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May 12, 2020

Small Businesses Making Lemonade with COVID Lemons

Beauty is produced from struggling. Take a pearl for example. Without an irritant making its way into an oyster, it would have no reason to coat layer after layer of nacre on the irritant which after many years produces a beautiful pearl.

The same is true for the butterfly. Through the process of struggling to emerge from its cocoon, the butterfly gains power it needs to strengthen its wings to be able to fly.

We are all in a struggle right now whether it be health, finances, isolation, or some other struggle, we are joined together through it. 

But like any struggle, you can choose to find a way to make lemonade out of the lemons you’ve been handed.

Here are a few small businesses from our HireMyMom Community doing just that:

Big Sky Internet Design is a small family-owned website design company building websites for the Agriculture Industry since 1998.  Due to Covid-19 they discovered that many 4H, FFA, and other youth county organizations were not going to be able to hold their annual sale/auction due to the lockdown. Tom Bruch, owner of Big Sky Internet, decided that they could do something about that. They created easy and affordable websites for youth organizations to be able to have auctions online.  Now these students who have spent countless hours and sometimes large amounts of money, have a way to reach a market interested in buying their livestock. 

Dudley Court Press is a hybrid publishing house for authors. A couple of their remote team members homeschool their children. As “stay at home” orders became the norm, the rest of the Dudley’s team found themselves homeschooling as well. 

“The stress was palpable,” Gail Woodard, Dudley Court Press CEO shares. “We decided to devote half our weekly team meeting to sharing experiences and advice. The impact on the new homeschooling moms was so positive that we decided to offer a free, weekly Zoom-based Homeschoolers’ Support Group through April. Our first session was a great success with new homeschooling parents relieved to have ‘experts’ to chat with.”  

Ben Walker, of Transcription Outsourcing LLC is in a CEO peer group of small business owners. These business owners have been helping each other in their respective areas of expertise at no charge through webinars and online meetings.  He shares, “I’ve been helping one fellow business owner here with brainstorming how he can pivot his event staffing company and all his skills and knowledge into a new business. All of this has been done with absolutely no expectation of anything in return.” It’s just one small business owner doing what he or she can to help another business survive and thrive through this season.

Marsha Means, MA is a part of a team of coaches who are offering new Covid-19 support groups that are free to those who have lost their income ($10 for with an income). Marsha shares, “If you’ve lost someone to covid, or if you are anxious and overwhelmed, I invite you to join me and others to share, process, and to support each other as we face the loss, the fear, and global trauma all humanity is experiencing.”

Barkha’s Custom Sourcing specializes in sustainable and ethical sourcing of fabric. Currently, they are organizing a large donation of stock fabric to the Sewing Masks for Area Hospitals – Atlanta project. They’re a non-profit that is building networks in and around Atlanta — and all across the U.S. — to make sure our healthcare workers have the PPE they need to fight the battle against COVID-19. 

Barkha Malik, owner, shares, “While masks sewn by volunteers at Sewing Masks for Area Hospitals – Atlanta are not viable by themselves, hospital staff are using them over their N95 masks to extend their usefulness. These masks can be sanitized and reused.”  Anyone interested in sewing masks or getting involved to learn more about the Sewing Masks for Area Hospitals – Atlanta project by joining their Facebook group here.

In a world with a lot of bad news, it’s great to be reminded of the positives going on around us. Hats off to all you small business owners making your own version of lemonade!

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May 4, 2020

Is Remote Work the Way of the Future?

The year 2020 has turned out to be far different than anyone could have ever expected. Outside of essential services, the survival of many businesses now rely on their ability to run remotely. Remote work is now one of the best and only ways a business can survive through these trying times. 

But even before COVID-19, remote working was starting to flourish and become a worldwide phenomenon.

Let’s dive into how remote work has transformed from optional to essential. 

Growing Populations = Increased Commuting Time and Costs

With the populations of our major cities increasing at a rapid rate and the methods of transportation to and from work becoming increasingly strained, many businesses started looking at ways to diminish travel time, expenses and stress that derives from commuting to and from work each day. This is one of the reasons remote work options started to come into play.

The Benefits of having a Remote Workplace for Businesses

Many employers have been choosing to have remote workplace environments for many reasons including:

  • lower operating costs,
  • the advancement of tools and technology,
  • improved productivity and quality of work and;
  • access to a broader spectrum of qualified workers.

 

Leadership and Communication in the Remote Workplace

As stated above, there are many benefits for companies who choose to create remote work environments for their employees. The key to having success in these remote working situations relies heavily on two things; Communication and Leadership.

Remote work success starts at the top of a company’s organizational chart – the Leadership. It’s up to the leaders to set the bar for policies, and procedures in remote work. 

There should be a clear and well laid out structure of supervision to motivate work from home employees and aspire them to hit their productivity goals and provide them with flexibility at the same time so they can create the perfect work-life balance. 

