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September 2, 2024

Do Some Remote Jobs Really Not Need Experience? A Small Business Perspective

 

Remote work makes jobs far more accessible to everyone. This has created an uptick in companies receiving an overwhelming amount of applications for open positions — because this process is so easy, some applicants submit their information just because the position sounds interesting, not necessarily because they have the experience. Which begs the question, do all remote jobs need previous experience? The answer is…no! So then, what are some positions for which you can hire within your company that do not require experience from candidates?

Types of Remote Jobs That Often Require No Experience

Virtual assistants are notably in demand, as they handle administrative tasks that can be easily guided and supervised online. They can schedule appointments, take meeting notes, and even help manage projects. While experience with certain software is a plus, this is something for which you can easily train a candidate and mold them to your company’s needs.

Similarly, data entry specialists offer a gateway into the digital workplace, focusing on inputting, updating, and maintaining information in computer systems — a role that often requires precision rather than experience. What you really need is just someone who has attention to detail and knows their way around your chosen software such as Excel.

The rise of social media as a crucial business tool has also led to opportunities for remote social media managers. While familiarity with social platforms is essential, this role often values creativity and engagement strategies over traditional work history. It is easy to train employees on programs such as Canva or Hootsuite to create and subsequently schedule eye-catching social posts.

Lastly, customer service representatives occupy a vital space in remote work ecosystems, providing support and assistance to clients through various communication channels. This role primarily seeks individuals with strong interpersonal skills and a patient demeanor, aspects that can be innate or developed outside of a professional setting. 

The Skills That Matter More Than Experience

What should you look for in candidates that do not have previous work experience? Proficiency in digital communication platforms is extremely important, as remote teams rely heavily on email, chat, and video conferencing tools to collaborate and stay connected. This includes not just familiarity with the technology but the ability to convey messages clearly and effectively in a virtual environment. Critical thinking and adaptability are also highly valued, as remote workers frequently encounter varying challenges and must navigate them independently. The capacity to analyze situations, brainstorm solutions, and pivot strategies when necessary is essential for success outside a traditional office setting.

Equally important is an individual’s self-discipline and initiative. Remote jobs require a degree of self-motivation and the ability to complete tasks without direct supervision, which can be a significant adjustment for those accustomed to in-person oversight. Organizational skills and the ability to manage one’s schedule are paramount to ensure productivity and meet deadlines in the absence of a structured office environment.

How Small Businesses Can Benefit From Hiring Less Experienced Remote Workers

Those without work experience in the field for which you are hiring often come with a high level of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, which can be leveraged to inject innovation and a dynamic work ethic into the business. This influx of fresh perspectives can be especially crucial for small businesses looking to differentiate themselves in competitive markets. Moreover, employees new to the workforce tend to be highly adaptable and open to embracing the company’s culture, tools, and processes, which can lead to a more harmonious and flexible team dynamic.

Additionally, smaller businesses, often operating with limited budgets, can offer lower starting salaries to these workers, which helps manage payroll expenses while still attracting talented individuals eager to prove themselves. As the candidate grows into their position and increases company performance, their salaries can grow as their knowledge does. This approach also enables small businesses to shape these employees according to specific organizational needs and values without the need to unlearn habits or approaches acquired from previous employers. 

Have you hired people who have no direct industry experience but bring certain skills to the table? We would love to hear about your experience and what tips you have for other businesses looking to do the same.

 

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August 26, 2024

Understanding When to Resign as a Remote Worker

 

While remote work offers flexibility and freedom, there may come a time when you realize that it’s time to resign from your remote position. Recognizing when it’s time to move on is essential for your career growth and overall well-being as a remote worker. If you are experiencing the issues and/or feelings below, then it’s time to consider moving onto your next opportunity:

Feeling Constantly Disconnected from Your Team

When you begin to notice that you’re out of the loop on projects or team updates, it’s a red flag that shouldn’t be ignored. Being remote shouldn’t mean feeling isolated or sidelined. This disconnect can not only affect your morale but also your productivity and enthusiasm for the job. Efforts to enhance communication, such as scheduling regular check-ins or leveraging collaboration tools, are vital. However, if these attempts don’t bridge the gap and you continue to feel like an outsider within your own team, it may indicate that your current remote position isn’t facilitating the level of engagement and teamwork you need to thrive. This realization could signify that exploring new opportunities where you can feel a stronger sense of community and connection is the next step in your career journey.

Your Growth Opportunities Have Plateaued

One clear signal that it’s time to consider resigning from your remote role is when you’re no longer presented with opportunities for advancement or learning. The unique nature of remote work might obscure your accomplishments and contributions from decision-makers, leading to a stagnation in career progression. In such scenarios, you may find yourself performing the same tasks repetitively without the prospect of moving up the career ladder or expanding your skill set. This lack of growth can contribute to a feeling of being stuck, which is detrimental to both your professional development and personal fulfillment. If after expressing your desire for more responsibilities or different projects, the situation remains unchanged, it could be an indication that the organization doesn’t have the capacity or willingness to support your career trajectory as a remote employee. It’s important to be in a role where you’re continuously challenged and learning, and if your current position ceases to offer that, seeking new opportunities elsewhere might be the best course of action for your career.

