Why 2017 is the Perfect Time to Start Working from Home

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If you ask 10 people what their ideal work set-up is, nine of them will probably say:"I wanna work from home!"  That's because nothing beats a morning commute that consists of walking from your bed to your makeshift office set up at the kitchen table.

I know this first hand, because for the past six months, this has been my reality.

On days that I work from home I always seem to have an extra pep in my step. Perhaps it's because I can take my time getting dressed since I don't have to worry about missing my train.

Or maybe it's because I don't have to spend 50 minutes crammed in the under ventilated and overcrowded New York City subway.

Whatever the reason is, on days I don't have to commute into the office, I'm always just a little less crabby than the days I do (which is a good thing for everyone).

According to a 2016 study done by Global Workplace Analytics, working from home (aka telecommuting or working remotely), is the goal for about 90% of U.S. employees - even if it's just a couple times a week.

Working from home has some major perks - like more control over your schedule, more time to spend with family, friends and self, and less money wasted on commuting (which is something I'm especially sensitive to since I spend about $300 per month on public transportation).

With all these benefits, it shouldn't be a surprise that so many people want out of the office.

The good news? It's never been easier to make the switch from an "in the office" to an "at home" employee. 

Here are four reasons now is the perfect time for you to consider making the switch to telecommuter. 

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Four reasons now's the perfect time to start working from home

1. Companies Know They Need to Remain Competitive

Rewind five to six years ago and working from home (and any other flexible work arrangement) was considered an "above and beyond" perk and employers could get away with not offering it to their employees. This was at the time the U.S. economy was still reeling from the Great Recession and you were probably so happy to have a job, you weren't in a position to negotiate extras for yourself like being able to work one, two or all five days a week from home.

Fast forward back to today and things are completely different. The economy is getting back on its feet and millennials have taken over the workforce. The vibes have shifted and people aren't afraid to stand up for themselves and demand work arrangements that integrate seamlessly into their lives. Companies know this and have realized that in order to attract and retain high achieving and ambitious people, they'll need to offer appealing benefits - like the flexibility to work from home.

2. Technology Can Easily Support Teams With Remote Workers

I currently work on a team with six people - four in NYC, one person in Colorado and two people in the UK. Even though our team is spread across different geographies and time zones, we're still able to communicate with each other using a WiFi connection, laptop and cloud based apps. 

As long as employers are ready to commit to supporting employees who want to work from home, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of collaboration and communication tools specifically designed for seamless coordination of team deliverables - no matter where individuals are located. The idea that "it's just not possible" is so 2007.

3. Research Supports the Benefits to Employers of Remote Workers

As more companies embrace the idea of having flexible work arrangements, researchers have been coming out of the woodwork and identifying the many benefits of allowing employees to work from home.

When you work from home you'll find you feel more independent and satisfied with your job. And while that's good for you, working from home is also great for your company! When you work from home, you're more productive and less likely to resign.  Remember that the next time you raise the topic with your boss.

4. The Idea of Working from Home is No Longer Taboo 

Believe it or not, there was a time when working from home was a no-no. The assumption was that anyone looking to work from home did so, in order to slack off from work or find another job altogether. There's so many real life examples that show this is simply not true.

As more companies have begun to implement their own work from home policies and witnessed firsthand how much morale on their teams have grown, this line of thinking has dropped significantly. Think about it - if you had the freedom to work from whenever without someone breathing down your back to get things done, wouldn't that increase your contributions dramatically? Exactly.

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I created the 2017 Beginner's Work from Home Guide for people who are serious about transitioning to a work from home position this year. In this guide, I'll outline  the process for you to clarify why you want to work from home, identify your work from home goals and map out your immediate next steps.

Ready to take the leap? Click the image below to get started!

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8 Reasons You're Hearing Crickets After Submitting Your Resume

The job search process is tough. There's no point trying to sugar coat it.

You spend hours, days and sometimes weeks scouring the internet trying to find the right roles. You know the ones I'm talking about - the types of jobs where you'll be doing meaningful work for a company you respect, alongside smart and interesting people, while getting paid the salary you deserve.

And at the center of your job search is your resume. This single document is often what determines if you'll be invited to interview or not. So, of course you take the time to revise it. You include the right keywords, make sure your information is up to date and accurate and customize your resume for each job you're applying for.

But after applying for dozens (or even hundreds) of jobs online you haven't heard anything. Complete silence - and you have no clue what the issue is. Before you submit your resume to another job, read the eight mistakes you might be making that could be the reason why you're not hearing anything back. 

1. You've Got Spelling & Grammar Errors
The number one thing to check on your resume before clicking ‘submit’ is your spelling and grammar. It's important that you don't just rely on spell check to catch errors — you've got to read, re-read and then ask someone else to read your resume to make sure you've accounted for 100% of any errors. There's absolutely no valid excuse for having spelling mistakes on your resume and recruiters will file it in the "no way" category if they find one.