Strong communication is key to the success of any company but due to the lack of physical accessibility in a remote work environment, having clear communication protocol is essential. 

Two considerations when laying out your policies and procedures for communication include; access to important information and the right tools and software to communicate with.

Remote Work as an Emerging and Essential Trend

Ten years ago, remote work was almost unheard of. This is because over the past decade there has been some key technological advances made and an influx of software options available for remote workers that has made running a remote work environment much easier and affordable to implement. 

In some cases, it would cost a company more to NOT work remotely and have to source out office space, equipment and other in house essentials.

One of the biggest challenges for employers on the fence between remote work and in office work environments is not having the ability to monitor and implement strategies for sustaining productivity amongst their employees.

Some case studies however, have emerged reporting favorable findings that remote workers are more productive than in-office workers. Take CoSo Cloud for example; their survey reported a 77% increase in productivity within their remote workers.

 

COVID-19 and Remote Work

Many years ago, remote work was not an option because of the lack of the right equipment and technology to do so. 

Fortunately, we are in a position to transition to remote work almost immediately which helps sustain a business when faced with a crisis like COVID-19.

Not only has this type of work become essential for our economy, but it’s also important to the health and safety of helping businesses survive.

Remote work can help businesses operate while governments have been closing non-essential service storefronts and emphasizing the practice of social distancing and self isolation. 

 

What the Future Holds for Remote Work …

There is an endless amount of software offerings that support almost every aspect of business from logistics to accounting to marketing to sales and customer service. 

Of course some exceptions to remote work abilities include businesses that rely on human to human physical contact such as health and wellness companies and manufacturing facilities.

For those companies in a position where remote work is a possibility, NOW is the time to do so. 

The key takeaway to this article is that time is of an essence and there is no time for debate. The future IS in remote work environments in order to sustain non-essential businesses that would be forced to shut down if not providing remote work environments. 


The Benefits to Doing so far Exceed the Setbacks. 

If your business is ready to take the next step to hiring remote workers, HireMyMom has become a go-to source for finding skilled, trained, and highly qualified employees to help businesses grow and sustain. Here are 7 Reasons Why Moms Make The Best Remote Workers For Small Businesses.

Review what companies are saying here or if you’re ready to start your search, you can get started here. 

 

 

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April 1, 2020

5 Ways Working From Home Promotes Healthy Work-Life Balance

One of the greatest benefits to working from home is the flexibility. Because you can work from anywhere, remote work has been for the longest time, considered a luxury.

Now however, remote work is a necessity. A few months ago, the world was hit with COVID-19 and suddenly, many businesses were faced with the decision to either close down completely or find a way to transition their staff to remote work.


For today’s blog, we’re going to talk about how this new situation can promote a healthy work life balance. 

 

The Importance Of Work-Life Balance

Having a good work-life balance is important for your overall happiness and ability to stay motivated and driven to produce your best work at all times.

If you find that you are constantly working and have little time left over to take care of yourself, socializing with friends, and spending time with family, this can really impact your mental, physical, and emotional well being. 

Finding a healthy work-life balance has always been a difficult thing to do, especially when the average person puts in an 8 hour work day and factors in commuting time on top of that.

With remote work becoming the new frontier for employment sustainability, it’s never been a better time to embrace and adapt to this new way of work.

For those of us who weren’t expecting to be working from home, keep in mind that for many years, remote employees have reported seeing a great improvement to their emotional, mental, and physical health as a result. A study from Staples found that those who work from home experienced 25% less stress. 


Here Are 5 Ways Working from Home Promotes a Healthy Work-Life Balance

 

Working from Home Allows You To Create The Office Environment You Want

How many times have seen those cubicle style office spaces featured in movies and tv shows? The truth is, that those spaces depicted have been a reality for many people over the years.

The average office space consists of 3 portable walls, a desk, computer, phone and maybe a filing cabinet. Paint color, artwork, and the type of chair you have are all depicted by the employer. Workers are expected to be in their “office” for 8 hours a day or more.

With remote work, your office can be as big as you want, your chair can be as comfy as you want, the color of your walls, artwork and accessories can all be determined by you. Your home office space can be as bright and cheery as you want and can reflect your own unique personality. You can even bring in some natural light by putting your office in a room with windows. The world is your oyster when you work from home and this can lead to both comfort and contentment.

 

Remote Work Provides Flexibility For Personal Time

Because remote work is flexible, you can start earlier or end later depending on the routine of your family and the needs of your clients or employer.

When school and extracurricular activities return to normalcy again, you’ll be able to drop off and pick up your children from school and/or daycare as well as take your kids to their gymnastics, soccer games and attend school functions. You won’t have to ask or request the time off from your employer just as long as you are providing consistently good work, delivering it on time and it doesn’t interfere with calls,  meetings or deadlines.

 

Working from Home Minimizes Socialization Stress

Let’s face it, there’s nothing more disruptive than someone barging into your office, or you getting caught in the “water cooler conversations” when all you wanted was to refresh your coffee.

