Written by
March 16, 2020

How To Start Working From Home – 5 Important Steps

As we enter 2020 there has been a shift in the way we work. 

About a decade ago working from home was considered a luxury but with the small to medium sized businesses booming and becoming the key drivers in our economy, remote employment is emerging as the new trend.

If you’re thinking about transitioning over to a work from home job this article is for you!
In this article, we’ll cover five steps to help kick-start your journey to remote employment.

STEP ONE: Do You Have the Right Stuff?

It takes a certain type of work ethic to be able to sustain and succeed in remote employment.

Here are some of the most important core competencies:

Time Management

Time management is an extremely important skill to have. You’re doing everything remotely from communicating with your boss and coworkers, answering emails, and handling day-to-day tasks as they come in. This is where time management comes into play. Being able to quickly prioritize and plan out your day from the start will help ensure success as a remote worker.

Discipline and Focus

It’s easy to get distracted when you work from home. With family at home, unexpected guests showing up at the door, and being tempted to complete a chore or two, things can quickly add up.

Stand your ground, have some rules of the home in place while you’re working remotely, and set your business hours so that friends and family know when they can contact you or even put your phone on “do not disturb” when you have work to complete.

Strong Communication Skills

Because you’re working remotely, strong communication is a vital skill to have. Whether you’re sending out emails, conferencing in a phone call or jumping in on a Zoom meeting, communication is the key to success in the remote work world. It’s important to communicate and acknowledge tasks, deadlines and project statuses to your team.

Ability to Work Independently

For the most part, you’re all on your own. If you’re someone who needs to be around others and socialize, remote work can sometimes feel isolating.

The good news is that there are ways to still socialize when you have a work from home job. You can join an online Facebook community (HireMyMom has an Online Community for example) or make time to attend networking or social meetings in your area.

Check out this blog for a more comprehensive piece on the core competencies.

 

STEP TWO: Finding Your New Work From Home Career Path


Transitioning to a work at home career can be life changing (in a good way), and it’s important to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success. There are so many different remote work professions to choose from. Here are some of the most popular:

  • Virtual Assistant
  • Copywriter / Content Developer / Blogger
  • Digital Marketing Specialist / Marketing / Advertising
  • Accountant / Bookkeeper
  • Customer Service / Client Support Specialist

It’s important when deciding on what jobs to apply for to assess what you have in your “toolbox”. Your toolbox contains your education, work experience, and any additional training you received that you could incorporate into the position you are applying for.

It never hurts to take a course or two to brush up your skills or learn some new ones. There are several online and in person options available. It’s best to do a Google search to find out what programs are offered as well as a search on YouTube to find any free training.

If you’re interested in becoming a Virtual Assistant we offer two great programs; our 31 Day VA Training Program and our 6-Month In-Depth VA Training Program.


For a more in-depth look at these professions and others including pay rates check out our article “10 Work From Home Jobs For Moms”.

 

STEP THREE: Do You Have the Right Tools?


Working from home does require some necessary tools to get started. Here are some you may need:

Computer and Backup
It’s important to have a good computer to work on plus a backup system in place should your system go down. And having a laptop is convenient for those working remotely since you can pick up and work from anywhere including the coffee shop, the pool or even on vacation.

Programs / Apps
Some key programs and apps you may use when you work remotely include G-Suite  / Google Docs, Zoom, Slack, Trello, Asana and other project management tools. There are also time tracking services like Harvest that are helpful for tracking hours.

Designated Workspace
It’s important to have a designated area so you can tune in to your work and tune out any distractions. You should have a desk area, proper office chair, and good lighting.

 

STEP FOUR: Where to Find Legitimate Work from Home Jobs?

The best place to find work from home jobs is online. There are however some considerations as to which job sites you should avoid.

Some questions to ask yourself when deciding which sites to apply to:

Does the website take commission every time you are paid?

Do they carefully screen employers before allowing them to post a job? (See Spotting Work at Home Scams)

Are you competing with thousands of applicants all over the world or is it a smaller niche site?

Is the website easy to navigate and use?

Do they have customer testimonials and good reviews?

It’s important to go with a website that features high quality job postings from reputable businesses. There may be a small cost to join the website but this is a good thing. It means there’s a filter in place to provide quality employment opportunities and greatly reducing the candidate pool so you are not competing with hundreds or thousands of other job seekers.

(HireMyMom has a great selection of jobs to choose from. Give your career a kick start, learn more here).

 

STEP FIVE: Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Skills


Having an updated resume and cover letters tailored to each individual job increases your chances of getting hired with a quality employer. It’s also helpful to brush up on your interview skills so you can leave a lasting impression and land the job you want.

Need help? We have a collection of articles that offer tips on writing cover letters, advice on how to make your resume stand out, things to think about while preparing for a job interview and more. You can check them out here.

Are you ready to take that next step? Here are a few work from home success stories to inspire you: 

 

 

 

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Written by
February 25, 2020

6 Statistics Proving the Benefits of Working at Home

Did you know the number of people who work from home has increased by 140% since 2005?

Over the past decade, technology has really transformed the business world. Now, more and more businesses and individuals are discovering the benefits of working remotely from home.

