Four Tips for Balancing Work and Motherhood

It is no secret that being a working mom can be overwhelming. Children require so much time, attention, and guidance. Of course, there are certain obligations that must be fulfilled on the job as well. Employers generally understand your role as a parent, but their businesses must remain a top priority. While this can be a challenging situation, there is no need to panic. Here are four great ways to manage motherhood and a career.

Establish a Home Office

Working parents wear many hats. After a long day on the job, there are still bills to pay, meals to prepare, and activities to plan. Organization is necessary in order to properly mulit-task. A home office is a good way to manage the various aspects of your family from one location. You could also incorporate shelves and labeled filing cabinets.

Home Security Systems

Working parents do not have the benefit of staying behind to man the fort. This can be especially difficult for the moms of latchkey kids. While it is scary to consider all of the possible dangers, a Vancouver home security system offers protection in your absence. These professionals provide a wide range of security services to guard your family and possessions.

Utilize All Free Time

For working moms, there just never seems to be enough hours in the day. There are so many things to do from sunrise to sunset. Another helpful tip would be to take advantage of every, single free moment. Avoid separating the different areas in your life. There is no shame in using your lunch break to pay bills or finishing a work assignment in bed.

Ask for Help

Mothers also have a tendency to take on too much at once. Being Superwoman is a nice idea, but, unfortunately, she is not real. Try reaching out to those willing to help you, such as family and friends. It can make things so much easier in the long run. Today, more moms are juggling a family and career than any other time in history. In fact, it is so common that many career moms make it look rather easy. The reason for their success is not a huge mystery. It is quite possible to find balance and peace of mind. The key is to use every resource at your disposal. For example, Vivint in Durham NC are experts in the home security business. Relying on these resources is a decision that you will not regret.

What Single Mothers Need To Know About Conveyancing

What Single Mothers Need To Know About Conveyancing

Being a mother isn’t easy. Being a single mother, even tougher. Whatever the reasons may be for you having to raise your child or children on your own, the fact remains that you are now solely responsible for their wellbeing. A big part of this responsibility is deciding where to live. If you decide to move into a smaller home or move to a different city for a job or move across the country for a better education for your children, you’re going to need to use conveyancing services. When you do, the following are the three things you must keep in mind.

Get your quotes online:

24 x 7 access and saving on time and money. Yes, that’s what you’ll get when you start researching conveyancing quotes online. Not only will you not have to visit a physical location for every little detail, you’ll even find conveyancing quotes as low as ninety-eight pounds (plus tax). Just think of all the time and money you’ll save thanks to not having to run back and forth from your solicitor’s office. And if you don’t happen to have a computer or an internet connection at home, you can always go down to the local public library or use a friend’s computer.

Compare your conveyancing solicitor with others:

Before even starting the conveyancing process, you must compare your solicitor with others. conveyancing solicitor comparison is one of the most important steps in the whole process of moving. The best thing to do is to choose a conveyancing firm over a single solicitor. Why? Because you will have access to more resources than what a single solicitor can provide. Also, a single solicitor is possibly juggling many clients on their own and will not be able to answer any questions you have whenever you want. With a conveyancing company, especially those online, you can just send in your query and expect an answer within even 24 hours!

Ask for recommendations:

Moving house is easily one of the most harrowing experiences you will face in your life. To reduce the amount of stress involved in this process your conveyancing company or solicitor should be one who you can trust to work for your benefit. One of the best ways to find such conveyancing help is to ask around. You can ask your friends, your family, you acquaintances and pretty much any you know. A service that comes recommended is always a better choice than chancing upon a random service yourself.

Keep these three pointers in mind and you’re sure to have a smooth moving experience.

How To Improve Your Business In 5 Small Easy Steps

Whether you’ve been in business for one year or ten years, improvement should always be at the front of your mind. No business stays the same forever, either you’re on the way up or headed straight down. If you’ve recently found your business in static mode, these five small easy steps will help get you going in the right direction:

1. Set Goals

Every business has goals that pertain to sales targets and monthly revenue, however, it may be time to give them an update.

Start by examining your current income. If you’re hitting or exceeding your monthly goals, increase the target by 10 percent. Small increments work better than large increments because they are more realistic. Increasing your monthly revenue goals will also help with employee motivation.