Though it’s healthy to have a social life, it can be very distracting and disruptive to your workflow throughout the day.

Working from home gives you the perfect balance of isolation and socialization. You can chat with co-workers during conference calls and in your online communications but now, the social gossip is at a low and more productive conversations are at a high.

This improved level of working means you get more done in less time. In fact, a study by ConnectSolutions reported 77% report greater productivity while working off site. This can lead to your work day wrapping up sooner, giving you more time to spend with your friends and family.

Having said this, it’s important to expand your social network when you’re a remote employee. There are many online groups you can join that offer encouragement and share ideas on how you can improve your remote work lifestyle. At HireMyMom we have an online community on Facebook to help members connect and have a virtual support team.

 

Remote Work Eliminates The Stress And Time Loss From Commuting

Let’s address the elephant in the room … commuting. The time lost, the cost, and the stress of commuting has been one of the biggest realized benefits to working remotely.

Before remote work ever came to be, we were all forced to find a method of transportation to get to work each day.

For some of us, this meant driving during rush hour traffic with honking and shouting from other drivers and for others, this meant getting on buses or trains being exposed to hundreds of fellow commuters (and whatever communicable illness they could be carrying). 

Being exposed to less stress, less sickness, and gaining more personal time as a result keeps us healthy and happy on all levels.

 

Working from Home Allows You To Take Breaks When You Need Them The Most

It’s really great that during a typical work day for the most part, we get lunch and a 15-minute break however, depending on the location of your employment, you were most likely taking those breaks in a lunch room or worse still, at your desk.

It’s so healthy for us to be able to get up and move around. Sitting in the same position for long periods of time is bad for our posture, our circulation and more.

When we work from home, we can move our office as needed (for example you can start your work day at the kitchen table and move into your designated office space in the afternoon). You can stretch as you need to and your 15-minute breaks can be a walk around the block.

You also can take your breaks when you need them the most. Rather than being dictated on the time frame, you can go with your body’s natural rhythm and flow.

This includes lunch breaks as well. For those who didn’t before, you now have access to a fully equipped kitchen so that fresh, healthy meals can be prepared right at home daily.

This minimizes the desire for grabbing “lunch to go” at a fast food chain. Not only is there a cost savings to doing this, but it’s also much better for your physical health too.

 

The reality is that COVID-19 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. This new way of working might be hard for a lot of people, but it’s necessary in order to flatten the curve. The benefits of remote work even before this crisis situation occurred was so great that most considered this as being the “dream” lifestyle.

We now have a chance to come together and work towards a better future, an overall healthier lifestyle, and more time with the people in our lives that matter most. If you are searching for work from home options, check out our most recent job posts here.  And if you are a small business seeking to hire virtual professionals, click here to post your job. 

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March 16, 2020

How To Start Working From Home – 5 Important Steps

As we enter 2020 there has been a shift in the way we work. 

About a decade ago working from home was considered a luxury but with the small to medium sized businesses booming and becoming the key drivers in our economy, remote employment is emerging as the new trend.

If you’re thinking about transitioning over to a work from home job this article is for you!
In this article, we’ll cover five steps to help kick-start your journey to remote employment.

STEP ONE: Do You Have the Right Stuff?

It takes a certain type of work ethic to be able to sustain and succeed in remote employment.

Here are some of the most important core competencies:

Time Management

Time management is an extremely important skill to have. You’re doing everything remotely from communicating with your boss and coworkers, answering emails, and handling day-to-day tasks as they come in. This is where time management comes into play. Being able to quickly prioritize and plan out your day from the start will help ensure success as a remote worker.

Discipline and Focus

It’s easy to get distracted when you work from home. With family at home, unexpected guests showing up at the door, and being tempted to complete a chore or two, things can quickly add up.

Stand your ground, have some rules of the home in place while you’re working remotely, and set your business hours so that friends and family know when they can contact you or even put your phone on “do not disturb” when you have work to complete.

Strong Communication Skills

Because you’re working remotely, strong communication is a vital skill to have. Whether you’re sending out emails, conferencing in a phone call or jumping in on a Zoom meeting, communication is the key to success in the remote work world. It’s important to communicate and acknowledge tasks, deadlines and project statuses to your team.

Ability to Work Independently

For the most part, you’re all on your own. If you’re someone who needs to be around others and socialize, remote work can sometimes feel isolating.

The good news is that there are ways to still socialize when you have a work from home job. You can join an online Facebook community (HireMyMom has an Online Community for example) or make time to attend networking or social meetings in your area.

Check out this blog for a more comprehensive piece on the core competencies.