Work-Life Balance Is Becoming Work-Life Blur

For remote workers, delineating between professional duties and personal time can become increasingly challenging. The convenience of working from anywhere sometimes translates into an inability to switch off from work mode, leading to the blurring of boundaries between work and life. This phenomenon is particularly concerning if your living space doubles as your workspace, making it difficult to physically and mentally separate the two spheres. When work tasks begin to invade your personal time, causing you to routinely extend your work hours well into your supposed downtime, it’s a signal that your current remote work situation may be unsustainable. Such imbalance not only affects your mental and physical health but also your relationships and overall quality of life. Continuous overwork and the inability to disconnect can lead to burnout, a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. Recognizing this pattern is critical. If implementing strategies to reclaim your work-life balance proves ineffective — such as setting stricter work hours, designating a specific area in your home for work, or discussing workload adjustments with your manager — it might be indicative of a deeper issue within the role or organization. In these instances, considering a resignation could be a necessary step towards restoring balance and safeguarding your well-being.

You’re Experiencing a Decline in Job Satisfaction

When your days start blending into a monotonous cycle of uninspiring tasks and you no longer feel the joy or enthusiasm for your work that you once did, it might be indicative of a deeper issue with job satisfaction. This dissatisfaction can manifest as a persistent sense of dread towards daily duties or a noticeable indifference towards achievements that would have previously excited you. For remote workers, the absence of a physical office environment might exacerbate these feelings, as the typical sources of motivation — like face-to-face interactions with colleagues or the tangible atmosphere of a bustling workspace — are not present. It’s essential to listen to these feelings; they serve as critical indicators that your current position may not be fulfilling your career needs or personal aspirations anymore. Engagement with work is key to not only productivity but also to maintaining a positive state of mental health. When you notice a significant and lasting dip in how satisfied you feel with your work, it’s a clear signal to reassess your career path. Exploring new roles that promise more engaging and meaningful work could reignite your passion and drive, steering your career towards a more satisfying future.

The Company’s Vision and Your Personal Values No Longer Align

When your core values start clashing with the ethos or direction of the company you’re working for, it’s a significant indicator that resignation might be the right step forward. A misalignment with the company’s vision can lead to a profound sense of discomfort and ethical conflict, making it increasingly difficult to fulfill your duties with genuine enthusiasm and integrity. Feeling like you’re compromising your values for the sake of employment is neither sustainable nor fulfilling. Instead, seeking a role that aligns with your personal beliefs and professional aspirations can provide a renewed sense of purpose and satisfaction.

What are some signs you have come to recognize that it is time to move onto a different job? Share them with our audience so that we can all learn together!

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August 19, 2024

Essential Remote Work Best Practices

 

With the flexibility and convenience it offers, remote work has revolutionized the traditional office setting. However, in order to be successful in a remote work environment, it is essential to follow certain best practices to ensure productivity, communication, cybersecurity, company culture, and work-life balance are maintained.

Setting Up a Productive Home Office Environment

This means creating an area within your home that is specifically reserved for work activities, a step that significantly aids in mentally shifting into work mode. It’s vital to equip this space with ergonomic furniture, such as a desk and chair that support proper posture, thereby minimizing physical strain over long hours of work. Adequate lighting, preferably natural light, enhances focus and reduces eye strain, making it a crucial element of your home office setup. Organizing your workspace to keep it tidy and free from clutter not only helps in reducing distractions but also contributes to a more enjoyable and productive work environment. Ensuring that you have the right technology and connectivity, including a dependable computer, robust internet service, and any job-specific hardware or software, is essential for seamless remote work.

Establishing Clear Communication Channels and Guidelines

Choosing the right communication platforms is critical; tools like Slack for text, Zoom for video calls, and Microsoft Teams for collaborative projects streamline the flow of information. It’s imperative to define clear guidelines on how and when to use each tool to avoid confusion. Regularly scheduled virtual meetings keep the team aligned on goals and progress while providing a forum for addressing concerns and brainstorming. Establishing norms around response times and availability ensures expectations are met and respects individual work patterns. Emphasizing the importance of concise and effective communication can significantly enhance the efficiency and cohesion of a remote team.

Implementing Robust Cybersecurity Measures

Initiating strong cybersecurity protocols is not just about protecting assets but also about preserving trust within remote teams. It begins with the fundamental step of educating team members on the significance of security practices. Regular training sessions on recognizing phishing attempts, secure password creation, and the dangers of public Wi-Fi can empower employees to be the first line of defense against cyber threats.

