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July 3, 2023

Get Hired: Mastering the Art of Writing a Virtual Assistant Cover Letter

If you’re looking for a job as a Virtual Assistant, the cover letter you write can make or break your application. Crafting an effective cover letter that conveys your experience and skills while demonstrating your enthusiasm and commitment to the position is essential in standing out from other candidates. Explore the key components of a successful Virtual Assistant cover letter and provide tips on how to make yours stand out below:

Outline Your Skills and Experience

As a mom looking to enter the virtual assistant job market, you already have an abundance of skills that will be highly valued by potential employers. Here are a few key skills and experiences you should highlight in your cover letter:

  1. Time Management: As a mom, you’ve likely honed your ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities. Employers will be impressed by your ability to efficiently manage your time and prioritize tasks.
  2. Organizational Skills: Being organized is crucial for any virtual assistant role. Make sure to highlight your skills in maintaining schedules, tracking important dates, and managing digital files.
  3. Communication: Clear and effective communication is essential when working remotely. Emphasize your excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as your experience in collaborating with others.
  4. Technical Savvy: With technology at the forefront of the virtual assistant world, make sure to showcase your proficiency with various software programs and tools. Be specific in your cover letter about the types of software you’ve used in the past.
  5. Flexibility: Employers need someone who is adaptable and willing to take on new tasks as needed. Share examples of how you’ve been able to pivot and adjust to new situations in the past.

By highlighting these skills and experiences in your cover letter, you’ll show potential employers that you have what it takes to succeed as a virtual assistant. Just remember, while you have lots of skills to share, keep it short so that hiring managers can easily read your cover letter quickly.

Use Keywords from the Job Posting

To truly stand out among other applicants, it’s important to use keywords from the job posting in your virtual assistant cover letter. This means analyzing the job description and taking note of the key skills and responsibilities listed. Including these keywords shows that you have carefully read the job posting and understand the requirements of the position. Additionally, many employers use automated systems to sort through resumes and cover letters, and using the right keywords can increase your chances of being seen by a hiring manager.

For example, if the job posting emphasizes proficiency in Microsoft Office, make sure to mention your experience with Excel and Word in your cover letter. If the job requires scheduling and organization skills, mention specific tools or software you’ve used in the past to manage tasks and appointments. However, don’t just throw in random keywords for the sake of it. Make sure they are relevant to your skills and experience, and use them in a natural, contextual way. Finding online cover letter templates can help show you how to do this.

Explain What You Can Do for the Company

Now that you’ve outlined your skills and experience and used relevant keywords from the job posting, it’s time to explain what you can do for the company. This is the heart of your cover letter – you need to convince the employer that you’re the perfect fit for the position.

Start by researching the company and understanding what they do. Then, explain how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate to help them achieve their goals. For example, if the company is looking for a virtual assistant to help with social media management, you could say:

“I am confident that my skills in social media marketing, content creation, and scheduling would make me an asset to your team. With my experience working for a variety of clients in different industries, I am comfortable with creating engaging and effective content across multiple platforms. Additionally, I am skilled in using scheduling tools such as Hootsuite and Buffer to ensure that posts are published at optimal times for maximum reach. I am excited at the opportunity to help your company grow and reach new audiences through social media.”

Notice how this paragraph not only highlights the applicant’s skills and experience, but also connects them directly to the needs of the company. By explaining how they can help the company achieve its goals, the applicant is demonstrating their value as an employee and making a compelling case for why they should be hired. You can also take this a step further and include a tip or two on how you would change their current practices to make their company better.

Close with a Call to Action

After explaining what you can bring to the table and highlighting your skills and experience, it’s important to end your cover letter with a call to action. This shows the employer that you’re confident in your abilities and are excited about the possibility of working with them. A call to action is a statement that invites the reader to take a specific action. In this case, you want the employer to invite you for an interview or to contact you with any further questions they may have. Here are some examples of strong calls to action for a cover letter:

  • I look forward to hearing from you to discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your company. Thank you for your consideration.
  • If you’re interested in learning more about my qualifications, I’d love to speak with you in more detail. Please feel free to contact me at [insert your contact information].
  • Thank you for considering my application. I believe that I could be an asset to your team and would love the opportunity to discuss this further in an interview. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.

