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January 3, 2019 0 Comments

3 Steps to an Amazing New Year

The beginning of a new year is always a great time to reflect on where we are and where we want to be. Focusing on where we can improve and making a plan to get there is imperative. Here are 3 steps to getting your year off to a great start. 

 

First Things First: Get Organized

The new year is a great time to get organized. Start with your desk. If your desk is messy, it will keep you from being productive. Keep only what’s necessary on your desk such as a to-do list and the current project you are working on. Create a filing system for everything else so that you can work without the distractions of everything else. 

Once your desk is organized it will help you focus better on your tasks at hand and motivate you to organize other areas.

 

Second: Set Small Goals 

Once you’ve gotten organized, set some small goals. Goal setting can be intimidating. Who wants to set some monumental goals only to never achieve them? You may have a big goal but you may find it easier to break it down into small daily goals. Once you have those set, you can add weekly goals and monthly goals.

Take some time and think about the different areas of your life (self-care, marriage, kids, health, fitness, career, spiritual, social, etc.) Now set aside a few minutes to set some small, achievable goals. Next turn those into a daily to-do list.

By setting monthly goals, you won’t be overwhelmed. And you won’t feel like quitting if you have a small set back. It’s all about making progress not expecting perfection.

 

Third: Accomplishing More with Time Blocking 

If you aren’t familiar with time blocking, it is a way to schedule your time for maximum productivity. You take your to-do list and create blocks of time on your calendar to complete those tasks. It reduces interruptions and allows you to focus on that one task until its done. You can start by setting up one day for time blocking which may consist of a 30 minute block for email, one hour for social media, and a two-to-four hour block for writing or a project that you want to complete.  The idea is to focus exclusively on the task at hand so you are not starting and stopping and wasting time. If you’d like more insight on time blocking, watch this video.

So there are your 3 steps to an amazing new year in 2019!

 

 

 

 

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November 27, 2018 0 Comments

5 Secrets to Landing that Dream Work From Home Job

 

Working from home is attractive to so many, especially moms. The freedom to set your own schedule and work around your family is such a wonderful benefit. However, landing that perfect job can be tricky if you are not prepared. So here are our 5 tips to landing your dream work from home job.

Resume Ready

Take a look at your resume. What does it say? Is it engaging? Does it stand out? Or is it just black and white letters on paper? Today’s resumes have gotten more creative and allow you to show some of your creative side and personality. Include a photo and some color! Click here to see some sample templates. Be sure too that your resume sells you to potential employers. A well-written resume is worth gold in your job search. If you need help in this area, consider getting check out our Resources here.

Take Initiative

As an applicant, take the initiative and show the employer you are not only qualified but sincerely interested in their job. Educate yourself on the their business by visiting their website. Read their “About Us” page and get to know about the company and their owner(s). They can tell if you’ve looked at their website and took some time to familiarize yourself with them. Bottom line is you will stand out if you show you are willing to go above and beyond what you are asked to do.

Be Detail Oriented

Read the job description thoroughly 2 or 3 times and make sure your application, resume and / or cover letter addresses everything they are seeking or requesting. If you leave key things out of your application, it tells the employer you may do the same thing in your work. In that case, your application may go straight to the virtual trash can.

Don’t Waste Your Time or Theirs

If you don’t have the experience the employer is asking for, don’t apply. You waste your time and their time and leave the impression that you didn’t read the job description very well. Many employers state how annoying this is for them to go through applicants who clearly do not have the skills or experience they are looking for. And if you are finding your skills and training lacking, consider some of the Training Resources we have.

Respond Quickly 

Many busy entrepreneurs are looking to hire now! They post a job and are ready to hire someone ASAP.  If you are not logging in daily to check for new jobs, you may miss out. Some jobs are taken down after 3-5 days or sooner because they have enough applicants.  Now you know, timing is of the essence.

So now, get that resume polished up and incorporate these tips. You may find your dream job just got a whole lot easier!

If you’re not currently a member of HireMyMom, click here to see how we can help you find that dream work at home job!

 

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September 27, 2018 0 Comments

Spotting a Work-at-Home Scam

Here at HireMyMom, we strive to be “the” resource for moms looking for great work at home jobs. And we aim to keep HireMyMom 100% scam free. Each job that is posted goes through our approval process. We look for negative reviews and other red flags before deciding if a job will be posted to our members. And there are many that do not pass the test and do not get posted.