Advancing further, the deployment of technical safeguards is crucial. Utilizing encrypted connections through Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) ensures that data remains secure during transmission. Implementing end-to-end encryption for emails and files protects information from being intercepted or misused. Additionally, the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security, making it significantly harder for unauthorized individuals to gain access to critical systems.

For small business owners, the investment in robust cybersecurity software is indispensable. This includes antivirus and anti-malware solutions, alongside firewalls that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Regular updates and patches for all software are essential to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Finally, creating a comprehensive incident response plan prepares remote teams to act swiftly and efficiently should a security breach occur. This plan should outline specific steps for containment, eradication, and recovery, ensuring minimal impact on business operations and maintaining client trust. Through these collective efforts, remote work environments can achieve a high standard of cybersecurity, allowing teams to focus on productivity and innovation without the looming threat of cyber attacks.

Fostering a Strong Company Culture Remotely

Creating a cohesive company culture when working remotely requires thoughtful strategies to ensure every team member feels valued and connected. Organizing interactive online activities such as team-building exercises, virtual coffee breaks, or themed video meetings can bridge the physical gap and promote a sense of belonging. Recognizing individual and team accomplishments publicly through online platforms not only boosts morale but also reinforces a culture of appreciation and respect. 

Implementing regular check-ins and feedback sessions can provide employees with a platform to voice their ideas and concerns, strengthening the bonds within the team. Additionally, encouraging informal communication through dedicated chat rooms for non-work-related conversations allows personalities to shine and relationships to deepen. By integrating these practices, small business owners can cultivate a vibrant and supportive remote work environment where creativity and collaboration flourish, ensuring that every member feels an integral part of the team despite the geographical distances.

Encouraging Work-Life Balance for Remote Employees

Implement defined work hours; this creates a clear demarcation between professional responsibilities and personal time. Encouraging the adoption of this schedule helps remote employees resist the urge to overwork, fostering a healthier lifestyle and enhancing productivity. Encouraging frequent breaks throughout the day is another essential practice. These pauses from work are vital for mental and physical rejuvenation, allowing employees to return to their tasks with renewed focus and energy.

Promoting physical activity and mindfulness exercises can also significantly contribute to an improved work-life balance. Engaging in regular exercise or mindfulness activities such as yoga or meditation can mitigate stress, boost morale, and improve overall mental health. Additionally, advocating for a specific, distraction-free workspace aids in minimizing interruptions, allowing for more concentrated work periods which in turn support a more structured day.

Lastly, it’s important for employers to lead by example. Demonstrating a commitment to maintaining one’s own work-life balance sets a positive precedent for the team. Offering support for employees to prioritize their personal time, including unplugging after work hours, highlights the value placed on their well-being. By incorporating these practices, small business owners can help ensure their remote teams remain productive, motivated, and well-balanced.

What are some of the practices you and your remote team have in place to create a well-functioning and balanced virtual workspace?

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July 16, 2024

Top Hard Skills for Remote Job Descriptions and Resumes

As the remote job market continues to expand, it is increasingly important for employers and job seekers alike to be aware of the hard skills necessary for success in this growing field. To ensure that a remote position is filled with an experienced and qualified individual, employers need to know which hard skills to ask for in a job description. On the other hand, job seekers should have an understanding of what hard skills they need to include on their resumes to demonstrate their capabilities.

Why Hard Skills are Important in Remote Positions

In remote positions, where the physical presence and direct supervision of employees may not be possible, hard skills become even more critical. Hard skills refer to the technical abilities and expertise required to perform specific tasks or roles effectively. These skills are tangible and measurable, providing employers with a clear understanding of an applicant’s capabilities. One of the primary reasons hard skills are important in remote positions is the level of independence and self-direction required in such roles. Remote employees often have to work autonomously and handle various responsibilities without constant guidance. Having the necessary hard skills ensures that they can tackle the job effectively and deliver results without constant supervision.

Additionally, remote work often involves collaboration and communication across different time zones and locations. Strong hard skills in areas such as project management, technical proficiency, and data analysis can help bridge any potential gaps in communication and ensure efficient and effective teamwork. Moreover, employers hiring for remote positions typically have a specific set of requirements that need to be fulfilled due to the unique nature of remote work. Including hard skills in the job description and on applicants’ resumes helps employers find candidates who possess the necessary qualifications to excel in a remote environment.

Key Differences Between Remote Job Descriptions and Traditional Job Descriptions

Remote job descriptions tend to emphasize the importance of self-discipline and self-motivation, as remote workers typically have less oversight than those in traditional office settings. Additionally, remote job descriptions often mention the need for strong communication skills, since remote work often relies on effective communication via video calls, instant messaging, and email.  

Remote job descriptions may also include language around the need for technical skills, such as proficiency in certain software or hardware that remote workers are likely to use. Finally, remote job descriptions may focus more heavily on an applicant’s ability to work independently and to meet deadlines, as remote work often requires more self-direction and self-management than traditional office positions. 