Remember, a call to action is a chance for you to leave a lasting impression on the employer. Be confident, courteous, and professional, and you’re sure to catch their attention.

Remember, the cover letter is your chance to make a great first impression and stand out from other applicants. So take the time to craft a well-written and personalized cover letter, and you may just land your dream virtual assistant position. Good luck!

If you need help writing a cover letter or would like a professional to review your current cover letter, check out our Cover Letter Services!

 

 

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June 26, 2023

Revisiting 2023 Resolutions: Are You on Track?

Can you believe we are already halfway through the year 2023? It feels like just yesterday we were counting down the seconds to welcome the new year with our resolutions in hand. With all that has happened since then, it’s understandable if some of us may have let our resolutions slide a little. However, it’s never too late to recommit and get back on track.Let’s revisit our 2023 resolutions together and explore how we can make progress towards achieving our goals for the remainder of the year:

Why You Might Be Struggling to Meet Your Goals

It’s halfway through the year, and you might be feeling a bit disappointed with your progress towards your New Year’s resolutions. If you’re struggling to meet your goals, you’re not alone. It’s common to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or distracted as the year progresses. One of the main reasons people struggle to meet their goals is because they set unrealistic expectations. Perhaps you set too many goals or gave yourself too little time to achieve them. Alternatively, maybe your goals were too broad or general, making it difficult to make meaningful progress towards them. 

Another reason for struggling with resolutions is that life gets in the way. Unexpected events such as illnesses, relationship problems, or financial setbacks can sidetrack even the most determined individuals. Finally, procrastination and lack of discipline are other significant roadblocks that people face when working towards their goals. The first step towards overcoming these challenges is to identify the reason(s) why you’re struggling. Once you understand why you’re struggling, it’s easier to take action and get back on track. So, if you feel stuck, take a few moments to reflect on what’s holding you back. Remember that it’s never too late to get back on track and start making progress towards your goals. Whether you’re three months behind or more, don’t give up. Stay committed and keep moving forward, even if you have to take small steps.

How to Get Back on Track

It’s easy to lose sight of your new year’s resolutions halfway through the year. Perhaps you’re facing unforeseen obstacles, or you’ve lost motivation to achieve your goals. But don’t fret, because it’s not too late to get back on track.

  1. Identify the Issue: First things first, identify what’s causing you to veer off course. Is it a lack of motivation, procrastination, or maybe you set an unrealistic goal? Once you identify the issue, it will be easier to take action.
  2. Break it Down: Large, overwhelming goals can be discouraging. Break them down into smaller, achievable milestones. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your motivation to keep going.
  3. Get an Accountability Buddy: It’s always helpful to have someone hold you accountable for your actions. Find a friend or family member who can encourage you to stay on track.
  4. Re-evaluate: It’s okay to re-evaluate your goals and make necessary changes. If you’ve found that your original goal isn’t attainable, adjust it to something more realistic.
  5. Create a Plan: Develop a plan to achieve your goals. Write it down and make it visible to remind you of what you’re working towards.
  6. Take Action: Lastly, take action! Don’t just think about it, act on it. It’s essential to follow through with the plan you’ve developed. Remember, every little step counts towards achieving your ultimate goal.

Tips for Achieving Your Goals Moving Forward

  1. Set SMART Goals: Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Setting SMART goals will help you create a clear plan and stay focused on what you want to achieve.
  2. Create a Plan: Break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps and assign deadlines for each one.
  3. Track Your Progress: This will help you to stay accountable and keep you motivated as you see your progress towards your goals. You can use a journal, planner or an app to track your progress. Celebrate your wins and use them as motivation to continue pushing forward.
  4. Stay Positive: Focus on your strengths and use positive self-talk to boost your confidence. If you make a mistake, don’t be too hard on yourself, instead, use it as a learning opportunity and make adjustments to your plan.
  5. Find a Support System: Surround yourself with people who will encourage and support you in your journey. It’s essential to have people who understand your goals and can offer you support and motivation when you need it.

By implementing these tips, you can make progress towards your goals and achieve the things you set out to accomplish. Remember, it’s never too late to revisit your resolutions and get back on track towards the life you want to live.

