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March 9, 2015 0 Comments

4 of the Best Web-Based Organizational Tools

Staying organized is at the top of the list for success in a home-based career. When you don’t have a typical office to report to, the organization of your day and work falls to you. Luckily there are numerous web-based organizational tools to help you succeed!

Utilizing project management and organizational tools may sound like more work at first, but once you have them in place, they truly keep you on task, allow you to remember everything, and simplify your life.

We’ve compiled some of the best, most well reviewed tools so you can focus on career success while having your organization covered. These tools help you to manage projects, life, and everything in between so that you don’t miss anything.

Trello

Trello is an effective tool that utilizes lists for project and task organization. It allows you to create master lists (Boards) and then tasks under your Boards to stay organized. On one screen, you can see the big picture of your projects within your projects, keeping priorities at the top. Trello is free, has a simple interface, and is intuitive to use. Click here to check out Trello.

Basecamp

Basecamp is another project management tool that works very well for individuals, companies and organizations. Since you can assign tasks and organizing within your organization, it’s perfect for those working from home within a company. Similar to Trello in using checklists, you can organize clients, projects, and assignments in a simplistic manner. Basecamp has a free trial then starts at $20/month.Click here to check out Basecamp.

Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, easy-to-use tool within Google. If you have a Google or Gmail account, you’re set! In Google Docs, you’ll find Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which allow you to create documents, spreadsheets, and details presentations. The best part of it all is that you can share your Docs with your company, clients or employers, and everyone can edit documents from their own computers. Google Docs automatically save, so you’re good to go as you work. Google Docs is free to use, and it’s a very easy way to keep important documents organized and easily shareable. Click here to check out Google Docs.

Dropbox

Dropbox has become very popular in recent years, and for good reason. It’s the perfect place to share, organize, and store online files, photos, videos, and so on. When you download Dropbox, you can keep the feed on your desktop, so when anyone from your team uploads a new file, you can access it instantly. Dropbox is also web-based, so you can login and access your files directly as well. It’s an easy way to free up space on your computer and share files easily without utilizing email. It keeps space clean and creates a central place to find any file. Click here to check out Dropbox.

The best way to stay on top of your to-do list for a successful home-based career is to stay organized with any one of a number of web-based organizational tools. These tools were developed to help you succeed!

Check out these other great articles about productivity / time management as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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March 2, 2015 0 Comments

3 Best Tips for Office Stress Relief

If you work in an office, you likely experience stress on a fairly normal basis! Working from home also brings another level of stress, since you have home items and a family to care for as well.
Finding ways to eliminate your worries and find office stress relief is very important to the health of you and your family. When you aren’t feeling well or you’re overwhelmed, it’s tough for you to be positive and helpful to others.

By acknowledging and taking action with the stress in your life, you’ll be better equipped to handle tough situations down the line. Take care of yourself with these tips for stress management in the office:

Natural Relief

There are a number of new, natural remedies for stress without the side effects or jitters. Bach’s Rescue Remedy comes in a dropper or in lozenge form, and it’s a homeopathic stress and anxiety remedy. This all-natural solution is become very popular, and many people report excellent benefits from using these remedies when stress hits. Another useful tool is to diffuse essential oils or something that smells pleasant, such as lavender, known for its calming properties . Chamomile tea is also very calming for the body and mind, and it’s a great way to boost energy midday.

Get Moving

Exercise has natural stress-reducing benefits that go well beyond the calorie burn. When you work from home, some good ideas would be to sit or do crunches on an exercise ball, use a mini trampoline for breaks, or take a brief walk around the neighborhood. Another great idea is to do some stretches, as this relaxes the body on a deep level. If you’re feeling extra stressed and serious, dance it out! Dancing is a fun way to release tension, and when you’re in the privacy of your own home, you can truly dance like no one is watching.