2. Improve Online Marketing

No business can survive without an effective online marketing campaign. If you’ve recently put up a website for a business but did little to promote it, work on social media integration and search engine optimization. Because search engine optimization takes a specific skill set to master, hiring a professional may be your best option. OrangeSoda small business SEOservices are ideal for business owners who are looking for an affordable way to increase their online presence.

3. Monitor Business News

Whether you know it or not, events that happen around the world can have major impacts on your local business. It’s important to keep up with local, national and world news. Monitor and track events that may impact your suppliers, if any. Trends in the market may also have an impact on whether or not you can obtain financing in the future.

4. Keep Track of Your Financial Status

It’s very important that small business owners keep track of their income and expenses on a weekly basis. Losing track of your finances could mean the end to your business, and will make it much harder to file your taxes at the end of the year.

Many business owners find that hiring an accountant on a part time basis is essential to keep the business running, will help lower their levels of stress and will improve the overall efficiency of the company.

5. Improve Selling Skills

If you feel that your business has entered a static phase because you and your employees lack the selling skills to take your business to the next level, have your entire staff attend a paid training or purchase some documentation that can be looked over at work. Selling is the foundation of any business, and employees should complete training sessions at least once every six months.

While these five steps can help improve your business dramatically, everyday tasks such as opening the doors earlier, rearranging your displays or offering free coffee can also make a huge impact.

How-to revamp your resume after being a stay-at-home mom

After having a baby, the last thing on most mothers’ minds is getting their resume ready for the job market. After a few years, and a few more babies, returning to work becomes the last priority on the list. You can barely find time to take a shower and comb your hair while chasing after your little ones; never mind rewriting your resume. However, that will change.

The kids will each enter full-time school and your full house suddenly turns into a lonely place. For many moms, returning to work also becomes a financial necessity. The problem is – after staying home for several years, re-entering the job market is a daunting task.

Make no mistake, returning to work after maternity leave is not like any other job search. You are entering a career transition and you have to treat it like one. That means your resume will need a complete re-write to ensure you are in-line with career transition tactics.

We’ve broken down the resume writing process step-by-step to get your resume ready for the job market.

1. Value Statement

A value statement is the introduction of your resume. Here you will introduce your skillset to the hiring manager and tell them everything they want to know about you in order to convince them that you are qualified for the role. For a mom returning to work, it is important to mention your years of experience. You shouldn’t include the years that you’ve stayed at home, but if you had 9 years of professional experience prior to maternity leave, definitely make that clear.

2. Keywords

The keywords from your original resume definitely need to be updated. Industry buzzwords are constantly changing and you need to be up-to-date. If you are including outdated keywords and skills in your resume, the hiring manager will feel as though you are not ready to transition back into the workforce. A great way to find new buzzwords for your field and industry is by researching current job postings for the positions you are seeking. Review the job description as well as the requirements section and mimic the keywords.

3. Professional Experience

Do not use a skills-based functional resume. This is a popular tactic for many job seekers in career transition mode, however when it comes to stay-at-home moms, it is not effective. Many moms will refrain from using a chronological format because the hiring manager will clearly see that there is a gap in the work experience. Don’t shy away from letting the hiring manager know that you are returning to work after staying home with your kids. This is a completely normal and common situation in the job market, so you don’t need to hide it. At the beginning of your professional experience section, clearly state the time period that you have been on maternity leave. That will clear up any questions in the hiring manager’s mind as to why there is a gap in work experience.

4. Education

Depending on how many years you have spent at home, you may want to consider upgrading your skills before re-entering the job market. If you’ve recently completed certifications or courses, ensure to include them in your resume along with the dates. This will show the hiring manager that you have made an effort to upgrade your skills in preparation for returning to work.

5. Community Involvement

Though you may not have been employed in the last few years, that doesn’t mean you haven’t been working. Many moms are heavily involved with local organizations, fundraisers and school-related groups. Mention these positions in your community involvement section along with any notable achievements, such as event coordination or reaching fundraising goals.