How are your resolutions coming along? Reach out and let us know!

 

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June 19, 2023

Remote Hiring Made Easy: Crafting Job Listings That Attract the Right Candidates

In today’s world of remote work, small business owners have a unique opportunity to tap into a global talent pool. But with the rise of telecommuting comes the challenge of creating job listings that truly attract the right candidates. Whether you’re hiring for a virtual assistant or a marketing manager, it’s crucial to craft a job listing that not only accurately conveys the position, but also speaks to the kind of person you want to hire. If you are new to the hiring process or are struggling with it, we have created a self-paced course called Hiring Made Easy. In this learning experience, we cover everything from identifying what you want in a candidate to compensation levels to onboarding candidates. For a small sample of what Hiring Made Easy covers, check out the information below:

Identifying the Key Qualifications and Characteristics You Want in a Candidate

When it comes to hiring a remote employee, it’s important to be crystal clear about the qualifications and characteristics you’re looking for in a candidate. Without a clear understanding of what you’re looking for, it’s easy to fall into the trap of hiring someone who isn’t the right fit for your business. To avoid this, take some time to identify the key qualifications and characteristics you want in a candidate:

  • What skills and experience are required to perform the duties of the role effectively? 
  • Are there any technical requirements, such as proficiency in certain software or tools? 
  • What kind of personality traits or work styles would thrive in a remote work environment? 
  • Do you need someone who is highly self-motivated and independent, or someone who is comfortable collaborating with a team remotely? 

Once you have a clear understanding of what you’re looking for, you can craft a job listing that reflects those priorities. Use specific language to describe the requirements for the role and what kind of candidate you’re looking for, so that applicants have a clear sense of whether or not they would be a good fit.

How to Craft an Attention-Grabbing Headline and Introduction

This is your chance to make a great first impression and get potential candidates excited about your job opening. Here are a few tips to help you write a killer headline and introduction:

  1. Keep it simple and straightforward: Your headline and introduction should clearly state what the job is and what you’re looking for in a candidate. Avoid being too clever or vague, as this can turn off potential applicants.
  2. Highlight the benefits of the job: What makes your job different from others out there? Are you offering flexible hours, competitive pay, or opportunities for growth? Be sure to highlight these benefits in your headline and introduction to attract the right candidates.
  3. Be specific: Use specific job titles in your headline and introduction to attract candidates who are qualified and experienced in your field.

Here’s an example of a strong headline and introduction for a remote marketing job:

Remote Marketing Coordinator Wanted – Help Us Grow Our Brand! 

We’re a fast-growing tech startup looking for a remote Marketing Coordinator to help us spread the word about our innovative product. You’ll be responsible for managing our social media channels, writing blog posts, and creating engaging marketing campaigns. This is a great opportunity to work with a fun and talented team and grow your skills in the tech industry. If you’re passionate about marketing and want to make a difference in the world, we want to hear from you!

The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Job Description

When it comes to writing a job description, there are certain things that can make or break the effectiveness of your listing. Here are some key dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

  • DO: Be Clear and Specific; outline the position exactly as it is.
  • DON’T: Discriminate or Use Biased Language; roles should be available to all people.
  • DO: Highlight the Company Culture and Values; tell applicants why your company is different.
  • DON’T: Oversell or Misrepresent the Role; this will deter candidates from applying.
  • DO: Include Benefits and Compensation Information; tell candidates why they should apply with your company.
  • DON’T: Use Jargon or Industry-Specific Terms; unless you are hiring for a high level position, many applicants may not be familiar with very specific terms.

Including Details on Compensation, Benefits, and Work Schedule

Candidates want to know what they will be paid, what benefits they will receive (if any), and what their work schedule will be like before they even consider applying for a job. If this information is not included in the job listing, they may move on to other opportunities that do provide this information.

  • For compensation, be as transparent as possible. Include information about hourly wage / salary, bonuses, and any other incentives you may offer. If your compensation package is competitive, this can be a major selling point for candidates.
  • Whether it’s flex time, bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off, make sure you provide clear and detailed information about the benefits you offer.
  • Provide information about the work schedule. Be clear about the hours that will be expected of the candidate, and whether or not there will be any flexibility in their schedule.
  • It’s also a good idea to provide information about any equipment or software that the candidate will need to do their job. This can include things like a computer, phone, or specific software programs.

