Tips For Finding Remote Job Opportunities As A SAHM
The modern world has continued to unravel a series of evolutions in different spheres of life. So many industries have undergone a massive overhaul regarding how things are done. Several things have been discontinued, while others have been refurbished. One such industry is the labour industry. The industry has gotten a facelift that has improved the relationship between employers and employees of labour. Employers can now procure services of labour, regardless of thousands of miles separating the parties. This is known as remote work.
This has brought ease to the industry, as this has helped cut costs for employers and offer comfort and relaxation to employees while working. This arrangement works in the favour of a lot of people, as it is becoming rapidly saturated.
Remote work is particularly advantageous for stay-at-home moms because they can earn a decent living from the comfort of their houses while managing the home. However, the competition in the remote sector is stiff, because a lot of people are angling for jobs.
Therefore, it is pertinent to stand out of the crowd to guarantee a (remote) job. This article will arm you with the information that will make you find your next remote job quicker than you expected.
Table of Contents
Preparing to find a remote job
Common mistakes while Job-hunting
How to boost your chances of landing a remote job
Top 12 sites to find a remote job
Preparing to find a Remote Job
Learn a skill and upskill: The basis of the labour market is the fact that something is being offered either services or goods. Having a skill is one step to employability. To begin the journey of finding a remote job, a skill must be learned. The labour industry is a broad one, and this offers a lot of liberty to job seekers. There are a plethora of fields to choose from and thousands of services to offer. However, some fields are more saturated than others. As a SAHM, you can learn and attain mastery of a lot of skills like virtual assistance, web development, content writing, Copywriting, Content marketing, Digital marketing, Tech Sales, Project management, Product management and a lot more.
It is not enough to just learn these skills. To remain relevant and more employable, you have to keep your foot in the door. You might have been out of the career scene for a while but you still need to know what is happening, take courses in your free time. It’s a lot of work but it’s not impossible work.
Revamp your resumé: A resumé serves the same purpose as a product label. We have at one point or the other purchased an item because the packing was shiny and colourful, therefore irresistible. Your resumé should possess this same quality—the ability to captivate at first glance. The crux of the matter isn't to colour your resumé but to meticulously craft one that stands you out of the competition.
Certain industries require several keywords in applications. If your resumé does not possess this, you have invariably lost the opportunity. A good way to prevent this pitfall is to thoroughly research your industry and identify best practices during applications. Use strong descriptive adjectives that put you in a good light and remember your skill raising your children, running your home are also transferable into the working environment.
Develop your online presence: Social Media is currently the rage of the moment. The advent of social media has made information transmissible in a matter of nanoseconds while reducing the distance between the next person to a mere click and prompt. A lot of people have learnt to use this to their advantage, to promote their businesses or services they offer. As a remote job seeker, an online presence would be instrumental in landing your first or next job.
Learn to put yourself out there. Create content around the things you do. You never can tell, your employer might be on your radar. There are a lot of social media platforms to choose from. It can be TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest etc. There's also professional media like LinkedIn that consists of professionals from all over the world. To be successful on each platform, you have to learn how it works: algorithms, metrics and the like.
Send cold emails: A cold email is an email sent to a receiver without prior contact, used to make enquiries, solicit for a job etc. It is one of the items of email marketing. Cold mailing requires several skills. The email had to get to the right person to get considered. You have to contact the hiring manager or the person directly in charge of the team you are looking to join. You can find the emails of some of the company staff on LinkedIn or their website.
When sending a cold email, you have to be concise and straight to the point. Use an email Subject that explicitly describes what you want. After you've sent the cold email without a reply, send a follow-up email reinforcing your interest.
Sample of a Cold Email
Email Subject: Experienced [job title] seeking opportunities at [company name]
Dear [hiring Manager's name],
I hope you are doing well.
My name is[mention your name]. I am reaching out to you to express my passion for joining your company as a[Job Title].