In contrast, traditional job descriptions may place more emphasis on skills such as collaboration, team building, and leadership, as these are typically more important in office settings where employees work in close proximity to one another.

Top Hard Skills to Include in Remote Job Descriptions

  1. Technical proficiency: Be sure to specify the technical proficiencies that are required for the role, such as experience with certain programs or systems.
  2. Time management: Seek out applicants who have a strong track record of managing their time effectively and delivering work on schedule.
  3. Communication: Be sure to look for applicants who are able to articulate their ideas clearly and work collaboratively with others via online channels.
  4. Problem-solving: Remote workers must be able to troubleshoot technical issues, identify roadblocks, and come up with creative solutions to keep projects moving forward. Look for candidates who have a history of proactive problem-solving in their previous roles.

Need some help creating the perfect job post? Take a look at our Small Business Concierge Services!

How to Highlight Hard Skills on Your Resume for Remote Positions

  1. Use bullet points: List out your hard skills, such as software proficiency, language fluency, or project management experience. This makes it easier for recruiters to quickly scan your resume and see your relevant skills.
  2. Quantify your accomplishments: When highlighting your hard skills, include specific examples of how you’ve used them in previous positions. For example, if you’re proficient in a specific software program, mention how you used it to improve a process or increase efficiency.
  3. Tailor your resume: Each remote job may have slightly different requirements for hard skills, so tailor your resume accordingly.
  4. Use keywords: Use relevant keywords throughout your resume, especially in the skills section, to make it easier for recruiters to find your resume during the screening process.

Need some help drafting a resume that shows off your skills? Our resume training services can help!

What hard skills are you noticing that are needed more in a remote workplace versus traditional? Reach out and let us know!

 

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July 9, 2024

What Are Fractional Remote Jobs?

The traditional 9-to-5, full-time job is no longer the only career path out there. An emerging trend that’s gaining traction is remote fractional jobs, a concept that’s changing how we think about work and employment. These jobs allow professionals to work remotely on a part-time or project basis for multiple employers simultaneously, offering flexibility and diversity in their career portfolio. But what exactly are these roles, and how do they function for both employees and employers? 

Defining Remote Fractional Jobs

These positions are defined by their part-time or project-based nature, enabling professionals to engage with multiple companies or clients from the comfort of their own homes or any remote location. Essentially, an employer might hire someone to complete a single project such as bringing on a remote bookkeeper to update the entries for the year before tax time. Once that project is done, the employee is paid and then they do not necessarily work for that specific company further.

This flexibility is a departure from the traditional employment model, which typically involves a full-time commitment to a single employer. Remote fractional roles are prevalent across various industries, including marketing, finance, and human resources. Professionals in these fields can lend their expertise to multiple companies, often juggling several projects or roles simultaneously. These positions tend to be contractor roles, which provide many benefits for all parties involved:

Benefits for Employees

For employees, these roles allow for a personalized work schedule, perfect for stay-at-home moms who need to pick their kids up from school or visit different sports practice sessions. A flexible schedule not only nurtures a healthier work-life balance but also empowers employees with the control to pursue personal interests or commitments alongside their careers. It can provide a much needed break and protect employees from burnout of working in a single position for too long.

Remote fractional employment further enriches an employee’s professional journey by exposing them to a variety of industries, projects, and roles. Such exposure is invaluable, as it equips individuals with a broad skill set and diverse experiences, making them more marketable in the competitive job landscape. The ability to apply one’s expertise across different contexts not only fosters professional growth but also keeps the work experience stimulating and intellectually rewarding. For example, as a marketer you may help one company manage their social media accounts, but then you might help another company run PPC ads on Google. Oftentimes traditional roles pigeonhole talent so that a person would only run social media or only manage ads but never overlap; fractional work allows employees to branch out and expand their skill set. 

Additionally, working with so many different companies encourages employees to cultivate a network of professional contacts across multiple sectors, enhancing their visibility in the broader job market. Through these diverse engagements, individuals can also identify areas of interest or specialization they may want to pursue further.

Benefits for Employers

For employers, embracing remote fractional work can save time and money. This model allows businesses to engage with experts in specific fields on an as-needed basis, avoiding expenses associated with full-time hires such as salaries and health benefits. This cost-effective approach is especially beneficial for small businesses that operate on tight budgets yet require specialized skills to drive their business forward. For example, a company can hire a virtual assistant to clean up its task list and create a schedule, and once that work is done, the company can pivot to focus on something else.

Another key benefit for employers is the ability to tap into a large talent pool for remote work. Companies can scout for the best talent regardless of where they reside. This wider reach not only increases the chances of finding the perfect fit for project-based or part-time roles but also enhances the diversity of the workforce, bringing fresh perspectives and innovation into the business.

