Written by
April 3, 2017 0 Comments

5 Things You Need to Know About Hiring Virtual Help

According to Recuriterbox, over 53 million people are currently freelancing and by 2020, over 40% of the workforce is expected to be independent contractors. It is a growing trend that many businesses are seeing the rewards of. Before you jump in, here are 5 things to know about hiring virtual help.

Communication

One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners and freelancers make is a lack of good communication from the beginning.  It is important to create a very detailed and accurate job posting so that you attract the right candidate who is qualified for your project or job. It is also imperative to lay out clear expectations on the work to be performed, expected results as well as deadlines. I recommend doing a Skype or FaceTime call with your candidates and not only talking about the job and expectations but also spending time to get to know the person so you can develop a mutually beneficial working relationship.

Flexibility

Many times, those who are seeking virtual jobs are seeking those jobs at least partly for the flexibility that comes with it. Be clear about the expectations you have for your virtual team member. And if you need someone during specific hours, also be clear about that. Flexibility can work great for both parties. It just needs to be clear to both sides when the work is needed and expected and if the contractor needs to be available at set times.

Pay

Even at a higher hourly rate, expect to save 20 to 30 percent annually with a freelancer given that you will not have to pay for benefits, health insurance, retirement, Medicare or Social Security. You also save on office space, computers and other office supplies. On the other hand, your freelancer does have to pay all of those costs so instead of looking to hire at rock bottom prices, factor in at least $4-5 more an hour for the expenses they will have to incur.

Quality

Independent contractors and freelancers run their own business, which is dependant on happy and returning clients. You know as a business owner, its much more cost efficient to keep a client than to try to find a new one. Because of that, most freelancers will strive to deliver their best work to keep their clients. While traditional employees performance may vary, freelancers know their job is only as good as their last project.

Sourcing

Not all freelance websites are created equally.  Some have millions of users all over the world. While others are more specific to the industry or type of freelancer. For instance, HireMyMom.com is a niche website geared toward Mom Professionals who have left the workforce for the flexibility to work from home. Business owners find dedicated and dependable contractors or virtual employees without sorting through hundreds of resumes. They also benefit from hiring someone in or near their time zone for ease of working relationship as well as not having to deal with issues faced in countries with undependable Internet and electricity. Whatever your needs, be sure to find the right website to help you succeed.

So when it comes time to expand your virtual team, knowing what to expect and more about the process will help you be more prepared and ready for success!

Continue Reading

Written by
February 13, 2017 0 Comments

4 Ways to Save Time During the Week

ella-jardim-696770-unsplash

Between being a working mom and juggling home, family, and other obligations, weekdays can be a mad rush of timing and scheduling issues.  It’s important to keep the peace as much as possible, but that’s tricky when there’s so much going on Monday thru Friday.  Read along for some best practices in saving time during the bustling workweek!

Get into a groove

Schedule and routines are helpful for everyone involved.  Start by setting a general weekday schedule that’s appropriate for the whole family.  Write out a list or calendar that features everything that needs to be done in a typical week.  From here, create your schedule for what needs done, who needs to be where, and where free time is located.

When you have a schedule that is fairly the same week-to-week, it’s much easier to handle spontaneous changes, as well as find the time that you can be more productive or spend with friends and family.  When you don’t know where your time is going, it can feel chaotic and things can begin to get missed.

Plan meals

Weekdays are characterized by work and a lot of running around, so cooking can be a time-consuming process.  To eliminate some of the time spent prepping and shopping during the week, ensure that this is done on the weekends, or a specifically designated day.

If you have several free hours on Wednesdays, maybe that’s your time to shop and food prep.  Find out what’s best for you and your schedule.  Take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to plan your meals for the week.  Utilize Pinterest and other cooking sites to find recipes or ideas, then build your shopping list and get everything done in one trip.  It’s also helpful to spend a few hours prepping the food, or at least the items that can be done ahead of time. This eliminates a lot of day-to-day thinking about meal prep, and can also save money!

Set it all up

Plan your weekends! Although weekends are typically used for family, friends, and spontaneous adventure, they can also help you a lot during the workweek.  Spend an hour or so on the weekends to set up for the week ahead.

Create your to-do lists, schedules, meal plans, and anything else that is part of the forecast for the upcoming week.  This is a great mental exercise as well, as it keeps things much more calm and organized.

