Are You a Job Seeker Feeling Frustrated? Tips for When You Don’t Hear Back

It can be disheartening to invest time and effort into applying for a job and never hear back, especially when you’re eager to start a new job. It’s important to remember that not every employer responds to all applicants; however, if you’re consistently not hearing back from any employers, it may be time to reevaluate your application materials. Let’s explore some tips for coping with not hearing back after applying and how to set realistic expectations for yourself as a job seeker:

Understanding the Hiring Process

The hiring process can be lengthy. Employers often receive a large number of applications for each job posting and it takes time for them to review each one. Additionally, there may be multiple rounds of interviews and assessments before a final decision is made. This means that even if you are a strong candidate, it may still take some time before you hear back.

Secondly, it is important to understand that not every employer will get back to you. It is a common practice for employers to only contact candidates who are selected for an interview or to let them know that the position has been filled. This means that if you do not hear back from an employer, it does not necessarily mean that your application was not strong. We encourage all employers to respond to applicants, especially those that have made it far through the hiring process, but unfortunately not all employers will respond. If you are worried about your application, you can always reach out to the company for a follow up.

Finally, it is important to remember that the hiring process can be subjective. Each employer has their own criteria for selecting candidates and what may be a strong application for one company may not be for another. Additionally, some companies use applicant tracking systems that filter out candidates who don’t meet certain qualifications or who don’t use certain keywords in their application materials. It is important not to take rejection personally and to keep applying to other opportunities. It’s also helpful to reevaluate your application materials and make sure they’re tailored to each job you apply for. With persistence and a little bit of luck, you’ll eventually land your dream job.

Reevaluating Your Application Materials

By taking a critical look at your materials, you’ll be better equipped to make any necessary changes and increase your chances of getting a call back from employers.

  1. Does your resume clearly showcase your skills and experience? 
  2. Are there any typos or grammatical errors?
  3. Is your cover letter tailored to the specific job you’re applying for?
  4. Employers often do a quick Google search on candidates before considering them for a position. Make sure your online presence is professional and appropriate.
  5. Are your references up-to-date and relevant?
  6. Are you using keywords from the job description in your application materials?

Tips for Moving Forward

It can be disheartening to not hear back from employers, but it’s important to maintain a positive mindset. Utilize your professional network to increase your chances of finding job opportunities. Attend industry events, connect with colleagues on LinkedIn, and reach out to friends or acquaintances who may have connections in your desired field. Networking can often lead to hidden job opportunities and help you stand out from the competition.

Most important of all, take this opportunity to reevaluate your application materials. Update your resume to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences. Customize your cover letter for each position to show that you’ve done your research and understand the company’s needs. Consider seeking feedback from our HR professionals on your resume, cover letter, and even your interview skills to ensure your materials are compelling and error-free. Additionally, you can use this time to invest in your personal and professional development. Take online courses, attend workshops, or pursue certifications that can strengthen your skillset and make you a more competitive candidate. We recommend our course Cultivate to set goals and work towards your dream job! Not only will this boost your confidence, but it will also make you more marketable to potential employers.

Don’t give up! Job searching can be a challenging process, but persistence is key. Continue applying to positions, following up with employers, and refining your approach. Remember that finding the right job takes time, and staying motivated and determined will ultimately lead you to success.

 

 

Stay up to date on work from home opportunities!

* indicates required






 

Please wait a few seconds after clicking subscribe to complete the captcha.


Continue Reading

I Never Hear Back After Applying for a Job…What Now?

Finding the perfect job listing can be very exciting. You send in your application materials and anxiously await news about the next step…but then you don’t hear anything. What does that mean? And is there anything you can do to get a response? These are the number one questions we hear from jobseekers, and we are here to answer them for you:

Why has the company not responded to my application materials?

Unfortunately, some companies choose not to respond at all if an applicant is not who they are looking for. While we work with every business and encourage them to be communicative with all applicants, they may still choose not to reach out. We know that many jobseekers wonder why this happens, and so we asked the companies themselves that provided these responses:

  • Many applicants do not have all the qualifications the company is looking for, so they choose to pass. 
  • Some application materials do not fully explain why the candidate is qualified for the position, so they choose to pass.
  • Companies find their dream candidate, but do not have the time to let all applicants know that the position is filled — businesses have told us that oftentimes when they do this, many of the applicants ask why they were not chosen, which takes more time for the busy business owners to respond to and get into conversations with applicants.

I sent in an application and have never heard back…what do I do?

Unlike mega job sites that do not allow you to reach out to companies, we highly encourage you to reach out to the businesses to check on the status of your application (unless they have posted not to do so in their job listing). Sometimes this will prompt companies to update you. Others may still not respond, at which time we encourage you to apply to another listing. Additionally, be sure to ask questions if you make it to an interview — ask for specifics about when the company plans to get back to candidates and what you can do to follow up if you have not heard back.