With small businesses driving 44% of the total US economy, it’s easy to see how allowing employees or contractors to work from home would be beneficial and cost saving. It is a great solution to growing companies who seek an alternative to hiring, training and finding space for on-site staff. 

We at HireMyMom, already know the amazing benefits of working from home but let’s look at the benefits the Industry Experts have to share on remote work: 

 

1. Working at Home Saves Money

One of the biggest benefits of remote work is cost savings. According to Global Workplace Analytics (GWA), businesses can save up to $11,000 per employee each year by simply allowing them to work from home.

There is also less absence in the workplace when an employee can work from home. Again according to GWA, unscheduled absences cost employers $1800 per employee per year. The American Management Association realized a 63% reduction in unscheduled absences.

 

2. Working from Home Saves Time

Remote work can save a lot of time (and stress) because it eliminates the need to commute. According to the State of Telecommuting, part-time remote employees save around 11 days a year by not traveling to work. This means the employee is less stressed, less tired and can commit more time to performance rather than having their energy drained in rush hour traffic.

 

3. Working at Home Improves Productivity

It is true that distraction decreases productivity. There is nothing more annoying to an employer than seeing staff doing more chatting than working. But according to 2018 statistics, the majority of surveyed employees feel there are fewer distractions when working outside of the office.

Forbes.com relays that 77% of those who work from home get more done in fewer hours thanks to fewer distractions like meetings, conversations, and noisy coworkers.

When Highfive.com conducted a study, remote workers accomplished 30% more work in less time. 

 

4. Working from Home Helps Improve Employee Retention Rates

Keeping employees happy is the key to a successful and productive business. If employees are not happy, the quality of work often suffers significantly and could lead to employee loss.

A huge part of employee happiness comes from:

  • less travel time and commuting costs
  • less distraction from their co-workers
  • the ability to have a more flexible schedule and;
  • a comfortable work environment

According to Global Workplace Analytics, a poll of 1,500 technology professionals revealed that 37% would take a pay cut if they could work from home.

From an employer’s perspective, 95% report that working from home has had a high impact on their employee retention rate.


5. Working at Home Improves Health

Remote work can improve employee health both physically and mentally. Monster.com reports that when Staples conducted a study in 2011, they found employees who worked from home experienced 25% less stress. They also reported being able to maintain a healthy work-life balance and experienced improved eating habits as well.

Working from home also means being less exposed to viruses and other airborne illnesses that can sometimes heavily impact the workplace environment. It’s much easier to self-quarantine one person than an entire office. Less sick employees mean less disruption to productivity and in turn can lead to companies saving thousands of dollars each year. This is an especially timely topic given the outbreak of the Coronavirus. 

 

6. Working from Home Is Better For The Environment

According to the State of Telecommuting, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through telecommuters / remote workers is equivalent to 600,000 cars.

When employees eliminate the commute to work every day they help reduce the amount of pollution. By eliminating the commute, working from home drastically reduces the carbon emissions created from driving. In Entrepreneur.com’s article “How Telecommuting Reduced Carbon Footprints at Dell, Aetna and Xerox” it’s stated remote work, even if it’s only done on a part-time basis, can still reduce over 54 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.


At HireMyMom we help businesses hire talented, affordable, virtual team members and freelancers while at the same time, assist mom professionals in finding flexible, legitimate, home-based work to help create the perfect work-life balance.

If you’re interested in using our services to find your next remote employee you can visit our registration page here.

 

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Written by
November 19, 2019

7 Benefits of Working From Home for Moms

Are you contemplating working from home? Many of us Moms do, in fact, for our HireMyMom members – the contemplation has become a reality!

Most Moms make the decision to work from home because of at least one of the following:

1. To be at home more for their children,

2. To have more freedom and flexibility in their schedule,

3. To be their own boss,

4. To earn money for their family.

 

Working from home can be an amazing experience, but it does require some key qualities:

  • Self discipline,
  • Strong organizational skills,
  • Effective time management,
  • Flexibility,
  • Administrative skills

(If you don’t have a lot of administrative experience, we highly recommend our 31 Day Virtual Assistant training program.)

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FROM HOME?

 

  1. Flexibility – when you work from home, you have the ability to work at your own pace, set your own hours as well as the amount of hours you want to work.
  2. Control over your work environment – imagine being able to create your own unique work environment … from the paint on the walls to your office furniture, you can design the work space you want. You can also play whatever music you want, add some refreshing scents, and create a personalized atmosphere for your work environment. 
  3. Wear what you want – whether you want to work in jeans and a t-shirt, your favorite yoga pants, or even your PJ’s, your mornings are a little less stressful and more harmonious when you don’t have to worry about putting on business attire.
  4. Less disruptions and more productivity – other than the kids coming home from school, there can be a lot less distraction when you work from home. You can focus on getting your work done without office chatter and impromptu stop ins to your office.
  5. No commuting – say good-bye to the long drives and getting caught in rush hour traffic. A work from home job requires very little travelling, if at all. With no fuel costs or wear and tear on your car, you are saving both time and money.
  6. You can get chores done on your breaks – you can take a quick break from work to throw a load of laundry in the wash, start the dishwasher, or give the floor a sweep. By the end of the day, there will be less chores to do and more time for you.
  7. More time for your family – when you work from home, you’re there for your family when they need you. You can work your schedule around soccer games, dance practice and doctors appointments quite easily. Because you aren’t commuting, you get off work earlier and start family time as soon as you shut down your computer.

