Category: Working Parents

Going out into the job market can be a frightening experience.

Who’s hiring? What kind of jobs are you qualified for? What do you want to do?

Thankfully, it can be easier than you would imagine to find your perfect job.

Use these ten tips to help you get into the career of your dreams.

1. Know What You Want

The best advice to find your perfect job is to really know what you want. Not just what you want from a job, but from everything.

Do you want to travel? Start a family? Work remotely?

By setting out what you’re looking for in life you can eliminate fields that don’t allow you to pursue it. Listing out the things you’re passionate about is another great way to find things you would enjoy doing.

2. Research, Research, Research to Find Your Perfect Job

Once you know what you want, find a field that fits. Look at reports of working conditions, pay, work-life balance and as many other factors as you can.

To find your perfect job you need to know exactly what a potential position is going to be. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you take a new job and discover that the work isn’t what you expected.

3. Play to Your Strengths

Everyone has things they’re good at. The best way to find your perfect job is to make a list of your strengths and compare them to the things you want from life.

Tally up all the certifications, degrees and professional accomplishments you have. These can help you determine what kinds of positions you’re qualified for.

Once you’ve figured out what you want and what you can do you’re perfectly prepared to identify careers and fields that would fit your needs.

4. Never Stop Learning

The job market is changing faster than ever before. New technologies are constantly disrupting decades-old fields and making entire career categories obsolete.

Constantly seeking out new knowledge and skills is the best way to ensure lifelong success. Keep an eye out for new developments in your field and always try to find ways to develop.

If you’re trying to find your perfect job, identify someone who you look up to in that field. Find out what kinds of skills they have, the techniques and tools they use and learn to use them yourself.

As an added bonus, most successful companies love employees who constantly want to learn and improve.

5. Don’t Get Overwhelmed With Choices

If you want to change career fields or are just starting out it can seem like there are limitless possibilities. For a lot of people, this isn’t always a good thing.

Having too many choices available to you can make it seem impossible to make a decision. What if you make the wrong choice?

Try to narrow down your search as quickly as you can. You know what kind of life you want to lead and what your strengths are. That should give you a pretty good idea what kind of careers you want to pursue.

6. But Don’t Lock Yourself In

Don’t get overwhelmed, but make sure you aren’t shutting yourself off from new opportunities. If you find something you really want to pursue you should consider it even if you aren’t 100% qualified for the position.

Balancing these two considerations is the best way to find your perfect job. You don’t want to spend too much time looking at possibilities but you definitely don’t want to pass up something you could excel at.

7. Polish Your Image

As sad as it sounds, to hiring managers and recruiters you are nothing but a resume and a LinkedIn page. Making sure these look their absolute best should be a top priority.

You should always keep your digital presence up to date and looking sharp. LinkedIn is the first place recruiters will look when searching for qualified candidates. If you haven’t added relevant experience you could be missed.

Hiring managers spend about six seconds looking at a resume. That’s how long you have to catch their interest with your resume. If writing isn’t your strong suit it can be worth every penny to hire a professional resume writer.

8. Network, Then Network Some More

It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of networking to your job hunt. Almost 70% of people who got a new job in 2016 had a connection at the company.

The old saying, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know has never been truer than today. You should take any chance you get to network with your peers or with thought leaders in a field you’re interested in.

If you can work remotely, coworking spaces can be a great place to network. You should definitely find out more about coworking if you never want to go to an office again.

9. Practice Your Interview Skills

Getting your resume read and receiving a call is just the first step in your quest to find your perfect job. Once you’re in you have to ace the interview.

Make sure you’re presentable, well spoken and have all your ducks in a row. Arrive early, but not too early. Research the company you’re applying to and find out what they’re looking for in candidates.

If you can, have a friend or even a professional give you a mock interview to test out your responses and reactions.

10. Know What You’re Worth

So you’ve been offered a position and are down to the brass tacks of pay and benefits. Receiving the compensation you deserve is just as important as finding the job.

Do as much research as you can before the meeting. Find out what the position you’re being offered is worth on an industry-wide basis. GlassDoor is a great resource for this.

Don’t be afraid to make a counteroffer. Hiring managers usually have the ability to work with you to an extent. Just make sure what you’re asking for isn’t unreasonable.

Remember to Breathe

Not getting a call from that perfect company or a second interview can feel like the end of the world. Always remember that even if you didn’t get the job there are hundreds more like it waiting for you.

You can learn more about work-life balance, working from home and finding your perfect job by checking out the easy-to-follow tips found here.