Schedule It

Schedule a massage for yourself! If you don’t like massages, schedule another treatment or treat that will allow you to relax. Although it can be tough to get out of the office during the week, be sure that you’re giving yourself enough care and attention. When stress hits, we often cater to ourselves last to get it all done, but if you’re not happy or well, this isn’t ultimately helpful to others. Be kind and gentle to yourself – schedule something fun or relaxing every so often to keep yourself balanced and on the right track.

Check out these other great articles about stress relief as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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February 25, 2015 0 Comments

Network like a Pro: How to Make a Flawless First Impression

If you make your living doing freelance work, you understand the perks and drawbacks of such a lifestyle. You save money on gas and time spent on long commutes, and you can largely set your own schedule. But you are also responsible for finding new clients to keep business humming, which can be one of the toughest challenges. To maintain your work-from-home contract career, new business is a must.

So what’s one of the best ways to gain new contacts? Network like a pro! Here are three tips for making a strong first impression and upping the odds you’ll walk away from a networking event with new business.

Accessorize With Taste

Your appearance is what people notice first. While you may have a free-spirited sense of style at home, rein it in for cocktail hour with your peers. A flowing gypsy skirt and arms full of bangles may suit you well normally, but this laid-back look will paint you as flighty before you’ve even said hello. Instead, opt for subtle fashions and clean accessories. Think stud earrings, a delicate silver necklace and a sophisticated tote from a high-end brand.

Aim for Elegance, Not Attention

A tight-fitting outfit that hugs all your curves may get you some lasting glances at a nightclub, but it’ll just make people take you less seriously in a professional setting. You can (and should) still show a sense of style without looking like you want attention. Plunging necklines and short hemlines are a no-no, even if the event is set in the evening at a posh bar.

If you’re jonesing to wear black, your signature color, add some class and style with a jumpsuit. Something like this Dolman Jumpsuit by Feel the Piece is professional but youthful. Not feeling the jumpsuit? A dress is always a stellar choice. You can layer a Chevron Sheath Dress by The Limited with a well-tailored blazer and pumps for a fancier event or pair it with a soft cardigan and ballet flats for something more casual. You’ll exude taste and charm, without sacrificing modesty.
The most appealing part of your outfit? Your confidence. Throw your shoulders back, put a (genuine) smile on your face and be proud of the reputation you’re building.

Articulate Who You Are

Enough about your apparel; it’s time to talk about the other elements of nailing a first impression. You’d be surprised by how many common-sense rules many women forget when they enter a business setting. Give a strong handshake and make direct eye contact. Don’t forget to hand over a business card before saying goodbye to a new acquaintance. Another good tip is regarding something you may not usually think twice about, which is how you introduce yourself. Typically you say hi and state your name, right?

It’s been found that females often only say their first name, and do so in a long, drawn-out or even singsong manner. “Hi, I’m Liiiiiiila. This makes you seem juvenile and less intelligent. Instead, you should confidently state your first and last name. “Hi, I’m Lila Everson.” This will make you appear powerful and in control, and leave a more lasting impression on your new colleagues. And last, but not least, know how to communicate what you do. If someone asks about your business, be ready to concisely say, I facilitate relationships between children’s shoe-makers and department store buyers. Hemming and hawing is unpolished and unprofessional, and trying to be too clever with a response almost always backfires.

As you prepare for your next networking event, view it as a job interview. In a lot of ways, that’s exactly what it is. Be deliberate about the outfit and accessories you choose, work to project an air of confident approachability and remember the best practices of networking like stating your first and last name, keeping eye contact and quickly sharing the basis of your business. Network like a pro! You’ll not only feel much more assertive going into the event, but you’ll also impress your peers and increase your chances of gaining valuable contacts and new business.

Check out these other great articles about networking as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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February 23, 2015 0 Comments

The #1 Tip for Work-from-Home Moms

The #1 work from home success tip for home-based working moms is more like a tip for success in all areas of your life. You’ve likely heard the expression “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” It’s a common phrase that holds a lot of truth, especially when you have a home-based career.