 

More and more companies are starting to recognize the benefits to having work from home employees. The surge in self employment has caused a demand for this type of work, especially in cases where a business is starting to grow, but they can’t afford the costs of hiring internally. 

As technology evolves, there will only be an increased demand for work from home employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. 

If you think working from home might be a great fit for you, our “Top 10 Work From Home Jobs” is worth the read. We cover some of the most in demand jobs based on our postings here at HireMyMom.

If you’re ready to step into a work from home role, you can sign up  on HireMyMom and gain instant access to our database of remote job postings. 

We look forward to seeing you as one of our Success Stories!

 

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Written by
October 21, 2019

HireMyMom Success Story: Heather Swain

Tell us a little about you and your experience finding work on HireMyMom.

After a hard season of life, I decided to try and find a job where I can bring in some extra money while still being home with my son and not have to pay the insanely high costs of childcare. I saw an ad for HireMyMom, and I felt drawn to the site. Within my first day using the site I had two interviews scheduled and my first day as a VA is tomorrow!

 

What did you do previously?

Patient Advocacy. I have no previous experience as a Virtual Assistant. I have worked remotely on occasion at other jobs I’ve held, but nothing long term. I truly believe customizing my cover letters to mention how my past experience related specifically to each job I applied for helped me. I applied and also reached out via email to the contact listed on the job posting. The first job I reached out to this way is now my current employer! I fully believe that a customized email or cover letter and providing some information about yourself and your goals was the game changer for me!!

 

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

Personalize your cover letter and always follow up. I think it’s so important because so many websites don’t provide that email contact information, and I believe if you have it, it’s worth reaching out to them to show you’re not only interested but that you’re willing to take charge and take a risk!! It can be scary to reach out to someone you don’t know, but it can come with big rewards as well!

 

What’s your favorite thing about HireMyMom.com?

That the employers are looking for help from women who are looking to better themselves and their families and understand the balancing act we take on as working mothers, especially those of us working from home.

 

What’s one fun or interesting fact about you?

I’m studying to become a certified aromatherapist.

 

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Want to be featured here as one of HireMyMom’s Success Stories?

Mom Professionals, please complete this form our Mom Professionals Success Stories.

If you are a Small Business / Employers, please use this form for Small Business Success Stories!

 

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October 14, 2019

Top 10 Work From Home Jobs For Moms

Hey Moms … are you considering working from home?

The demand for remote jobs has increased substantially, which makes it very attractive for a stay at home mom to become a work from home mom too!

Work from home jobs offer mutual benefits to both the employers and employees / contractors which is why there’s such a high demand for remote jobs.

 

What does a work from home job look like?

A work from home job can be as a remote employee, an independent contractor or as a freelancer. You typically are expected to have your own equipment, software, and internet access to be able to perform your job. Some employers will give you set hours they would like you to work, while others will let you choose a flexible schedule that works best for you.

 

Top 10 Work at Home Jobs for Moms

Based on our current and past job postings on HireMyMom, here is a list of some of the most common ones:

1.Virtual Assistant (VA)
Average Hourly: $15-20 (Specialized VAs may make $25-$40/hr)

What they do:
General Virtual Assistants typically help their clients/employers with day to day administrative duties. They are in charge of handling routine tasks that help the business run efficiently. A VA may also be in charge of answering emails, phone calls, travel arrangements, booking calendars, creating reports, doing research or any other tasks the business owner needs. There are a variety of specialties in the Virtual Assistant world and each job is unique to the business who hires them.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong computer skills
– Fluency in software such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
– Knowledge of tools and apps used by remote teams
– Time management skills
– Ability to prioritize tasks and stay organized
– Attention to detail
– Excellent verbal and communication skills

If you are looking for training, check out these options our Training and Resources here.

 

2. Customer Service Representative / Client Support Specialist
Average Hourly: $10-20

What they do:
CSR’s and Client Support Specialists provide service to current and potential customers. They help by providing service or product information, field phone calls or online chats, and handle customer requests as they arise. They also may handle any concerns or complaints a client might have. Their priority is to create a positive experience for the customer from start to completion. Customer service representatives may also be tasked with the responsibility of performing follow up calls or emails to help maintain customer retention rates.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Excellent communication skills
– Ability to solve problems quickly
– Ability to organize and prioritize
– Great listening skills
– Patience and empathy

 

3. Sales and Business Development
Average Hourly: $15-$20 (plus bonus and commission potential)

What they do: 
A sales representative is responsible for selling products and services to individuals, organizations or businesses. They may contact potential buyers, conduct presentations, and are typically responsible for handling all parts of the sale.