In her article entitled “The Toughest Job Of All Is Being A Working Mum“, Sophia Walker dedicates her piece to all working moms. Even having been successful in a competitive and tough business environment prior to becoming a mom, everything changed once that baby arrived.

If you’re nodding your head having had a similar experience perhaps a fashion makeover is not top of your priorities.

Wait just one moment? Making time for yourself is important to your wellbeing. If fashion was important to you prior to having a baby, it can still be part of your life.

Being a working mother means you have to learn new ways of working, new ways of maintaining relationships and new ways of looking after yourself. If being fashionable is one of your interests here are 8 fashion makeover tips for working mothers.

What Is a Fashion Makeover?

A fashion makeover can be everything from a profound re-styling experience with a professional image consultant to a simple change that makes a big difference to your appearance or how you feel.

People at work make conscious and unconscious judgments about you based on your appearance in the same way as they do about your handshake. As a working mother, you balance the need to dress appropriately for work and at the same time deal with the real challenges you have on your time. You want to look good, be in touch with trends and do it with the minimum of stress.

This article will focus on simple and small changes that make a big difference. There are ideas for one-off clothing items and beauty treatments too. Try some and you might enjoy the difference it makes to your life.

1. Tailored Blazer

Working mothers do all kinds of work. If your work involves being in an office environment there is little to compete with sharp tailoring for creating that professional confident image.

A tailored blazer that really fits well can be worn more frequently than you would wear a dress. Coordinate with several pairs of work pants to ring the color changes. Machine-washable materials mean that you can survive both work and travel grime as well as baby finger marks and worse.

2. Knee-High Boots

Sensible never looked so good. Knee-high boots are a great flexible addition to your wardrobe and give an outfit a whole new look.

When the season is colder and you want a comfort as well as stylish, look for a block heel and injected insole. They’re more comfortable and practical than a standard high heeled boot. The equestrian style always looks good with jeans but also works with dresses.

3. Denim Jacket

If you don’t have a Denim Jacket in your wardrobe, get one. How can you not have this iconic item in your collection? A casual jacket like this can change your whole look and it’s a fashion makeover all on its own.

Try it with a delicate dress or pretty skirt. It can create a tougher look instantly. Easily cleaned, looks better the more you wear it and a guarantee against frumpiness.

4. Get a Good Haircut

Have a chat with your stylist about what looks good on you but doesn’t take lots of time to style. A style that falls between your chin and shoulders is not too long to manage but can also be put back into a practical ponytail.

It’s time for a change but if your usual stylist is not coming up with the goods perhaps its time to change them. You want your stylist to put some creativity into this so tell them you want to have some fun with it, be fashionable but also have something that doesn’t become a daily problem.

5. Effortless Eyebrows

When do you have time to work on having perfect eyebrows every day? Eyebrows make a huge difference to your face. They frame your eyes and give expression to your smile.

Eyebrow microblading like that done by Tin & Lash forms long-lasting beautifully shaped eyebrows. It’s a cosmetic technique using micro-needles to create hair-like marks on your eyebrow area. It fades over time and this varies with your skin but they suggest 1.5 to 2 years is to be expected.

6. Lip Makeover

Are you using the best lipstick for creating that perfect pout? You can follow a multi-step process for moisturizing, concealing, lip lining, applying, retracing and glossing. But who’s got time for that kind of makeup fashion makeover?

Find a brighter shade of shimmering gloss and apply it to your lips to lighten up your face easily and create a plumber looking pout. Even a tinted lip balm can be a great way to moisturizing your lips and give them color while saving time too.

7. Moisturize

Good skin is always in fashion. Eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep is the best formula for great looking skin but as a working mom perhaps that is easier said than done. While you are working on getting your diet and sleep right, do moisturize your skin.

The range of moisturizing products is just bewildering. Do they work better the more expensive they are? You might be surprised with the results you can get with simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen.

Olive oil, coconut oil, and almond oil can all have enriching benefits as body moisturizers. Try a little in a small area and test the result. If you must use store-bought lotions and moisturizers use them after a shower when your skin is most able to absorb them.

8. L.B.D.

You are working mother and everything seems to have changed. One thing hasn’t changed. A little black dress looks great on you and it’s always in fashion.

Look for something with a little something distinctive about it. You need a little black dress for the office party, for a girls night out or even for dinner for two after the kids have been put to bed.