2. You're Not Using the Correct Tense (Past vs. Present)
If you're describing something on your resume that's happened in the past, use the past tense. If you're speaking about a current role and current accomplishments, use the present tense. It may seem like a small detail, but it's not. Recruiters and hiring managers take this as a sign of your attention to detail. If you couldn't take the time to check your tense, what else will you not take the time to check if you were hired for the job?

3. You're Resume is Not Clear
The key to a compelling resume is: Clarity. Your resume should clearly explain to the reader what you do, what you've accomplished, and why your skills are a good match for the role. If you're applying to be a project manager, make sure your experience in that field is explained on your resume. A rule of thumb is that your resume should focus on the job you want, not just the jobs you’ve had.

4. Don't Use "Smart" Words
Your resume is not the place to be extra. If you don’t normally use certain language, don't try to include the most “smart-sounding” words you can find. The goal of your resume is to show how your experiences make you qualified for the role you're applying for and you should be able to explain this in the simplest way possible. Using big words just for the sake of using them is unnecessary (and annoying).

5. Your Delivery Format is Off
Don't let the hours you've spent formatting your resume and getting the bullet points to line up perfectly so that your entire work history fits on one to two pages go to waste by sending it over as a Microsoft Word doc.. Unless the job application specifically asks for you to send your resume via Microsoft Word, don't. Instead send it in PDF format. This will ensure your beautiful formatting stays in tact and recruiters can skim through it easily.

6. You're Not Including Any Specific Numbers
You've got to solidify your accomplishments with facts and figures. Some recruiters prefer to see actual numbers (such as “increased revenue by $100,000”), while others prefer percentages (“cut spending costs by 10 percent”). Either way, be as specific as possible and provide enough information to show the impact of your achievements.

7. Your Resume Isn't Easily Readable
Making sure your resume is readable is an important final check before submitting it. Not only do recruiters want to ensure you have the skills and abilities they're looking for, but they also want to make sure you can communicate in a clear and accessible way. Get rid of  the clutter. Don't say in two pages what you can say in one. Don't use six bullet points, when four would be just fine.  Make sure to leave some white, blank space for ease of reading. You've got to make it easy for a recruiter or hiring manager to skim your resume and see key points.

8. Exaggerating Your Accomplishments
You may thing it's no big deal to tell little white lies when it comes to how much you actually contributed on a project or when it comes to your skills - but it actually isn't. As you proofread your resume, besides checking for obvious mistakes, you should also check for fibs and exaggerations. Recruiters are pros at spotting these and it can become apparent very quickly when someone's accomplishments don't match their years of experience or overall story.

The job search process is challenging enough, don't make it harder for yourself by starting off on the wrong foot. Although it's a lot of work, it's critical to take the time to make sure your resume is representing you in the best possible light. 

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Career Girl Spotlight: Jacqueline!

This week's career spotlight is shining bright on Jacqueline! She's the Beauty Editor at Yahoo and always knew she'd be doing something that allowed her to use both her passions - Fashion & Beauty and Writing. This is a good one - hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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1. In 140 characters or less, tell us what you do?

I am a Beauty Editor at Yahoo and through this digital platform, I create editorial news and feature content for the website.

2. What 3 words would you use to describe your career?

Fascinating. Empowering. Dynamic.

3. Did you always know this is what you’d be doing?

Growing up, I was addicted to reading magazines. I read the beauty and fashion pages of everything from Essence Magazine to Allure Magazine religiously. The walls of my childhood room were covered with sheets of my favorite glossy pages. I always had a feeling I would one day do something in a creative field and I hoped that I could somehow marry my passion for fashion and beauty with writing. After doing some research, I learned that I probably would need to study journalism or communications, and that's exactly what I took up when I went to Hampton University. For the most part, I have stuck with this line of work every since.

4. What’s your big “why?" Why do you do what you do?

I do what I do because it lights my soul up to see women embrace and have fun with their beauty. Whether it's inner or outer beauty, it's something that should be celebrated. There are days when I'm writing about a cool new product that may help you step your routine up, or other days when I'm interviewing a young teenager about how she learned to love the skin she's in. Being given the power to share and report these kinds of stories is rewarding because they inspire others to think outside the box, try something new or become the best versions of themselves.

5. Tell us a little bit about your career journey?

I began my career at Essence Magazine as the editorial beauty assistant for the print magazine. In that position I was introduced to the beauty world and got to learn the ins and outs of one of the best teams in the industry at the time. I assisted a team of editors and did everything from grabbing lunch for my boss to writing my own monthly column. From there, I went on to work at Ebony Magazine. In this capacity, I wrote original monthly features, attended daily market events and coordinated photo shoots. After a couple of years at Ebony, I decided to go out on my own and freelance for different publications to expand my portfolio. I wrote digital features for amazing platforms such as Essence.com, Glamour.com, Allure.com, Teenvogue.com, Yahoo and Cosmopolitan.com,to name a few. I also did editorial consulting work with brands such as L'oreal, Walgreens and USA Today. I'd also started freelancing at Yahoo and after a year passed, I still really loved the work I was doing there. Next thing you know, the company brought me on as Beauty Editor.