We want to help educate our audience on what to look for if a job starts to seem suspicious.

Here are some signs of potential scams:

• The person offers to send you a check to buy equipment, supplies or some other business items. In this scenario, they will usually send a large check and have you purchase the items and ask you to send back the remaining balance. Once you have sent the balance back, their check has bounced and has left you out your own money that you sent them.

• Another red flag is if the person wants to chat by text or Google Hangout or hires you without an interview. Normally a person hiring for a real job will use email and then interview you by phone, Skype or FaceTime.

• Also of concern is if the person asks for personal information up front relating to your identity or banking information.

These are some of the techniques that we’ve learned of scammers attempting to use. There may be others. If you have any suspicions or are unsure about a job posting, please contact us so that we can look into it further.

If you are aware of a scam, here are some other places it can be reported:

 

 

See also: Scammers Impersonating Real Businesses 

 

Let’s work together to keep scammers out of business!

 

 

 

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September 24, 2018 0 Comments

4 Unique Benefits of Working From Home

We all know that there are several benefits of working from home – no commute, more flexibility, and less stress.  But there are lesser known benefits that aren’t discussed as often!

Check out this week’s blog for some of the unique benefits of being a work from home employee.

Get more done

When you work from home, you have access to your home! This is obvious, but it’s a great thing because it allows you to get some things done around the house, which helps you keep up with the housework and reduce stress.

When you set aside a few of your breaks for light housework everyday, you get more time with your family and friends in the evenings.  If you go to a traditional office, you don’t have this benefit, so it’s something that can easily be worked into your day. Of course, working from home is still working, so keep these cleaning breaks to 5-10 minutes at a time.

Break anywhere

As a work from home employee, you can take breaks or really work from anywhere! From lunch breaks to trips away, you can work from any location with internet access.

If you have the opportunity to tag along on your spouse’s work trip, you can come along! When they’re working, you can get your work done too, then enjoy time together in the evenings. It’s very freeing to have your whole work life attached to your laptop, allowing you the freedom to travel and set up shop all over.

Be more accomplished

According to Fundera.com, “86% of employees say they’re most productive when they work alone – devoid of distractions like inefficient meetings, office gossip, or loud office spaces.” Of course, you can occasionally meet up with friends to work at a coffee shop together, but this study shows that most people are more productive outside of a traditional office.

You’re more free to work through workday interruptions, distractions, and so on.  You can set your own schedule and often don’t have as many spontaneous meetings and office drop-ins.  When you work from home, meetings are typically planned ahead since everyone is on a different scheduled, and they’re also usually shorter and completed over phone or Skype.

Time with family

As we mentioned in a few of the benefits above, working from home just gives you more time with family and friends.  You can typically stop working a bit early if you want, and if your work is complete, it’s not a big deal. This opens you up to attend more functions, be there for people more often, and simply not be restricted by a rigid office work schedule.  If work is complete, you’re usually good to go!

Family also includes pets! Those who work from home are able to spend their day with their furry family members too, strengthening those bonds as well.  You can also save money by not having to hire a dog walker or have someone let your dog out during the day! Pets are great stress reducers as well, so being around them all day can be a calming presence.

Working from home has numerous benefits, from stress reduction to more productivity.  Beyond the obvious benefits, you’re able to get more accomplished, work anywhere, and spend more time with those you love.

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September 4, 2018 0 Comments

4 Tips for a Fall Refresh

With September here and Labor Day behind us, we’re officially started into the fall season. It’s a time where work and school pick up again, and we move away from the lazy days of summer.

While we’re getting back into our routines and potentially a more challenging workload, it can be a great time for a refresh as we enter this new season.  Read along for some of our best tips to refresh your body and mind before we move further into fall.

Take a new class

Learning is always a new and challenging way to reboot yourself. Whether your interests lie in fitness or cooking, or potentially computer programming or writing, find something that will take you out of your comfort zone.  Often times mixing things up allows us to feel more inspired in our daily life, whether that be personal or professional.

You can find classes that are offered locally through your library or community center, or search websites such as Udemy for online classes that you can take from the comfort of your home.