Know what you need

Sometimes saving time involves others that are available to help you.  Set up a carpool for your kids, which will give you more time to work or run errands during the week.  There are also meal exchanges, play dates, and other family set ups that give your family a break during the week.  It can be helpful to look into some of these options, especially on your busiest days.  Babysitters and caretakers are also incredibly useful to free up your time during the week.  Although it’s an investment, typically your time will be worth it to ensure that you’re able to get done what needs to be done during that time.

Continue Reading

Written by
February 6, 2017 0 Comments

HireMyMom Success Story: Katty Flores

What’s your success story with HireMyMom.com?

I tried HireMyMom for the first time this year. It took a little less than a month to find my first job! I applied to several positions, I’d say 12 different postings, being careful to not only apply through the HireyMyMom site but also to email these employers/businesses directly. I had 3 interviews, the last being the one that made me an offer. I was elated to finally have the chance to work from home while still being a mom and wife, first!

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

1) Make sure your resume is clean, short and sweet. I know that we want to draw attention to ALL of our experiences, however, I read that you should keep your resume to one page.

2) Some employers will have links to their applications. Treat these like you would any other important, paper application. Fill them out completely and thoroughly. Even if you uploaded your resume, make sure you fill in job by job. Otherwise, it resembles laziness.

3) Use complete sentences and proper grammar when typing up explanations.

4) Email the employer with a quick greeting and inform them you’ve just applied to their position (if applicable) and briefly introduce yourself.

5) After 3 days or so, send another follow up email regarding your application. The idea is that if your goal is to get a job, your actions should demonstrate it.

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom.com?

My favorite thing about HireMyMom is that the business or individual posting their job on the site is well aware the applicants are family centered first. They are knowingly giving moms the opportunity to feel worthy of their intelligence and skills, while allowing them to be sensitive toward their family.

What’s one fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that humor is my most used ingredient when brewing perspective for life’s expected and unexpected challenges.

.

Continue Reading

Written by
January 30, 2017 0 Comments

3 Ways to Maintain Your Schedule

As a work from home employee, your schedule is bound to be your biggest asset.  It can be easy to veer off track with all the distractions not present in a traditional workplace.  If you can stick to a schedule, you’ll be more productive, efficient, and able to stay focused on tasks.

We’ve compiled some best tips and practices to ensure that scheduling comes easy in your home based career!

Use a scheduling tool

Scheduling tools are extremely useful and eliminate a lot of the back and forth required to schedule a call or interview.  These tools work by keeping track of your calendar and noting when you’re free.  This way, scheduling a call is as easy as sending over a link, having the other person select a time that works for them, then following through with the meeting.

This also works to keep you on schedule because it forces you to track everything, and also keeps you from losing a lot of time in setting up these appointments.  Some tools that work for this include Calendly, Doodle, and Pick.

Track your time

To stay on schedule and keep moving through your to do list, tracking your time is a must!  Whether you use an Internet based calendar or a basic to do list, this is a crucial practice to begin and enforce daily.

Use some type of to do list with all of your items, including personal items.  This is helpful as a home based employee since some of your time might be used to be with family, friends, and completing any necessary errands and housework.  Of course this isn’t the case for all work from home employees, but it’s part of the benefits of a flexible job.

When you’re able to make time for everything in your schedule, in writing, you’re more likely to do it and more likely to keep pressing forward to get to everything on your list.  Even though these are incredibly helpful, do note that it’s important to make your lists as realistic as possible to prioritize and get what needs to be done.

Limit interruptions

Kids, pets, calls and people at the house – all things that can bring work to a screeching halt.  If you know you’re going into a very important call or interview, set up childcare (or pet care!) ahead of time.  You can also leave notes on your door for mail carriers to simply leave packages, as well as limiting calls to certain times of the day.

Keeping yourself on schedule is all about managing your time and using tools to keep that time flowing productively.  Do your best to schedule your days, manage distractions, and work towards as much efficiency as possible!

Continue Reading

Written by
December 19, 2016 0 Comments

HireMyMom Success Story: Stephanie Enciso

What’s your success story with HireMyMom.com?

I worked full time until the birth of my first son in November 2014.  I was blessed to have a stay at home mom growing up, and wanted nothing more than to provide the same for my children.  As with everything, I “Let go and Let God.”  One night, I stumbled upon a Facebook Ad while rocking my toddler back to sleep.  I never heard of the website, but decided to dig a little further.  After a few minutes, I knew I had to be a part of this in some way! I joined the site in June 2016, and within a month had my first interview.  I wasn’t offered the job, but was determined to find something that would allow me to stay at home with my son, while earning some additional income for our family.  Within a few weeks I received multiple interview opportunities and was fortunate enough to receive two offers.  I currently work for two companies, part time, and 100% remote.  I continue to apply for positions, willing to take on more work!  I love being able to work from my home, in my PJ’s, whenever I have free time!

