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November 9, 2015 0 Comments

Interview with Lesley Pyle, Founder of HireMyMom.com

Describe yourself in 3 words.

I had a hard time describing myself so I asked my husband and my 2 oldest children, ages 20 and 18, to help me and they said: Faithful, Selfless and Benevolent.

What’s your educational and experiential background?

I have a B.A. degree in Journalism / Public Relations from Texas State University. I also have a MSc. degree in Marketing / Public Relations from the University of Stirling in Scotland. I worked briefly for a golf school in Austin, Texas upon graduating with my Master’s. It was while working there that I became pregnant with my first child and gave up my job to start freelancing from home. It wasn’t long after that that I started the national association of Home-Based Working Moms (www.hbwm.com) in 1997 to help moms working at home network and support one another.

What led you to start HireMyMom?

After working with moms across the country for many years who wanted to work at home, I saw the acceptance of working from home grow in popularity. I knew there were thousands of talented moms who had or wanted to leave the workforce to work from home. I also knew many home businesses, entrepreneurs and small businesses were looking for talented professionals to help their businesses to grow but many did not need full-time or on-site employees. Hence the idea for HireMyMom.com. I already had a large following on HBWM.com which gave me an opportunity to offer another option for working at home.

Do you have any future vision(s) or ideas for HireMyMom?

I would love to capture more of the small / home business and freelance “mom professional” market. There are big name competitors out there but none specifically target these markets or have the personal touch that we offer.  As not only a Mom Professional but also a home business owner, I understand the needs of both sides. I am passionate about helping both sides find the best solution for their needs. I am looking to expand our market to help more of these moms and businesses.  

What’s your favorite thing about running HireMyMom?

Just like the moms who use the service, I love the freedom and flexibility working at home allows me. It means so much to be able to go have lunch with my 3rd grader or take the day off to spend with one of my college kids. I also love hearing of the success stories from those who have found the perfect job for them as well as those businesses who find a rock star to help their business flourish. It is very fulfilling!

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As a school-aged child, I really had no idea what I wanted to do. No one in my family had ever attended college so it wasn’t really an option that I was offered or even considered. After losing my dad at age 13, I watched my mom struggle to work and support three kids on a very modest salary. I knew I wanted more but had no idea how to get there. After graduating high school, I worked for two years as a secretary before getting laid off in one of Houston’s oil busts. It was then that a friend encouraged me to start taking college classes at a local community college. Once I realized it was possible and that someone believed in me, the sky was the limit. I transferred to a state university and graduated at the top of my class and subsequently was awarded a full scholarship to get my master’s degree in Scotland. I had aspirations of being a very important [wink wink] corporate PR executive. I wanted an office in a tall building downtown where I could revel in the hustle and bustle of a high-paced career and a fast-paced city. But then….. things changed. I had my first child and somehow all of that became unappealing and unimportant. What I really wanted to do was work from home so that I could raise my children and care for and love them every step of the way. Working from home became the greatest career option I could ever dream of. Twenty years later, it still is!

What’s one fun fact about you?


I am an online missionary for Global Media Outreach (www.globalmediaoutreach.com) where I get to encourage, pray for and disciple people from all across the world including Africa, Asia, Iran, Iraq, Canada, Europe and more. We are able to reach people who may have no other way to hear the good news of Jesus and His amazing, powerful love for them.

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October 26, 2015 0 Comments

4 Best Work From Home Admin Tools

Working from home often leaves you without a lot of the administrative help and tools that are available in a traditional office environment.

 

Although your job may not come equipped with the necessary admin tools, the digital marketplace has an abundance of options to keep you organized – as well as efficient. Read along for some of the top administrative tools to make working from home much more effective.

 

Basecamp

 

Basecamp is a project management tool that is web-based. It allows you to work much more effectively in a team environment, as well as keep track of tasks and items to do.  Although Basecamp would keep any work from home employee on task, it’s especially great for teams. You can create collaborative to do lists, check off tasks, assign tasks to others, and so on. It’s a place to see everything in one place, as well as easily add your input, files, photos, and so on, to any discussion or project. Basecamp offers a free trial and then starts at $20/month.

 

Trello is a similar project management tool that also allows you to collaborate and keep to do lists organized.

 

Billings

 

When you work from home, you often have to create and send your own invoices, as well as keep track of your time. Another difficult task can be finding this type of program for a Mac – this is where Billings comes in.  It’s a downloadable program that allows you to track time on your desktop, as well as send invoices and manage your clients in one place.