My [X] years of experience in [your industry] has enriched me with a broad understanding of [specific skills and expertise] to perform excellently. I have the conviction that my skills and experience in[mention specific skills, qualifications, achievements] make me the best fit for [company name].
I would appreciate the opportunity to contribute to [company name]'s success and equally collaborate with other talented members of the team. I have attached my resume and a link to my portfolio [link to your portfolio] for your review. It highlights all my achievements.
I would be thrilled to be given a chance to discuss potential opportunities further and learn more about [company name]'s goals and visions.
Please let me know if there is a convenient time for a call or if you prefer to arrange an in-person meeting.
Thank you for considering my application.
I look forward to the possibility of working together and contributing to [company name]'s continued success.
Sincerely,
[Your name],
[Contact information]
Volunteer/Intern: It is not enough to acquire knowledge of skills to get employed. A practical application of what has been learnt is what makes the difference. No one would employ you if you've only finished learning a skill without experience. To gain this experience, a volunteer work or internship would suffice. Reach out to companies in your field and offer your services for free. If you get lucky, you will be paid stipends from time to time. Use this opportunity to learn the ropes of the profession. You can look for internship/volunteer opportunities on LinkedIn. Connect with the people in your industry and pitch your services to them.
Create a portfolio: For you to get hired, the employer(s) have to see your skills in action. You can only convince people to employ you with what you've done. If you are a newbie, you have to spontaneously create works about your industry. When you have done this, cull them together. A collection of previous works is what is known as a portfolio. Some platforms are dedicated to creating portfolios eg: WordPress, Canva, Journo Portfolio, and Clippings.me, Adobe portfolio, Muck Rack etc.
Sign up on Freelance platforms: A freelancer is a person who works independently and on a short-term basis for employers. Most freelancers work remotely. There are so many platforms dedicated to freelancers that connect the freelancer and employer. To get started, you have to sign up on these freelance platforms. Some freelance platforms include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, Toogit, Toogle etc.
Common mistakes while Job-hunting
Untailored resumés/cover letters: Working in a particular industry comes with similar demands from most employers. However, job descriptions often have one or more things that differentiate them. For example, a person can be seeking to employ a writer in a specific niche with unique qualities. In this case, the Writer has to tailor their resumé to that niche in demand. Most job seekers often make the mistake of using their template resumés/cover letters to apply for jobs with specific demands, without tweaking them to fit that standard. Of course, your application would be rejected.
Applying for the wrong jobs with the right skills: You are probably unemployed because you've been applying for the wrong jobs with the right skills. This often happens when you gloss over job requirements hurriedly and turn in your application without a second thought. A job can have two different roles embedded in it. You can properly do one but not the other. In this case, do not bother applying, if you do not possess at least eighty per cent of the job requirements. Your ability to do a smaller part of the job is not enough to get you employed. To avoid this, thoroughly read job descriptions and requirements.
Failure to adhere to instructions: Some job advertisements come with specific instructions for application. It could be a particular format of submission, prompts to follow, or tasks to do. A good number of applicants often flout these instructions. This automatically earns you a rejection spot. To prevent this, go over the job ad at least twice. When you are about to submit your application, go over it once more and confirm that it tallies everything the requirements listed.
Dishonesty: It is difficult to not get desperate while seeking for job. Desperation can make you take the wrong approach. For instance, you've found your dream job, but you have insufficient years of experience required. You want to get this job and you end up falsifying your claims on your resumé. You will most likely get caught with a reference check. Be honest in your job applications. If your experience is insufficient, highlight your abilities in a captivating manner, in your resumé
Unpreparedness for interviews: Interviews are a crucial part of recruitment. At the interview stage, you will get to meet the hiring team or team lead of the department you're looking to join. Getting to the interview stage does not guarantee getting the job. Unpreparedness for the interview can prevent you from landing the job. Therefore, do not leave anything to chance. Prepare like you would for an examination, for interviews. Research the company and reach out to employees of the company. Most companies usually have standard interview tests peculiar to them. If possible, strive to get a hold of previous interview questions. Once you ace the interview stage, there's a ninety per cent chance you'll be hired.