Additionally, this kind of employment allows companies to be flexible so they can scale their workforce up or down based on current business needs. By leveraging remote fractional jobs, employers can quickly respond to new opportunities or shifts in demand without the logistical and financial burdens of traditional employment models. For example, as new social media platforms are created, companies can use fractional jobs to pivot away from an older form of social media such as Facebook to a newer form such as Tiktok.

At the end of the day, fractional remote jobs boil down to specific projects. Companies hire experts to work on the projects, and once done both parties go their separate ways. This helps companies financially, and this empowers employees to choose projects they like while also allowing them to create their own schedules.

 

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July 9, 2024

Managing Misunderstandings: Remote Employee Illness vs Ghosting

When working with a remote team, there will be periods where you are not necessarily in communication with your other team members. Depending on how you have your organization structured, this might be a few hours or even a few days. What happens, though, when you don’t have a regular check-in scheduled but you also do not hear back from your employee? Are they ghosting you? Are they sick? Are they experiencing a power outage? What should you do?

Take Proactive Steps

The obvious answer is to immediately reach out to your employee / contractor if you have not heard from them. It is important to check in regularly on an individual level to be certain that everyone feels heard and feels comfortable coming to you with issues. This is especially important if you are worried that your team member might be ghosting you. After you reach out and wait the appropriate amount of time for a response, you should then turn to the emergency contact list to see if your employee can be reached other ways; there are times where someone is sick or injured and unable to reach out but their emergency contact can tell you what is going on. At this point, if you still do not hear back then you are probably being ghosted.

Implement Clear Policies

To avoid any sort of misunderstanding in the future, you should implement clear policies on when employees need to check in as well as collecting emergency contact information from them. A solid framework of explicit policies can effectively dispel any uncertainty regarding employee absences, sick leave, and instances of ghosting. It’s important to articulate what exactly constitutes ghosting, delineate the protocol for reporting illness, and enumerate the repercussions of disregarding these norms. This should be part of your employee handbook.

Providing Support to Remote Employees

To maintain trust and transparency, it’s crucial to extend support to your remote employees. This can be executed by equipping them with all necessary tools and resources needed to efficiently carry out their responsibilities. But, support goes beyond just work resources. When remote workers fall sick, they should be provided with the same understanding and assistance as on-site employees. Cultivating a work environment that respects and values employees’ health encourages them to be more forthcoming about their wellbeing. It eliminates the need for them to soldier on when unwell, thereby reducing unnecessary stress. Let’s prioritize a support system that not only boosts performance but also advocates for employee health.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Navigating the complexities of remote work is an ongoing learning journey. Each unexpected absence, whether due to illness or a suspected ghosting incident, serves as a teachable moment to refine your strategies and protocols. Continually nurturing open communication, empathy, and support is vital; think about communication skills when hiring too — choosing a candidate up front that has good skills in place can also help avoid these situations. Adopting this approach promotes a positive remote work atmosphere where honesty thrives and ghosting diminishes. It safeguards your team’s wellbeing and enhances their trust in your commitment to their health and job satisfaction. As you learn and grow from these experiences, you strengthen your leadership skills and foster a remote work culture that values transparency, understanding, and collaboration. Keep marching forward, evolving, and learning to build a resilient remote work environment.

 

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July 9, 2024

From Dismissal to Digital: Your Guide to Working from Home

From Dismissal to Digital: Your Guide to Working from Home

It happens to everyone. One day you’re going through your daily routine at work, and the next you don’t have a job anymore. The workforce is constantly changing and for one reason or another, you may find yourself without a job one day. What do you do now?

Accepting and Dealing with the Initial Job Loss

The sting of job loss can be daunting, but don’t let it question your worth. It’s okay to take a breather and gather your thoughts. Embrace the upheaval as a chance to grow, employing coping mechanisms to manage stress, and reach out to your support network for strength. Acknowledge your emotions, but remember to approach the next steps with a positive attitude. It’s okay if you need to take a little break from the workforce as well. Use this time to rest, relax, and reset. Process the loss, take a break, and then dive back in when you are ready.

Assess Your Skills and Experience for Work from Home

To start your journey of getting back into the workforce, take a moment to inventory your skills and past experiences, asking yourself, “What could I bring to a work setting?” Reflect on your abilities in areas such as time management, self-discipline, use of communication tools, or specific technical skills relevant to your industry. Take a look at those skills and see what sort of positions they can be applied to — if you have always wanted to work from home, now is the time to try it! Remember, remote work often centers around digital roles, so roles like writing, design, marketing, or administrative roles could be a perfect fit. Leverage your unique skill set to find the perfect remote job for you.

Revising and Tailoring Your Application Materials for Remote Work

It’s time to fine-tune your resume for the virtual workplace. Focus on your expertise that makes you an effective remote worker. Think along the lines of time management, self-discipline, resourcefulness and adeptness at using communication tools. Be sure to spotlight any past remote work experiences, whether they were part-time or occasional. A resume tailored for remote work should underscore your capacity to succeed outside a traditional office environment. Your goal is to demonstrate that you’re equipped to excel in a remote setting.