Business Development Specialists, on the other hand, create business plans for their company. They are in charge of analyzing business and seek ways to earn more customers and revenue for the business.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong sales skills
– Time management skills
– Ability to organize and prioritize
– Excellent communication skills
– Ability to solve problems quickly
– Strong listening skills
4. Copywriter / Content Writer / Blogger
Average Hourly: $15-$20

What they do:
A copywriter is responsible for creating engaging content that is both eye-catching and informative. The content created may be used for the company website, blogs, social media channels, newsletters, e-blasts, brochures, online courses, and more.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong writing skills
– Creative skillset
– Planning and organization skills
– Ability to work both independently and as a team
– Computer literacy
– Software experience including; Microsoft Office, Google Docs and more
– Strong proof-reading abilities
– Fast and efficient typing skills
– SEM/SEO knowledge and experience

 

 

5. Project Manager
Average Hourly: $20-$30

What they do:
A project manager is responsible for coordinating with others within a company to ensure that projects are completed from start to finish.
They also meet with clients to clarify project tasks and can act as a liaison between the customer and company they work for. They must track the performance of each project assigned and delegate where it makes sense to do so. The project manager will also ensure that budget objectives are met.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (preferred but not required)
– Experience in a management role
– Ability to lead teams in a variety of projects from small to large
– Strong organizational skills
– Experience with project management software
– Excellent communication skills
– Budget management experience

 

6. Digital Marketing Specialist
Average Hourly: $15-$25

What they do:
A digital marketing specialist is responsible for developing a marketing strategy that is based on a company’s online product or service. SEO, email marketing, and web analytics are all part of a digital marketing specialist’s duties. It is their job to get the company message out to the right target audience. Sometimes this includes multiple campaigns running at the same time. They are responsible for all aspects of the marketing funnel from top, mid, and lower tier levels. Digital marketing specialists may also need to keep track and produce reports on a campaign’s ROI.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong creative writing abilities
– Understanding of analytics
– Experience with paid social media advertising
– Sales and marketing channel expertise
– Strong listening skills and a good grasp target audience mindset
– Basic design skills

 

7. Accounting /Bookkeeping

Average Hourly: $15-$25

What they do:
Accountants and bookkeepers are responsible for keeping financial records up to date. They may also be required to process Accounts Payable and Receivables. Accountants maintain records of financial transactions by establishing accounts; posting transactions; and ensuring legal compliance.

Bookkeepers typically maintain accounts by verifying, allocating, and posting transactions. They perform reconciliations and maintain general ledgers. They must keep historical records and prepare financial reports.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Experience in Bookkeeping and/or Accounting
– Excellent communication skills
– Strong mathematical skills
– Ability to stay organized
– Detail oriented
– Strong multi-tasking abilities
– Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills

If you are looking for training, check out The Bookkeeping Course for Stay-at-Home Parents.

 

 

8. Graphic Designer
Average Hourly: $15-$30

What they do:
Graphic designers may design logos and all forms of multimedia. They may lay out magazines, help build websites and other forms of media communication. The designs are often created through software programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Knowledge of and experience in Graphic Design Software
– Great interpretation skills to help bring ideas to life

– Creativity
– Ability to meet tight deadlines
– Strong eye for visual composition
– Attention to detail
– Ability to work both independently and as a team

 

 

9. Social Media Specialist
Average Hourly: $15-$25

What they do:
Social media specialists are required to handle a number of social media accounts. They must create converting content, develop and maintain social media channels, and stay up to date on the latest rules and compliances. They are sometimes responsible for putting out social media ads and working with social media management tools. They need to create brand awareness and client acquisition at all stages of the marketing funnel.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Strong project management and organizational skills
– Knowledge and experience with social media platforms
– Insight of the audience they are targeting
– Strong creative writing abilities
– Ability to meet tight deadlines
– Understanding of Google Analytics and Facebook Business Manager
– Ability to measure campaign ROI and build reports

 

 

10. Web Designer
Average Hourly: $20

What they do:
A web designer is in charge of designing, coding, and laying out websites. They handle all technical and graphical aspects of a website. They also maintain and update as needed. A good sense of SEO/SEM to help ensure that the website is searchable on Google and ranking.

Job Qualifications may include:
– Knowledge of the fundamentals of design imaging
– Basic to advanced web design experience
– Ability to custom code using Javascript, CSS Style Sheets, and HTML
– Strong organizational skills
– Excellent communication skills
– Ability to listen and bring client ideas to life

 

 

How do you find great work from home jobs like these?

You can view some of the work at home jobs posted on HireMyMom here. If you’re ready to take the next step and become a Work from Home Mom you can sign up here. Employers must be members as well in order to post a job on our site. Before we accept their job posting, they are carefully screened by our staff to ensure the highest quality of employers and job postings for you to choose from. Click here to post your resume today and start applying for jobs immediately!

 

 

Here is what some of our work from home moms have to say:

“When my 2nd child was entering pre-school, I began searching for ways to work from home. I stumbled upon HireMyMom.com in 2014 and began to look for clients and landed a job with a small company. After my success, I told a friend about HireMyMom and she ended up landing a part-time job as well that after a year turned into a full-time managerial position. My favorite part about HireMyMom is the job postings are legit and there are no scams to worry about. Most of the employers know they are hiring moms and understand they will be working around a flexible schedule.” – Amanda S.