 

STEP TWO: Finding Your New Work From Home Career Path


Transitioning to a work at home career can be life changing (in a good way), and it’s important to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success. There are so many different remote work professions to choose from. Here are some of the most popular:

  • Virtual Assistant
  • Copywriter / Content Developer / Blogger
  • Digital Marketing Specialist / Marketing / Advertising
  • Accountant / Bookkeeper
  • Customer Service / Client Support Specialist

It’s important when deciding on what jobs to apply for to assess what you have in your “toolbox”. Your toolbox contains your education, work experience, and any additional training you received that you could incorporate into the position you are applying for.

It never hurts to take a course or two to brush up your skills or learn some new ones. There are several online and in person options available. It’s best to do a Google search to find out what programs are offered as well as a search on YouTube to find any free training.

If you’re interested in becoming a Virtual Assistant we offer two great programs; our 31 Day VA Training Program and our 6-Month In-Depth VA Training Program.


For a more in-depth look at these professions and others including pay rates check out our article “10 Work From Home Jobs For Moms”.

 

STEP THREE: Do You Have the Right Tools?


Working from home does require some necessary tools to get started. Here are some you may need:

Computer and Backup
It’s important to have a good computer to work on plus a backup system in place should your system go down. And having a laptop is convenient for those working remotely since you can pick up and work from anywhere including the coffee shop, the pool or even on vacation.

Programs / Apps
Some key programs and apps you may use when you work remotely include G-Suite  / Google Docs, Zoom, Slack, Trello, Asana and other project management tools. There are also time tracking services like Harvest that are helpful for tracking hours.

Designated Workspace
It’s important to have a designated area so you can tune in to your work and tune out any distractions. You should have a desk area, proper office chair, and good lighting.

 

STEP FOUR: Where to Find Legitimate Work from Home Jobs?

The best place to find work from home jobs is online. There are however some considerations as to which job sites you should avoid.

Some questions to ask yourself when deciding which sites to apply to:

Does the website take commission every time you are paid?

Do they carefully screen employers before allowing them to post a job? (See Spotting Work at Home Scams)

Are you competing with thousands of applicants all over the world or is it a smaller niche site?

Is the website easy to navigate and use?

Do they have customer testimonials and good reviews?

It’s important to go with a website that features high quality job postings from reputable businesses. There may be a small cost to join the website but this is a good thing. It means there’s a filter in place to provide quality employment opportunities and greatly reducing the candidate pool so you are not competing with hundreds or thousands of other job seekers.

(HireMyMom has a great selection of jobs to choose from. Give your career a kick start, learn more here).

 

STEP FIVE: Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Skills


Having an updated resume and cover letters tailored to each individual job increases your chances of getting hired with a quality employer. It’s also helpful to brush up on your interview skills so you can leave a lasting impression and land the job you want.

Need help? We have a collection of articles that offer tips on writing cover letters, advice on how to make your resume stand out, things to think about while preparing for a job interview and more. You can check them out here.

Are you ready to take that next step? Here are a few work from home success stories to inspire you: 

 

 

 

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February 25, 2020

6 Statistics Proving the Benefits of Working at Home

Did you know the number of people who work from home has increased by 140% since 2005?

Over the past decade, technology has really transformed the business world. Now, more and more businesses and individuals are discovering the benefits of working remotely from home.

With small businesses driving 44% of the total US economy, it’s easy to see how allowing employees or contractors to work from home would be beneficial and cost saving. It is a great solution to growing companies who seek an alternative to hiring, training and finding space for on-site staff. 

We at HireMyMom, already know the amazing benefits of working from home but let’s look at the benefits the Industry Experts have to share on remote work: 

 

1. Working at Home Saves Money

One of the biggest benefits of remote work is cost savings. According to Global Workplace Analytics (GWA), businesses can save up to $11,000 per employee each year by simply allowing them to work from home.

There is also less absence in the workplace when an employee can work from home. Again according to GWA, unscheduled absences cost employers $1800 per employee per year. The American Management Association realized a 63% reduction in unscheduled absences.

 

2. Working from Home Saves Time

Remote work can save a lot of time (and stress) because it eliminates the need to commute. According to the State of Telecommuting, part-time remote employees save around 11 days a year by not traveling to work. This means the employee is less stressed, less tired and can commit more time to performance rather than having their energy drained in rush hour traffic.

 

3. Working at Home Improves Productivity

It is true that distraction decreases productivity. There is nothing more annoying to an employer than seeing staff doing more chatting than working. But according to 2018 statistics, the majority of surveyed employees feel there are fewer distractions when working outside of the office.

Forbes.com relays that 77% of those who work from home get more done in fewer hours thanks to fewer distractions like meetings, conversations, and noisy coworkers.

When Highfive.com conducted a study, remote workers accomplished 30% more work in less time. 

 

4. Working from Home Helps Improve Employee Retention Rates

Keeping employees happy is the key to a successful and productive business. If employees are not happy, the quality of work often suffers significantly and could lead to employee loss.