Your cover letter is your opportunity to stand out from the crowd. For remote work applications, it’s key to stress your self-sufficiency, top-notch communication abilities, and exemplary time management skills. Use this space to illuminate relevant experiences and how they’ve prepared you for remote work. Show that you’re not just familiar with the company, but that you also resonate with its values and mission. A carefully crafted cover letter can open the door to your ideal remote role, so make every word count.

It’s okay if you have never worked in a remote position before! Be honest in your application materials and state this, then give examples of why you think you have the ability to work remotely. This can be examples of how you managed projects on your own without oversight from management or how you always have initiative for new projects that you feel would be best put to use in a remote setting. If you need a little help revising your application materials, you can schedule a one-on-one meeting with our HR experts who will review your materials and walk you through how to best present your unique job experience.

Preparing for Remote Job Interviews

Provide tangible instances of your ability to manage time effectively, communicate clearly, and maintain self-discipline in a virtual setting. Equip yourself with in-depth knowledge about the company and role you’re eyeing. This research will help you to anticipate interview questions and to come up with insightful queries of your own. Remember, your goal is to prove that you’re not just fit for the role, but you can thrive and succeed in a remote work environment.

Transitioning into a Full-Time Work-from-Home Role

Once you’ve successfully landed your remote job, adapting to full-time home-based work will be your next adventure. Designate a specific workspace to minimize distractions and maximize productivity. Implement a consistent routine to structure your day and keep you on track. Harness the power of technology to maintain open lines of communication with your team. Most importantly, create a clear boundary between your work and personal life. This is crucial in ensuring you maintain a healthy balance in this new phase of your career. Remember, your home is now your office, but it’s still your sanctuary too.

 

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June 11, 2024

Implementing Effective Hiring Protocols in Your Small Business

As a small business owner, finding the right talent to help grow your company can be a challenging task. The hiring process itself can be long and arduous without proper planning. However, if you go into it with a structured goal, it can streamline the experience for both sides (job seekers and employers) so that you can onboard the talent you’re looking for.

Understanding the Importance of a Structured Hiring Process

Navigating the hiring landscape efficiently requires a well-thought-out structure; it’s akin to having a roadmap. By embedding a structured hiring process into your small business operations, you can significantly enhance your ability to sift through candidates effectively, minimizing the time and resources typically expended in the hunt for the ideal team member. This organized approach not only helps in streamlining the recruitment effort but also substantially lowers the risk of turnover by ensuring the individuals you choose are well-suited for their roles and aligned with your company’s culture and values. 

Your roadmap should have a few important stops along the way: crafting the job description, sifting through candidates, interviews, and onboarding. You need to consider what you’re looking for — what are the minimum requirements a candidate needs and what does your “unicorn” candidate who has every qualification look like? How many interactions with your company do you feel are needed with a potential job seeker before you hire them? All of these questions should be answered on your roadmap of effective hiring protocols.

Crafting Effective Job Descriptions

An engaging and clear job description is your first opportunity to connect with potential candidates and make a lasting impression. It’s essential to outline the key responsibilities and expectations of the role precisely. Ensure you detail the qualifications, skills, and experience necessary for a candidate to succeed. However, it’s equally important to go beyond the basics. Infuse your job description with the personality of your small business; let candidates know what makes your company a unique and exciting place to work. 

Highlight the culture, values, and any benefits or growth opportunities that set you apart. To attract a diverse and talented pool of applicants, use language that encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. This does not mean you need to craft an entire novel about your business. Just provide a few sentences that sum up the core of your company. Then dive into the job description details. Provide a few sentences about daily tasks, and then include a bullet point list of what a candidate should bring to the table. 

As part of your hiring protocols, find a job template that works for you and use that moving forward for all new hires. This keeps things uniform and makes it easy to fill in what is needed. You can learn how to craft a great description like this and more in our Hiring Made Easy course, if you need help getting started.

Conducting Interviews That Reveal True Potential

You’ve used your template and posted your job. Now it’s time to sift through candidates. When establishing your hiring protocols, figure out what immediately disqualifies candidates. Do you need someone who has experience in your industry? Look for that first on application information. That will keep you from reviewing unqualified candidates. Create a checklist that you can reference with each application. From there, it’s time to reach out to those who meet your requirements and schedule an interview or two.

Interviews offer a golden opportunity to peel back the layers and truly understand what a candidate brings to the table. The key to a successful interview is crafting questions that invite candidates to share their stories, highlighting their unique experiences and problem-solving skills. Encourage them to discuss times when they’ve made a significant impact in previous roles, navigated complex challenges, or brought innovative solutions to the table. 