“Since at one time I was a job seeker and now I’m an employer, my favorite thing about Hiremymom is they always have legit opportunities.  I have never experienced any scams. As a job seeker, I always experienced quality gigs. Now, as a business owner looking to hire, I have found several great candidates that are qualified and passionate about what they do.” – Andrea C

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Written by
September 30, 2019

Why Moms Looking To Work at Home Should Avoid Free Job Sites

If you are a mom, you know first hand how exciting it is for your kids to go to the dollar store. I mean a trip to Target can cost you hundreds of dollars but a few dollars at a dollar store and your kids can quickly pick out a few fun things to entertain them without breaking the bank. 

We know that when we walk into a dollar store stuff is going to be cheap. We don’t go into a dollar store looking for designer brands or high quality items, just some fun stuff to keep our kids happy and entertained. As soon as you walk into a dollar store, you are thinking to yourself: “No blowing my budget today, everything here is going to be cheap!”

If you are a mom who is new to looking for work at home jobs, mega job sites and “free” job sites can look pretty tempting but here is the reality, many of the employers who use these sites are in the same dollar store mindset: they are expecting to find people who are willing to work for really cheap. 

And that brings me to the reasons why moms who are looking to work from home should avoid the large mega job sites and free work at home / freelance job sites. 

 

Mega Job Site Users Shop For the Lowest Bidder

Many of the clients on the mega job sites are in a “dollar store” mindset when they are searching to find freelancers and tend to shop for the lowest bidder. This unfortunately means you are competing with other freelancers, many of whom are overseas where a U.S. dollar goes a lot farther and they can work for a lot cheaper. Hence, they can price their services significantly lower than yours making it impossible to compete. 

I mean, it’s hard to land your dream client when you are having to compete with applicants charging $2-3/hour and not on the value you can provide. And many times its free for businesses to post their job because you are paying the site a commission out of your earnings which leads us to our next point….

 

They Take a Percentage of Your Earnings

Here’s a recent email we got:

“Hello, I am a freelancer who currently uses Fiverr and UpWork to gain writing gigs. I write website content and articles for businesses. I am tired of paying out 20% per project…..”

So not only can mega job sites result in you being underpaid, but they also take a percentage of your earnings. For example, if your list rate is $20 per hour, you can expect to earn around $16 per hour. When you negotiate a rate for a fixed-price job, the same applies. Let’s say you are getting paid $400 for a project, by the time the job site takes their percentage, you’ll receive about $320 as many of these sites charge 20% commission to the job seekers. 

That might not seem like much but let’s say you bill 50 hours over a 40 day period. Instead of keeping the full $1,000 you actually made, you are paid $800. Over a 12 month period, they would keep $2,400 of your income. That adds up quickly, doesn’t it?!

 

You are Competing with Thousands of Other Applicants

Many of the mega job sites and free sites out there attract thousands of people because it’s free or at least you thought it was free in the beginning. Being free means that everyone is going to sign up because… why not. But with smaller boutique sites like HireMyMom, you are only competing with a fraction of that many applicants.

Some jobs on HireMyMom only have 5 or less applicants while others many have 20-30 but never hundreds. Job seekers have an advantage of not having to compete with hundreds or thousands of candidates, and employers appreciate not having to spend hours and hours reviewing resumes and cover letters. Hence, one of the reasons so many of our clients come back to post more jobs because of the high quality applicant pool and the relatively low amount of applicants compared to mega sites.

 

Many Free Job Sites Pull Jobs from Other Websites

Some job sites will pull job openings from other job sites making it even more difficult to stand out in the crowd. Just think how many more people will be applying for those jobs that are posted on multiple websites. At HireMyMom, all jobs are posted by the small business hiring. We do not pull ads from anywhere. In most cases, the jobs on HireMyMom cannot be found on any other website unless the business chooses to post it on another site as well.

 

So How Do You Find Legitimate Work at Home and Get Paid What You’re Worth?

At HireMyMom, we are mom owned and mom run. We are entrepreneurs running our own small business with a team of other moms we’ve hired right here on HireMyMom. We understand the needs and challenges of both sides and we aim to create a platform that works beautifully for both. Our business model is different than the mega sites in that we take no commission from our job seekers; instead we have a small membership fee starting at $9.99 for a one week trial membership. Once you’ve paid your membership, you don’t pay another dime. What our job seekers earn, they keep!

Over the past 12+ years, HireMyMom has helped thousands of small businesses find the perfect candidate for their projects while helping place thousands of mom professionals in their dream jobs. We do that by providing a platform that brings the best group of qualified and passionate women together with the best group of successful and growing small businesses who are looking for highly qualified virtual professionals with skills, experience and expertise. 

HireMyMom is different than the Mega Job Sites and Free Job Sites in These Ways:

  • HireMyMom is primarily for North American candidates to protect our virtual professionals earning power and also giving our small businesses the high quality candidate pool they are looking for, 
  • Candidates are not competing with hundreds or thousands of other applicants around the world, 
  • HireMyMom does not take a percentage or commission of earnings from it’s virtual professionals or businesses,
  • HireMyMom is a boutique community offering personalized services, training, support and virtual high-fives,
  • You have the benefit of working with clients in or near your time zone.