A huge part of employee happiness comes from:

  • less travel time and commuting costs
  • less distraction from their co-workers
  • the ability to have a more flexible schedule and;
  • a comfortable work environment

According to Global Workplace Analytics, a poll of 1,500 technology professionals revealed that 37% would take a pay cut if they could work from home.

From an employer’s perspective, 95% report that working from home has had a high impact on their employee retention rate.


5. Working at Home Improves Health

Remote work can improve employee health both physically and mentally. Monster.com reports that when Staples conducted a study in 2011, they found employees who worked from home experienced 25% less stress. They also reported being able to maintain a healthy work-life balance and experienced improved eating habits as well.

Working from home also means being less exposed to viruses and other airborne illnesses that can sometimes heavily impact the workplace environment. It’s much easier to self-quarantine one person than an entire office. Less sick employees mean less disruption to productivity and in turn can lead to companies saving thousands of dollars each year. This is an especially timely topic given the outbreak of the Coronavirus. 

 

6. Working from Home Is Better For The Environment

According to the State of Telecommuting, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through telecommuters / remote workers is equivalent to 600,000 cars.

When employees eliminate the commute to work every day they help reduce the amount of pollution. By eliminating the commute, working from home drastically reduces the carbon emissions created from driving. In Entrepreneur.com’s article “How Telecommuting Reduced Carbon Footprints at Dell, Aetna and Xerox” it’s stated remote work, even if it’s only done on a part-time basis, can still reduce over 54 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.


At HireMyMom we help businesses hire talented, affordable, virtual team members and freelancers while at the same time, assist mom professionals in finding flexible, legitimate, home-based work to help create the perfect work-life balance.

If you’re interested in using our services to find your next remote employee you can visit our registration page here.

 

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November 19, 2019

7 Benefits of Working From Home for Moms

Are you contemplating working from home? Many of us Moms do, in fact, for our HireMyMom members – the contemplation has become a reality!

Most Moms make the decision to work from home because of at least one of the following:

1. To be at home more for their children,

2. To have more freedom and flexibility in their schedule,

3. To be their own boss,

4. To earn money for their family.

 

Working from home can be an amazing experience, but it does require some key qualities:

  • Self discipline,
  • Strong organizational skills,
  • Effective time management,
  • Flexibility,
  • Administrative skills

(If you don’t have a lot of administrative experience, we highly recommend our 31 Day Virtual Assistant training program.)

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FROM HOME?

 

  1. Flexibility – when you work from home, you have the ability to work at your own pace, set your own hours as well as the amount of hours you want to work.
  2. Control over your work environment – imagine being able to create your own unique work environment … from the paint on the walls to your office furniture, you can design the work space you want. You can also play whatever music you want, add some refreshing scents, and create a personalized atmosphere for your work environment. 
  3. Wear what you want – whether you want to work in jeans and a t-shirt, your favorite yoga pants, or even your PJ’s, your mornings are a little less stressful and more harmonious when you don’t have to worry about putting on business attire.
  4. Less disruptions and more productivity – other than the kids coming home from school, there can be a lot less distraction when you work from home. You can focus on getting your work done without office chatter and impromptu stop ins to your office.
  5. No commuting – say good-bye to the long drives and getting caught in rush hour traffic. A work from home job requires very little travelling, if at all. With no fuel costs or wear and tear on your car, you are saving both time and money.
  6. You can get chores done on your breaks – you can take a quick break from work to throw a load of laundry in the wash, start the dishwasher, or give the floor a sweep. By the end of the day, there will be less chores to do and more time for you.
  7. More time for your family – when you work from home, you’re there for your family when they need you. You can work your schedule around soccer games, dance practice and doctors appointments quite easily. Because you aren’t commuting, you get off work earlier and start family time as soon as you shut down your computer.

 

More and more companies are starting to recognize the benefits to having work from home employees. The surge in self employment has caused a demand for this type of work, especially in cases where a business is starting to grow, but they can’t afford the costs of hiring internally. 

As technology evolves, there will only be an increased demand for work from home employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. 

If you think working from home might be a great fit for you, our “Top 10 Work From Home Jobs” is worth the read. We cover some of the most in demand jobs based on our postings here at HireMyMom.

If you’re ready to step into a work from home role, you can sign up  on HireMyMom and gain instant access to our database of remote job postings. 

We look forward to seeing you as one of our Success Stories!

 

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October 21, 2019

HireMyMom Success Story: Heather Swain

Tell us a little about you and your experience finding work on HireMyMom.

After a hard season of life, I decided to try and find a job where I can bring in some extra money while still being home with my son and not have to pay the insanely high costs of childcare. I saw an ad for HireMyMom, and I felt drawn to the site. Within my first day using the site I had two interviews scheduled and my first day as a VA is tomorrow!

 

What did you do previously?