If you’re ready to dive into all this but just don’t have time to put it all together, we recommend our Small Business Concierge Services — our HR experts will manage the entire hiring process, including onboarding, so you can focus on your company. Or, if you want to start at the beginning and learn how to do this for yourself, try our Hiring Made Easy course.

 

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June 15, 2023

Finding Balance as a Work-at-Home Mom: Lessons Learned and Tips for Success

As a mom who left a career in higher education to start a business and work from home, finding balance has been a journey. It’s not easy to juggle work and parenting, especially when you’re trying to grow your business at the same time. However, I’ve learned a lot along the way and would like to share my experience with other work-at-home moms.

When I found out I was pregnant, I knew it was time to take my business seriously. I started by setting a realistic schedule that allowed me to work during my most productive hours while also being present for my family. I also made sure to take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge.

Once my baby arrived, I had to adjust my schedule again. I quickly learned that nap time was my most valuable work time. I also had to learn to let go of some things and prioritize what was most important. I outsourced some tasks and delegated others to free up more time for my family.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning to say no. As a work-at-home mom, it’s easy to say yes to everything, but that can quickly lead to burnout. I had to learn to set boundaries and only take on projects that aligned with my goals and values.

Overall, finding balance as a work-at-home mom takes time and patience. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to make mistakes and that every day is a new opportunity to do better. With the right mindset and systems in place, it’s possible to grow a successful business while also being present for your family.

As my baby is growing, I’ve had to continue to adapt to new challenges. I found that having a designated workspace helped me stay focused on work during work hours and transition to mom duties when I was with my baby. I also learned the importance of self-care and making time for myself, even if it was just a few minutes here and there.

Another thing that helped me find balance was connecting with other work-at-home moms. Having a support system of people who understood the unique challenges of balancing work and parenting was invaluable. We were able to share tips, offer encouragement, and remind each other that we were all doing the best we could.

One thing that I wish I had known earlier in my journey was the importance of setting boundaries with clients. I found myself working crazy hours and responding to emails at all hours of the night, which led to burnout and resentment towards my business. Once I started setting clear expectations with clients about my work hours and response times, I felt more in control of my schedule and was able to provide better service to my clients during designated work hours.

In conclusion, finding balance as a work-at-home mom is possible with the right mindset, systems, and support. It’s a journey with ups and downs, but with patience and persistence, you can grow a successful business while also being present for your family. Remember to take care of yourself, set boundaries, and connect with other work-at-home moms for support and encouragement.

 

Lisa Trinidad is an entrepreneur with a background in communications. She started a mommy blog, Busy Brilliant Mom, in 2016, offering tips for managing motherhood. Despite being a working mom, she left her corporate job in higher education to start Desk On The Run, a service that offers strategy and business management to small business owners. In 2022, she founded Latina Mom Meetup, which provides a space to meet and share resources with other moms in the area. Lisa resides in Brooklyn, NY and is a mother of three girls. Her journey is driven by a desire to establish a community among moms and meet them where they are in the journey through motherhood.

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June 12, 2023

10 Fun Ideas to Keep Your Children Entertained During the Summer

Summer is here, and so is the unique challenge of balancing work and childcare! As many of us are working from home with our kids in tow, it’s important to find creative ways to keep them entertained. To help, we’ve compiled a list of ten unusual and out-of-the-box ideas to keep your children engaged and having fun this summer. From homemade science experiments to outdoor scavenger hunts, you’re sure to find something budget friendly to keep your kids busy for hours.

1) Freeze Their Toys

This caught our eye on social media, and we just HAD to share it! Watch the full video HERE. Grab some of your kiddo’s favorite toys. Put them in a bowl of water and then freeze it. Take the frozen toys outside and let your child work on the block of ice to try and free their toys. This is a great activity to cool down, and it will help your child get creative. 

