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April 8, 2019 0 Comments

Behind the Scenes with HireMyMom Founder Lesley Pyle

Why did you become an entrepreneur?

I sometimes call myself an accidental entrepreneur because it was not in my original plans. However after having my first child, I desperately wanted to be at home with her. I had just finished my Master’s degree and had always dreamed of climbing the corporate ladder. But after having her, I wanted nothing more than to work from home and be able to be an integral part of her life. The most appealing part to me at the time was having freedom and flexibility in my day and that’s still a huge benefit all these years later!

 

What changes did you have to make start your entrepreneurial path?

When I first started out, I made the difficult decision to quit my full-time job which meant we needed to cut our living expenses significantly until I could get my freelance business going. We sold one car, got rid of cable TV and cut out every other bill we could. We ate more ramen noodles (hello cheap!) than I care to remember. It was rough getting started, but it gave me such drive to make sure I was successful. I knew if I wasn’t, then I would be forced to look for a job.

 

What has been the toughest aspect of being an Entrepreneur?

Going at it alone has been difficult at times. When you work for yourself, there’s no team members to turn to or bosses to teach you things you don’t know how to do. You are responsible for learning new skills, staying on top of new technologies, hiring the right people, and knowing when you may need to hire a coach to help you through some of the areas you are lacking in.

 

What advice would you give to someone who was thinking about transitioning into the entrepreneur life?

I would recommend really taking the time to discover what you are passionate about and what you are good at. Don’t just do something because you think you will make money. The honeymoon will be over on that before you know it. I believe you’ll have much more success doing what you love. Because then, it doesn’t feel like work, right?  I love what I do and I look forward to sitting down at my desk every day. Instead of looking at the clock 20 times a day wondering if its 5:00 yet, I look at it and think “oh no, I only have x more hours to work today”. That’s when you know you love what you do!

 

What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?

I love being creative and being in charge of my time and my future. I love setting new goals for myself and growing by learning new things. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love being able to pack a bag anytime you want and take your work on the road for as long as you want! Last year, my husband and I were able to take off for 10 days to Hawaii where one of our daughters was playing her last collegiate volleyball games of her career and we got to be there for those and to celebrate her on Senior Night! Priceless memories, and I probably would not have been able to do that if I worked a traditional job.

 

What book are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy because I need reminders that small choices day by day make huge differences in the future. So far, I’m loving it!

 

What does your daily routine look like?

I get up around 6am and have my coffee, prayer and Bible study time for about an hour to get myself focused in the right direction. Then I get my youngest up and ready for school. From there, I often work out for an hour, then head to my home office where I work until around 4pm when our youngest gets home from school. My work day includes writing, creating content, responding to customers, engaging with my community and working on daily goals.

 

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I am a first generation college student. I put myself through college with the help of loans, grants and the work study program. Upon graduation, I had a hard time getting my first job so I decided to look at scholarships for graduate school. I found the biggest one and figured I’d start with it. It was a full scholarship to study abroad in any country from Rotary International. To my surprise, I won the scholarship and attended the University of Stirling in Scotland where I received my Master’s in Marketing and Public Relations! That taught me that when God closes one door, there’s usually a bigger, better door waiting for you!

 

Have questions or want more information on HireMyMom? Contact us!

 

 

 

 

 

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March 18, 2019 0 Comments

7 Strategic Ways To Grow Your Mompreneur Business

If you are a mompreneur who has been working your business for a while, there comes a pivotal point when you seek to take your business to the next level. Whether it’s to increase your income goals, elevate client experience, streamline your processes or all of the above, growing your business will require some high-level strategies.

As a full-time mompreneur myself in business since 1996, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with the details but the best place to start, even when growing your business is to focus on drilling down what has worked best for you so far. And it’s important to keep in mind, that there is no substitute for keeping it simple.

So here are our 7 strategic ways to take your business to the next level right away.

 

1. Reevaluate Current Expenses

Before you dive into all the new ideas you have for your small business, it’s always a good idea to evaluate where you are right now. Make a list of your current business expenses and ensure you are not spending time and money in areas that you aren’t using. Those $15-$20 monthly subscriptions can really add up.