 

Find your next work from home job at HireMyMom where we have a database of high quality projects and positions ready for you to review and apply for while providing you with a community that will support and train you as you work to build a long term freelancing career!  

 

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Written by
April 7, 2019

Staying Ahead of Scammers

Scammers today are getting more savvy. No longer can you just research the company or individual to determine if they are safe. No, they are impersonating real people and real businesses.

When a someone impersonates a real business, it can be difficult to spot in advance. Here are a couple of articles to help educate yourself on the signs to look for:


If you have submitted any information with your SSN, here is some advice from Experian and the SSA:


From the FTC:
Complaints help the FTC and other law enforcement agencies bring scam artists to justice and put an end to unfair and misleading business practices. If you have a complaint, file it online or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.

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February 25, 2019 0 Comments

10 Action Steps To Go From Corporate Job To Working From Home

So you’ve made the decision to transition out of that corporate job into working from home. Let us be the first to congratulate and celebrate with you! As a mom who made that same decision for her life and family and as a business woman working with mom professionals for over 20 years, I know full well what a huge stepping stone this is for you.

 

While this is an exciting time of change and looking forward to a bright future of following your passions and doing things your way, it can also be a scary time full of uncertainty and unique challenges that you did not face with a corporate career.

 

Here are 10 actions steps based on my own personal experiences, advice from mentors and networking with other moms who have successfully transitioned from a corporate job to working from home to help you navigate this new territory.

 

1.  Fire Your Fears

You fired your boss and now you will have to learn how to fire your fears. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of not having all the answers, fear of doubt, fear of comparison and yes even the fear of success and the responsibility that comes with it. While a corporate job is not perfect there is a certain level of assurances like knowing where your next paycheck will come from.

 

Doubt will creep in at times so embracing that as a new normal, one that everyone goes through, will help you work through those moments a lot easier. You know yourself best and what works so make a plan of how you will feel the fear and push forward any way (prayer, meditation, exercise, etc.)

 

2. Create A Schedule

There is something to be said for having a routine. Most humans thrive with one and for us moms, a schedule is a necessity. With a corporate job you surely had a time you needed to be up and a time the kids needed to be dressed in order to make it out the door on time or your day most likely got thrown out of whack.

 

While having an at home business has the advantages of flexibility to work when you want, how you want and where you want at the same time without a schedule your day will feel like a free for all and your productivity will be minimal. It will probably take some tweaking to figure out what works but having a daily schedule will be crucial to your success.

 

Some tips of the trade include batching your work on certain days like for phone calls, computer work and for running errands. Sure, there will be hiccups along the way but a schedule ensures you can quickly get back on track. Communicate with your family so they know what to expect; time you have set aside for work and time for family.

 

3. Develop A Network

Working from home can be a huge blessing, without a doubt, but it can also feel isolating. Relationships you had through your corporate job may even fade away as others don’t understand or unfortunately feel jealousy about your new path. Having a network of like minded moms who understand the struggles of mompreneurship can be a priceless asset for you to tap into.

 

4. Consult An Accountant

Being your own boss comes with it’s perks like business expenses and tax write offs but it’s important to know up front how to run your business legally and professionally so there are no surprises down the road. Depending on your state, you could be required to create an LLC or DBA and file for a federal tax ID number in order to do business. Find out these requirements up front and put a system into place for tracking your business expenses. Tools like FreshBooks and QuickBooks are great resources to help keep you organized.

 

5. Create A Vision Of What You Want

Setting goals is a measurable way of tracking your home business ambitions. Take some time to create a clear vision of:

  • How much income you want/need on a monthly basis

  • The number of clients you need each month to reach that goal

  • What a life of having a full time business doing what you love looks like

  • How you want to feel as your own boss

  • How you will use your business to serve and give back to others

 

6. Stand Confidently In Who You Are

You will soon find the world of business ownership to be a very noisy one. There is no shortage of “experts” out there trying to tell others the best way to run a business. While mentoring and coaching can be beneficial it’s also important that you stay out of the advice rabbit hole and stand firmly in who you are and what you want for your life and business. This will require putting on a filter and using discernment to sort through the make $10K your first month sales pitches, fear of missing out marketing tactics and gurus selling programs.

 

7. Get Up And Running

While it’s okay to plan out your business and approach it in an organized fashion, you will also have to let go of things like perfectionism and having all the answers before taking action. This journey will require taking leaps of faith and being okay with building your wings on the way down. You will make mistakes but you will also learn from them in order to do it better next time. If you sit around trying to create the perfect website, perfect business cards, perfect marketing strategy before taking action you will be sitting stagnant and definitely not making progress to reach your goals.

Focus on the most important pieces of your business that you need to get up and running and go find your first client.

 

8. Hire A Coach

Running a home based business will come with it’s unique challenges and require you to tap into yourself in a way that you may never have before. Hiring a business coach can be a great asset in helping you navigate this transition more smoothly so you aren’t figuring it all out on your own (saving you time and money). This may or may not be in the budget. If it is, do your due diligence and find a coach that specializes in the areas you need most.