What do I do if no company has ever gotten back to me on my applications?

If you have applied to multiple listings, but have never heard back, it might be time to take a closer look at what each company is asking for in a candidate. No business ever expects to find someone with every skill they are seeking, but they normally search for someone with at least 75% of the skills listed on the post. Are you applying to listings where you only meet one or two of the qualifications? Some positions can sound fun, interesting, and new, but unless a company mentions that skill level does not matter, it is better to apply to positions that match your skill set. Companies have told us that they tend to not respond to applicants that do not closely match their job listing qualifications.

If you are applying to places that closely match your skill set, then it might be time to take a closer look at your application materials. For your résumé, hiring managers need to be able to quickly glance at it and be able to easily understand it. Sometimes it can be tempting to list every position and every software you have ever used, but companies find that overwhelming and hard to decipher amongst all the candidates. Use bullet points, and tailor your résumé for each job you apply for so that only the most important information is highlighted. For cover letters, this is your chance to explain why your skills are a good match for the company. Pick your top two or three strengths and explain your experience in those and how they fit with what the company is searching for — make sure to use the same keywords in the cover letter that were used in the job description. 

Why are companies reaching out to me but not hiring me?

Some businesses do send out a notification once they have filled the position. It can be tempting to reach out to companies to ask for feedback, but most of them have told us they simply do not have time to provide it to every single applicant that applied. Instead of directly asking the company, you can always talk to our team — they are more than happy to provide feedback on your application materials to try and pinpoint why a company went a different direction.

If you have reviewed this information and still find yourself struggling, consider our Cultivate Course or our Job Seeker Services that can help. These resources will give you the additional edge you may need to get hired!

Do you have other questions that we did not address? Reach out and ask! We would also love to hear other job seeker’s tips and tricks that they have found most helpful when applying for remote positions.

 

 

Stay up to date on work from home opportunities!

* indicates required






 

Please wait a few seconds after clicking subscribe to complete the captcha.


Continue Reading

The Perils of Mega Job Sites

The modern job search can be daunting and disheartening. With so many different online job sites, it’s hard to know which ones to trust and which ones will benefit you the most. Mega job sites, especially the free ones, can be a waste of time. They are often filled with irrelevant job postings sourced from outdated, unverified information. For businesses, they can be difficult to understand, hard to navigate, and nearly impossible to get a real person to help you. 

Free Sites Are Teeming with Scammers

It’s no secret that free job sites can be full of scams. There are countless stories of people who have been conned out of their hard-earned money by an unscrupulous individual claiming to be an employer or recruiter. They may offer you an attractive job opportunity or a large sum of money for a small task, only to ask for personal or banking information. Even when the job or offer turns out to be legitimate, it can be difficult to assess the validity of the source

If you’re looking for a safe place to search for job opportunities, then you should opt instead for a trusted resource. HireMyMom is a website dedicated to helping moms find legitimate work-from-home jobs and other flexible employment opportunities. We vet each and every listing, ensuring to the best of our ability that businesses are verified and trustworthy. On top of that, our database contains a wide variety of job postings so you can find the right fit for your skills and lifestyle.

You’re Just a Number

When you use a mega site, you become just another number in the sea of applicants. No matter how great your experience and qualifications are, you may have a difficult time standing out to an employer if they get lost in the thousands of resumes. Furthermore, your chances of standing out can be even lower if you don’t have an optimized resume or a well-written cover letter. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle, and there are very few resources available to help you craft the best job application materials possible. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. Not only do employers have to weed through thousands of resumes, but they also have to face scammers and fraudsters themselves. 

At HireMyMom, we provide a platform with job seekers who are serious about finding great remote opportunities and not just pressing a button to apply for every job they see. Because of our subscription model, we typically attract quality candidates who are serious about finding great remote opportunities. And small business owners love that because they don’t have the time to sort through hundreds or thousands of resumes and on HireMyMom, they typically receive a very manageable number of applicants making the hiring process much less cumbersome. Plus, employers and job seekers alike can get in touch with a real live human any time they need help!

You’re Competing with Hundreds, if Not Thousands

Even if you have the perfect resume and the best qualifications, there’s still no guarantee that your application will be seen. With such a massive pool of applicants, employers can afford to be picky, and your resume may never make it to the top of the pile. Plus, employers often get overwhelmed and only take the first few people who applied to the listing when it went live, leaving several other applicants behind. The odds are even worse for freelancers. Most job postings on these sites only list opportunities for full-time employment, leaving freelancers out in the cold. Furthermore, with so much competition, it can be difficult to get noticed and your rate of pay may suffer as a result.

