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May 9, 2024

Ensuring the Best Fit as a Job Seeker or Business Owner

 

Occasionally, both job seekers and employers jump into things a little too quickly — normally for similar reasons. Job seekers might be looking for a position as soon as possible, and employers are looking to fill empty spots as soon as possible. However, jumping on the very first thing that comes along for both parties can have some not-so-great consequences down the line. It is important that you find the right fit. There may be times where you’re just not certain whether or not a new position or employee is the best option, which is why it’s important to consider the following factors:

For Job Seekers, Identify Your Ideal Work Environment

When we say work environment, we aren’t talking about your home office setup. Instead, we mean that you need to consider what it is that makes a job great for you. Discovering your optimal remote work environment is a pivotal step in your job-seeking journey. Begin by reflecting on your work habits and preferences. Do you flourish with structured schedules, or are you seeking the flexibility to design your own day? 

Evaluate your ideal level of interaction with colleagues: Do you prefer a tightly knit team dynamic, or are you more productive with minimal oversight? Assessing these elements enables you to target positions that complement your personal working style. Additionally, delve into the company’s remote culture by examining its communication tools, team engagement practices, and support for remote employees. Seeking feedback from current or former employees can also provide invaluable insights into the day-to-day realities of remote work within the organization. 

Additionally, take time to write down a spectrum of how you view work, what are your favorite tasks and which ones are your least favorite that you never want to do again? This can also help refine your search to find something you enjoy doing. Keep in mind, you won’t absolutely love every aspect of your job. Maybe data entry isn’t your favorite, but you still have to enter your hours worked and what you did. As long as you love the other parts of your job, that can still be a good fit. It’s important to understand your work boundaries.

For Businesses, Craft the Perfect Job Description

How do you know what to look for in a job candidate? Start with the job description. It’s the first point of contact between your business and potential talent, making it essential to detail not just the role’s responsibilities but also the personality and skills ideal for your remote work culture. It also helps you focus your wants and needs.

Start by creating a list of everything your business needs help with. Separate these into categories — social media posts would fall under marketing, entering payables would fall under bookkeeping, and so on. From there, write down everything a person would do in a singular position; if you need someone to help with social media posts as a marketer, what do you expect them to do? Do they create a calendar? Create posts? Or do they just reply to comments?  This might sound time consuming, but it’s important to define the role so you know what you want and you can communicate what you expect to potential candidates. Once you have the role defined, it’s time to put it all together in a job description.

Emphasize the soft skills crucial for remote efficiency — like self-motivation, time management, and digital communication proficiency. Be explicit about what remote work at your company entails, including expectations around availability, digital proficiency, and any specific tools or platforms used regularly. Illustrate your company’s ethos and how it translates into a remote setting to attract individuals who resonate with your values and work style. This clarity not only attracts applicants who are more likely to be a good fit but also sets the stage for a transparent and productive relationship from the outset. Remember, the goal is not just to fill a vacancy but to integrate a new member who will thrive and contribute to the collective success of a remote team.

The Interview Process: Going Beyond the Resume

The interview process is where both parties merge what they are looking for; this time is for both job seekers and employers to ask questions. It is a good idea for everyone to show up with a list of questions. 

For job seekers, pull from the list you made of what you want to do in a position. Ask the company to paint a picture of what your day to day schedule will look like. Follow up on any vague areas in the job post that you noticed. Don’t be afraid to jump in at any point and ask questions. The more you know, the easier it will be for you to decide whether or not this position is a good fit for you.

For employers, arrive with a list of questions tailored to the specific candidate you are meeting with; ask them about past positions listed on their resume and follow up on areas in the cover letter that interested you. It’s always good to have a set framework of questions such as posing a particular issue your company has encountered and ask the candidates how they would tackle it. However, to best understand if this candidate will fit with your company, you need to make sure you’re asking them specific questions about their experiences.

Overall, the interview stage is a critical juncture where deeper insights into mutual compatibility emerge. For job seekers, this is your opportunity to illuminate your soft skills, demonstrate how you navigate challenges, and highlight your proficiency in a remote work setup. For businesses, the interview offers a window into a candidate’s adaptability, communication prowess, and ability to independently manage tasks. By prioritizing these interactions, both parties can gauge the potential for a successful and fulfilling professional relationship in a remote context.

Do you have tips to share on how to decide if something is a good fit for you? Share it with us and we will feature it in an upcoming blog!

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April 8, 2019 0 Comments

Behind the Scenes with HireMyMom Founder Lesley Pyle

Why did you become an entrepreneur?

I sometimes call myself an accidental entrepreneur because it was not in my original plans. However after having my first child, I desperately wanted to be at home with her. I had just finished my Master’s degree and had always dreamed of climbing the corporate ladder. But after having her, I wanted nothing more than to work from home and be able to be an integral part of her life. The most appealing part to me at the time was having freedom and flexibility in my day and that’s still a huge benefit all these years later!

 

What changes did you have to make start your entrepreneurial path?

