great articles about home-based business as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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