This isn’t the case with Hire My Mom. By using this site, freelancers benefit from fewer applications and more personalized attention. Rather than competing with hundreds of other applicants, your application will stand out from the crowd and you’ll get the chance to show off your skills and talents. Additionally, since we are a paid site, the job applicant pool is smaller giving our job seekers a better chance of getting hired.

It’s time to find the job or employee of your dreams! Let us know how we can be of help.

 

 

Stay up to date on work from home opportunities!

* indicates required






 

Please wait a few seconds after clicking subscribe to complete the captcha.


Continue Reading

Overcoming the Fear of Hiring as a Small Business Owner

As a small business owner, the decision to hire new employees is an important one. It can also be intimidating and filled with anxiety. The thought of taking on the responsibility of providing wages and other expenses associated with hiring can be overwhelming. However, it’s important to remember that hiring is essential for the growth of your business. Let’s look at ways to overcome the fear of hiring as a small business owner and how to make the process easier:

Define Your Ideal Employee

It is important to take the time to carefully define your ideal employee or contractor before you begin the hiring process. This means taking the time to think about what qualities and skills you are looking for and which of these would be most beneficial to your business. Make sure to consider qualities like team-orientation, communication skills, work ethic, dependability, problem-solving abilities, and any other unique traits or qualifications that are relevant to your particular business needs. You should also think about the type of personality that will fit best with the company culture you are hoping to foster. By taking the time to define your ideal employee upfront, you will be better able to identify qualified candidates who possess the qualities and skills that you desire.

Create a Plan

The key to success is to create a plan ahead of time so you know what to expect. Start by making a list of all the tasks required to hire a new employee. This should include outlining what tasks this job will entail, what specific skills and experience you are looking for in your new hire, taking this information to draft the job post, then deciding what questions to ask in an interview to help you find the best candidate. Once your job posting is live, make sure you’re organized with the applications you receive. Consider creating a spreadsheet that outlines each candidate’s qualifications and notes from the interviews. This will help you easily compare each applicant and make your final decision. Additionally, establish a timeline for when you plan to make an offer and inform candidates. Outlining your expectations ahead of time will help ensure everyone is on the same page and save you time in the future. Finally, if this is your first time hiring, you may want to consult an experienced advisor who can answer any questions and provide advice on the best practices for hiring.

Hire for Potential, Not Just Experience

You want to make sure you hire the right person for the job, but you may be afraid to take a chance on someone without a lot of experience. However, this shouldn’t stop you from considering potential over experience. When it comes to hiring for potential, start by looking for someone who is highly motivated and eager to learn. Ask yourself questions like, “Does this candidate demonstrate a genuine interest in the position?” and “Do they have any related skills or knowledge that could benefit the job?” This will help you identify people who might have the aptitude for the role, even if they don’t have all the necessary experience.

Also look for candidates who have transferable skills. Are there any abilities they developed in a previous role that could be applied to your position? A great example of this is a mom who has to stay highly organized managing her family which translates into a very diligent personal assistant that can keep your calendar on track. Finally, remember that even if someone doesn’t have all the required experience, they can still be successful in a position if they are willing to put in the effort. Investing in a strong training program and providing adequate resources will help bring inexperienced employees up to speed more quickly. Ultimately, don’t be afraid to consider hiring for potential instead of experience when it comes to filling positions in your small business. There are plenty of motivated and talented individuals out there who just need a chance to prove themselves. By taking the time to invest in them, you could find yourself with a loyal and hardworking team member.

Take the Time to Train Your New Employees

While it may be tempting to simply have a new employee start working without any training, it’s important to invest the time and effort in training your new team members. Training doesn’t have to take long or be complicated. A comprehensive orientation process can cover all of the basics and ensure that everyone is on the same page. You can also break down your training into smaller pieces and offer ongoing education on specific topics.

When creating a training program, be sure to focus on the basics and make sure all of your employees understand the core processes of your business. You should also ensure that new employees learn how to use the technology they need to do their job. Having an in-depth understanding of your products and services is also essential, so make sure to include this as part of the training program. Finally, remember that while new employees will likely need additional guidance as they get up to speed, giving them a strong foundation at the outset can pay dividends down the line. It can also be helpful to get feedback from current employees on what they wish they had known when they first started so you can incorporate this into your new employee training program.

Set Clear Expectations from the Start

As a small business owner, you need to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Before hiring someone, you should let them know what is expected of them in terms of work hours, job duties, and any other relevant information — you should also communicate this to the rest of your team. They can help you through the hiring process, which can act as a support group for overcoming anxiety in this area. It is okay to share with your current team your fears about onboarding a new member. Getting their perspective in this area can be extremely helpful!

Make sure your new employee knows exactly what is expected of them, so that there are no surprises or misunderstandings. Let them know that you are available to answer any questions they may have, and that you are there to help them succeed. Ask them what their goals are and how they plan to achieve them. By having these conversations, you can ensure that everyone is working together towards common goals. Finally, make sure to document your expectations in writing. Having everything in writing can help keep everyone accountable and make sure that everyone is on the same page. It can also serve as a reference point if there is ever any confusion about expectations or roles.