What’s your educational and experiential background?

I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Communication.  After college, I worked for a medical manufacturing company in their customer service and marketing divisions.  I also worked for a steel manufacturing company in an inside sales support role.

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

If the job seems interesting, apply for it.  I sent my resume to as many employers as possible.  I wanted to learn and gain as much knowledge about the WAH world as I could.

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom.com?

I love how all of the details are presented in the job posting.  At a quick glance, you are able to know the pay rate, the requirements, and a link to employer’s website.

What’s one fun fact about you?

I married my high school sweetheart on 9-10-11.  My husband can’t ever forget that day!

.

Continue Reading

Written by
October 17, 2016 0 Comments

HireMyMom Success Story: Beth Rodgers

What’s your success story with HireMyMom.com?

I had been looking for legitimate opportunities for me to be able to work and still be home with my kids.  I wasn’t impressed with what I had been finding on my own.  I heard about hiremymom.com and went back and forth on whether or not to pay for a membership.  After checking out the reviews on the hire my mom website I decided to give it a try.  I hadn’t been a member long when I came across a listing that I knew would be perfect for me!  Me and the Mouse Travel was looking for a vacation planner specializing in Disney travel!  I had a series of telephone interviews with the companies owner and was offered a position!  I have been with Me and the Mouse Travel for 3 years now!

What’s your educational and experiential background?

As soon as I seen the listing from Me and the Mouse Travel I became so excited! I had worked for Walt Disney World and studied tourism in college I knew that I would be perfect for this job!  I graduated in 2003 from Central Michigan University with a bachelors degree in business management with a concentration in Human Resources and Travel and Tourism.

Check the site daily new listings get posted daily.  Brush up on your phone and facetime interview skills as most of the time you won’t meet your employer face to face.  Also, make sure to follow up on resume’s and applications you send!

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom.com?

My favorite thing about having a membership with HireMyMom.com is that they did the leg work weeding out any job opportunities that I wouldn’t have considered legitimate, professional job opportunities.

What’s one fun fact about you?

I LOVE my job!  Just like HireMyMom helps you to find a perfect job to fit your life circumstances I help families plan magical vacations to fit their desires!  My planning services are free to use!  For more information about my Disney vacation planning services please visit  http://meandthemouse.com/vacations/beth-rodgers/ or email me at beth@meandthemouse.com.

If you’d like to be featured as one of our Success Stories, please contact us!

Continue Reading

Written by
September 19, 2016 0 Comments

HireMyMom Success Story: Leslie Hawkes

What’s your success story with HireMyMom.com?

I first heard of HireMyMom in 2008. My youngest was just 1 at the time but I had been out of the workforce for 3 years by then. We had moved to a new state where I didn’t have a work history or any contacts so I thought it would be a good idea to start laying a foundation for future work by taking on a few freelance projects. I honestly can’t remember how I first heard of HireMyMom. It may have been a Google search for work from home jobs. I found my first project through the site within a week of subscribing in 2009. It may have even been on the first day that I searched the listings. I’m a writer and I found a short-term project that was just enough to get my feet wet and still have time for my kids and home responsibilities. My subscription cost was paid for with the first article I wrote.

I took some time off once that 8-month project was finished since my daughter was needing more of my attention but once she started preschool I looked again and, again, found a position the day I looked at the site. This one has turned out to be a wonderful, long-term work situation.

It was for a content marketing firm and they needed SEO (search engine optimization) content writers. I had never done that particular kind of writing before but they were willing to train me. We spoke on the phone once and I was hired as a freelance writer. I’m still working with them today in 2016! That position has resulted in me writing for 2 other content marketing firms as well.

It’s an ideal situation for me. I run my own business, make my own hours, and work from home, but I do not have to market myself or find clients. The companies I work with keep me so busy I don’t need to! I can just focus on writing.

What I especially love about these companies I work for is that they are owned and managed by SAHMs themselves so they understand all the obligations I have outside of work. I’ve developed some great virtual friendships through the jobs too, which really helps minimize any SAHM loneliness I might experience. I feel like part of a team even though we are all freelancers.

What’s your educational and experiential background?

I have a pretty varied background. I have a Bachelors in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration. Before we had kids I worked in local government (municipalities) and non-profits where I’d always end up managing the PR function, even if it wasn’t my actual job description. Writing comes naturally to me and it lends itself really well to working from home so it made sense that writing jobs are where I’d focus my efforts.