Once you’ve got your resume ready for the job market, it is time to get your name out there. Begin networking with former colleagues, get yourself a profile on LinkedIn, and actively pursue job opportunities within your targeted field and industry.

About the Author

ResumeTarget.com provides professional resume writing services for clients of all career levels across North America. We are the only resume writing company that offers a professionally written resume coupled with the guidance of recruiters, to guarantee that your resume will get results. If you’re looking for guidance, submit your resume for a free review today.

Best Networking Practices for Busy Moms

You want to network more, you just can’t find the time. Between work, family and personal duties, there simply isn’t enough time in the day, right?

Networking is an important part of everyday life, whether it is socially or professionally. It is crucial to have a well-rounded group of connections and friends, but it takes time and diligence to do so. There are a number of ways to balance every aspect of your life while still making new connections and improving your overall network. It just takes a bit of creativity and skill.

Here are a few tips and tricks to expanding your network without sacrificing another part of your life:

Take Advantage of your Kids

Kids have an inherent advantage in the world of networking from the sheer amount of activates they participate in on a regular basis. From school to soccer practice to summer camps, the list never ends. Getting involved in these activities will expand your network exponentially while also giving you more time with your child. Join your local school board, or just volunteer to help with one of their practices. Those involved will be grateful for your service, and you might make a few friends in the process.

Get Closer With Existing Friends

One of the easiest ways to network is by simply gaining friends through friends. Have a dinner party one night and encourage your friends to invite someone else. See what clubs and networks they are already involved in and see if you can participate. The same goes with coworkers or extended family. The more you talk to them the better chance you have of finding that new niche of people. It’s like a pyramid scheme for networking.

Participate in Community Activities

Community activities are not only benefit those around you, they can also help you make new friends. Look for opportunities everywhere you go; there’s always a neighborhood organization or non-profit in need of help. The more you help, the better the networking will be. You’re bound to find some connections, even if you’re just going to a City Hall meeting.

Networking might be a daunting task, but it can be fun if you put your mind to it. At the end of the day, talking to people can be enjoyable in the short term and the long term. It will help you professionally and socially.

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Patrick Rafferty is a digital marketing specialist for Deborah Henson LLC, a law firm specializing in foster adoption.

How to Balance Work and Family While Working From Home

Being a mom is a stressful job. Being a working mom is even harder.

For some moms, working at home is the only way to overcome the hardships of parenting while still providing for their family. This can be difficult, though, as working from home creates an overlap between the family life and the professional one. It’s not impossible, though. Working from home while raising a family requires diligence, patience and above all, an abundance of planning.

Here are some tips for achieving success in both crucial areas in parenting:

Let go of the Guilt

Working parents often feel that they spend too much time in one area of their life while ignoring the area. This leads to the feeling of guilt, which can distract even the most diligent mom. Though it is important to have as well-balanced of a life as possible, this rarely happens, and it should never be a problem. Sometimes different aspects of life take priority, and when it happens you should embrace it. Think about the future, and how you can change this trend a week or a month from now.

Create a Family Calendar

It might seem impossible with a bunch of kids running around all over the place, but creating a calendar for the whole family is crucial. Sure, unexpected things pop up, and that can always be managed, but having the majority of your life planned out can streamline your life more than any single tool. Set a schedule for your kids during the week that gives you enough time to work alone, without any distractions. Your life will be better as a result.

Limit Distractions

This, more than anything, is easier said than done. Distractions are a part of life, and they are inevitable, but cutting down on them will increase your productivity and sanity. Some things you think might be important are actually time-wasters. Instead of going to the grocery store every night, make one big trip a week. Figure out a carpool schedule with friends and family, and teach your kids to be more independent (at a certain age, of course). The rest will fall into play.

Create Moments for Yourself

Me time is just as important as anything in your life. Even if it is just a long, hot bath at the end of the day, allotting a few minutes a day can do wonders for your psyche. If you get overwhelmed with something, find a good book to read, or just watch some mindless television for a few minutes.

No one said parenting was easy, especially with a job. But millions of parents do it every day. It’s stressful, it’s overwhelming, but it’s possible.  Give it a try.

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Patrick Rafferty is a digital marketing specialist for Deborah Henson LLC, a law firm specializing in foster adoption.