We understand that even with these tips the hiring process can be intimidating. We have resources available that can help! Our Small Business Concierge Service can help you with the entire hiring process from helping you create a solid job post, receiving and reviewing incoming applications and resumes, conducting interviews, presenting you with the top 2-3 candidates and even helping with the onboarding process if desired. 

Or if you are interested in learning more about the hiring process on your own, we have a self-paced course called “Hiring Made Easy” that can teach you valuable tools to use such as what to know before you hire, what questions to ask during an interview and what the going rate of pay is for common roles. At HireMyMom, we are here to help you every step of the way. Contact us today if we can be of any assistance. 

 

 

 

Stay up to date on work from home opportunities!

* indicates required






 

Please wait a few seconds after clicking subscribe to complete the captcha.


Continue Reading

The Top Five Ways to Avoid Making a Bad Hire

At some point, many companies hire someone they later regret. It happens more than you may think. But that doesn’t mean you should let it happen to your business, and there are a few key things you can do to avoid the bad hires. Hiring the wrong person can be costly, not only in terms of the money you spend but also in terms of the time and energy you expend trying to train them or fill their shoes with someone better suited for the role. While there’s no guaranteed way to find the perfect hire every time, these five strategies will help minimize your chances of making a bad hire.

Set Clear Expectations

Define exactly what you expect of a person in their job role. Be clear about the tasks you want them to perform and your expectations for their performance. Write down these expectations so there is no ambiguity. Remember, you cannot control how someone does their job so focus on what they should do as opposed to how they do it.

Show Appreciation

No matter how much you may be in need of someone, do not hire them without first showing that you value and need them. This is especially important when hiring remote employees. Keep in mind that the best way to show appreciation is not by talking about what they can do for you, but rather by letting them know how they will make your company better. When it comes to remote jobs, even small things like sending a quick email or text message or giving them an unexpected high-five through Skype can go a long way in demonstrating that you care about their work and want them around for the long haul.

Define Goals

Start by asking the candidate to define what their goals are for the job. You should be able to tell quickly whether or not someone is qualified based on their goals, and this will also give you an idea of what qualities they’re looking for in their next position. Ask questions that will help you figure out how well they’ll work within your environment: What would you like to accomplish if you are hired for this position?  How do you define success? What were some of your previous jobs, and why did you leave them? After hearing the answers to these questions, ask yourself if you can meet their expectations. If so, then there’s a good chance that this person is worth pursuing further, and it will let you know if they are a cultural workplace fit.

Understand Work-Life Balance

As an employer — especially one who is hiring remotely — it is important to understand a job candidate’s work-life balance. If they are stay at home moms, working around their schedules will be very important. During an interview, ask the job seeker what sort of schedule they are looking for/need when it comes to their work day. They may have different hours during the week and weekends. Discussing these needs beforehand can help create a better work-life balance and avoid any misunderstandings down the line.

Pay Attention to Red Flags

Any red flag you notice in an interview is most likely a reflection of the kind of work that person will perform for your company. For example, if someone shows up late to an interview, that could mean they are not taking the hiring process seriously, and they may be late for company meetings and deadlines. There are other similar red flags to pay attention to: 

  • Is the person constantly distracted by what’s going on in their home rather than focusing on the interview? This shows they may not be able to concentrate on their work.
  • Is the person unable to give specific, detailed examples of past work history? This could mean they exaggerated their job seeking materials and may not have the experience needed.
  • Does the person make remarks that make you uncomfortable or seem overly negative? This could escalate and cause issues down the line.

These are just a few examples of red flags, so we always advise you to trust your instincts. Remember, you don’t want to hire a candidate too quickly, you want the right and experienced candidate that will grow with your company!

What are ways you avoid making bad hires for your company? Let us know! If you’re an employer that’s nervous about the hiring process and about potentially making the wrong decision, check out our Concierge Services! Our experts will complete the entire hiring process for you. With years of experience, they can point out red flags you might miss as well as amazing attributes.

 

Stay in Touch!

* indicates required


User Type


Continue Reading

How to Successfully Negotiate Pay for a Remote Job via Email

Remote work is great! With a flexible schedule, no dress code, and the ability to work anywhere, there are tons of benefits of working remotely. However, one thing that can be intimidating to some is negotiating their salary…digitally! Oftentimes, you will communicate with your employer via email, and asking for money via email can be very daunting. Trying to craft the perfect virtual message can be nerve-racking, and you might find yourself typing, re-typing, and typing again trying to get the best message down. That is why we have created a handy guide below on how to create an email that you can feel confident about to help you achieve the pay you want!