If hiring a coach is not in the budget right now, seek out business coaches and learn as much as you can from them through their free tools like blog posts, email newsletters, etc. until you can afford more one on one coaching.

 

9. Have A Creative Outlet

While there is a lot of marketing out there referring a home based business to things like “the dream lifestyle you can do from your laptop while sitting at the beach” it’s far from being that glamorous especially for someone just starting out. It’s not a path free from stress, actually quite the contrary so while you need to have a plan for how you will run your business it’s equally important to have a plan of how you will decompress.

 

Having a home based business means you can make more time for the things you love to do so do them. Read more books, go for more walks, do more painting, play your piano more. As you make plans for how you will work, don’t forget to also make plans for how you will play and enjoy life.

 

10. Get Frugal

Transitioning from corporate job and stable income into a home based business with fluctuating revenue means you will have to rethink your spending habits. Adopt a budget and get more frugal to guard yourself from financial stresses. Running a business and navigating these new waters will be hard enough without adding money problems to it.

Shop more thrift stores, clip more coupons, go through your expenses and see where you can trim some fat. There is no shame in being frugal, it’s a smart savvy way to live especially while starting up a new business.

 

I hope these action steps have inspired you as you transition from corporate woman to CEO Mom Professional! I believe in you and I pray you know God does too.

 

If you found these tips helpful be sure to pin it to a Pinterest board so you can easily find it later. Are you looking for more support as a mom professional transitioning out of the corporate arena to running a full time business from home? Join our community of mom professionals and check out our latest job postings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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February 18, 2019 0 Comments

4 Tips to Writing a Great Job Post

As a business owner, we know that your time is valuable, and you do not want to spend unnecessary time on the hiring process. That’s why we’ve created a strategy to help you attract and hire the best candidates for your needs.

The first thing you need is a great job post.  

A well-written job post will:

  1. Include a brief overview of the job role and responsibilities including an explanation of the tasks the candidate will be doing.
  2. Indicate any specific experience or skills you are looking for.
  3. Give estimated hours needed per week and if applicable, the specific hours of the day the candidate is needed.
  4. Include your company / team values. Give the candidates insight to what’s important to you and your company to make sure they are a good fit for you and your business.

Here is an actual job post we’ve had on HireMyMom: “I’m looking for a VA I can grow my business with long-term. Hours will increase with growth. I need soeone good.”

Not only does the job post have spelling errors but it does not include any real information about what the job entails or what skills the candidate needs.

Aim for clarity with your job postings.

If you want qualified, experienced, knowledgeable applicants, make sure you job posting is clear and thorough. It doesn’t have to be long but make sure the applicants have a clear understanding of what you need.

If you need ideas to get your kick-started, try doing a search for “______ job description” and work from some of the duties and skills you find online. You can then refine it to reflect exactly what you are looking for.

If you would like us to craft the job post for you, contact us or if you would like help with the entire process, we do offer our personal “Small Business Concierge Service” which includes:

    • consultation to learn about the position,
    • writing a professional, descriptive and thorough job post,
    • posting the job on our website (once approved by client),
    • reviewing all applicant resumes and cover letters, including a check of LinkedIn to reality check the resume.
    • Scheduling interviews – Reach out to selected candidates, coordinate interview scheduling,
    • Interviews -prep & conduct interviews, record interview notes, save interview recordings, etc. ,
    • Select top candidate(s) to pass along to client, write candidate summaries, upload interview video file(s) to Dropbox, email client with resume, summary and link to video file.
    • Follow up with client, answer questions about candidates, etc.
    • Wrap-up – Send turndown email to candidates interviewed but not selected, etc. along with final notes.

Contact us for details.

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January 4, 2019 0 Comments

Top 7 Virtual Jobs for Moms

Work at Home Jobs for Moms

Becoming a mom has a way of changing a woman’s outlook on her career path. I know it did for me. I had just finished my Master’s degree and started my first job when I got pregnant with our daughter. I had zero intentions of being a stay-at-home mom at the time. However, motherhood had a tremendous impact on me. I soon discovered, I wanted nothing to do with leaving my baby every day.

That’s when I began my work-at-home journey. Working from home provides a wonderful opportunity to create a more flexible schedule that many modern moms are looking for.

If that’s what you’ve been looking for, we’ve put together the top seven work at home jobs as well as common tasks associated with them. We’ve also included online training programs to help you enhance your skills in whichever category you are most interested in.

 

Virtual Assistant

The role of a Virtual Assistant (VA) varies quite a bit depending on the needs of each business. Some typical tasks VAs may perform include:

  • Respond to clients and customers by email, phone and online chat,
  • Perform routine administrative duties,
  • Book appointments or schedule travel,
  • Manage projects,
  • Research various topics or industries related to the business,
  • Create and maintain spreadsheets, databases or other documents,
  • Make simple edits or updates to website,
  • Monitor social media and respond to comments and questions,
  • Give feedback from customers and make suggestions for improvement.