 

2. Juicy Offer

If you have been building an email list with an opt-in through your website great job! Building an email list is one of the best things you can do for your business. With social media platforms changing daily and algorithm’s decreasing the organic reach of content, having a clear and consistent email marketing strategy is a must. When you email your list, you don’t have to worry about how much reach it will get.

Maybe you have a freebie on your website that has been working and now it’s time to create some additional free resources so you have multiple offers to share and market. Consider creating a “Resource Library” on your website where your visitors can sort through the best offer(s) for them. Create pinnable graphics for each offer through a Pinterest Canva template and pin to a free resources board on Pinterest. This will help you capture more leads for your business where you can build a deeper relationship with through email.

Don’t have a freebie offer on your website? Now is the time to create one! Come up with a high value resource that can help your ideal client solve an immediate problem and position you as an expert.

 

3. Email Marketing 

As you build an email list, it’s important to communicate on a regular basis with that list in order to take your business to that next level. Send out a weekly newsletter to share something of value, your latest blog post, tool, video training, helpful hack or resource.

When it comes to email marketing, it’s definitely quality over quantity. The goal is to provide high-level value that can help your ideal client while positioning you as an expert. The goal is not to pitch your audience to buy something (this is a strategy that is okay every so often but 90% of your emails should be high quality value). Pitching your email list with offers constantly will only land you with lots of unsubscribes.

When crafting emails focus more on letting your personality shine through and less on perfecting polished sales copy. Tell a story through your emails and talk to your audience like you are sitting down with them for coffee.

At the end of the email include a photo of you with a bio, a subtle call to action and link to learn more about how they can work with you.

 

4. On Boarding Process

Maybe you’ve built your business doing discovery type calls and while it’s worked, you are wanting to take back control of your time so you can focus on only working with exactly the type of clients your skill sets are best suited for.

Having an on-boarding process for new clients can definitely grow your business by helping to weed out people who are not 100% your ideal client. Create a Google doc that you can direct people to through your website. You can set up this document to email you the responses once it’s filled out.

Ask important questions that can help you determine if a phone call is the next step or if responding with an email to let them know they are not the right fit for you at this time. You can direct them to paid resources or courses you offer, (we will talk about this more below)or refer them to someone who is a better fit.

Having a process to properly vet clients can save you hours of precious time each week so you can spend that time on other revenue generating activities, working with the right clients and spending more time with your family.

 

5. Passive Income Resources

Marketing a business takes a lot of hard consistent work, and you want to leverage the leads that come into your business as much as possible. While not everyone who lands on your website will be a good fit to work with, that doesn’t mean you don’t have value to offer them.

Put together digital products or courses that can generate passive income so you can focus on investing time to work with higher-paying clients. If you are a graphic designer who designs logos for example, you could put together an eBook training of how to create a simple logo for a new website and charge say $27. Those who may not be the right fit for you to work on a larger scale can take a DIY approach allowing you to still earn revenue for your expertise without doing any extra work.

Passive income resources like this are a great way to grow your business since it’s a product you’ve already created that you can sell over and over again.

 

6. Streamline Processes With Templates

Create templates for every aspect of your business for tasks such as onboarding clients, emails, proposals and invoices. Tools like Freshbooks are great for this as they not only manage invoices and expenses, but also client and project notes.

Use apps to track expenses to save you hours at tax time and create folders for client emails so you aren’t spending hours searching for them. Spending time up front to stay organized can greatly increase your productivity and take your business to the next level.

 

7. Batch Your Time

There is nothing worse than feeling like you are going in circles not being productive. In order to grow your business, you need to use your time wisely and batch your recurring tasks.

For example, instead of trying to figure out every day what to post on your Facebook business page, batch that task and work on it each Monday from 9am-10am and plan out the whole week. You may not even need a full hour as you will find that as you create content focusing on one platform, your creativity and momentum will flow more easily.

Now think of other recurring tasks and batch those. For instance, schedule an hour each Tuesday to create pinnable graphics for your blog posts and quote cards in Canva and upload them to your Pinterest boards.

Batching your time will drive up your productivity while creating a higher level of consistency.

There are your 7 strategic tips to grow your mompreneur business. Implement even half of these and your business is sure to flourish!