6. What’s a typical day like for you?

There really isn't a typical day. Most mornings, I attempt to wake up around 5 or 6 a.m. to begin scanning the internet and watching the news to see what new beauty stories have developed overnight. During the day I work on beauty news and feature stories. Some days, I can be assigned up to 4-5 stories and other days I might just have one thorough news hit to work on. It really just depends on how much is going on. I also attend morning and evening events to learn about what's new or upcoming on the beauty front. Also, for New York Fashion Week, I usually interview key artists backstage to get recaps on the looks created for designer shows.

7. What advice would you give to women who have not yet found their “purpose” or are unsure what they want to do in their career?

I would say not to rush it. Let go and let God! Your time will come. In the meantime, work hard and keep being the best version of yourself. Eventually, your "purpose" will find you without you having to search for it.

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Thanks so much for sharing your career story with us, Jacqueline! It's refreshing to meet women who have taken control of their careers and tapped into what they love!

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Episode 14: How to Set Boundaries, Avoid Being a Workaholic and Still KILL IT at Work and Life!

Episode 14 of the Deeper than Work podcast is on FIRE with special guest host, Adunola Adeshola from employeeREDEFINED.com.

Adunola Adeshola is a career strategist who teaches young professionals how to transition from bored and frustrated to satisfied and fulfilled in their careers. 

In her signature program, careerREDEFINED, she helps her clients navigate their job hunt strategy so that they can land the positions they know they deserve. She also shares practical advice on how to take control of your career and life on her website, employeeREDEFINED.com. 

In her free time, you can find her in her kitchen trying out a new recipe she found somewhere online. 

In this episode, find out Adunola's 3 tips for setting boundaries at work to avoided getting overhwelmed. 

Career Girl Spotlight: Christel!

This interview with recruiter extraordinaire, Christel was definitely a fun one! You can tell how passionate she is about her job and how much pride she takes in what she does. Check out this week's career spotlight to find out why she loves her job!

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1. In 140 characters or less, tell us what you do?

I connect organizations with the best available talent in NYC. I’m like a matchmaker for employees and employers. I change lives; I am a recruiter.

2. What 3 words would you use to describe your career?

Matchmaker, career-consultant, opportunity

3. Did you always know this is what you’d be doing?

No, I actually did not know what I wanted to do at all! In college, I took several business courses to figure out my career path after graduation. It wasn’t until my senior year where I developed a strong interest in Human Resources, but more specifically Talent Acquisition; the thought of being able to help someone land their “dream job” really made me excited.

4. What’s your big “why”? Why do you do what you do?

I truly believe that the work I do as a recruiter has a significant impact in people's lives. To me, it's more than just making money and having a stable job, it's knowing that the work I do can change someone’s life.

I know that the long hours and effort I dedicate day in and day out will help a mother feed her kids, a student build their resume, a company meet deadlines, so on and so forth.

To me it's about the people and how I am able to help them.

5. Tell us a little bit about your career journey?

After graduation it was very hard for me to find a job. NYC is one of the most competitive job markets in the US. I had zero success with my job search for three months so I started looking into temporary employment – in my mind, this was a great way to earn money until my dream job came along, and it definitely was!

I connected with multiple staffing agencies and did countless short-term assignments that helped build my skills and my resume. I started a position with an insurance company that was supposed to be for a couple of months, but kept getting extended. This wasn’t what I wanted to do with my career, the money was great, but I was miserable every-single-day. Because I hated my job I continued to search and apply for jobs (while still working) I had several interviews with no success. One day I received a call from another company and I was super excited because the company seemed to have everything I wanted; I went through a very, very extensive interview process and ended-up not getting the job. I took this as a sign that I should probably stay where I was and so I did. I stayed there for an additional three months (at this point I was there for a total of one year) and noticed that it really was not the place for me.

One day I decided I could no longer continue working there so I sent a handwritten thank you note to those that interviewed me at the other company. After they received the thank you note they called me with an offer! I was so excited and accepted the job on the spot. Fast-forward three years later and I still think is one of the best decisions I made.  

6. What’s a typical day like for you?

My day starts at 7:15am and usually ends at 6:30/7pm. I have a set schedule on a daily basis which I try to follow as much as possible so that I can maximize my time. Throughout the day I recruit candidates, speak to clients, train new hires, hold meetings, client visits or lunches, many phone calls and emails, conduct interviews, check references and so much more.

7. What advice would you give to women who have not yet found their “purpose” or are unsure what they want to do in their career?

Keep going, don’t give up and definitely do not settle for a job that you are not passionate about. You will spend most of your lifetime at work, make it worth it. Just like dating, youwill know when you find the ONE.

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Thanks for sharing your story with us, Christel! Truly inspirational!

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