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

I would say be honest about yourself from the start. The employers on HireMyMom already know they are marketing towards SAHMs. Don’t feel bad or try to hide your gap in work experience and don’t worry so much about your availability and if it will be enough for an employer. For the right employer it will be enough. Be honest about your capabilities and time commitment and you’ll find a better fit.

I would also say, don’t undervalue yourself. It’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re not “worth” a certain rate because you work from home, or you’re only going to be part-time, or you’ve been out of the workforce for X number of years. That’s not true. If you have valuable experience that can help an employer, then there is no shame in being adequately compensated for it. You’re giving up time with your family to work. Make sure it pays off for you.

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom.com?

I LOVE that so many employers are SAHMs themselves. It’s like a little community of support even if you don’t know the person on the other end of the email. I also love that it’s a trustworthy site. You aren’t going to find junk jobs here or any scam work from home jobs. As a writer it’s hard to find jobs that will pay a decent rate, but you don’t see any of those low-paying junk jobs on HireMyMom. I tell every mom I know about the site.

What’s one fun fact about you?

I used to be a forest ranger! I worked for a county forest preserve system right before I had kids. In fact, I was pregnant with my first one as a ranger. I loved it.

.

Continue Reading

Written by
July 5, 2016 0 Comments

HireMyMom Success Story: Autumn Burns

What’s your success story with HireMyMom?

I think I saw an ad somewhere online back in 2014 when I was working a dead-end job that was boring me to tears.  I clicked on your site a few times over the course of several days and after reading reviews and the sample job postings, I decided a 3-month membership would be a good place for me to start.  At the time I was trying to re enter the workforce after raising 3 children.  I had been a stay-at-home mom for 17 years.

Anyway, I took my time and carefully read through all the job postings and tagged 5-6 that looked interesting.  After reviewing those few postings I finally gained the courage to apply to one.  It turned out that I was the only applicant to Black Spectacles and little did I know this little job would turn into a career position that has been the very best job I’ve ever had (except being a mom).

The funny thing is I worked for Marc Teer (founder, Black Spectacles) for 10 months before we ever met face-to-face.  He interviewed me and hired me after phone conversations and some online exchanges.  My husband even loves telling this story!

I am now a full-time employee with Marc, his Operations Manager, and our business is growing like crazy!  We are now 5 people strong and I’m his only HMM hire.

What’s your educational and experiential background?

Received my Bachelor of Science in Education from Arkansas State University (1990), taught high school one year, and after deciding not to continue teaching I found a job as a project manager for an entrepreneur allowing me to travel and learn some business skills.  I got married a few years later and quit work to raise 3 children.  As my oldest began his senior year of high school I wanted to go back to work but still needed the flexibility to be “mom” as necessary.  HMM came along at the most perfect time.  I was working part-time in a cubicle of a local company and although I was happy to be back in the workforce (“contributing” as my husband so fondly says) but hated the mundane work and lack of flexibility.  I found a part-time, flexible job I could do from home and it was exciting!  I was doing everything remotely and learning a lot, it was the perfect part-time job.  And then, things began to happen for Black Spectacles, we started growing and that was exciting.  My little part-time job has now turned into a full-time career position!  It is so fulfilling to be part of something that is new, cutting edge and constantly interesting.  Everyday is different and that makes it wonderful for me.

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

Read the job postings carefully.  Very often there are specific tasks a person/company is looking to have accomplished.  Make sure you clearly understand what is being asked and honestly evaluate your skills to accomplish those tasks.  I spend 2 weeks reading the postings before selecting 5 that seemed like a good fit.  After reviewing those 5, I only applied to 1, and that’s my job now.  I realize this may not work for everyone, but it worked for me because I knew very clearly what I was capable of and what I was looking for.

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom?

I really liked being able to read and reread the posting and highlight the ones I felt might be a fit.  It was a very strategic way for me to narrow my choices.  The site is very user-friendly in my opinion and I’ve recommended it to many friends (a few who have found temporary work as needed).

What’s one fun fact about you?

I have my motorcycle license and I act in local community theater productions (sorry, that’s 2).  🙂

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Written by
January 18, 2016 0 Comments

HireMyMom Success Story: Roxanne Doche

What’s your success story with HireMyMom?