Looking for more training, networking, support or ideas? We’d love to have you join our HireMyMom community today!

 

 

 

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February 25, 2019 0 Comments

10 Action Steps To Go From Corporate Job To Working From Home

So you’ve made the decision to transition out of that corporate job into working from home. Let us be the first to congratulate and celebrate with you! As a mom who made that same decision for her life and family and as a business woman working with mom professionals for over 20 years, I know full well what a huge stepping stone this is for you.

 

While this is an exciting time of change and looking forward to a bright future of following your passions and doing things your way, it can also be a scary time full of uncertainty and unique challenges that you did not face with a corporate career.

 

Here are 10 actions steps based on my own personal experiences, advice from mentors and networking with other moms who have successfully transitioned from a corporate job to working from home to help you navigate this new territory.

 

1.  Fire Your Fears

You fired your boss and now you will have to learn how to fire your fears. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of not having all the answers, fear of doubt, fear of comparison and yes even the fear of success and the responsibility that comes with it. While a corporate job is not perfect there is a certain level of assurances like knowing where your next paycheck will come from.

 

Doubt will creep in at times so embracing that as a new normal, one that everyone goes through, will help you work through those moments a lot easier. You know yourself best and what works so make a plan of how you will feel the fear and push forward any way (prayer, meditation, exercise, etc.)

 

2. Create A Schedule

There is something to be said for having a routine. Most humans thrive with one and for us moms, a schedule is a necessity. With a corporate job you surely had a time you needed to be up and a time the kids needed to be dressed in order to make it out the door on time or your day most likely got thrown out of whack.

 

While having an at home business has the advantages of flexibility to work when you want, how you want and where you want at the same time without a schedule your day will feel like a free for all and your productivity will be minimal. It will probably take some tweaking to figure out what works but having a daily schedule will be crucial to your success.

 

Some tips of the trade include batching your work on certain days like for phone calls, computer work and for running errands. Sure, there will be hiccups along the way but a schedule ensures you can quickly get back on track. Communicate with your family so they know what to expect; time you have set aside for work and time for family.

 

3. Develop A Network

Working from home can be a huge blessing, without a doubt, but it can also feel isolating. Relationships you had through your corporate job may even fade away as others don’t understand or unfortunately feel jealousy about your new path. Having a network of like minded moms who understand the struggles of mompreneurship can be a priceless asset for you to tap into.

 

4. Consult An Accountant

Being your own boss comes with it’s perks like business expenses and tax write offs but it’s important to know up front how to run your business legally and professionally so there are no surprises down the road. Depending on your state, you could be required to create an LLC or DBA and file for a federal tax ID number in order to do business. Find out these requirements up front and put a system into place for tracking your business expenses. Tools like FreshBooks and QuickBooks are great resources to help keep you organized.

 

5. Create A Vision Of What You Want

Setting goals is a measurable way of tracking your home business ambitions. Take some time to create a clear vision of:

  • How much income you want/need on a monthly basis

  • The number of clients you need each month to reach that goal

  • What a life of having a full time business doing what you love looks like

  • How you want to feel as your own boss

  • How you will use your business to serve and give back to others

 

6. Stand Confidently In Who You Are

You will soon find the world of business ownership to be a very noisy one. There is no shortage of “experts” out there trying to tell others the best way to run a business. While mentoring and coaching can be beneficial it’s also important that you stay out of the advice rabbit hole and stand firmly in who you are and what you want for your life and business. This will require putting on a filter and using discernment to sort through the make $10K your first month sales pitches, fear of missing out marketing tactics and gurus selling programs.

 

7. Get Up And Running

While it’s okay to plan out your business and approach it in an organized fashion, you will also have to let go of things like perfectionism and having all the answers before taking action. This journey will require taking leaps of faith and being okay with building your wings on the way down. You will make mistakes but you will also learn from them in order to do it better next time. If you sit around trying to create the perfect website, perfect business cards, perfect marketing strategy before taking action you will be sitting stagnant and definitely not making progress to reach your goals.

Focus on the most important pieces of your business that you need to get up and running and go find your first client.