2) Create an Obstacle Course

This can be as simple or as elaborate as you want, depending on your child’s age and ability. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Set up a balance beam using a long piece of wood or a log.
  • Use hula hoops or pool noodles to create a “hopscotch” course.
  • Hang a rope or a tire swing from a tree for your child to swing on.
  • Place cones or other objects for your child to weave in and out of.
  • Create a tunnel or fort using cardboard boxes or blankets.
  • Use a small pool or water table to add a fun water element to the obstacle course.

Make sure to supervise your child and ensure that the obstacle course is safe. You can even time them to make it more exciting, and encourage them to try to beat their own time. This is a great way to get your kids active and burning off energy while you get some work done. You can also flip this around and ask your child to design their own obstacle course for you to complete!

3) Use Old Boxes

If there is one thing we all have sitting around in abundance, it’s old boxes (Amazon, anyone?)! There are so many great ways to recycle these with your children such as:

  • Let your kids create their own forts with boxes and duct tape
  • Ask your kids to build a car OR decorate one that you make from boxes
  • Lay boxes flat and have your children paint their own race track for their toy cars
  • Challenge your kiddos to come up with their own ideas!

From spaceships to entire cardboard cities, the sky’s the limit!

4) Have a Scavenger Hunt

To set up a scavenger hunt, first decide on a theme or a list of items that your kids will need to find. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you like, depending on the age and abilities of your children. Some ideas for themes might include a nature scavenger hunt, where your kids have to find specific plants or animals in the backyard, or a treasure hunt where they follow clues to find a hidden prize. Once you have your theme or list of items, it’s time to hide them! Be creative with your hiding spots, but make sure they’re safe and accessible for your children. You might hide things in the bushes, behind furniture, or up high on shelves.

When your kids are ready to play, give them the list of items or the first clue and watch as they race around the house or yard searching for their treasure. You can make it even more fun by adding in time challenges or other obstacles, like blindfolding one player or having them complete a task before they can move on to the next clue. Flip the script and ask your kiddos to design a scavenger hunt for you that you can complete after work!

5) Create A Numbers Game

If your child has a lot of the same toy (such as toy cars), then you can create a numbers game to help them learn! Create a “parking lot” with masking tape or markers on a cardboard box. Number each space. Take masking tape and then number each of your child’s toys and ask them to match the numbers. It can be even more fun if you set it up in a way where you can easily rearrange numbers on the parking spaces. If your kiddo is a bit older, you can even turn this into a math game. We used toy cars as an example, but any toy works! If your children have a lot of dolls, you can tell them the dolls need to get to their homes instead of their parking spaces.

6) Imagine A Toy Parade

Grab some masking tape, or string, or anything that can help you create some lines on the floor which can easily be removed later. Tell your child to line up their toys along the line to then create a toy parade which they can show you. This activity is great for younger kiddos that are learning to “color within the lines” so to speak. This can become more challenging after a straight line, create crazy loops and zig zags that they must match their toys to.

7) Create An Indoor Movie Space

Bring the drive-in inside! Use tip number three from above, and work with your kiddos to design some comfy and cool “cars” from old boxes. Then, set up a movie screen or television, and have your kids take their cars to the drive-in for a movie night! You can even set up a little concession stand and use some Monopoly money for your children to make purchases from the stand. If you have several kiddos, then you can challenge them to be in charge of the concession stand! You could also try showing short videos as intermission entertainment during a rainy-day double-feature, just be sure to set parental controls on YouTube to keep all the programming kid friendly and mom approved. 

8) Paint Rocks

You can start by taking your children on a nature walk to collect rocks of various shapes and sizes. Once you have enough rocks, set up a painting station outside or in a well-ventilated area inside. Give your children a range of colors to choose from and let their creativity run wild as they paint their rocks. Once the rocks are painted and dry, you can use them to decorate your garden or display them in your children’s room. They also make great gifts for friends and family. This activity is not only fun, but it also teaches your children about colors, textures, and nature. Take it a step further and put the rocks back along the walking trail for others to enjoy on their own hikes!

9) Construct Sailboats and/or Paper Airplanes

If your children like a challenge, ask them to create something they can race against each other with! Paper airplanes are simple for those that need to stay inside. Kids can decorate them and try to fold them in lots of different ways to find the best “flyer”. Or, if you can go outside, create some sailboats to see which one floats! There are kits you can purchase for this, or you can really push your kid’s creativity by asking them to find their own materials out in nature to discover what floats and what does not.