Rejuvenate Your Sense of Style

These tips for a fashion makeover are not revolutionary. They are small changes you can make that can have a big effect. Approaching your wardrobe and makeup decisions with this in mind and you can enjoy expressing your identity while juggling the demands of work and home.

For more ideas about expressing your sense of style as a working mother click here.

Teaching piano form home isn’t as hard as you may think. Even if you’re not an accomplished musician, you can easily line up a few students to start teaching. Plus, you get to work in the comfort of your own home.

This earns you a nice income of about $35.49 an hour.

You get to flaunt your skills while helping others and earning cash. What could be better than that?

And it’s easier than you think. Teaching piano from home requires little effort but comes with big rewards.

Ready to start making money? Here we go!

What You Need to Start Teaching Piano From Home

There isn’t much required to get started. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, this is a great way to work from home. Here’s what is needed.

Experience

This one is obvious but you don’t need to be classically trained to teach. If you start out by teaching little kids, there isn’t much experience needed.

You need to know how to read music and learn the basics. This can be easily researched on the internet.

A Piano

Another obvious one but sometimes people think keyboards will suffice. They don’t.

You need to teach your students how to get a feel for an actual piano. This will also allow them to start gaining strength in their fingers.

Training Books

These are good to keep on hand for both you and the students. You can lend it to them to study overnight so they’ll be prepared for the next day.

A Quiet Space

Your students will want a quiet place to practice. You don’t need a fancy studio as a guest room or a clean garage will work.

Chatalbash piano teachers created their own home studios to get the job done. This proves you don’t need to rent out a tiny apartment or music studio to get started.

Create a Business Plan

While you are teaching piano from home, it’s still good to write up a business plan. This will help you keep on track with your goals.

You’ll want to include your business concept. Are you set on teaching children or do you want college students?

What about your competition? You’ll need to know how many others are teaching piano as well. You’re not only competing against other at-home teachers but institutions too.

Set Up Payment Terms

You want to get paid for your hard work, right? The first mistake work-from-home people make is that they’re too flexible with getting paid.

You need to set strict payment guidelines to ensure you’re getting what you’re worth. You can have students pay for a group of lessons or on a weekly or monthly basis.

Don’t worry so much about pleasing the students with your pricing. If they want the best, they’ll pay for it.

Promote Your Business

You can’t get students by sitting at home hoping someone will come knocking on your door. Take your business to the streets by handing out flyers or putting an ad on social media.

Once you have a few students, don’t forget to book more lessons for them. That loyalty is what you’ll need to stay afloat. Don’t think of it as pressuring them; if they loved your teaching style, they’ll be more than happy to sign up again.

Wrapping Up

Teaching piano is a great and rewarding experience. And making a little cash on the side doesn’t hurt either.

You don’t need expensive equipment or years of knowledge. All it takes is willpower and ambition.

Looking for more ways to earn money while working from home? Check out our most recent blog posts!

If you’ve ever considered working towards your real estate license, you’re in good company. As of June 2017, there were a total of 415,458 real estate licensees, including brokers and salespeople.

Even if you don’t have prior experience in the field, a career in real estate is possible for anyone. It’s important to note, though, that passing the exam to get your real estate license does require work.

Choosing to invest the time in getting a real estate license could have a significant payoff for your future and the future of your family. Working in real estate offers many benefits, in addition to a fulfilling career.

Below, we’re reviewing the top reasons why getting your license to work in real estate is a worthwhile investment.

Read on to learn what you can get out of the job, and how becoming a real estate agent can benefit you and your family.

1. Get Access To MLS Deals With A Real Estate License

The ability to legitimately access your local Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is one of the biggest benefits to getting your real estate license.

If you’re interested in acquiring multiple properties or purchasing a rental property, this could be a huge asset to you. You won’t have to rely on an agent or Realtor to notify you about new deals because you’ll hear about them as soon as they are posted.

That will give you a competitive edge over others in your area who may be interested in similar properties, but don’t have a real estate license themselves. Rather than getting word of a good deal every few months, you’ll have access to all the local deals that are available.

You can make an offer as quickly as possible, and secure the perfect property or properties for your needs.

2. Flexible Income And Hours

While real estate can be a fulfilling career, you don’t have to work full time to make it worth it to get your license. If your goal is to earn a little extra income — rather than to support your family full time — real estate is a great way to accomplish that.

Once you have your license, you can choose how many listings you take on based on your income goals for that month. If you’re saving up for an expensive item or luxury vacation, you can list more houses. If you don’t have any pressing financial needs, you can take a month off.

How much you choose to work is entirely up to you, which also makes it a great career option for parents or anyone who wants flexibility during the day.