I first started with HireMyMom as a recommendation from a friend back in 2009. We were trying for our second child and I really didn’t want to commit to a 9-5. Especially in my field, Marketing, since most jobs require long hours and a lot of traveling. I landed my first two consulting jobs within the first week. As it turned out, I did accept another full-time position, so I stopped consulting. Three years later, my older daughter was diagnosed with kidney cancer so I was forced to quit my job. We also had our third baby that year. Now that everyone is healthy and the youngest just started preschool, I decided to subscribe to HMM just to see what’s out there. I’m always so impressed by the amazing quality of people that post here. By the end of that week, I had interviewed with two companies that I completely fell in love with (both run by talented and successful moms) and they both hired me on the spot. It’s been four months and I’m still working with both of them, and I have picked up two more from HMM! And those moms have referred me to their friends and colleagues and I am now at the point where I have to turn down work. Considering the money that I would need to spend for full-time daycare for three, HMM is actually helping me earn more than I could in any office position, and I’m able to volunteer in my kids’ classrooms and attend every school performance … all while running the dishwasher and doing laundry. I owe this “dream” lifestyle to HMM!

What’s your educational and experiential background?

I majored in Communications at Northeastern University in Boston. I spent 15 years in various Marketing roles, most recently as a Marketing Director. I worked in Technology, Real Estate and Nonprofit. My emphasis is in online marketing, social media and copywriting/content management. I am also proficient in graphic design.

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

Honestly, just be yourself. I am so honest in my cover letters. I personalize every single one of them and I tell the employer what I think I can offer their company. I am also very selective with which jobs that I apply to. I research the company to get a feel of the dynamic and the CEO. If I get a good vibe, I apply. Also, if you’re applying to a creative position (or even an admin job), build a website. It’s so easy to make a free web template on sites like Wix and Weebly. It helps the employer connect to you if you have a photo and a more in-depth bio available, as well as samples of your work. For non-creatives, LinkedIn works too!

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom?

Everything. I love how easy it is to apply for jobs. It’s so affordable and has an amazing community of employers. Even though I’m completely full right now, I won’t cancel my subscription. It’s reassuring to know that if I end up losing a client or two, I can easily rebuild my pipeline with just one click!

What’s one fun fact about you?

Graphic design started off as a hobby. I loved to edit and play with photos when I worked in analytical marketing for a major commercial real estate company. Occasionally, they would ask me to assist the creative team by adding a filter to a cover photo or importing stock photos into their brochures. That was so fun for me, so I started editing all of my personal photos. And then, I took a class, and eventually a few more. Now, graphic design is where I make the most money and it’s my absolute favorite part of the job!

Continue Reading

Written by
November 16, 2015 0 Comments

3 Key Personality Traits in Home Based Workers

Working from home takes a special personality, as you aren’t working within the normal confines of a traditional workplace. Although anyone can learn and adjust their strategy to be successful, certain innate traits will make a home based career much simpler.

 

The traits below are most suited for working from home, so if you see yourself in them, rest assured that you will likely be successful working from home. If not, you’ll know what to work on if a home based career is your ultimate goal.

 

Independent Self Starter

 

The ideal work from home employee is highly independent and not afraid to be a self starter. They are used to working by themselves, save for some phone calls, video chats, and emails between employees and clients.

 

Since you aren’t in an office, you’ll have to motivate yourself, and sometimes, without someone giving you direct feedback and orders, it can be tough to stay focused.  Independent self starters are very capable of handling these long stretches of alone time, and they can get work done while they do.  They aren’t hesitant to start work and often work ahead to make sure they stay productive and on task.

 

Organized

 

Those who work from home must be very organized. Organization in an office environment is also incredibly useful, but for home based work, it is crucial. First of all, it’s highly likely that you’ll be working with a variety of employers and/or clients, so keeping them straight and tasks complete is first and foremost.

 

Organization can be as simple as task and to do lists, or as complex as employing a third party system to keep things in place. The ideal home based worker knows that they’ll need to be organized, and they’ll likely already be working this way in a traditional setting.

 

Time Manager

 

Time management comes along with organization, but it’s a separate component all its own. You can be organized without having a good concept of time management and working from home requires both.

 

Organization is the process of keeping everything in order and completed, while time management ensures that everything is done in a reasonable time frame that still leaves you time to lead your life.


When you work from home, it can be easy to get caught up in distractions and other items in your house.  The TV, radio, and so on are much more easily accessible in a home office.  Time management is one task that you can’t take too seriously.  If you make it a priority, you’ll be able to work the same amount of hours as an office job, while in the comfort of your own home.

Continue Reading