10) Bring Sports Indoors

If your child has a favorite sport they like to play such as bowling or even volleyball, ask them to create their own version of it indoors! With craft materials, kids can make things like bowling pins and a bowling ball for indoor fun, or they can use things like rubber bands and cardboard tubes to make their very own volleyball net. This can be an effective way to keep them entertained for hours while you work as they search for the best way to make a ball out of the materials they have on hand!

These ideas are a few of our own that our kids enjoy, but we would love to hear from you! What are your favorite ways to entertain your kiddos while you work from home during the summer months?

 

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June 5, 2023

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.

 

 

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May 29, 2023

Maximizing Your Potential with a Small Business Mentor

Starting and running a small business is no small feat. From creating a business plan to dealing with the financials, there are so many aspects that entrepreneurs need to consider. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it all alone. By leveraging the expertise of a small business mentor, you can maximize your potential and increase your chances of success.

Why Use a Mentor?

  1. Experience: A good mentor will have years of experience in the business world and will have faced many of the challenges that you are currently dealing with. By tapping into their knowledge and expertise, you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches.
  2. Objective perspective: As a small business owner, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day details of running your business. However, a mentor can provide an objective perspective and help you see the big picture. This can be incredibly valuable when it comes to making important decisions or pivoting your business strategy.
  3. Networking opportunities: Mentors can also help connect you with other professionals in your industry or community, providing you with valuable networking opportunities. These connections can open up doors for your business and help you reach new customers, clients, or investors.
  4. Emotional support: Starting and running a small business can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s important to have someone in your corner who understands what you’re going through. A mentor can offer emotional support and encouragement when you need it most, helping you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

Overall, having a mentor can be a game-changer when it comes to running your small business. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, finding the right mentor can help you reach new heights of success and achieve your full potential.

What to Expect from Your Mentor

When you decide to work with a mentor, it is important to have a clear understanding of what to expect from the relationship. Here are some things you can anticipate when you partner with a small business mentor:

  1. Guidance and advice: Your mentor will provide you with the knowledge and insights they have gained through their own experiences. They will offer guidance and advice on everything from setting business goals to managing employees.
  2. Accountability: A mentor can help keep you accountable to your goals and aspirations. They will challenge you to stay focused and motivated, and hold you accountable for the actions you commit to taking.
  3. A sounding board: Sometimes, you just need someone to bounce ideas off of. Your mentor can serve as a sounding board for your business ideas and help you assess their feasibility and potential.

By working with a small business mentor, you can gain valuable knowledge and insights that can help take your business to the next level. The key is to find the right mentor who aligns with your values and goals, and to make the most of your relationship by being open, receptive, and willing to learn.

Making the Most of Your Relationship

When working with your mentor you should set goals, be open and honest, listen and act on their advice, stay accountable, and show gratitude. Sometimes bringing on a mentor can be difficult, though. Schedules get in the way and finding the time to connect can be tricky. However, there are still options available.

If you want to learn from some of the best experts in the business, you can also check out our self-paced course Hiring Made Easy. Learn what you need to get together before hiring someone, how to handle interviews, how to determine fair pay rates, and more. This is all done on your own time, so it truly works with your schedule. Lesley Pyle, founder of HireMyMom and creator of Hiring Made Easy, has 20+ years of experience as a small business owner and remote worker that she is passing on through this course. It’s a lot like having a business mentor without trying to rearrange your schedule to learn something new. Plus, if you have questions or need a little more support, you can always contact us to get in touch with a real human being who can help!

 

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May 22, 2023

What Skills to Highlight on Your Résumé

No matter where you are in your career, deciding which skills to list on a résumé can be tricky. After all, you have so many talents, which ones should be included in job applications? If you are looking to reenter the workforce after being a stay-at-home parent full-time, there are actually skills you used to raise your children that can go on your résumé. If you are looking to make a career change, then you most likely have a general idea of which skills to list, but this blog can be a good refresher for you!