Research

Before you begin writing your email, research the position and what a typical pay level for it is commensurate with the experience you bring to the table. It’s best to ask for a small range versus an exact amount. For example, ask for $25-$30 per hour versus asking for exactly $33. Remember, this is a negotiation! You also should not offer a wide range such as $25-$45 because that leaves too many options available. Your rates need to reflect the value you bring to the table, so you should be choosing a common industry range that will cover your expenses and skills.

Don’t forget, you can also negotiate for other things outside of pay such as vacation time or even your schedule! Pay is certainly the most common thing asked about in email, but you can always ask for changes to any aspect of your job.

You can also research templates for emails that others have written for positions that are similar to yours. These templates can help you get a feel for how you should structure your email. Once you’ve researched this information, it’s time to write the email!

Sell

The number one thing to do is to sell yourself. You have your résumé and cover letter ready, so now it’s time to show that you can be an asset to the company. There are a few things you should do in your email in order to succeed: 

  • Talk about how excited you are about the opportunity 
  • Share relevant past work experience 
  • Explain what you can offer the company that they may not be able to find elsewhere

It’s a good idea to have the job description handy so that you can call out each piece of it in your email to demonstrate why you deserve a certain pay level. For example, if the job description asks that a candidate have 3 years of experience working as a virtual assistant, and you have 5 years of experience, call that out in your email and mention your extra levels of experience as to why you feel you would like to be on the higher end of the pay scale offered.

It can be easy to get lost in the weeds with all this information, though! Take your time. Write everything down you feel is relevant. Then go back and take information out. Keep your email short and to the point. You can just say you have 5 years of experience; you do not need to take time to list out all the places you worked and what you did at each, for example.

Proofread

You’ve researched pay, written your email, and now it is time to proofread it. Read it a few times to check for grammatical errors. It helps to read it out loud to yourself to catch any potential mistakes — and to make sure that it makes sense! You can also ask friends or family to read it to get their feedback. If you’ve spent a lot of time drafting this, make sure to step away from it for an hour or so before sending. Then you can look at it with fresh eyes one last time before hitting send.

Respond

Remember, this is a negotiation! An employer might immediately accept the range you asked for and offer you something in that. Other times they might want to try and talk you down from that range. Be prepared that they may not accept your first ask. If they come back with a number you are not happy with, respond professionally and again highlight what you bring to the company that others do not with your specific experiences. You can also cite sources here if the pay range is less than industry average, for example, to show the company why you are asking for a specific range.

You should also not be afraid to ask questions about the negotiation! Ask the company why they want to give you the amount they are offering. Ask if they provide raises in the future and what a timeline would look like for that. This is not one-sided — it’s a two-way conversation between you and the business to figure out what works for you both.

Have you successfully negotiated pay via email before? Tell us about it so we can share your tips with others!

 

 

Stay in Touch!

* indicates required


User Type


Continue Reading

How to Prepare Your Resume for a Remote Work Position

Guest Contributor: Corissa Peterson

Working remotely has become common and acceptable in the last few years. According to Forbes, 97% of people working from home don’t want to go back to work at the office, and an increasing number of companies offer either fully remote or hybrid positions. 

But if you’re looking for a job that lets you work from home, you’ll need to prepare a resume tailored for a remote position. Hiring managers want to know that you can handle the challenges inherent to remote work, so it’s important to make sure your resume demonstrates your qualifications.

In this article, we’ll show you how to customize your resume for an out-of-office job:

Tailor your resume introduction

An effective resume introduction can determine whether a hiring manager looks closer at your resume or simply skims it. If your resume summary impresses them, they’re likely to give your resume a thorough look. If not, it will probably wind up in the “no” pile. 

Your resume introduction is your first chance to catch a hiring manager’s attention in a positive way.

In this section of your resume, you need to make it clear that you can succeed in a remote position. Think about the job requirements and how your specific experiences and skills mesh with them.

Consider this example of a well-written resume introduction.

  • Award-winning graphic designer with six years of experience working remotely to create logos, product illustrations, ad graphics for print and digital assets, and web design. Work independently to develop graphics using Adobe Illustrator, Canva, and Affinity Designer, collaborating with others via Figma and Trello as needed

Remember that the hiring manager will see this short paragraph first, so you need to make every word count. 

If you need help crafting a strong resume introduction, consider using an online resume builder. Resume builders can help you write an industry-specific resume summary that pairs your experiences with the job requirements.

Demonstrate your remote work skills

For a remote job, employers want to know you can work effectively outside of the office. To show them that you’re capable, you need to demonstrate your remote working skills. 

Make sure to showcase both hard and soft skill sets that are relevant to remote work. Hard skills are specific skills you’ve acquired through hands-on experience or training, like use of specific software. Soft skills like time management are also incredibly important for success as a remote employee. 