How to Boost your chances of landing a remote job
Have the right skills: Every job requires certain skills. You'll land a job quicker than you can imagine when you have all it takes to do the job. Research the field you want to work in and all the skills required for it and constantly develop yourself.
Tailoring your resume: It is important to tailor your resumé to match the job requirements. Do not just apply for jobs blindly. Read the requirements thoroughly, then tweak your application to match the job description.
Strategic cold mailing: Cold emails sent randomly won't produce any results. Rather, research the company and reach out to people in specific departments that you're looking to work in. Use strong, descriptive language to highlight your skills and exude confidence. If you don't get a reply after one week, send a follow-up email.
Relevant work experience: The years of experience of a job seeker serve as proof of expertise. Having relevant work experience increases your chances of landing a job. You can gain experience through volunteering or internship.
Social Media Visibility: Social Media visibility can be instrumental to landing your dream job. Employers are on the constant lookout for talent on social media. If you are on social media and you create content around the things you do or your expertise, you will land a job in no time.
Networking: The importance of networking cannot be overemphasized while Job-hunting. Endeavour to join the community of professionals in your field. This way, you will build meaningful relationships and possibly get recommendations to your future employer. Do not be dormant in such associations. Take active steps to form relationships and exchange ideas. Through this, you'd boost your chances of getting a job.
Top 12 Sites To Find a Remote Job
There is an ever-increasing pool of job seekers. This further toughens the competition. It is not out of place to encounter multiple rejections. When this happens, do not give up. Make sure you have adequate skills and keep applying. Sooner or later, you will land that dream job of yours.
Get a FREE chapter of my book Free to fly: How to thrive as a stay-at-home mum here. You can also place your order Here
2023 Blog Report & Income report || Nigerian Mum Blog
- Our Instagram grew to 16,000+ followers.
- I was featured on the cover of Price Pally magazine. Coverrrrrr!! My first magazine feature.
- We organized another edition of Homeschooling Conversations.
- I traveled to Makurdi to do an offline workshop on Home education.
- We started averaging over 10k+/Month in blog views and grew to over 400k all-time views.
- Started Free homeschooling consultations and helped over 50 parents gain clarity on their homeschooling journey.
Review of my 2023 goals: Here's what I did with my goals for 2023
I am grateful for the goals unmet and the ones met. The reason they were unmet was I am still but one person and running a business, homeschooling, and trying to be a decent human is not for the faint of hearts.
This brings me to what my goal for 2024 will be REST! Like I am not setting any goals for 2024 honestly. I will rest from all my toiling, anxiety about making more money, trying to grow this business, and having an ambition. 2023 was really rough in that regard, emotionally and running to the next thing or trying to work on making the business work and then juggling that with Homeschooling phew, it was a lot.
How am I choosing to rest this year;
- I am not traveling with the kids this year (except I get a sponsorship)
- I am not paying for any course or product to help me "grow" and definitely no more ads class.
- I am not pursuing any ambition for this business.
- I will do whatever I want to do at my pace in terms of products and webinars that I really want to create.
- Above all trusting God with everything.
2023 Income report
Selar (Digital Products): N1.2Million
Ads: 30,000 I didn't actually keep track of what I made with ads but it wasn't alot.
2 things I did differently this year were run Facebook ads, the second thing I did was take a loan so I could use it as capital for my business. I didn't spend it all though, it wasn't a lot that I couldn't pay back so it was a good investment even if what I wanted to use it for didn't pan out like I wanted.
I would most likely make less money this 2024 because I don't want to grind but don't let me underestimate God. Lol. Anyhoos that's it,
I really do hope that my journey inspires someone out there.