The Basics

It is important to tailor your skill listed on your job application materials for each position you apply to. Of course, there are some core skills that are good to keep from application to application such as time management, being organized, and the ability to work independently. However, employers are also looking for extremely detailed talents that you might have. For example, if you have experience with Microsoft Excel, that should be listed. Depending on how you want to set up your résumé, you can either just list what you have experience in such as Microsoft Excel, WordPress, etc., or you can also include the number of years of experience you have. Keep in mind, employers want to be able to look at your job application and quickly determine what your skills are. If you already have lots of text on your résumé making it look crowded, stick with listing just the skills.

Reentering the Workforce

If you are reentering the workforce, you may feel lost as to what skills to put down in a job application. Sometimes, it can seem like you do not have talents to include, especially if you have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time. However, raising kids requires lots of wonderful skills that can easily be transferred to the workplace. Some talents include: time management, administering schedules, meeting deadlines, multitasking, management, and more! If there is room on your application, list some details about how you gained these skills. Include this in your cover letter too, where you have more room to elaborate on how you will use those talents in a job.

Career Changes

If you are making a career change — whether you are moving up the corporate ladder or trying something new — you can call on your past experience to list on your résumé. It helps to be very specific. For example, if you managed a team, list that as a skill and include the size of the team, length of time you managed them, and if it was an international team, it’s good to include that too! Keep in mind that you need to tailor your experience based on the job you are applying for, so on one application you might list team management of a team of ten, and on another application you might mention that team was international so you have experience managing different time zones. 

Keywords

For more guidance, look at the job listing itself. What keywords does the company use? Do they mention someone who is organized, or do they ask if you have experience with project management software like Asana? Use the description to write your résumé! Use important phrases that you notice repeated in the description to highlight your own experience. Not only does this help companies fit your experience into what they are looking for, but it also shows that you have a good grasp of the job description — and that you spent time truly reading it!

If you need help figuring out what to list on your job application, chat with our advisors as part of our Job Seeker Advisor Services. An HR expert can guide you through creating the perfect résumé for your dream position.

Do you have more tips you want to share with us on what skills you choose to put on your job application? Let us know!

 

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May 15, 2023

3 Reasons Small Businesses Should Use a Paid Job Site

For small businesses, finding the right candidates to fill a position can be challenging. To begin the hiring process, your company first must decide what job sites to use to list your open position. Many companies gravitate towards free sites because they are simply that — free. We understand that small businesses especially are on a tight budget, but you usually get what you pay for with a free site; that includes a barrage of unqualified candidates, scams, and investing your company’s time and money to wade through all the white noise just to find the best candidate. To save your business time, money, and effort, it is better to stick with a paid job site. Let’s dive deeper into why paid job sites, like HireMyMom, may be the best fit for your company:

1) You Get What You Pay For

Let’s take a look at this with a pros and cons list. 

For the free sites:

  • pros: there is no financial cost
  • cons: too many applications, unqualified candidates that are not legitimate job seekers, your listing is lost in the millions of other posts

Paid sites:

  • pros: a more select pool of highly qualified candidates, a real human being to talk to if you run into issues or need guidance, less time spent wading through scam applications (and more time spent on legitimate job seekers)
  • cons: there is a cost

We understand that it can be a difficult decision to invest in a paid job site such as HireMyMom. The upfront price may appear to be a deterrent, but through countless customer stories and our own findings, it is more budget friendly in the long run to use a paid site: 

“The quality of the people who I have found have been consistently exceptional, and at very affordable prices.” — Paulette Ensign

“We have been strapped for time so we decided to try their Concierge Service, which was a huge help…this service has saved us a lot of time!” — Laurie Peterson

Consider this: how much money and time will your company use to pay someone (or multiple someones!) to post a job listing, wade through applicants, conduct interviews, and onboard a new hire? This can add up quickly and end up costing your business quite a bit of money. Instead of that, a paid job site cuts through all the noise which means you spend less time searching for the perfect hire and more time working towards your company’s goals with a new team member! Additionally, we often offer discounts for businesses, so make sure you are part of our email list to be the first to receive updates on those! When visiting our website there should be a popup where you can register for the list, OR just scroll down to the very bottom of our site for the sign up form!