Patient Advocacy. I have no previous experience as a Virtual Assistant. I have worked remotely on occasion at other jobs I’ve held, but nothing long term. I truly believe customizing my cover letters to mention how my past experience related specifically to each job I applied for helped me. I applied and also reached out via email to the contact listed on the job posting. The first job I reached out to this way is now my current employer! I fully believe that a customized email or cover letter and providing some information about yourself and your goals was the game changer for me!!

 

What is your top tip for landing a gig on HireMyMom.com?

Personalize your cover letter and always follow up. I think it’s so important because so many websites don’t provide that email contact information, and I believe if you have it, it’s worth reaching out to them to show you’re not only interested but that you’re willing to take charge and take a risk!! It can be scary to reach out to someone you don’t know, but it can come with big rewards as well!

 

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom.com?

That the employers are looking for help from women who are looking to better themselves and their families and understand the balancing act we take on as working mothers, especially those of us working from home.

 

What’s one fun or interesting fact about you?

I’m studying to become a certified aromatherapist.

 

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Want to be featured here as one of HireMyMom’s Success Stories?

Mom Professionals, please complete this form our Mom Professionals Success Stories.

If you are a Small Business / Employers, please use this form for Small Business Success Stories!

 

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October 14, 2019

Top 10 Work From Home Jobs For Moms

Hey Moms … are you considering working from home?

The demand for remote jobs has increased substantially, which makes it very attractive for a stay at home mom to become a work from home mom too!

Work from home jobs offer mutual benefits to both the employers and employees / contractors which is why there’s such a high demand for remote jobs.

 

What does a work from home job look like?

A work from home job can be as a remote employee, an independent contractor or as a freelancer. You typically are expected to have your own equipment, software, and internet access to be able to perform your job. Some employers will give you set hours they would like you to work, while others will let you choose a flexible schedule that works best for you.

 

Top 10 Work at Home Jobs for Moms

Based on our current and past job postings on HireMyMom, here is a list of some of the most common ones:

1.Virtual Assistant (VA)
Average Hourly: $15-20 (Specialized VAs may make $25-$40/hr)

What they do:
General Virtual Assistants typically help their clients/employers with day to day administrative duties. They are in charge of handling routine tasks that help the business run efficiently. A VA may also be in charge of answering emails, phone calls, travel arrangements, booking calendars, creating reports, doing research or any other tasks the business owner needs. There are a variety of specialties in the Virtual Assistant world and each job is unique to the business who hires them.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong computer skills
– Fluency in software such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
– Knowledge of tools and apps used by remote teams
– Time management skills
– Ability to prioritize tasks and stay organized
– Attention to detail
– Excellent verbal and communication skills

If you are looking for training, check out these options our Training and Resources here.

 

2. Customer Service Representative / Client Support Specialist
Average Hourly: $10-20

What they do:
CSR’s and Client Support Specialists provide service to current and potential customers. They help by providing service or product information, field phone calls or online chats, and handle customer requests as they arise. They also may handle any concerns or complaints a client might have. Their priority is to create a positive experience for the customer from start to completion. Customer service representatives may also be tasked with the responsibility of performing follow up calls or emails to help maintain customer retention rates.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Excellent communication skills
– Ability to solve problems quickly
– Ability to organize and prioritize
– Great listening skills
– Patience and empathy

 

3. Sales and Business Development
Average Hourly: $15-$20 (plus bonus and commission potential)

What they do: 
A sales representative is responsible for selling products and services to individuals, organizations or businesses. They may contact potential buyers, conduct presentations, and are typically responsible for handling all parts of the sale.

Business Development Specialists, on the other hand, create business plans for their company. They are in charge of analyzing business and seek ways to earn more customers and revenue for the business.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong sales skills
– Time management skills
– Ability to organize and prioritize
– Excellent communication skills
– Ability to solve problems quickly
– Strong listening skills
4. Copywriter / Content Writer / Blogger
Average Hourly: $15-$20

What they do:
A copywriter is responsible for creating engaging content that is both eye-catching and informative. The content created may be used for the company website, blogs, social media channels, newsletters, e-blasts, brochures, online courses, and more.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong writing skills
– Creative skillset
– Planning and organization skills
– Ability to work both independently and as a team
– Computer literacy
– Software experience including; Microsoft Office, Google Docs and more
– Strong proof-reading abilities
– Fast and efficient typing skills
– SEM/SEO knowledge and experience

 

 

5. Project Manager
Average Hourly: $20-$30

What they do:
A project manager is responsible for coordinating with others within a company to ensure that projects are completed from start to finish.
They also meet with clients to clarify project tasks and can act as a liaison between the customer and company they work for. They must track the performance of each project assigned and delegate where it makes sense to do so. The project manager will also ensure that budget objectives are met.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (preferred but not required)
– Experience in a management role
– Ability to lead teams in a variety of projects from small to large
– Strong organizational skills
– Experience with project management software
– Excellent communication skills
– Budget management experience

 