 

Billings is also affordable, ranging from $5-10 per month, and you can backup your past invoices to your computer.  Overall, the program allows a simple method for tracking your time, sending invoices, and managing your financial workspace in one simple application.

 

Sprout Social

 

Sprout Social is an all-in-one social media management tool.  Another tool that’s also excellent for groups, Sprout is a useful tool for anyone posting to numerous social media profiles and accounts. Link your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn business and personal, Google+ business and personal pages, and so on.  

 

This way, you can schedule posts, post to more than one profile at a time, and even pull reports. With the click of a few buttons, you can export detailed reports for yourself or for your clients. This allows them to see crucial data in a simplistic way, as well as beneficial information for comparison of campaign effectiveness.  You can see interesting things such as location and gender of followers, new followers over the time frame requested, and which day is most popular for posts on that particular page.

 

Hootsuite is a similar social media management tool that allows you to schedule postings across various profiles and accounts.

 

Evernote

 

Evernote is the place for all of your ideas to become organized and also presented, if need be.  It’s designed to be a place for you to take and organize notes, archive them, write lists, clip articles from the internet, and so on.  It also allows you to create presentations from your notes (without creating slides), making it an ideal business collaboration tool as well.

 

It’s helpful to have a place to keep all of your notes and web interests, making it an organizational dream and productivity tool.

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October 19, 2015 0 Comments

4 Steps to a Great Interview

There are several keys to a successful interview, and most of them start with being informed. While interviews can evoke feelings of fear and nerves, they don’t have to.

 

By doing the correct preparations and knowing what you have to offer, you’ll stand out among the rest of the interviewees each and every time.  Read along for some best practices for your next interview.

 

Know the Company

 

Rule #1 of any good interview is to research and know a bit about the company. It looks unprofessional and uninformed to arrive without knowing basic facts, but it can also showcase your interest in the position by knowing the important information.

 

You should have a firm grasp on what the company does, if there’s anything newsworthy currently going on, a bit about the other positions that you might be working with, and so on.  You don’t need to know every single detail, but a general grasp and some key facts will make things much easier for you.

 

Ask the Right Questions

 

It goes without saying that you’ll be asked if you have any questions, and the answer should always be “yes.”  Even if the interview was very thorough, you still need to come up with a few questions to ask.

 

Solid questions can range from “What’s a typical day on the job?” to “Can you tell me a bit about this company’s culture?” to “What’s the long term employment track for this position?”  Asking questions gives the employer insights into your thought processes, as well as your ability to think on your feet.

 

Know Yourself

 

Without a doubt, you’re going to be asked to talk a bit about yourself, and this is often the first question.  It’s very general and can be a tough one to answer thoughtfully.  Since you know this question will likely come, you can practice a bit – stay professional with a mix of your background experience, education, why you’re a great fit for the job, how you got to where you are today, and so on.

 

Keep this answer fairly short and sweet, but focus the details on the position and why you’re the best fit.

 

Secondly, know what you bring to the table.  You have special talents, gifts, and experiences that no one else has, and you can use them to your advantage.  Make sure that you’re showcasing what makes you unique, and therefore perfect for the position, versus focusing on general qualities and answers that you think you “should” say.

 

Follow Up

 

Following up can make the difference between silence and a job offer.  Send a thank you note within 24 hours to keep things timely.  An email is great and appropriate in this instance because it can get there quickly. Email your thank you note to every employee that you spoke with during your interview, personalizing for each employee.

 

In general, thank them for their time and consideration of you. Be sure to show that you’re still interested in the position and would appreciated any follow-up. Also be sure to ask if they need any additional information from you.


Simply be grateful and kind and continue to show interest in the position, should you still be interested.

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October 12, 2015 0 Comments

4 Ways to Stay On Task Working From Home

 

Working from home can really free up a lot of time in your schedule and allow you more time with family.  It’s an unconventional method of working that has many benefits, but it’s still work – and work still needs to get done in your day.

 

Without the structure of an office environment, it can be more difficult to stay on task and keep productivity flowing. Although this can be a challenge to figure out at first, staying on task while working from home can be attained in a few simple steps.

 

Separate Your Space

 

We hear it time and time again, but having a separate work space is truly a big key in a less distracting home based career.

 

Set up a desk and workspace that allows you time to be quiet, work with limited distractions, and is comfortable. This also allows you to separate work from home life, which is another important part of staying on task when it is working hours.