Create questions that are specific to your own company and pull from your own knowledge. Maybe your website crashed one day, ask your new digital marketing candidate how they would handle that scenario. Follow that up by asking if they have experienced something similar. Be sure to use unexpected scenarios like web crashes, but also include issues your company encounters daily. Perhaps your accounting department has to reach out to sales to collect orders — ask potential accountants in interviews how they would go about interacting with the sales team with tact to get what is needed. Write a list of questions to use as an outline for each new candidate.

A great interview is a two-way street. It’s about discovering if there’s a mutual fit, so be open about your expectations and what it’s truly like to work at your company. This honesty fosters a positive candidate experience and sets the stage for attracting individuals who are genuinely excited to contribute to your business’s success. Encourage candidates to ask questions of you as well.

Streamlining Onboarding

Finally, the last point on your hiring roadmap should be onboarding. Candidates that are thrown into the deep end and told to learn how to swim on the fly are normally the first to jump ship. Employees want to know they are supported if they have questions. Create a to-do list for onboarding that you can check off for each new hire to create a smooth process. Start with an orientation to show people how daily life works at your company. Follow up by giving your new hire access to any accounts they will need. Give your new employee tasks to get started, but pair them up with a seasoned professional at your company that can walk them through the process. 

A big step many companies miss is closing out onboarding. Once someone seems to feel comfortable with a task, companies often leave them to themselves. Have a final exit interview to see how candidates felt about the onboarding process. Ask for feedback! Then, set up consistent check-ins to ensure the employee feels comfortable with their job throughout their time with your business.

With established protocols in place, you can create uniformity in job posts with templates and streamline the onboarding process with a well-established to-do list. Feeling a little overwhelmed with this process? Our HR experts can help!

 

 

 

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June 9, 2024

What NOT To Put On Your Resume

 

When it comes to finding remote work opportunities, crafting a strong resume is essential. Your resume is often the first impression a potential employer will have of you, so it’s important to make sure it accurately represents your skills and experiences. However, not all resume skills are created equal. In fact, there are many that you should not include such as:

Generic Soft Skills That Don’t Impress

Including broad and non-specific soft skills on your resume can often dilute the overall impact of your professional qualifications. Phrases such as “excellent communication skills” or “strong leadership abilities” are overused and fail to convey the depth of your capabilities. These types of statements do not differentiate you from other candidates, as they are commonly claimed and hard to quantify. Instead, it’s crucial to showcase your soft skills through tangible achievements or specific instances that illustrate your capabilities. For instance, rather than saying you have “excellent communication skills,” you might mention “developed and implemented a communication protocol for remote teams that increased project completion rates by 30%.” This approach not only demonstrates your skill but also provides measurable evidence of your effectiveness.

If you don’t have data to support statistics such as the 30% mentioned above, you can still detail your experience so that companies better understand how you can help them. The key point here is to provide specific information so employers know what you are bringing to the table.

Outdated Technical Skills and Tools

Including obsolete technical abilities or software on your resume can inadvertently signal to potential employers that your skills have stagnated. You might feel like your resume is lacking and think to put in these tools as filler. Instead of highlighting familiarity with dated programs, emphasize your expertise with contemporary tools and platforms that are pertinent to remote work environments. For instance, rather than noting basic competence in an older software version, it’s more beneficial to mention your adeptness with current collaborative tools such as Slack, Zoom, or cloud-based project management systems like Monday.com. This not only demonstrates that you’re in tune with the technologies that facilitate effective remote work but also underscores your adaptability and willingness to learn and implement new solutions. Concentrate on those technical skills that mirror the demands of the remote job market, showing a commitment to maintaining a cutting-edge skill set.

Irrelevant Job Experiences and Skills

When tailoring your resume for remote work positions, it’s crucial to curate your content with precision, ensuring that every line speaks directly to the job you’re eyeing. Irrelevant job experiences and skills can overshadow the qualifications that make you an ideal candidate for a remote role, causing potential employers to miss your most valuable assets. For individuals, such as stay-at-home moms aiming to re-enter the workforce, this point is especially poignant. Rather than listing every past job or task, focus on selecting experiences that showcase your proficiency in remote-relevant skills like digital literacy, project management, or independent problem-solving.

Consider, for example, the management of household finances or coordination of a community event through online platforms — these experiences, while not traditional jobs, demonstrate capabilities highly transferable to remote positions. Highlighting your involvement in such activities can illustrate your adeptness at managing multiple tasks, organization, and using digital tools.

Overused Buzzwords That Lack Substance

In the competitive realm of remote work, your resume needs to shine without relying on the crutch of cliched buzzwords. Phrases such as “team player,” “hard worker,” and “strategic thinker” pepper too many resumes, making them blend rather than stand out. Instead of falling into the trap of these all-too-common terms, focus on substantiating your qualities through concrete examples and achievements. 