Refresh your wardrobe

A wardrobe update does not have to be expensive! You can visit a local thrift shop for new style choices, or find a nice vintage shop that offers unique, inexpensive goods.  Additionally, you can search sites like Poshmark, ThredUp, or Mercari. While you’re doing this, you can also go through your current clothing and figure out what need to go. Especially since we’re through with summer, those clothes can be packed away, sold or donated.

Do you have several pieces that you haven’t worn in a year? Have a few articles of clothing that you just don’t like? Take an honest look around and pitch what you don’t need.  Whether you sell, donate or give away older items, you’ll feel lighter by clearing the clutter!

Do some good

When you’re looking for a change or refresh in your life, doing good for others can be a great starting point. Not only does it make you feel great, it helps others in need.

Look around your community for who needs help, or search your own heart for which causes call to you the most. Are you an animal lover? Volunteer for a few hours at the local shelter each week.  Love kids? Find a library in search of readers. You can even plan a service day with your friends or family members – clean up a park, build something useful for the community, or hand out food to the homeless.

Making time and space for others is very important and always needed, and don’t underestimate the meaning and fulfillment that it will bring to your own life as well.

Plan ahead

While we’re in the mode of restarting and refreshing, it’s important to put a plan into place. We’re headed into the busiest time of the year – school is back, work is busier, and the holidays will be here before we know it. Making a plan will keep yourself and your family sane!

Take a look at where you’re spending your time now, what’s coming up ahead, and how you can plan now so things don’t get too crazy down the road.

Start with a nice planner or online calendar program – make completing the days part of your daily life. Get into the habit of time management and calendar planning, as it will make you feel more calm and in control of your schedule. Additionally, it’s just a great habit that will carry you further in your personal and professional life.

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August 20, 2018 0 Comments

4 Key Components Of a Great Cover Letter

Your cover letter is often the first thing that a potential employer will read from you, so it’s a very important document! Of course, your resume will be crucial since it lists all of your experience and accomplishments, but your cover letter is a place to add personality and make a case for your hiring.

Read along for some of our best advice for a cover letter that stands out.

Restate

When you start your letter, it’s best to restate the position and company which you’re applying for.  This ensures that it goes to the right place, and states again what you’re seeking.

In addition to restating the position and company, it’s helpful to restate some of the key qualities that the employer is seeking, especially those that match you very well.  Be sure to make the connection between the job posting and yourself as a great fit.

Add some personality

Cover letters don’t necessarily have to be boring! Especially if the job is more “informal,” use it as a place to add your personality.  It can be a bit conversational in nature, while still adhering to solid grammar. Adapt the cover letter to match you, as well as the position.  If it’s a very prestigious job that requires a strong vocabulary and a lot of formality, it may be best to stick to the basics.

One page

As with most things in your job application, do your best to keep it to one page.  All the information you should need should fit on one page:

  • Restate the position and employer where you hope to be hired.

  • Include some qualities from the job posting that fit your personality and work experience.

  • Use bullets for stand out job experience and highlights that make you a great fit.

  • End with a request for further contact and an interview, as well as a note that your resume is attached and your recommendations are available upon request.

Be specific

When you go to write your bullet points, be as specific as you can! It’s great to say, for example, that you planned an event that’s relevant to the position.  It’s even better to write that you planned an event with a $250,000 budget for 500 attendees that resulted in $400,000 being raised for a charity. Using specific facts, figures and numbers helps to drive home your point even more, and it shows that you have the detail on your accomplishments.

Your cover letter should be personable, short, and include reasons why you are the best possible fit for this job position.  Tailor each and every letter to each specific job posting with the tips above, and you’ll be well on your way to a more successful hiring process.

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August 6, 2018 0 Comments

4 Tips to Work From Home Successfully

Working from home is a dream scenario to most – more flexibility, no commute, and more time with family. But once you’ve landed a home based job, how are you successful in it?  It’s not quite the same as a traditional office job, so different things need to be considered.

Read along for some of our tips to ensure success in a work from home position.

Clear distractions

As much as possible, clear distractions from your home and work time. If you know you’re going to be on an important call, place a note on the door to ask people to not ring the doorbell. If you have dogs, exercise them early and put them in their crates or on beds when you’re trying to get work done.

If your kids are home on summer break, work out some playdates or child care when you really need to focus.  Often times we can manage to fit all of this into our work days, but sometimes we need a break. Keep in mind, if you worked in a traditional office, you wouldn’t have the same distractions.