Having a Plan

Having a plan in place when you work from home is the first step to success. Numerous people will wonder how you can get anything done at home, but you know that by planning, you have it all covered. Although working from home may seem like a simple way to pursue your career, it can be much tougher than a traditional office job!

First of all, just consider all the distractions. With everything that goes on in your home during the day, it’s easier to see why it’s difficult to stay on task and be productive. Distractions, sick kids and emergencies will happen, but the more organized you can be, the less those incidents will throw you off your schedule. Here are a few simple tips for making the most out of your home-based career planning.

Stay Consistent

Don’t simply write things down for a day or two – make it a part of your daily life. Get on a schedule that works for you! Maybe you’re better equipped to organize at 7:00 in the morning, or maybe you want to take a look at your whole day the night before. Whatever option you choose, get in the habit and make it work for you.

Write it Down

It’s not enough to mentally plan your day, week or month; you have to write it down. When you put the pen to paper (or cursor to document) and have it somewhere where you can see it, you’re far more likely to stick to the plan. Yes, it takes a few more minutes to do this, but think of all the time you’ll save by being more productive and not forgetting important tasks and items.

Get Back on Track

There will always be things that throw you off of your game, but it doesn’t need to completely derail your plans. Refer to your list and jump back in when everything becomes more manageable, and you’ll be even more glad that you took the time to write it down. By now, all you have to do is look at your list and jump into action. Having a solid plan in place truly makes everything easy and seamless when you’re in an environment that has the possibility to change constantly.

So, our #1 work from home success tip is to have a detailed, written plan and stick to it.

Check out these other great articles about tips for mom as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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February 17, 2015 0 Comments

3 Job Tips to Working from Home Online

Working from home online and telecommute type positions can be hard to find if you don’t know where or how to look. Fortunately though, searching for and locating work from home jobs doesn’t have to be impossible! With a few working from home online tips and tricks, you’ll be able to find legitimate home-based work in a short period of time. Here are a few great tips:

1. Use LinkedIn: LinkedIn is great for home-based work for a variety of reasons. First of all, it’s a great place to put in your profile that you are wanting to work from home online. Second, virtual jobs are often listed in the jobs section of LinkedIn. Third, there are numerous groups that feature telecommute jobs and opportunities. Simply search “telecommute” or “work from home” in groups, and you’ll be surprised to find a wide variety of jobs and group listings. It’s a great place to get connected with employers and others looking for home-based work. As always, it’s another positive way to use LinkedIn to build connections and find legitimate work.

2. Use the Right Words: When searching for work from home careers, people often assume that the positions will simply be hiding among the usual jobs; this is not always the case. You need to search with the right words! Use words such as “telecommute,” “virtual,” “from home,” “home office,” “remote,” or “home-based” after your industry of choice. For example, “social media telecommute” will give you more of what you’re looking for in terms of virtual work. When you use the right terms and do a little bit of digging, you’ll typically find numerous opportunities that may not be listed on other job sites.

3. Use HireMyMom.com: HireMyMom.com is the perfect place to search if you’re looking for work from home job and freelance opportunities. This is the point of the site, and we strongly value home-based careers. You’ll find hundreds of listings from reliable, legitimate organizations looking for virtual workers, and it’s easy to apply. Simply register at HireMyMom.com and begin your search! And you don’t have to be a mom to apply. The jobs are available for anyone with experience looking for a work from home job, which affords you more flexibility and freedom in your life.
As you can see working from home online doesn’t have to be a dream. You can start today finding that perfect home-based job you’ve always dreamed of!

Check out these other great articles about home-based jobs as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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February 10, 2015 0 Comments

5 Ways to Prepare for a Skype Interview

Skype is a major communication tool in our modern world, and it’s not any different in business. With more telecommute positions becoming available across the country and beyond, more and more employers are utilizing Skype interviews to keep low costs and increase the chances of finding a suitable job candidate, no matter the location.

While a Skype interview may be a bit less conventional, it’s still a crucial step in the job process. The next time your interview is over your webcam, utilize these Skype interviewing tips below to ensure success.