 

8. Hire A Coach

Running a home based business will come with it’s unique challenges and require you to tap into yourself in a way that you may never have before. Hiring a business coach can be a great asset in helping you navigate this transition more smoothly so you aren’t figuring it all out on your own (saving you time and money). This may or may not be in the budget. If it is, do your due diligence and find a coach that specializes in the areas you need most.

If hiring a coach is not in the budget right now, seek out business coaches and learn as much as you can from them through their free tools like blog posts, email newsletters, etc. until you can afford more one on one coaching.

 

9. Have A Creative Outlet

While there is a lot of marketing out there referring a home based business to things like “the dream lifestyle you can do from your laptop while sitting at the beach” it’s far from being that glamorous especially for someone just starting out. It’s not a path free from stress, actually quite the contrary so while you need to have a plan for how you will run your business it’s equally important to have a plan of how you will decompress.

 

Having a home based business means you can make more time for the things you love to do so do them. Read more books, go for more walks, do more painting, play your piano more. As you make plans for how you will work, don’t forget to also make plans for how you will play and enjoy life.

 

10. Get Frugal

Transitioning from corporate job and stable income into a home based business with fluctuating revenue means you will have to rethink your spending habits. Adopt a budget and get more frugal to guard yourself from financial stresses. Running a business and navigating these new waters will be hard enough without adding money problems to it.

Shop more thrift stores, clip more coupons, go through your expenses and see where you can trim some fat. There is no shame in being frugal, it’s a smart savvy way to live especially while starting up a new business.

 

I hope these action steps have inspired you as you transition from corporate woman to CEO Mom Professional! I believe in you and I pray you know God does too.

 

If you found these tips helpful be sure to pin it to a Pinterest board so you can easily find it later. Are you looking for more support as a mom professional transitioning out of the corporate arena to running a full time business from home? Join our community of mom professionals and check out our latest job postings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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. 

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January 4, 2019 0 Comments

Top 7 Virtual Jobs for Moms

Work at Home Jobs for Moms

Becoming a mom has a way of changing a woman’s outlook on her career path. I know it did for me. I had just finished my Master’s degree and started my first job when I got pregnant with our daughter. I had zero intentions of being a stay-at-home mom at the time. However, motherhood had a tremendous impact on me. I soon discovered, I wanted nothing to do with leaving my baby every day.

That’s when I began my work-at-home journey. Working from home provides a wonderful opportunity to create a more flexible schedule that many modern moms are looking for.

If that’s what you’ve been looking for, we’ve put together the top seven work at home jobs as well as common tasks associated with them. We’ve also included online training programs to help you enhance your skills in whichever category you are most interested in.

 

Virtual Assistant

The role of a Virtual Assistant (VA) varies quite a bit depending on the needs of each business. Some typical tasks VAs may perform include:

  • Respond to clients and customers by email, phone and online chat,
  • Perform routine administrative duties,
  • Book appointments or schedule travel,
  • Manage projects,
  • Research various topics or industries related to the business,
  • Create and maintain spreadsheets, databases or other documents,
  • Make simple edits or updates to website,
  • Monitor social media and respond to comments and questions,
  • Give feedback from customers and make suggestions for improvement.

The hourly rate for a Virtual Assistant typically ranges from $15-35 per hour. However this can vary depending on difficulty of duties, expertise of the VA and other factors. If you are looking for online training to become a VA, check out the Virtual Savvy’s Training Program or the Free Mama’s Training Program. Both of them have free options.  Find other training options here. 

 

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager works with the business to create engaging content that offers value to its audience and ultimately results in growth in followers as well as increased sales for the company. Some typical duties may include:

  • Create engaging content for social media channels,
  • Create images using Canva, WordSwag, Typorama or similar services,
  • Create ad campaigns for various social media channels,
  • Respond and interact with followers on social media,
  • Build relationships with influencers,
  • Create a content calendar and schedule content to be posted,
  • Share blog posts on social media platforms,
  • Cultivate leads and sales from social media posts.

The average hourly rate for a Social Media Manager ranges from $15-25 per hour. However this can vary depending on level of experience, job duties and other factors. A great training program to help you become more of an expert on social media and stand out to businesses seeking social media help is: The Complete Digital Marketing Course.