The hourly rate for a Virtual Assistant typically ranges from $15-35 per hour. However this can vary depending on difficulty of duties, expertise of the VA and other factors. If you are looking for online training to become a VA, check out the Virtual Savvy’s Training Program or the Free Mama’s Training Program. Both of them have free options.  Find other training options here. 

 

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager works with the business to create engaging content that offers value to its audience and ultimately results in growth in followers as well as increased sales for the company. Some typical duties may include:

  • Create engaging content for social media channels,
  • Create images using Canva, WordSwag, Typorama or similar services,
  • Create ad campaigns for various social media channels,
  • Respond and interact with followers on social media,
  • Build relationships with influencers,
  • Create a content calendar and schedule content to be posted,
  • Share blog posts on social media platforms,
  • Cultivate leads and sales from social media posts.

The average hourly rate for a Social Media Manager ranges from $15-25 per hour. However this can vary depending on level of experience, job duties and other factors. A great training program to help you become more of an expert on social media and stand out to businesses seeking social media help is: The Complete Digital Marketing Course.

 

Copywriter / Writer / Blogger

A Copywriter writes and edit articles, blogs or copy for a variety of purposes such as:

  • Website copy,
  • Marketing materials,
  • Email marketing,
  • Blogs articles for specific audiences or industries,
  • Ghostwriting articles for business owners.

The hourly rate for a Copywriter can range from $20-40 per hour depending on the level of expertise required, the experience of the writer as well as other factors. Here are a couple of online training program if you want to take your writing skills to the next level: Content is King: How to Write Killer Content for the Web or Content Marketing Masterclass – Create Content that Sells.

 

Accountant / Bookkeeper 

With Cloud-based accounting programs available (such as FreshBooks), a virtual bookkeeper or accountant can access the company’s records remotely to perform duties for the company. An accountant or bookkeeper may perform duties such:

  • Record transactions,
  • Balance bank accounts,
  • Prepare and send invoices,
  • Reconcile invoices and bank accounts,
  • Maintain financial records,
    • Produce balance sheets, income statements and other financial documents,
    • Prepare payroll and tax reports.

The average hourly rate for a bookkeeper ranges from $20-25 per hour. However the pay rate can vary depending on tasks asked to perform, experience required and other factors. Check out this training program if you want to learn the basics of bookkeeping: Bookkeeping Course for Stay-at-Home Parents.

 

Business Development Specialist

A Business Development Specialist is someone who identifies and pursues new leads and looks for ways to help the business continually grow. Some typical duties include:

  • Research and make a list of potential industries and specific customers to approach,
  • Prepare marketing and communication materials such as outreach emails,
  • Connect with influencers, bloggers and brands to build relationships,
  • Develop and maintain client relationships,
  • Create and maintain a database of all contacts,
  • Develop and refine growth strategies for the business.

The average hourly rate for a Business Development Specialist is $25-40 per hour. However this can vary depending on difficulty of duties, expertise of candidates and other factors. Check out this online course: Business Development Blueprint – Accelerate Business Growth.

 

Project Manager 

A project manager coordinates and oversees all aspects of a project. Some typical tasks may include:

 

  • Oversee projects and coordinate team members,
  • Manage administrative duties of the project,
  • Monitor project performance and make needed adjustments,
  • Plan and schedule team member meetings,
  • Collaborate and communicate with team members,
  • Make recommendations as necessary for project success.

 

The average hourly rate for a Project Manager is $20-40 per hour. However this can vary depending on the level of difficulty of the project, candidate’s expertise and other factors. This course will teach you the basics of project management:  Beginning Project Management: Project Management Level One

 

Client Service Specialists / Customer Service

A Client Service Specialist (or Customer Service Rep) is the main point of contact for many small businesses. This person represents the company with professionalism and a friendly demeanor. Some businesses also hire Virtual Assistants to fulfill this job role. Some duties of this job may include:

  • Respond to clients and customers via phone, email or online,
  • Learn and be familiar with company, products and services to answer questions well,
  • Follow up with customers to ensure the product or service has met their expectations,
  • Offer friendly, helpful solutions when clients have an issue or problem,
  • Provide feedback from clients to the team and suggest ideas to improve client satisfaction.

The average hourly rate for a Client Service Specialists is $13-18/hour. However this can vary depending on difficulty of duties, expertise required and other factors. You can improve your skills and make yourself more marketable by taking an online course like: Customer Success Manager 101: Foundations to your CSM Career.

Other work-at-home jobs include: WordPress Experts, Facebook Ad Specialists, Researchers, LinkedIn Specialists, Medical Billing, Instagram & Pinterest Specialists, Sales, Graphic Designers, Web Designers, Coordinators, Public Relations, Transcriptionists, Tech Support, and others. If you are looking for training in any of those categories, check out other online courses offered here.

Whether you are creative, organized, detail-oriented or a numbers person, there’s an opportunity for you. Take some time to think about where your gifts, passions and talents are and take the leap to finding the perfect work-at-home job for you!

If you’d like to search the current job postings on HireMyMom.com, click here and see if your dream job is waiting for you!

 

Have questions about working from home? Check out our FAQ or contact us!

 

This article contains affiliate links to courses and resources. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

 

 

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