If you can demonstrate that you have both the hard and soft skills necessary to succeed in a remote position, hiring managers will take your resume more seriously, and you’ll be more likely to get an interview.

Remote work hard skills

Employers will be more willing to consider you for a remote position if you already have the necessary hard skills. Often, this means familiarity with specific software, including project management tools and team collaboration platforms. 

Showing employers that you have these skills demonstrates your added value, and lets them know that they won’t need to invest a lot of time training you in new tools. 

Here are some examples of hard remote skills to include in your remote work resume:

  • Asana
  • Trello
  • Scoro
  • WorkZone
  • HubSpot
  • Zoho Projects

By including these hard remote skills, you can show the hiring manager that you’ll be ready to jump in and collaborate with their team and start making valuable contributions immediately.

Remote work soft skills

When it comes to hiring people for a remote position, it’s important for employers to know that they’re hiring someone they can trust. If you can show an employer that you’re responsible, trustworthy, and can get work done without their supervision, then you’ll increase your chances of landing the job. 

Some soft skills that show employers you’re a capable remote worker include:

  • Self-Motivation: You need to have the skill of self-motivation to work towards your employer’s goals on your own. Show this on your resume by describing an accomplishment you pursued and completed on your own, like completing a programming course you took to develop your skills and elevate your professional performance.
  • Time Management: Do you manage your time well? Employers want to ensure they don’t have an employee who wastes time. Add this soft skill to your resume by relaying a time you managed a tight schedule calmly and successfully.
  • Communication: Good communication skills will ensure that you can effectively navigate the channel of communication with your boss and colleagues while you’re working remotely to make sure everyone is on the same page. To demonstrate your communication skills, include an example of how you solved a problem using strong communication.
  • Organization: If you work remotely, you must be able to keep everything organized, from your home office setup to your work projects and schedule. To show off your organizational skills, think of a time when you brought order or structure to a messy system. For example, perhaps you introduced an office management tool or streamlined an outdated process.

When people think of including skills on their resume, they usually think of a list under a “Skills” section. And while it’s fine to add your skills here, this section is better saved for industry-specific hard skills and maybe two or three relevant soft skills.

Finding ways to demonstrate your soft skills in your work experience section is a better way to include them on your resume, as this shows employers the context for your soft skills and how you’ve used them in the past to benefit your employers.

For instance, here’s an example of how to demonstrate leadership in your work experience section:

“Led a team of 10 software engineers in creation of a new app, communicating with all team members and across departments to ensure clarity of goals. Project was completed on schedule and under budget and the app received an average star rating of 4.9 and raised revenue by 5%.”

Highlight your remote work experience

Demonstrating your past remote experience significantly strengthens your application, because employers can see that you’re already an accomplished remote worker. 

Here are some tips and examples to help you highlight your remote experience:

Make it explicit

When writing your resume, the most straightforward way to highlight your remote work experience is to explicitly mention it in your work experience section. There are a couple of ways to do this.

  1. If you worked from home or out of a virtual office, write “Remote” instead of listing the location of a job under your title and company name. 

Here’s an example: 

Customer Service Representative

Jane’s Footwear, Jan 2020 – Present
Remote

Making this simple change will draw attention to your remote work and immediately let employers know that you’re experienced.

  1. Describe your remote experience in your bullet points

For example:

  • Worked remotely to answer an average of 100 customer calls each day, providing information about products and services, helping customers with complaints, processing returns, and taking orders.

Consider making a dedicated remote work section

If you have two or more remote work experiences, consider listing them in a separate section titled “Remote Work Experience.” A section like this will draw attention to your extensive remote work experience, and show the employer that you have the capability to succeed at a remote job.

Here’s an example:

Remote Work Experience

Real Estate Acquisition Sales Specialist

Jayden & Lewis Realty

June 2019 – Present

  • Manage sales leads and discover prospective buyers
  • Place calls to possible sellers to understand their needs and concerns
  • Use CRM Daily to stay up-to-date and on task 

Adding a distinct remote work section to your resume will ensure that hiring managers pick up on your experience and take that into consideration when vetting your application, giving you a better chance at winning an interview. 

Quantify your remote work successes

You need to include specific facts and figures to quantify your accomplishments in a remote work setting. Hiring managers don’t just want to know that candidates have remote work experience, they want to know that the candidates were able to perform at or above expected levels. 

Anyone can say generic things about their remote work experience, but when you use numbers to back up your experience, you create a well-defined picture of your abilities. Being exact and including details shows the employer that you can excel in a remote position. 

Add your remote work experiences with precision, quantifying them with facts and numbers, like this:

  • Managed sales team remotely to improve company’s customer service, increasing customer satisfaction by 50%.
  • Created a new company website, collaborating with writers and designers, resulting in a 90% rise in website traffic compared to the previous website.