 

Take Breaks

 

Breaks are an overlooked important part of our workdays.  When we don’t take breaks, we tend to veer off course and start surfing Facebook, Instagram, and Googling random items online.

 

Taking breaks gets your blood moving, rests your eyes from the computer screen, and gives you something to come back to with full attention.  Taking 5-minute walking breaks, getting some fresh air, or just going out in the yard with your dog can be the mental break you need to stay on task throughout the afternoon.

 

Remove Distractions

 

Distractions are the #1 issue with working from home and staying on task.  Whether TV or radio stations distract you, first you have to learn what gets you off track and remove them.  While some people can work just as effectively with the TV going in the background, others would find themselves watching a movie marathon in no time. Know what your distractions are and eliminate them!

 

While you can’t always have a child-free or pet-free home to work, you can schedule babysitters for important meetings or schedule the important stuff around nap times or play dates.  Staying on task requires a bit of effort in removing any distractions, but it’s worth it for the work that needs your undivided attention.

 

What’s Important?

 

Determine the most important tasks and do them first! When you work from home, and especially if you’re also responsible for childcare, your days can take different turns than expected.


When you complete the important items and check them off your list early in the day, you free up the rest of your time for variable time schedules and happenings.  Prioritize with a list, calendar alerts, or by scheduling meetings at times when you’re least likely to have a distraction or something come up.

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October 5, 2015 0 Comments

How to Take More Steps Working From Home

We all know how bad sitting is for our health. There have been numerous studies and anecdotes about the health risks and potential for disease from a lifetime of sitting. Hitting 10,000 steps per day is ideal, but even if you can add several thousand steps to your sedentary day, you’re helping your long term health in a major way.  

 

If you work from home, most of your time is likely spent seated – but don’t fear! We have compiled some actionable tips for you to get in those necessary steps while still working an office job.

 

Get a Fitbit

 

By now, you’ve probably seen and heard of fitness trackers. They’re worn on your wrist, and they’re able to track workouts, steps taken, calories burned, sleep schedules, and much more.

 

This is a great device for those who don’t want to use a cell phone pedometer all the time, which is helpful since they are small and not overly noticeable on your wrist.  It also allows you to be hands free!  It’s inspiring to set step and fitness goals via fitness trackers, and there are several options out there to suit everybody’s needs.

 

Click here for a comparison of some of the most popular brands and styles.

 

Keep it Simple

 

If a fitness tracker seems a little too intense, you can always go the old school way – a simple pedometer.  These will run you approximately $5-15, and they clip on your clothing.  This is a great option for the home based worker, since you’re likely not seeing many people throughout the day, nor do you have to wear fancy clothing.

 

Pedometers can be set to work with your age, weight, stride, and more, making them a handy fitness tool that’s just a bit less high tech than a fitness tracker.

 

Dance

 

Dancing is just as good for getting in those steps! Along those same lines, any 5-minute and 10-minute workouts you can fit into your day, the better. You can turn on your favorite radio station or create short playlists for your walk (or dance) breaks.

 

Anything that gets you moving will contribute to your overall health and increase those steps, which is the ultimate goal.  If you go this method without counting steps, take a few 5-minute breaks per day to keep the momentum.

 

Walking Workouts

 

There are several walking workouts available on YouTube and for purchase at sites like Amazon.com.  You can walk any distance from approximately 1-5 miles, taking 15-minutes per mile. This is a great option in the winter, or if you’re not able to walk outside in a desireable area.

 

Try to fit in a walking workout or two just to increase those steps as a follow-along option.

 

Get Outside

 

The best option would be to get outside for your daily steps! If you can take a short walk on your lunch break, that’s an ideal time to rest your mind and invigorate your body.

 

Your walks don’t need to be fancy or even incredibly quick, simply aim for a set period of time (or a set number of steps) and stay consistent!

The key to meeting your step requirement and staying healthy is to keep moving.  Take breaks throughout your day to dance, move, or walk – all excellent ways to fit in your steps and keep your body healthy.

 

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September 28, 2015 0 Comments

4 Ways to Find Legitimate Work From Home Jobs

 

Many people want to work from home, but it can be difficult to find legitimate home based careers.  While there are several positions available, most sound too good to be true – and they may be.

 

Besides doing your research to ensure that your job and the company you work for are legitimate, there are some other ways to sort through the noise of less-than-ideal work from home jobs.