 

Copywriter / Writer / Blogger

A Copywriter writes and edit articles, blogs or copy for a variety of purposes such as:

  • Website copy,
  • Marketing materials,
  • Email marketing,
  • Blogs articles for specific audiences or industries,
  • Ghostwriting articles for business owners.

The hourly rate for a Copywriter can range from $20-40 per hour depending on the level of expertise required, the experience of the writer as well as other factors. Here are a couple of online training program if you want to take your writing skills to the next level: Content is King: How to Write Killer Content for the Web or Content Marketing Masterclass – Create Content that Sells.

 

Accountant / Bookkeeper 

With Cloud-based accounting programs available (such as FreshBooks), a virtual bookkeeper or accountant can access the company’s records remotely to perform duties for the company. An accountant or bookkeeper may perform duties such:

  • Record transactions,
  • Balance bank accounts,
  • Prepare and send invoices,
  • Reconcile invoices and bank accounts,
  • Maintain financial records,
    • Produce balance sheets, income statements and other financial documents,
    • Prepare payroll and tax reports.

The average hourly rate for a bookkeeper ranges from $20-25 per hour. However the pay rate can vary depending on tasks asked to perform, experience required and other factors. Check out this training program if you want to learn the basics of bookkeeping: Bookkeeping Course for Stay-at-Home Parents.

 

Business Development Specialist

A Business Development Specialist is someone who identifies and pursues new leads and looks for ways to help the business continually grow. Some typical duties include:

  • Research and make a list of potential industries and specific customers to approach,
  • Prepare marketing and communication materials such as outreach emails,
  • Connect with influencers, bloggers and brands to build relationships,
  • Develop and maintain client relationships,
  • Create and maintain a database of all contacts,
  • Develop and refine growth strategies for the business.

The average hourly rate for a Business Development Specialist is $25-40 per hour. However this can vary depending on difficulty of duties, expertise of candidates and other factors. Check out this online course: Business Development Blueprint – Accelerate Business Growth.

 

Project Manager 

A project manager coordinates and oversees all aspects of a project. Some typical tasks may include:

 

  • Oversee projects and coordinate team members,
  • Manage administrative duties of the project,
  • Monitor project performance and make needed adjustments,
  • Plan and schedule team member meetings,
  • Collaborate and communicate with team members,
  • Make recommendations as necessary for project success.

 

The average hourly rate for a Project Manager is $20-40 per hour. However this can vary depending on the level of difficulty of the project, candidate’s expertise and other factors. This course will teach you the basics of project management:  Beginning Project Management: Project Management Level One

 

Client Service Specialists / Customer Service

A Client Service Specialist (or Customer Service Rep) is the main point of contact for many small businesses. This person represents the company with professionalism and a friendly demeanor. Some businesses also hire Virtual Assistants to fulfill this job role. Some duties of this job may include:

  • Respond to clients and customers via phone, email or online,
  • Learn and be familiar with company, products and services to answer questions well,
  • Follow up with customers to ensure the product or service has met their expectations,
  • Offer friendly, helpful solutions when clients have an issue or problem,
  • Provide feedback from clients to the team and suggest ideas to improve client satisfaction.

The average hourly rate for a Client Service Specialists is $13-18/hour. However this can vary depending on difficulty of duties, expertise required and other factors. You can improve your skills and make yourself more marketable by taking an online course like: Customer Success Manager 101: Foundations to your CSM Career.

Other work-at-home jobs include: WordPress Experts, Facebook Ad Specialists, Researchers, LinkedIn Specialists, Medical Billing, Instagram & Pinterest Specialists, Sales, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, Coordinators, Public Relations, Transcriptionists, Tech Support, and others. If you are looking for training in any of those categories, check out other online courses offered here.

Whether you are creative, organized, detail-oriented or a numbers person, there’s an opportunity for you. Take some time to think about where your gifts, passions and talents are and take the leap to finding the perfect work-at-home job for you!

If you’d like to search the current job postings on HireMyMom.com, click here and see if your dream job is waiting for you!

 

Have questions about working from home? Check out our FAQ or contact us!

 

This article contains affiliate links to courses and resources. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

 

 

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January 3, 2019 0 Comments

3 Steps to an Amazing New Year

The beginning of a new year is always a great time to reflect on where we are and where we want to be. Focusing on where we can improve and making a plan to get there is imperative. Here are 3 steps to getting your year off to a great start. 