Adding numbers to your experience helps put your achievements in context for employers and makes your resume more compelling. By making sure to quantify your remote work experience, you demonstrate the tangible benefits you can bring to future employers.

============

Corissa is a Career Advisor and Staff Writer at Resume Genius, where she loves equipping others with the tools they need to pursue their dreams. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Philosophy and a certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies.

Continue Reading

The Perks of Hiring People with No Experience

Hiring new talent can be an exciting and frustrating experience, especially if it’s your first time hiring employees. There are so many things to consider, like how much to pay, what benefits to offer and how to keep your new hires from leaving once you get them on board! But, how do you decide which candidate is right for your organization? Someone with years of experience, or someone with no experience? That greatly depends on which position you’re hiring for, but let’s explore the benefits of hiring someone who has no experience — this strategy can save you money and help you foster trust within your organization as you build your employee’s experience.

Finding the Right Fit

When you’re in need of someone to fill a position, be sure to think about what skills they will have that can be utilized at your company. There are many benefits to hiring people with no experience such as being able to train them and mold them into the perfect fit for your company. Plus, there is a lot less pressure on you when it comes time to make a decision because you don’t have any preconceived notions about who they are as an employee which can lead to better decisions. When considering hiring someone who has no experience, make sure they have skills that can be useful at your company and once hired, then take the time to train and coach them so they can grow into the perfect person for the position. 

These skills don’t have to come from direct experience in your industry; for example, if you run a marketing company, a potential candidate could put on their résumé that they have experience working with customers to persuade them to purchase a product from working the floor in retail — they just don’t have direct marketing experience. This is still a skill that can be put to good use at your company! In fact, in this example, this gives that job candidate a unique perspective into what consumers want that may have been previously missing at your business.

They Are an Investment

One of the biggest perks of hiring someone without experience is that they are an investment. A person without experience can be a great asset to a company because it takes time for them to learn and grow. When hiring people with no experience, you invest in them and their future because they become more valuable over time. Plus, there is less turnover when you hire people who have no experience because you build trust and loyalty by showing candidates you are willing to work with them and allow them to move up in your company.

They Are Eager to Learn

Hiring someone without any experience can be a risky move. There is always the chance that they will not be able to keep up, or worse, quit after a week. However, there are plenty of reasons why it might be worth the risk. For starters, you can find people who are eager to learn and will be happy to go above and beyond what is required in order to make themselves valuable. This can lead to your company having an influx of motivated employees who have the potential for growth and education. 

They Bring Fresh Ideas

Hiring people without experience can be intimidating because you don’t know what they’re capable of. But, it also offers many benefits that inexperienced managers might not think about. One major perk is fresh ideas. If you hire someone without experience, they’ll bring a new perspective to the company and help you find new ways to improve processes and increase your creativity. For example, if you have an employee who has been working for years on a particular project or product, they may not see other solutions that could help make the work process smoother and more efficient. In some cases, having an outsider’s perspective on things can be valuable because it’s likely they won’t be tainted by old habits or assumptions that others may be stuck in.

As mentioned before, hiring someone with experience versus no experience comes down to your company culture and the position you’re hiring for. There are benefits to both, but focusing specifically on those with no experience, they can be a great investment for your company! What has been your company’s experience hiring someone who has not worked in your industry? Let us know!

Stay in Touch!

* indicates required


User Type


Continue Reading

How to Write a Cover Letter: The Ultimate Guide

If you’ve ever applied to a job online, then you’ve probably had to write a cover letter of some sort. But despite their commonality, many job seekers don’t know how to write one well. If you’re struggling with writing a cover letter that will impress employers and get you hired, we can help! Here are some tips on how to write a cover letter that can help you stand out from the crowd and get your foot in the door for your dream job.

Step 1: Identify the Roles

It’s no secret that having the right skills and experience are key factors for securing an interview. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to impress your future employer, so it’s important not only to customize your letter based on the type of position you’re applying for, but also consider what keywords you’ll need in order to connect with the hiring person. It’s also worth noting that this type of correspondence has evolved into more than just a paragraph explaining why you’re the best person for the job. Also, it helps to include the name of the position for which you are applying, and mentioning some of the bullet points in the original job description. For example, if the description lists that you need three years of experience as a virtual assistant, mention that you have X amount of years as a VA which is more/less as requested in the job description (if you say less, explain why you feel you deserve the position!).