 

Set Alerts

 

Alert services such as Google Alerts allow you to set notifications via email on certain topics.  If you set an alert for “work from home position,” you will get periodic emails when a phrase matching this description appears in any online news.

 

While this may not seem like an ideal method, it can help you to find home based careers that are advertising in non-traditional ways.  It can also alert you to work from home job sites, which are great starting points for your home based search.

 

Be Specific

 

The best way to get a legitimate home based career is to look on specific job boards and sites that specialize in this niche. Sites such as HireMyMom.com only post legitimate jobs, and even eliminate any MLM and network marketing positions as well.

 

While all work from home niche sites and boards may not screen, they are a starting point.  It’s less than likely that you’ll find many legitimate work from home jobs on general job sites such as Monster, Indeed, and so on.

 

Use LinkedIn

 

LinkedIn can be helpful in any job search, but especially for virtual jobs.  When you search at the top of the homepage, you can type in phrases such as “social media telecommute” and find a wide variety of virtual positions available.

 

Since LinkedIn requires a substantial job posting fee, the jobs are more likely to be legitimate.

 

Always Network

 

Networking is and will always be your #1 source for job leads.  When you tell your contacts and networking colleagues that you’re in the market for a home based job, they’ll keep their ears open.  Also, many companies, small businesses, and entrepreneurs need administrative, social media, and other home based jobs completed, so you may just be in the right place at the right time.  It’s always best (and easiest) to consult your network first and foremost!

Overall, always do your own due diligence when seeking a work from home career.  Even the most legitimate sounding jobs can turn out to be duds, but asking the right questions to ask in the interview can help.  If you do this, and only accept jobs that have tasks and companies that you feel are appropriate, you’ll be well on your way to a legitimate home based career.

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September 21, 2015 0 Comments

3 Must-Haves For Your Home Office

 

 

When you work from home, most of your time is spent working from your home office.  While design is important for mood and functionality, there are a few key elements that are necessary to keep your body healthy and supported.

 

Office equipment that allows you to work in a way that’s healthier (coupled with frequent breaks!) allows you to be more comfortable and productive.  We all know that constant sitting is bad for our health, so these items aim to keep your body in alignment as much as possible beyond standing.

 

Comfortable Chair

 

A comfortable chair isn’t just important for the obvious reasons – it has health benefits. Choosing a chair that allows your weight to be distributed evenly, provides lumbar support, and fits your body is key.

 

If possible, go to the store to choose your chair to see what works best for you. If you’re unable to find something suitable in the area, there are numerous sites online that cater to (and provide excellent search results) for supportive chairs.

 

Click here for example purchase links and support information:

 

Lumbar Supportive Chairs via Amazon.com

 

Office Chair Back Support

 

Relax the Back Chairs and Support Products

 

Overstock Lumbar Support Office Chairs

 

Good Lighting

 

Straining to look at your screen or office supplies is truly awful for your eye health. Spend a bit extra on good lighting in your office, as well as additional office lamps that will keep the light close to your work station.

 

Also remember to choose lighting that isn’t harsh – it can cause headaches and anxiety if you’re working long hours. Choose warm, soft lighting – but enough that it illuminates your workspace and eliminates strain.

 

Here is some additional information on eye strain and how to prevent the effects.

 

Ergonomic Desk

 

Just as a supportive chair is important, so is your desk. Your eyes should be level with your computer screen so you’re not cranking your neck or looking down.  If you do these things, it can truly cause long term postural and musculoskeletal issues.

 

Ergonomic, height-adjustable desks allow you to set what you need and work in a supportive way.  In general, it’s important to invest some money up front in making your office healthy and happy for you.  While it’s fun to plan the visual side of your home office, spend the bulk of your investment on the items that will keep you feeling great. Here are some more general tips on creating such a workspace.

 

Click here for links to Ergonomic Desks:

 

Wayfair Ergonomic Desks

 

Costco Height-Adjustable Desks

 

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September 14, 2015 0 Comments

How to Choose the Right Job

 

In a time where it can be tough to find a job, it can seem strange to read tips on choosing the right job – but it’s crucial!

 

Especially on sites such as HireMyMom.com, there are various freelance, part-time and full-time positions that can be part of your career.  It’s often a challenge to determine which jobs are worth your time. Choosing between the right ones can be a difficult decision, but one that’s worth the extra time and effort to make.  Read below for some tips that will make your decision easier.