1. Dress to Impress: It’s not an official interview in an office, but it’s still an interview. By dressing like you’re going to a regular interview, you get yourself into that mindset. Additionally, the interviewer can see part of you, so it’s important to look your best. Dress for success! Wear your favorite interview outfit, even if you’re just taking the call in your spare bedroom. Take the time to make yourself look your best, since we often perform better that way.

2. Remove Background Clutter: Look around your interview room, make sure that you don’t have random clutter in the background. This does not look professional and may be distracting to your interviewer. Turn on your camera before the interview begins and make sure that all clutter is cleared from visible spaces.

3. Hire a Babysitter: If you’re at home with the kids all day, hire a babysitter during your interview time. It’s worth it from a time standpoint too, because you’ll need time before, during, and after the interview to debrief and get yourself situated to do a good job. It’s worth hiring a babysitter and eliminating any distractions from your kids to ensure a positive interview. You’ll know that your kids are being well cared for and have everything they need, versus rushing an interview to get back to them in the other room.

4. Step Away From the Noise: This should go without saying, but be sure to turn off all radios and televisions before your interview. We can’t always do anything about our neighbor cutting grass outside or any other noises from the outdoors, but we can eliminate them inside our homes. Do your best to choose the quietest room in your home and turn off anything that would make a noise; this includes your cell phone and any alarms or notifications on your computer. If you have pets, keep them outside during your interview, or ensure that you are far enough away from them to avoid barking or other noises.

5. Print Your Qualifications: Have you resume, notes, and any other qualifying documents ready to go. This is an important tip for any interview that does not take place in person, since you can reference these documents as you proceed. Since you’ll be on video, it will be difficult to be discreet and walk across the room to access your notes, so be sure to have them ready before the interview begins. Additionally, keep a pen and paper with you and let your interviewer know that you are taking notes at appropriate times.

You are sure to make an impression on your potential employer by utilizing all five Skype interviewing tips. Start here by checking out our current work from home job postings.

Check out these other great articles about interviewing tips as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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February 2, 2015 0 Comments

4 Secrets of the Most Successful Home-Based Workers

Whether you work from home or know someone who does, we all know home based workers who makes it look seamless! Success in a work from home position can be easier said than done, but with a few organizational and logistical shifts, you can create calm and productivity in your home-based career.

  • Focus: Focus is always #1 for a reason! Have a “to do” list, utilize a program such as Trello or Basecamp for task organization and checklists, and put everything into a daily calendar or schedule. Set your alarm for each task, and give each task a set period of time. To improve focus, take frequent stretching, exercise or snack breaks to keep yourself mentally sharp. When successful home-based workers are able to accomplish so much in a day, it’s because they give a lot of thought to their focus and how to eliminate the unnecessary.
  • Minimize Distractions: It can be tough to do in a home environment, but it’s entirely possible! When you work from home, not only do you have the computer and other work distractions, you have the distractions of home, family, pets, and so on. Set yourself up for success by creating a separate workspace or eliminating noise and distractions in your main living spaces. If you’re able to, get out of the house a few times per week to get away from home distractions. If you find that distractions are coming between you and your work, adjust your schedule around them to avoid losing time. You can truly accomplish so much in a home-based position, as you don’t have the typical office job distractions; you just have to prepare for it!
  • Prioritize: Successful home-based workers know how to prioritize everything in their lives. When you look at your list, it can be overwhelming to look at your day on paper, but it’s also incredibly helpful. Number your tasks by order of importance in order to complete the most crucial tasks first. Prioritizing your day can really make a difference in your productivity level, and successful work-from-home moms are incredibly productive!
  • Keep it Real: Treat working from home like a real, normal job with set hours and a professional set up. The most successful home-based workers don’t see their jobs as less important or less effective than a typical office job, so you shouldn’t either. While you have the advantage of working from the comfort of your home, treat your work assignments and daily work life as you would in a corporate office.

These four secrets of successful home based workers will make you become the envy of all your friends and family. Start applying these tips today.