Step 2: Answer these Questions

  • Who is the letter for? 
      1. It is important to be clear about who you are addressing your letter to. This person should be listed in the top of your cover letter and throughout the body of your letter as well. If you are unsure about who your letter should be addressed, this should also be stated up front in order to give them an understanding of what you want from them or what you’re requesting of them. This can go hand-in-hand with explaining why they need to read the following contents of your cover letter as well. 
  • What are my qualifications? 
    1. This question is asking for three things in particular that the employer wants a clear understanding on. First off, it asks if you have experience with the industry/company’s specific field. For example, if it is related to marketing then there are quite a few subsets within marketing that require specific experience such as web design. Secondly, it asks if you have any relevant degrees (like a web design or marketing degree). Lastly, the company wants to understand what you bring to the table through your experience such as tools you have at your disposal; sticking with the web design example, the company wants to know if you have all the tools you need already or if you will require them such as a company computer. In fact, some employers look for people that already have personal access to specific software. These questions require very specific answers so make sure they align closely with their expectations and needs.

Step 3: Highlight your Qualifications

By this point, you should have spent enough time talking about yourself so that the business owner or hiring manager knows your strengths and weaknesses. You should also have addressed why you are uniquely qualified for the job. This is where you discuss any qualifications that are related specifically to the job description in question. Make sure that any skills and experience mentioned fit into your objective, though.

Step 4 : Formatting Matters

When it comes time to write your cover letter, formatting is important. A great cover letter tells the story of you and your journey, in such a way that the employer can’t stop reading. No matter how strong your qualifications are, if they’re not presented well on paper they will be overlooked. Check out this example below for guidelines on how to properly format your cover letter and break into the industry of your dreams:

  1. Mention the position and why you are interested.
  2. Go into detail about your work history, but make it interesting; employers are getting tons of cover letters, so it’s important to make yours stand out.
  3. Talk about the job requirements and how you meet them.
  4. Give employers a couple of different ways to contact you.

Step 5 : Tailor Your Cover Letters

Cover letters are one of the most important parts of your job application. They should be tailored specifically for each job so make sure that you spend time personalizing it. If you’re applying for a job as a manager, talk about how your management experience makes you the perfect candidate. If you’re applying for an entry-level position, talk about how excited you are to get started and learn from the people who’ve been there before. Pick which experience to focus on based on what the job is!

What tips do you have for those who are writing cover letters? Let us know!

 

 

Stay in Touch!

* indicates required


User Type


Continue Reading

Tips for Creating An Attention-Getting Job Seeker Profile to Help You Get Hired!

One of the most popular questions we get asked is: How do I create a great online profile / resume that stands out to employers? So, we’ve put together some examples of what to do (and what not to do). This is a great guide for those just getting started, but it’s also a great reference for those who have their résumés posted that are not hearing back from employers.

It’s important to note that employers cannot see your online profile / resume unless, (1) you’ve applied for their specific job or (2) you are a Platinum member which comes with a rotating profile on the home page. 

Ok, so let’s start simple…

What Not To Do

Your profile is how employers learn more about you. They like to see a headshot so they can put a face to a name with your information. Most importantly, they like profiles that are detailed with LOTS of information.

The profile below is an example of what not to do. There is no picture, and there is no information. Employers use your profile first, and then they turn to your résumé. It’s also a good idea to update your profile on a regular basis. That way, employers know you’re serious about looking for work. Set a reminder to review and update your profile periodically such as quarterly or every six months.

Make sure to complete your profile! It’s totally okay to set up a test profile like the one below to see how things will look, but don’t forget to go back in and fix it later. This profile has a photo (that we’ve hidden), which is great, but nothing at all for employers to reference!

This next profile is another step in the right direction, but it needs more information. The profile has a photo, which is great, and a description, which is also great. But, this doesn’t speak to specific experience for an employer to reference.

What To Do

You’re probably noticing a trend at this point: provide a photo, write a description, and provide specific employment information. We reached out to some of our past top performing profiles for permission to share. Check them out below!

Hannah checked all three boxes: she has a photo that clearly shows her face, she has a description, and she has detailed information about her work history. Plus, she made it even easier for employers to check out companies she has worked with by providing their URLs

Hannah shares: 

I got my job with very quickly (within a week) after applying through HireMyMom! I believe the key was really that online resume and me emailing the company to stand out. I also mentioned their website and how much I loved what their business was about in that initial email. I believe anything to stand out like that is good…When I am looking for jobs my go to is ALWAYS HireMyMom.com. I also tell ALL my friends about it because I believe HireMyMom makes it so easy for moms to stand out in the online/remote workforce.” 

Now, we understand that some people do not want to share their photo online, and that’s okay! We suggest providing further information to interest employers so they are blown away by your experience and skills, like Sara’s profile below; Sara also went the extra mile to provide how many years of experience she has for specific skills.

There you have it! A profile does act as a résumé, so you should fill it out accordingly, but it also gives you more space than a typical résumé so you can go into a little more detail.

If you have questions or need help with your own profile, reach out to the team at HireMyMom — we are more than happy to help! We have several opportunities to help you level up!

 

 

 

Stay in Touch!

* indicates required


User Type


Continue Reading