 

What’s the setup?

 

If you’re looking for home based jobs, flexibility and virtual positions are a must. Some jobs on telecommuting job sites aren’t 100% virtual, so make sure that this is discussed in your interview.

 

If you’re okay with going into an office once in awhile, that’s fine! But know this and mention it ahead of time. Even if the job is fully virtual, it’s still important to note the amount of flexibility you’ll have in the position. Do you have to work set hours or can you work whenever you’re available?  These are all important things to know before accepting a position.

What’s my daily life?

 

What will you really be doing in your daily life? If a position has a title that sounds great, but the description seems more like tasks you don’t want to be doing, make sure you get this information.

 

Make sure that the positions you’re applying for (and possibly accepting) match your needs, qualifications, and experience. If you’re looking to advance and challenge yourself, it’s not doing you any favors to accept positions that consist of tasks that won’t allow for that.

 

What’s the culture?

 

It’s always important to know the company culture and what it’s like. Even if you’re not going to be working with the in person team, or the team is 100% virtual, company culture is still very much a thing.

 

Is it casual? Is your boss strict or are you free to complete your work whenever? Do you meet up from time to time?  Is that important to you?

 

Overall, it comes down to really knowing what you want, as well as asking good questions in the interview and before accepting a position.  A job position is not just there for you to be impressive; the job also has to impress you, suit your needs and career aspirations!

 

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September 14, 2015 0 Comments

How Cloud Technology Makes Growing Your Home Business Easier

Last year, 23 percent of employed U.S. workers did some or all of their work from home, representing nearly one quarter of the American population, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About one in four remote workers are female, a Flex+Strategy Group survey found, and approximately the same percentage of women say they get most of their work done from home.

Meanwhile, more women than ever are starting their own businesses, with the number of female-owned firms increasing 68 percent since 2007, according to an American Express OPEN report. Taken together, these two trends help explain the growing number of moms who work at home.

A third factor fueling this trend is the cloud, which makes it easier than ever for moms to earn money from the comfort and privacy of their homes. If you’re working from home or running a home-based business, adopting cloud-based technologies can increase your efficiency and reduce your stress while saving you money.

Mobility and Flexibility

One way the cloud empowers your business is letting you move your office anywhere, says Luke Connoley of workplace innovation provider Unwork. In the days of desktops, a business computer had to reside at a single location in the workplace or in a home office, physically connected to the local network. With the cloud, you can work from anywhere you can bring a mobile device. You now have the flexibility of working from your home office, your living room, your dining room table, the local coffee shop or even the park where your kids play. You can work from anywhere and on any schedule that fits your needs.

Collaboration

The cloud’s mobile flexibility also makes it easier for you to collaborate remotely with other members of your team, no matter where they are. Instead of you having to share software on an office computer network in a single physical location, now any of your team members with a mobile device can access your company’s network and software services from anywhere in the world. For instance, Google Docs provides you with a full range of cloud-based business communication and collaboration tools, including email, video conferencing, calendar scheduling, document creation, file sharing and online storage.

Backup

The cloud provides small home-based businesses with superior backup services. Cloud backup services such as Mozy let you schedule periodic automatic backups, so you don’t have to worry about losing important files. You can also sync your backup to cover all of your devices and ensure that the latest versions of your files are always available throughout your network.

Global Customer Reach

The cloud lets you expand your company’s outreach beyond local prospects and customers to reach and interact with people anywhere in the world. For instance, in 2014, the country with the most Facebook users after the United States was India, followed by Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and the United Kingdom. By using Facebook as a cloud marketing platform, you can efficiently promote your product or service to customers in any of these countries. The same applies to other popular social media sites that reside in the cloud, such as YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest.
Cloud tools, such as the Amazon Web Services platform, also let you deliver digital products, such as infoproducts, e-books, webinars and apps, to customers in any location. And when you need to field customer service inquiries, you can interact with your customers using cloud contact centers, live chat and Skype.

Cost

The bottom-line advantage of the cloud for home-based businesses is that it makes enterprise-quality hosting, software and data services affordable. Instead of paying premium prices for hardware equipment and software licenses, the cloud provides you with computer services scaled to your budget. For instance, for $5 a month, a small business can have its own virtual cloud server. For $5 per user per month, small businesses can use Office 365. For less than $120 a year, users can store 1 TB of data on Google Drive, or they can use Amazon Cloud Drive Unlimited for about $60 a year.

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