Check out these other great articles about home-based business as a work from home professional. Also check out our home-based job descriptions and current job postings for mom professionals.

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January 22, 2015 0 Comments

Run Your Business Better: 5 Bookkeeping Tips for Work at Home Moms

If you wear the proverbial hats of mom and business owner, you’re already familiar with being pulled in numerous directions. And, if your business happens to be run out of your home, your situation can be even more complicated. Important papers can get lost (courtesy of the two-year-old with the big blue eyes), nerves can be worn thin and lines can become blurred between personal and business. In order to keep your business humming along and a decent-sized shred of your sanity, it’s imperative your financials are in order. Here are a few bookkeeping tips to making your home-based business thrive, so more time can be freed up to be spent as mom.

Track Your Accounting

First things first. If you’re not staying on top of your accounting, what are you waiting for? It takes some time to sit down and make entries, draw up invoices and set up a software system, but if not now, when? Disordered and mismanaged finances spell disaster for your business, so if you can spring for it, give QuickBooks for small business a try. If that expense isn’t in your budget, try a free system like GnuCash. Your first order of business is to get the system up and running so you can easily handle basic functions like entering debits and credits and creating invoices.

Invoice on Schedule

In your busy role as entrepreneur by day and 24/7 mom, it’s understandable that some tasks on your to-do list slide every now and again. Your five-year-old’s flu took precedence over everything, and your client’s major year-end project took priority after that. Life happens. But, whenever you’re able to, invoice right on schedule. A big mistake many female business owners make is letting this task take a backseat to other things. But, you won’t get paid if you don’t invoice, so this needs to be considered an ongoing, urgent action item.
Start preparing your invoice days (or even a week) before you plan to send them. Get them to your customers via mail and email if possible so you can ensure their receipt. If you’re not comfortable invoicing through your accounting software, there are multiple invoicing apps worth looking into (some of which are even free). Whichever way you go, do yourself a favor and bump this up on your list of to-dos.

Capitalize on the Cloud

In addition to enabling your accounting software to be accessible from anywhere, the cloud is your friend. One financial tip that can serve you well is to store a backup of all your company’s receipts and important documents in the cloud. This way you can access your data anywhere, even from your phone. Having physical backups, as well as Web-based backups, is one of the best ways to stay organized and be sure your valuable documents never get misplaced.

Pay and Be Paid

Since cash flow is important, you want to give customers every reason to pay you quickly. If you find yourself running into late payments from the same customers repeatedly, come up with an action plan for nixing this behavior in the future. Furthermore, make sure your invoices clearly offer simple ways to pay, like through PayPal or an app like Venmo. These also are easy and fast ways for you to pay your contractors, who will appreciate not having to wait for a paper check in the mail.

Get Cozy with a CPA

Last, but certainly not least, think of your taxes well in advance of tax season. Since you likely don’t have an accountant managing your bookkeeping, you might also think you can wing it with your taxes. But as the old adage goes, “don’t mess with the IRS.” Many CPAs will meet with you for free and offer advice about preparing for tax time, with the hope that you’ll use their services later. Once you find a CPA, you will be certain that you’re saving all necessary documents needed for tax time.

As a mom and business owner, you’re no stranger to hard work and sacrifice. Give yourself the ability to see the fruits of your labor by properly managing your bookkeeping from the get-go. By using these bookkeeping tips — tracking your accounting, invoicing on schedule, relying upon the cloud, making payments easy and meeting with a CPA — you’ll be well on your way to easy, breezy finances—and maybe even a little peace of mind too.

Check out these other great articles about business administration as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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January 19, 2015 0 Comments

4 Tips for Social Media Success

There’s a lot of talk about social media these days. Not only is it popular for personal use, but businesses are realizing the power and impact behind digital marketing. Despite the abundance of social media advertising information available, it can be hard to determine what you can do to leverage it for personal success.

In general, keeping social media current and frequently updated is key, especially if you hope to land a job in the digital marketing world. If not, it’s still important to keep your resume and work information current and your profiles professional.