2) The Convenience of a One-Stop Shop

If you’re a small business owner, time is of the essence. That’s why HireMyMom has a great solution for busy business owners who need help finding the right candidate: HireMyMom Business Concierge Services. With this service, an HR expert will create a job post, read through applications, conduct interviews, and even onboard new hires – all to save you precious time. What’s more, the HireMyMom business concierge service makes it easy for business owners to find the right candidate for their needs quickly. Their experienced HR team will be able to assess each applicant’s skills and qualifications, ensuring that the most qualified candidate is chosen. Furthermore, because the team is comprised of seasoned HR experts, they know exactly how to craft effective job postings and conduct successful interviews – giving you peace of mind knowing that your hiring process is in good hands. 

Finally, with HireMyMom’s one-stop shop approach to recruitment, small businesses are able to streamline their hiring process and get the help they need quickly with legitimate job seekers. Plus, they don’t have to worry about dealing with multiple recruitment platforms or taking the time to manage the entire process themselves – saving them both time and energy. 

3) Access to a More Qualified Pool of Candidates

When looking for the perfect candidate for a job, it pays to have access to the best and most qualified pool of applicants. By using a paid job site like HireMyMom, small businesses are able to tap into a network of qualified applicants who are also willing to invest in their own success. 

Not only do these job seekers care about the quality of the work they do, they are also invested in the position they are applying for. Paid job sites offer greater security and job stability than free job boards, so the legitimate job seekers you find are more likely to be professional and committed to the role they are applying for. 

Additionally, with a paid job site, businesses can create detailed job postings which will give them better insight into an applicant’s qualifications and abilities. This will enable businesses to find candidates with the right skills and experiences for the position, reducing their time spent vetting applications. 

Are you on the fence about signing up for HireMyMom? Contact us to ask any questions you might have and a real person will reach out with answers!

 

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May 8, 2023

Growing in Traditions: Celebrating Mother’s Day

As the spring weather continues to get warmer, leading into summer, many start to get their gardens ready for the height of the growing season. For a friend, they start this journey on Mother’s Day. Every year, all the women in the family get together and visit every local plant nursery to find beautiful annuals for the garden. From fragrant gardenias to stunning hibiscus plants, the day is always filled with laughter, fun, and the wonderful smell of greenhouses.

It’s a tradition — a Mother’s Day tradition. For this family, the tradition just seemed like a fun way to get the family together and travel around town. Now as an adult, there is so much more meaning to the day. 

Gardening in and of itself is more than just pretty flowers that smell nice. It is about putting in the time, effort, and hard work to help something grow. It is about nurturing something and being patient as it works up to its full potential to display the most gorgeous colors or the tastiest of vegetables. Gardening is also about loss, and understanding how to move on when something you have invested time in does not work out: like when a hail storm comes through and damages plants, or when your loveable dog Fluffy digs up your newly planted lilac bush and uses it as a chew toy. It is also about letting go at the end of the season when the frost takes over and all the hard work of the summer comes to a close. It is about appreciation for all that you put in, and all that you got out of the experience.

If we look at it closely, gardening is a lot like motherhood and the lessons you try to teach your children as they grow. As a mom, you work to teach your children patience, and the effort it takes to put in hard work to achieve goals and dreams. As a mom, you are there through every season of your child’s life, and you help them navigate through the good and the bad. As a mom, you instill important values in your children such as understanding that as one season closes, another begins — and how to pick out the perfect plant for your front yard. As a mom, you create traditions with your children that are fun but that also will follow them through their lives.

As an adult now, during our weekend Mother’s Day tradition, it is clear that the day is more than just spending time together. It is about creating memories and learning valuable lessons that can be used throughout life. With that in mind, we would like to say Happy Mother’s Day out there to all those hard working moms. We know you do not hear this enough, so let us say it again for you:

You are amazing. You are talented. You are appreciated.

And, in keeping with our own traditions at HireMyMom, we have a giveaway to recognize just how special moms are to us. Head over to our Instagram page to enter to win:

Treat yourself by entering to win this amazing package when you visit our Instagram page! Join us in our yearly Mother’s Day tradition of giving something away to a very deserving mom. And, let us know what traditions you have in your own family to celebrate just how amazing you are.

 

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