Be independent

Being a successful home based employee comes down to working independently.  Sure, you may have a supervisor or head boss that you report to, but it likely isn’t regulated the same way as an office job.

To get work done, stay on track, and avoid overwhelm, it’s so crucial that you manage yourself.  Keep tabs on how you’re spending your work time with a simple spreadsheet, and make to do lists your friend!

However, independence doesn’t need to carry over into your personal life. Be sure that you’re making time to be social and get together with co-workers or other home based workers when you can.

Manage yourself

Along with being independent, in a lot of cases you might have to manage yourself. Some home based positions tend to be more freelance in nature, so while you have a “boss,” it’s not in the same way.

Manage yourself with to do lists, as well as clear check ins with your immediate supervisor.  Whether it’s a daily summary of work or a weekly check-in call, it’s up to you and your boss. You can create a schedule of communication that works for all involved, and this will allow you to stay on track with your employer.

Motivate yourself

Working from home offers a host of benefits, but motivation can be hard to come by.  It can be tempting to spend the day watching Netflix, or doing something fun with your kids.  While this can be part of your day from time to time, you are still working from home.

Do your best to save other activities for breaks or after work hours. When you commit to a typical workday and a set amount of time and hours, you’re providing yourself with the structure and boundaries to get things done.

Staying motivated to do your work will come from having a solid schedule and process for accomplishing tasks.  This may be challenging at first, but once you find your rhythm, it’s easy to stay on track!

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July 16, 2018 0 Comments

4 Questions to Ask if You Want to Work From Home

 

Working from home is appealing to most – there’s the flexibility, lack of commute, and the ability to be more productive.  While it’s typically a huge benefit to work from home, it’s important that you know what you’re doing ahead of time. It takes a specific type of person, personality, and lifestyle to enjoy and thrive in a home based position, so don’t enter hastily!

Read along for our best questions to ask yourself before taking the leap into a work from home job position.

Am I independent?

Are you okay working independently? Yes, you will likely have a boss and other co-workers, but your actual work time is mostly completed alone.  Some people do not have the personality for this, and would thrive much better in a traditional office environment.

Additionally, even if you don’t mind working alone – are you motivated while working by yourself? It might not be the social aspect of an office that you need, but rather the structure.  Working from home requires you to structure your own time, and get things done without being managed in person, which can be a challenge for some employees.

Can I work in my home?

If your home is full of distractions that can’t be managed – either by outside help, a new schedule, or your own mind, it might not be the best idea.  If you don’t have any other option for your small children or pets, it can be challenging to complete work while caring for them.

Additionally, if you’re someone who can’t be home all day without cleaning, catching up on TV, or simply doing other things around the house, working from home might not be your best bet.

Work from home employees are still able to complete some housing tasks if they work it into their day, but the vast majority of them are very disciplined people who are able to ignore most home distractions.

Is my lifestyle a fit?

Take a look at you and your family’s schedule(s) and see if your lifestyle makes sense for a home based job.  You might find that you have a lot of flexibility and downtime already, and going to an office would make you feel more productive.

Additionally, you might be the kind of person who cannot stay in their house all day.  Of course, some work from home employees do enjoy co-working spaces and coffee shops, but in general, most work out of the home.  Use this time to really determine where you fall in this category, and make an honest decision about your work environment.

Why do I want to do this?

Which benefits of working from home are the most appealing to you? In some cases, you might find that you can get some of those benefits in a traditional office job.

For example, some office bosses allow a lot of flexibility – leaving early, free hours (as long as the work is done!), and much more. In other cases, there might be a closer office to the main headquarters that will allow you to save on a commute.  Lastly, a lot of bosses are now more open to partial telecommuting, so you can consider that as well. Overall, if an office job sounds better besides a few points, see if you can negotiate on them.

Working from home is filled with benefits, but it’s not for everyone.  Take some time to seriously reflect on what works best for you, your lifestyle, and your family.

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June 25, 2018 0 Comments

4 Tips for a Home Office Renovation On a Budget

When you work from home, your home office is a space you’ll spend a lot of time in, so it’s important that it works for you.  Whether you’re just starting out from home, or you need to renovate, you’ll need to make the space your own.

Renovating any room in your house can be quite a process, and it’s usually not inexpensive either. Read along for some of our tips for renovation on a budget!