A career in real estate is not a 9-5, in the office kind of position. Your schedule will depend on your listings, and while it’s important to be available to your clients, you will still have time during the day to get other things done.

You can also choose to start smaller with fewer listings, and then scale up as you gain more experience and your client base grows.

3. Build Strong Community Relationships

Working as a real estate agent or broker is much more than a desk job. It requires you to be out in your community on a daily basis, which provides you with a great opportunity to make connections and build relationships.

Open houses will give you the chance to meet members of your own community, including your own neighbors and people who are new in town and looking for a home. Your success in real estate can depend a lot on client recommendations and word of mouth, so it’s important to build strong relationships whenever you can.

Networking events will also help you meet others in the real estate industry, who could learn from or potentially work with in the future.

Meeting more people can help you close more deals, but the benefits of being an active member of your community go far beyond business. Through your work in real estate, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know people you would never have met otherwise.

4. Make Dreams Come True

So many of us have the same goal for our career: we want to do something that can make a meaningful impact on another person. Working in real estate can empower you to do just that.

As a real estate agent or broker, you’ll have the opportunity to assist first time buyers, who have been working hard to find American dream homes for their families. You can develop a relationship with your clients that’s hard to find in other fields.

Once you get your real estate license and are working in the field, you’ll find that selling homes is about so much more than the commission. It’s about helping people find a place that’s theirs and making their dream of becoming a homeowner come true.

5. You Can Work Anywhere

Life is unpredictable, and it’s hard to know with certainty where you’re going to be in a year, or five or ten. That’s why a career in real estate is such a practical choice — it can be done anywhere.

Each state does have its own requirements that you’ll have to meet in order to get your real estate license, but once you’ve gotten your license in one state, you’re better prepared to work anywhere.

Working in real estate is also a great way to get to know a new area if you do move. You’ll quickly get a sense of different neighborhoods, and will have many opportunities to meet different people.

Want More Flexible Career Options?

Once you have your real estate license, there are lots of ways you can use it to design a flexible career for yourself and earn additional income for your family.

Having a job where you’re able to work when you want to can be extremely important, especially if you’re also trying to juggle the demands that come with being a busy parent.

For more information flexible ways that you can earn additional income for your family, please contact me at any time.

It can be a downer to have to leave some of your favorite jewelry pieces at home when you go to work every day.

Sometimes, we want to jazz up our style a little bit. Jewelry is always a great way to do that.

But, there are rules about how to wear jewelry at a workplace that can feel overwhelming. No one wants to break any of them, so it feels easier to go without than to take that risk. So, that beautiful pendant sits in your jewelry box all week instead of spicing up your outfit.

It doesn’t have to be that way!

Learning the best way to use your jewelry while at work isn’t hard. A few good tips, and you’ll stay professional and beautiful.

Tips on How to Wear Jewelry at Work

Know Your Workplace

Unless you work at home, you have to worry about your boss and co-workers.

Some companies are stricter than others. Some don’t allow jewelry at all. Whether it’s for safety reasons or for aesthetic reasons, it’s good to know what your environment is like before pulling out the biggest ring you own!

Take a good look around and get a general idea of how your boss and co-workers would react to you wearing your best jewelry. You could even ask them for their opinion. That way, you know for certain what’s acceptable and what’s not.

The Two Piece Rule

How much is too much? It’s hard to know when to stop. Is just one necklace okay? What if you want to put on an entire ensemble?

Whenever you aren’t certain how to wear jewelry at work, go with just two pieces! Any more and you might begin to look a little too flashy. You can’t go wrong with simple wedding rings and a matching set of earrings.

Less is More

You always want to remain professional and classy.

After all, you don’t want to have your clients think you are looking a little too dressed up. When choosing your jewelry pieces, make sure to pick things that are a bit more simple.

One bold piece can be a great choice. Put on too many, and it will begin to look out of place at a work environment.

A good way to make certain you are looking professionally appropriate is to stop at a mirror before heading out.

Take a good look and edit your wardrobe accordingly. Some people say it’s best to take off one accessory every time before going to work.

Don’t Forget Statement Earrings

These often-overlooked pieces are perfect for wearing at work.

They look stylish and clean.

Plus, they go with a variety of outfits and accent a number of fabulous accessories. They leave your hands-free, and won’t get caught on things as you try to do your job.

They also bring focus to your face so that you can bring extra emphasis to that winning smile of yours.

Tell us your favorite ways to keep your work outfits looking their best!