 

First Things First: Get Organized

The new year is a great time to get organized. Start with your desk. If your desk is messy, it will keep you from being productive. Keep only what’s necessary on your desk such as a to-do list and the current project you are working on. Create a filing system for everything else so that you can work without the distractions of everything else. 

Once your desk is organized it will help you focus better on your tasks at hand and motivate you to organize other areas.

 

Second: Set Small Goals 

Once you’ve gotten organized, set some small goals. Goal setting can be intimidating. Who wants to set some monumental goals only to never achieve them? You may have a big goal but you may find it easier to break it down into small daily goals. Once you have those set, you can add weekly goals and monthly goals.

Take some time and think about the different areas of your life (self-care, marriage, kids, health, fitness, career, spiritual, social, etc.) Now set aside a few minutes to set some small, achievable goals. Next turn those into a daily to-do list.

By setting monthly goals, you won’t be overwhelmed. And you won’t feel like quitting if you have a small set back. It’s all about making progress not expecting perfection.

 

Third: Accomplishing More with Time Blocking 

If you aren’t familiar with time blocking, it is a way to schedule your time for maximum productivity. You take your to-do list and create blocks of time on your calendar to complete those tasks. It reduces interruptions and allows you to focus on that one task until its done. You can start by setting up one day for time blocking which may consist of a 30 minute block for email, one hour for social media, and a two-to-four hour block for writing or a project that you want to complete.  The idea is to focus exclusively on the task at hand so you are not starting and stopping and wasting time. If you’d like more insight on time blocking, watch this video.

So there are your 3 steps to an amazing new year in 2019!

 

 

 

 

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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!

 

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October 15, 2018 0 Comments

4 Tips for Computer Organization

As a work from home employee, most (if not all) of your work is done on your computer.  This is great, since you can take your work with you, but it can also get cluttered – and fast! When downloading files, graphics and anything else you need for work, your computer can start to look stressful.

Keeping your computer organized not only helps your productivity, but it keeps your machine running efficiently.

Use folders

A clean computer isn’t just for looks! When you need to locate certain files, staying organized is number one. Folders are a great way to do this, and it can be a helpful system to stay on track.

Create large folders that are more general in nature, followed by sub folders that can narrow down your search.  This allows you to find everything so easily, upping productivity and eliminating frustration.

Delete quickly

Once you no longer need a file, delete it! We often keep files for days on our desktops.  This leads to clutter, stress, and simple disorganization.

Take 5-10 minutes at the end of your day to delete everything that’s no longer needed.  Once your folders and files are set up correctly, you can easily slide each file into the appropriate folder.  This allows you to start the next work day with a clean workspace!

Clean frequently

Make a schedule for computer organization.  Beyond the 5-10 minute daily cleanup, set aside some time each week to look into your folders and clear out any old files.  These take up valuable space on your computer, bogging it down and making it harder to run.

Additionally, you may want to change up your folder or file names, or simply label them in a different way that will work better for you.  Whatever you choose to do, make sure you’re setting aside some time to make these changes on a consistent basis, instead of becoming overwhelmed when it’s ignored for months.

Lastly, make it a habit of cleaning your computer.  There are several programs out there for Macs or PCs that will sweep away old files, or help you to find large file that you no longer need.  This will keep your computer running smoothly and free from clutter!

Label everything

Although we created all of those great folders in tip number one, it won’t be as helpful if your file names are still disorganized.

When you search your computer for a specific file, you need to be able to find it! Make sure you’re taking the time to label your files everyday, and label them in a way that you will remember.  It can help to include the client name, task name, the date, and/or the purpose of the file.

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September 24, 2018 0 Comments

4 Unique Benefits of Working From Home

We all know that there are several benefits of working from home – no commute, more flexibility, and less stress.  But there are lesser known benefits that aren’t discussed as often!

Check out this week’s blog for some of the unique benefits of being a work from home employee.

Get more done

When you work from home, you have access to your home! This is obvious, but it’s a great thing because it allows you to get some things done around the house, which helps you keep up with the housework and reduce stress.