Repurpose

Repurpose furniture with a fresh, new coat of paint, or utilize unused items from other rooms.  Can that table behind the couch be used as a table for your printer? Take what you have a make it work!

You can take a boring chair, add some fabric, and make it new again.  A little bit of paint or fabric can make a world of difference. If you have a sofa in your office, add some fresh pillows or a throw.  You can also repurpose someone else’s disregarded items – look to antique or garage sales that feature desks, solid furniture, or any other items that can be spruced up with a minimal amount of work.

Get digital

With sites such as Etsy, you can get a lot of artwork in a digital format. You can simply search for art prints that feature inspirational words, photos, art from other countries, and so on.  There are truly an endless amount of options!

From here, you can print out the piece and have it framed, or purchase an inexpensive frame at a local store like Target or Michael’s.  Digital, print-it-yourself art is typically much less expensive, and generally runs from $3-20 per piece on Etsy. Adding just a few prints will likely run you $30-100 total, and it can really change the vibe of the room.

Spend where it counts

Some items will just always be more expensive. A good, solid ergonomic office chair is a great place to spend money! A nice desk is also a place where quality is important, but you can also find good furniture at repurposed places, such as flea markets or garage sales.

You can really go “budget” on things such as office supplies. There are plenty of cute options out there that don’t break the bank!

Make a list of all the items needed for your renovation, and jot down where you can save, and where you’ll need to spend a little bit more.  Once the major items are decided on, you’ll also have a better overall view of your renovation budget.

Change slowly

Start slow! You can start as small as adding a tiny plant – it can literally breathe fresh air into your space.  Paint your walls one month and get a new desk the next. If you’re budgeting, earmark a small allowance each month (or every few months) to make the changes.

Creating a cozy home office doesn’t have to be expensive! Start slowly, be economical, and spend where you need to.  Over time you can transform your space into your dream office with useful and cool office supplies.  In no time, you’ll have a space that reflects your taste and allows you to work in peace.

At HireMyMom we want to help our Mom Professionals succeed at home and in business. We have a supportive community of Mom Professionals as well as great work from home jobs posted by small businesses around the country! Learn more about HireMyMom and how you can join a supportive faith-based community of Mom Professionals!

YES! Tell me more!

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June 11, 2018 0 Comments

3 Challenges with Working From Home – and How to Solve Them

Working from home has many benefits, from more time and flexibility to a non-existent commute.  Although it’s mainly a positive experience for most, there can be challenges involved, especially in the beginning.

Check out this week’s blog for some tips on working through those challenges successfully.

Kids or Family

While kid, family, pet and friend time can be a huge bonus to a more flexible job, they can also require a lot of time.  Sometimes you’ll need to have focused work time, meetings or conference calls that demand your attention.

For your kids, ask your mom friends or moms in your groups if there are any play groups during the day.  You can exchange playdates while other moms need to get things done as well.

You can also take your work outside! Since most home-based jobs involve only a computer, you can bring your office with you.  Take your kids or the dogs to a park while you work.

Distractions

Distractions are part of every job, but can be even more prevalent at home.  Between the aforementioned family members and dogs, there’s postal deliveries, homes to be cleaned, and TV shows that can be a little too tempting. If you struggle at all with independent work, it can be even more challenging.

Instead of eliminating these things entirely, give yourself breaks to do what you’re tempted to do during work time, such as watch a TV show, put in a load of laundry, or start dinner.

Your distractions can become a healthy part of your life, as long as you work to manage them while still getting things done.  Create a schedule that allows time for the extras or “distracting” parts of your day while still completing your work.

Socialization

One of the first concerns when accepting a work from home job is the possibility of isolation. Whether you have kids or not, it can still be lonely to not work out of a traditional office.

To combat this, it’s important that social interaction remain part of your life.  Can you plan to work with a friend at a coffee shop? What about a weekly happy hour date with a friend or family member?

If you can, look into co-working spaces and spend a few mornings or afternoons working from Starbucks.  Even though you might not be working with anyone else, the energy from others, as well as social interaction, will help you feel a bit more normal.

Also, if it’s possible in your situation, be sure to meet up with your co-workers from time to time.  If you aren’t local to each other, schedule frequent Skype dates. Video conferencing can still feel like an in-person conversation much more than the phone!

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