When I first started out, I made the difficult decision to quit my full-time job which meant we needed to cut our living expenses significantly until I could get my freelance business going. We sold one car, got rid of cable TV and cut out every other bill we could. We ate more ramen noodles (hello cheap!) than I care to remember. It was rough getting started, but it gave me such drive to make sure I was successful. I knew if I wasn’t, then I would be forced to look for a job.

 

What has been the toughest aspect of being an Entrepreneur?

Going at it alone has been difficult at times. When you work for yourself, there’s no team members to turn to or bosses to teach you things you don’t know how to do. You are responsible for learning new skills, staying on top of new technologies, hiring the right people, and knowing when you may need to hire a coach to help you through some of the areas you are lacking in.

 

What advice would you give to someone who was thinking about transitioning into the entrepreneur life?

I would recommend really taking the time to discover what you are passionate about and what you are good at. Don’t just do something because you think you will make money. The honeymoon will be over on that before you know it. I believe you’ll have much more success doing what you love. Because then, it doesn’t feel like work, right?  I love what I do and I look forward to sitting down at my desk every day. Instead of looking at the clock 20 times a day wondering if its 5:00 yet, I look at it and think “oh no, I only have x more hours to work today”. That’s when you know you love what you do!

 

What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?

I love being creative and being in charge of my time and my future. I love setting new goals for myself and growing by learning new things. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love being able to pack a bag anytime you want and take your work on the road for as long as you want! Last year, my husband and I were able to take off for 10 days to Hawaii where one of our daughters was playing her last collegiate volleyball games of her career and we got to be there for those and to celebrate her on Senior Night! Priceless memories, and I probably would not have been able to do that if I worked a traditional job.

 

What book are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy because I need reminders that small choices day by day make huge differences in the future. So far, I’m loving it!

 

What does your daily routine look like?

I get up around 6am and have my coffee, prayer and Bible study time for about an hour to get myself focused in the right direction. Then I get my youngest up and ready for school. From there, I often work out for an hour, then head to my home office where I work until around 4pm when our youngest gets home from school. My work day includes writing, creating content, responding to customers, engaging with my community and working on daily goals.

 

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I am a first generation college student. I put myself through college with the help of loans, grants and the work study program. Upon graduation, I had a hard time getting my first job so I decided to look at scholarships for graduate school. I found the biggest one and figured I’d start with it. It was a full scholarship to study abroad in any country from Rotary International. To my surprise, I won the scholarship and attended the University of Stirling in Scotland where I received my Master’s in Marketing and Public Relations! That taught me that when God closes one door, there’s usually a bigger, better door waiting for you!

 

Have questions or want more information on HireMyMom? Contact us!

 

 

 

 

 

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August 10, 2017 0 Comments

4 Ways to Be a Successful Leader

Leadership is a hot topic these days, and if you’re a boss or manager, it’s very important to be the best leader possible. There’s something to be said for effective leadership – it produced happier, healthier employees, keeps retention rates high, and encourages your employers to work more effectively.

Although there are so many ways in which one can be a great leader, we’ve compiled some of our best, most effective ways to do so. Read along for our tips and advice to be a successful leader!

Listen

So many of us listen with the intent to respond, instead of listening for the sake of listening. Whether receiving a complaint, listening to a client issue, or simply discussing something mundane, it’s important to be a good listener as a leader.

When your employers feel heard, they’re more likely to keep you in the loop and trust you. According to a study by IBM, “83% of employees experienced a more positive work environment when they felt there was trust in their managers/organization.” It’s clear that trust is important, and listening is one way to gain and maintain trust within your organization.

Give Feedback

Whether positive or negative, feedback is highly important! If employees have no idea if they’re working effectively or not, they can’t improve very easily. You can give negative feedback in a positive, constructive way that shows your employees where they can improve. It’s never helpful to put employees down or compare employees to each other.

On the other side, employees need encouragement when they’re producing positive work and ideas. If no feedback is ever given in this space, they start to feel underappreciated. Take note of the work quality of your employees – the good and the bad. Speak up and help your employees improve or feel encouraged.

Lead by Example

Supervisors who are never around, behave inappropriately, or ask employees to do things they will not do are not successful leaders. It’s highly important that you lead by example in attitude, work effectiveness, and leadership ability.

If you hope to encourage a workplace that works in harmony and produces great work, it has to start with you. Your employees will feel far more inspired to bring their best to work when they see their leader as a beacon of example. When you also do what you’re asking them to do, you’re also seen as more fair, trustworthy, and hardworking.

Communicate

There’s nothing worse than a boss who doesn’t communicate! The work environment truly starts to suffer, morale is lowered, and business organization starts to drop. As a leader, you’re in charge and responsible, and this begins with communication.

Keep your employees in the loop when you won’t be available, communicate all kinds of feedback, and encourage effective meetings and conversations. When issues pop up with clients or products, take the time to communicate about them as soon as possible. Keeping tabs on all items and having those conversations will keep your business moving much more smoothly.

Being a successful leader takes a lot of vigilance and effort. It’s a fulfilling job that has the opportunity to bring out the best in your employees and business. Take the time to build up your skillset as a leader, and you’ll find that you have engaged employees who truly want to do great work for your company!

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