When you set aside a few of your breaks for light housework everyday, you get more time with your family and friends in the evenings.  If you go to a traditional office, you don’t have this benefit, so it’s something that can easily be worked into your day. Of course, working from home is still working, so keep these cleaning breaks to 5-10 minutes at a time.

Break anywhere

As a work from home employee, you can take breaks or really work from anywhere! From lunch breaks to trips away, you can work from any location with internet access.

If you have the opportunity to tag along on your spouse’s work trip, you can come along! When they’re working, you can get your work done too, then enjoy time together in the evenings. It’s very freeing to have your whole work life attached to your laptop, allowing you the freedom to travel and set up shop all over.

Be more accomplished

According to Fundera.com, “86% of employees say they’re most productive when they work alone – devoid of distractions like inefficient meetings, office gossip, or loud office spaces.” Of course, you can occasionally meet up with friends to work at a coffee shop together, but this study shows that most people are more productive outside of a traditional office.

You’re more free to work through workday interruptions, distractions, and so on.  You can set your own schedule and often don’t have as many spontaneous meetings and office drop-ins.  When you work from home, meetings are typically planned ahead since everyone is on a different scheduled, and they’re also usually shorter and completed over phone or Skype.

Time with family

As we mentioned in a few of the benefits above, working from home just gives you more time with family and friends.  You can typically stop working a bit early if you want, and if your work is complete, it’s not a big deal. This opens you up to attend more functions, be there for people more often, and simply not be restricted by a rigid office work schedule.  If work is complete, you’re usually good to go!

Family also includes pets! Those who work from home are able to spend their day with their furry family members too, strengthening those bonds as well.  You can also save money by not having to hire a dog walker or have someone let your dog out during the day! Pets are great stress reducers as well, so being around them all day can be a calming presence.

Working from home has numerous benefits, from stress reduction to more productivity.  Beyond the obvious benefits, you’re able to get more accomplished, work anywhere, and spend more time with those you love.

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August 6, 2018 0 Comments

4 Tips to Work From Home Successfully

Working from home is a dream scenario to most – more flexibility, no commute, and more time with family. But once you’ve landed a home based job, how are you successful in it?  It’s not quite the same as a traditional office job, so different things need to be considered.

Read along for some of our tips to ensure success in a work from home position.

Clear distractions

As much as possible, clear distractions from your home and work time. If you know you’re going to be on an important call, place a note on the door to ask people to not ring the doorbell. If you have dogs, exercise them early and put them in their crates or on beds when you’re trying to get work done.

If your kids are home on summer break, work out some playdates or child care when you really need to focus.  Often times we can manage to fit all of this into our work days, but sometimes we need a break. Keep in mind, if you worked in a traditional office, you wouldn’t have the same distractions.

Be independent

Being a successful home based employee comes down to working independently.  Sure, you may have a supervisor or head boss that you report to, but it likely isn’t regulated the same way as an office job.

To get work done, stay on track, and avoid overwhelm, it’s so crucial that you manage yourself.  Keep tabs on how you’re spending your work time with a simple spreadsheet, and make to do lists your friend!

However, independence doesn’t need to carry over into your personal life. Be sure that you’re making time to be social and get together with co-workers or other home based workers when you can.

Manage yourself

Along with being independent, in a lot of cases you might have to manage yourself. Some home based positions tend to be more freelance in nature, so while you have a “boss,” it’s not in the same way.

Manage yourself with to do lists, as well as clear check ins with your immediate supervisor.  Whether it’s a daily summary of work or a weekly check-in call, it’s up to you and your boss. You can create a schedule of communication that works for all involved, and this will allow you to stay on track with your employer.

Motivate yourself

Working from home offers a host of benefits, but motivation can be hard to come by.  It can be tempting to spend the day watching Netflix, or doing something fun with your kids.  While this can be part of your day from time to time, you are still working from home.

Do your best to save other activities for breaks or after work hours. When you commit to a typical workday and a set amount of time and hours, you’re providing yourself with the structure and boundaries to get things done.

Staying motivated to do your work will come from having a solid schedule and process for accomplishing tasks.  This may be challenging at first, but once you find your rhythm, it’s easy to stay on track!

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