6. Digital Marketing Specialist
Average Hourly: $15-$25

What they do:
A digital marketing specialist is responsible for developing a marketing strategy that is based on a company’s online product or service. SEO, email marketing, and web analytics are all part of a digital marketing specialist’s duties. It is their job to get the company message out to the right target audience. Sometimes this includes multiple campaigns running at the same time. They are responsible for all aspects of the marketing funnel from top, mid, and lower tier levels. Digital marketing specialists may also need to keep track and produce reports on a campaign’s ROI.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong creative writing abilities
– Understanding of analytics
– Experience with paid social media advertising
– Sales and marketing channel expertise
– Strong listening skills and a good grasp target audience mindset
– Basic design skills

 

7. Accounting /Bookkeeping

Average Hourly: $15-$25

What they do:
Accountants and bookkeepers are responsible for keeping financial records up to date. They may also be required to process Accounts Payable and Receivables. Accountants maintain records of financial transactions by establishing accounts; posting transactions; and ensuring legal compliance.

Bookkeepers typically maintain accounts by verifying, allocating, and posting transactions. They perform reconciliations and maintain general ledgers. They must keep historical records and prepare financial reports.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Experience in Bookkeeping and/or Accounting
– Excellent communication skills
– Strong mathematical skills
– Ability to stay organized
– Detail oriented
– Strong multi-tasking abilities
– Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

If you are looking for training, check out The Bookkeeping Course for Stay-at-Home Parents.

 

 

8. Graphic Designer
Average Hourly: $15-$30

What they do:
Graphic designers may design logos and all forms of multimedia. They may lay out magazines, help build websites and other forms of media communication. The designs are often created through software programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Knowledge of and experience in Graphic Design Software
– Great interpretation skills to help bring ideas to life

– Creativity
– Ability to meet tight deadlines
– Strong eye for visual composition
– Attention to detail
– Ability to work both independently and as a team

 

 

9. Social Media Specialist
Average Hourly: $15-$25

What they do:
Social media specialists are required to handle a number of social media accounts. They must create converting content, develop and maintain social media channels, and stay up to date on the latest rules and compliances. They are sometimes responsible for putting out social media ads and working with social media management tools. They need to create brand awareness and client acquisition at all stages of the marketing funnel.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong project management and organizational skills
– Knowledge and experience with social media platforms
– Insight of the audience they are targeting
– Strong creative writing abilities
– Ability to meet tight deadlines
– Understanding of Google Analytics and Facebook Business Manager
– Ability to measure campaign ROI and build reports

 

 

10. Web Designer
Average Hourly: $20

What they do:
A web designer is in charge of designing, coding, and laying out websites. They handle all technical and graphical aspects of a website. They also maintain and update as needed. A good sense of SEO/SEM to help ensure that the website is searchable on Google and ranking.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Knowledge of the fundamentals of design imaging
– Basic to advanced web design experience
– Ability to custom code using Javascript, CSS Style Sheets, and HTML
– Strong organizational skills
– Excellent communication skills
– Ability to listen and bring client ideas to life

 

 

How do you find great work from home jobs like these?

You can view some of the work at home jobs posted on HireMyMom here. If you’re ready to take the next step and become a Work from Home Mom you can sign up here. Employers must be members as well in order to post a job on our site. Before we accept their job posting, they are carefully screened by our staff to ensure the highest quality of employers and job postings for you to choose from. Click here to post your resume today and start applying for jobs immediately!

 

 

Here is what some of our work from home moms have to say:

“When my 2nd child was entering pre-school, I began searching for ways to work from home. I stumbled upon HireMyMom.com in 2014 and began to look for clients and landed a job with a small company. After my success, I told a friend about HireMyMom and she ended up landing a part-time job as well that after a year turned into a full-time managerial position. My favorite part about HireMyMom is the job postings are legit and there are no scams to worry about. Most of the employers know they are hiring moms and understand they will be working around a flexible schedule.” – Amanda S.

“Since at one time I was a job seeker and now I’m an employer, my favorite thing about Hiremymom is they always have legit opportunities.  I have never experienced any scams. As a job seeker, I always experienced quality gigs. Now, as a business owner looking to hire, I have found several great candidates that are qualified and passionate about what they do.” – Andrea C

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September 30, 2019

Why Moms Looking To Work at Home Should Avoid Free Job Sites

If you are a mom, you know first hand how exciting it is for your kids to go to the dollar store. I mean a trip to Target can cost you hundreds of dollars but a few dollars at a dollar store and your kids can quickly pick out a few fun things to entertain them without breaking the bank. 

We know that when we walk into a dollar store stuff is going to be cheap. We don’t go into a dollar store looking for designer brands or high quality items, just some fun stuff to keep our kids happy and entertained. As soon as you walk into a dollar store, you are thinking to yourself: “No blowing my budget today, everything here is going to be cheap!”

If you are a mom who is new to looking for work at home jobs, mega job sites and “free” job sites can look pretty tempting but here is the reality, many of the employers who use these sites are in the same dollar store mindset: they are expecting to find people who are willing to work for really cheap. 