For instance, rather than declaring yourself a “team player,” detail a time when you collaborated with a remote team to overcome a challenging project deadline, highlighting the role you played in fostering teamwork and project success. Rather than professing to be a “hard worker,” describe a scenario where your extra efforts directly contributed to a key accomplishment or significantly benefited a project. Swap “strategic thinker” for a description of how you identified a problem, devised a solution, and implemented a strategy that led to measurable improvements. 

By replacing generic buzzwords with specific, evidence-based instances of your skills and achievements, you effectively demonstrate your qualifications and value to potential employers in a way that buzzwords alone cannot convey. Remember to keep these explanations short — provide just enough information to interest a company, and then you can explain it further in an interview. For example, you can use bullet points to share information such as “Lead team to transfer from past software to Quickbooks” for an accounting position.

Personal Traits That Are Better Shown Than Told

Highlighting personal traits on your resume can significantly bolster your candidacy for remote work, but it’s crucial to present these characteristics through demonstrable examples rather than mere assertions. Rather than claiming to be “analytical,” for instance, you might describe a time when your analytical approach led to the streamlining of a workflow process, saving time and resources. Similarly, instead of simply stating you are “innovative,” detail a scenario where you initiated and executed a project that introduced a novel solution to an existing problem, resulting in enhanced efficiency or profitability. This method of showcasing your traits provides a vivid illustration of how you apply your personal qualities in a professional setting, offering concrete evidence of your value to potential employers. 

Overall, it is important to be more specific and intentional with the job information you provide to potential employers. You don’t want to stuff a resume with tons of text, but it is important to flesh out your experience a bit to communicate what you bring to the table. Need help creating your resume? Our HR experts are here to support you.

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June 1, 2024

Tips From Fellow Moms On Working From Home This Summer With Kids

Working from home has its benefits: from setting your own schedule to spending more time with your kiddos, remote work provides opportunities never before seen in the workplace. However, those opportunities might become a little more challenging during the summer because the kids are out of school…and with you 24/7! Trying to focus on work while ensuring your children are happy, healthy, and entertained is more than just a full time job — it’s two full time jobs. 

That’s why we turned to our exclusive Facebook group and asked moms: how do you juggle work and spending time with your little ones during summertime? Our fellow moms provided some great tips that we will now share with you.

Establish A Daily Schedule

When the kids are in school, everything runs on a schedule. 6am wake up call. 8am start of school. 10am math class. 4pm school ends. 6pm sports. Although the children have free time within that schedule, there is still a schedule. During the summer, all of that goes away. This can lead to boredom for your child, and stress for yourself as your child looks to you for entertainment.

The lovely moms in our Facebook group suggest sticking to a daily routine. This does not have to look like the strict school schedule where every hour something is happening; instead, you can let your kids know that after they wake up, they have chores to do. Once those are done they can play games or with toys for an hour. After that they can go outside, to the pool or take a nap. The important part here is that kids know what to expect for the day ahead…and so do you! You can tailor your work schedule to this new summer routine so that both you and your children are happy. Additionally, while this helps you with your work schedule, it also helps the kiddos transition more smoothly back into the routine of school once the summer is over.

Leverage School Programs and Community Resources

We all know with kids that it takes a village! Use the resources available to you. This might look like finding a summer program from your child’s school that specializes in something they like to do such as theater camp. Or, your local community center might have ongoing enrichment programs they can attend. There are also general community events that are kid-friendly all across the United States that you can find by searching “event calendar in [your city]”. This will connect you with local calendars that can help you plan out your entire summer.  Some unique events we’ve attended that we recommend are church camps, tea parties in parks, and even butterfly festivals.

Turn Your Projects into Learning Opportunities for Your Kids

Kids are like sponges, and they love to soak up what their parents are doing. Your child sees you working from home, and they are often curious about what you do. They also love to help! Create a dedicated workspace for both you and your child. Perhaps for your kiddo you give them a fake keyboard to type on or a phone to answer. They can play along depending upon their age.

If they are older, get them involved in your work and give them a project. If you work in marketing, you can ask them to create a design for social media. They can do this digitally or on paper to be scanned. In fact, one of our own employees had their child make a logo which was scanned onto a computer, our employee added a little flair to it, and then sent it off to a company who chose to use it! As a bonus, our employee split the logo creation fee with their kiddo…who promptly turned around and spent it on ice cream.

Ask for Help

If you find that you are struggling this summer with work and kids, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can ask for tips from other stay at home moms in our Facebook group, join a local mom group for help, or even just ask family and friends for their advice or maybe even their time to babysit a little. 

Working from home during summer break can be both fun and stressful. It helps to have a support system in place you can go to with questions, and it also helps to have a plan established ahead of time. Maybe as part of that daily schedule we talked about, the kids know every Tuesday they get to spend the day at grandma’s house so you can get some work done.

Did we miss a tip you think we should share? Reach out and tell us your secret to working from home during summertime!

 

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