  • For Facebook: Keep your info updated and professional. Did you know that you can add your past and current work experience to your profile? Beyond work, of course you can share personal information (that’s what Facebook is for!), but do your best to keep it as professional as possible and avoid photos and information that you wouldn’t want an employer to see.
  • For LinkedIn: This is your online resume, so take extra care to ensure it is current and written with quality. Use the personal Summary section to really shine, as it’s a great place to articulate what you bring to the table in paragraph format. LinkedIn is the ideal site to connect with influencers and decision-makers, so it’s crucial that your information is updated. For bonus points, update your LinkedIn profile with valuable, professional content daily or a few times per week.
  • For Twitter: If Twitter is applicable to a job you’re looking for, make sure you have a presence. If Twitter is of no interest to you, that’s still okay. It’s a great place to find out what is going on in the world through trending hashtags, and it’s another place to learn about companies and organizations. Most people only look to websites and Facebook for company information, but Twitter can give a truly unique insight. You can see how a company tweets and responds on Twitter, which is typically a good barometer of how they work offline.
  • For Google: Google and Google+ are rarely considered to be on the same level as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but they have their place. Google links your account to your Google+ profile and everything else you do on Google (Gmail, YouTube, etc.), so it’s important to have a presence. You can accumulate followers to share your posts and you can also follow other companies, people and organizations that interest you. Success with Google+ is an updated profile, using the +1 feature to show your appreciation for others’ content, and posting to your profile from time to time. Utilizing Google+ demonstrates a higher level of technological and social media knowledge that not everyone possesses.

Take the time to open these accounts and realize the power of social media advertising to gain that home-based job or more clients for your home-based business.

Check out these other great articles about marketing and social media as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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January 6, 2015 0 Comments

5 Tips For Your Best Resume

Resumes are the gateway to your new job! When applying for a home-based (or any) job, your resume is your first impression. You can make simple modifications to truly make your resume stand out while making yourself more appealing to the employer.

Follow the actionable tips below for writing a resume that shines above the rest:

  1. Highlight the Right Things: Resumes are typically a list of your job tasks, but that’s not all it should feature. Be sure to highlight your accomplishments and results from your job, not just what you did while employed. Always include numbers, statistics, and percentages when applicable, since that will function as proof of your ability to accomplish goals and projects. This is a bonus tweak that will take your resume from good to exceptional!
  2. Get Specific: Tailor every cover letter, resume and email to each one of your job applications. Yes, this takes more time, but it’s highly worth it! When you focus on each specific need and quality of the job posting and integrate it into your resume, you stand out. When you meet a specific criteria, use those exact words in your materials. It will show the employer that you pay attention and that the perfect employee is really out there!
  3. Be Honest: Of course you should never lie about past experience, but also be sure that you aren’t stretching the truth of your experience and accomplishments. You always want to make yourself sound great, but over-promising and stating that you can do things that you cannot will only land you in trouble later. It’s better to lack the skill in the beginning and be honest, since you can always learn new skills and improve yourself further.
  4. Stand Out: Are you creative? This is your time to show off! With new technology and programs, resumes aren’t all looking the same way anymore. From different shaped resumes to those that resemble Facebook profiles, there’s something for everyone. Especially when applying to creative-based positions, think outside the box and come up with something beyond the standard layout. This may not be needed for all industries, but if nothing else, you will certainly be remembered.
  5. Keep It Short and Sweet: Generally no more than two pages is just fine! You may have years and years of experience, but you must be concise. It’s tempting to think that a long resume equals better, but it’s often the opposite. Make your critical information easily visible and accessible, and remember to remove outdated and irrelevant job positions.

Resumes can be tough to perfect, but they’re so important! Making a solid first impression is crucial, and it will speak for you before you even have a chance to interview. Spend time on writing a resume now and your future job position will be that much easier to achieve.

Check out these other great articles about interviewing tips as a work from home professional. Also check out our current job postings for mom professionals.

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