And that brings me to the reasons why moms who are looking to work from home should avoid the large mega job sites and free work at home / freelance job sites. 

 

Mega Job Site Users Shop For the Lowest Bidder

Many of the clients on the mega job sites are in a “dollar store” mindset when they are searching to find freelancers and tend to shop for the lowest bidder. This unfortunately means you are competing with other freelancers, many of whom are overseas where a U.S. dollar goes a lot farther and they can work for a lot cheaper. Hence, they can price their services significantly lower than yours making it impossible to compete. 

I mean, it’s hard to land your dream client when you are having to compete with applicants charging $2-3/hour and not on the value you can provide. And many times its free for businesses to post their job because you are paying the site a commission out of your earnings which leads us to our next point….

 

They Take a Percentage of Your Earnings

Here’s a recent email we got:

“Hello, I am a freelancer who currently uses Fiverr and UpWork to gain writing gigs. I write website content and articles for businesses. I am tired of paying out 20% per project…..”

So not only can mega job sites result in you being underpaid, but they also take a percentage of your earnings. For example, if your list rate is $20 per hour, you can expect to earn around $16 per hour. When you negotiate a rate for a fixed-price job, the same applies. Let’s say you are getting paid $400 for a project, by the time the job site takes their percentage, you’ll receive about $320 as many of these sites charge 20% commission to the job seekers. 

That might not seem like much but let’s say you bill 50 hours over a 40 day period. Instead of keeping the full $1,000 you actually made, you are paid $800. Over a 12 month period, they would keep $2,400 of your income. That adds up quickly, doesn’t it?!

 

You are Competing with Thousands of Other Applicants

Many of the mega job sites and free sites out there attract thousands of people because it’s free or at least you thought it was free in the beginning. Being free means that everyone is going to sign up because… why not. But with smaller boutique sites like HireMyMom, you are only competing with a fraction of that many applicants.

Some jobs on HireMyMom only have 5 or less applicants while others many have 20-30 but never hundreds. Job seekers have an advantage of not having to compete with hundreds or thousands of candidates, and employers appreciate not having to spend hours and hours reviewing resumes and cover letters. Hence, one of the reasons so many of our clients come back to post more jobs because of the high quality applicant pool and the relatively low amount of applicants compared to mega sites.

 

Many Free Job Sites Pull Jobs from Other Websites

Some job sites will pull job openings from other job sites making it even more difficult to stand out in the crowd. Just think how many more people will be applying for those jobs that are posted on multiple websites. At HireMyMom, all jobs are posted by the small business hiring. We do not pull ads from anywhere. In most cases, the jobs on HireMyMom cannot be found on any other website unless the business chooses to post it on another site as well.

 

So How Do You Find Legitimate Work at Home and Get Paid What You’re Worth?

At HireMyMom, we are mom owned and mom run. We are entrepreneurs running our own small business with a team of other moms we’ve hired right here on HireMyMom. We understand the needs and challenges of both sides and we aim to create a platform that works beautifully for both. Our business model is different than the mega sites in that we take no commission from our job seekers; instead we have a small membership fee starting at $9.99 for a one week trial membership. Once you’ve paid your membership, you don’t pay another dime. What our job seekers earn, they keep!

Over the past 12+ years, HireMyMom has helped thousands of small businesses find the perfect candidate for their projects while helping place thousands of mom professionals in their dream jobs. We do that by providing a platform that brings the best group of qualified and passionate women together with the best group of successful and growing small businesses who are looking for highly qualified virtual professionals with skills, experience and expertise. 

HireMyMom is different than the Mega Job Sites and Free Job Sites in These Ways:

  • HireMyMom is primarily for North American candidates to protect our virtual professionals earning power and also giving our small businesses the high quality candidate pool they are looking for, 
  • Candidates are not competing with hundreds or thousands of other applicants around the world, 
  • HireMyMom does not take a percentage or commission of earnings from it’s virtual professionals or businesses,
  • HireMyMom is a boutique community offering personalized services, training, support and virtual high-fives,
  • You have the benefit of working with clients in or near your time zone.

 

Find your next work from home job at HireMyMom where we have a database of high quality projects and positions ready for you to review and apply for while providing you with a community that will support and train you as you work to build a long term freelancing career!  

 

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April 7, 2019

Staying Ahead of Scammers

Scammers today are getting more savvy. No longer can you just research the company or individual to determine if they are safe. No, they are impersonating real people and real businesses.

When a someone impersonates a real business, it can be difficult to spot in advance. Here are a couple of articles to help educate yourself on the signs to look for:


If you have submitted any information with your SSN, here is some advice from Experian and the SSA:


From the FTC:
Complaints help the FTC and other law enforcement agencies bring scam artists to justice and put an end to unfair and misleading business practices. If you have a complaint, file it online or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.

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