P.S:
If you would like to work with me this year, either to review your product, advertise your product to my audience, review your kid's play place or your family-friendly country, etc. please send an email to thecuddleblog@gmail.com with the subject "Request for Media Kit"
Remote Job Opportunities For Stay-At-Home Mums
Remote Job Opportunities For Stay-At-Home Mums
Mothers who quit their jobs or businesses to care for their children full time, often wonder how best to keep themselves busy and distracted beyond chores and motherhood and equally have some financial safety net. The good news is, the 21st century has come with continuously evolving modernity and many perks that make life easier. Remote jobs are one of such perks. So many organizations are incorporating remote work options into their structure. Working remote jobs can be a huge breath of fresh air for SAHMs. It can add a little zag to their linear way of life and financial security.
Stay-at-home mums who want to develop a financial safety net can consider any of these 10 remote job opportunities that offer decent to high pay:
Transcription: This involves transforming audio or voice information to written format. This can be audio recordings, or podcasts You can start working with your phone if you don't have a laptop yet. A good listening skill is a huge requirement to be successful in transcription, as verbatim writing is mostly the goal here. Some skills needed for transcription are speed typing, accuracy, good spelling, grammar and punctuation, computer proficiency, strong concentration, and time management skills. Some companies that hire transcriptionists include: Go transcript, Transcription for Everyone, 3Play Media VoxTab, Scribie
The pay is average and you can earn as high as $20 per hour.
Data entry: Data entry is the process of automating data by inputting them into the computer. This could be financial reports or research data. Data entry is one of the most high in-demand remote skills. You would need to have some skills like meticulousness, research and data collection, time management etc. Understanding softwares like Excel, Google Sheets or LibreOffice Calc is equally important. You can find data entry jobs on Freelancer Jooble Upwork
Virtual assistance: A virtual assistant does the same job as an administrative assistant but through virtual media. Tons of people seek out virtual assistants every day to help them with mundane and even complex tasks. This could be replying emails, schedule management, file organization etc. Skills required are organization, time management, communication, critical thinking, writing, technical skills etc. Virtual assistant jobs can be found on Fiverr, Freelancer, Jooble, Flex jobs Upwork
Online Teacher/Tutor: Online tutoring is another lucrative venture. So many people now resort to online learning because of the flexibility and comfort it offers. You can teach virtually anything online, from educational courses, life hacks, do-it-yourself guides, and so forth. You can sign up on platforms like Chegg Study Skooli Tutor Point, Mathnasium, or start a YouTube channel. Either way, choose the method that suits you better.
Online Marketing: Marketing has long expanded from the typical brick-and-mortar style to various online formats. Having the passion to sell is not enough for marketing. You would need to take some courses to sharpen your skills. There are tons of platforms like Udemy, and Coursera that offer marketing courses. There are so many forms of marketing to choose from like digital marketing, content, social media marketing, and so forth.
Freelance writing: You can also make money from writing cool pieces for people. A good command of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and creativity are some of the things needed to start writing professionally. You can also improve your skills by taking professional courses. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Jooble offer a plethora of opportunities for freelancers and potential clients. Start by signing up, setting up your profile (with your rates included), and then pitch to clients.
Customer Support: This job involves processing complaints and issues related to products and services. A customer support specialist also provides clarity on the usage of products. You would need to have a good of customer service management and softwares like Trello,, Zendesk, Zoho Desk etc. Some soft skills required for the job are communication, problem solving, customer focus, time management, analytical skills, conflict resolution and empathy.
Content creation: Your creative abilities can earn you tons of money through content creation. Social media is the rave of the moment and various platforms reward ingenious creators by ad revenue sharing. You can choose to focus on one platform or create content across all the social media platforms, if you get the hang of all of it. You can start with mom content on TikTok or anything else you feel passionate about. It is important to study the any social media platform you want to work with and know the ropes of the metrics. It will be frustrating to create content people don't engage with.
Graphics Design: A graphics designer is a person who uses a computer software or hand to create designs, images or pictures for personal or commercial consumption.
Graphics designers create ad bills, magazine covers, brochures and other design requirements. If you decide to venture into graphics designing, you'd have to acquire the skills required for it and have a strong portfolio that will convince potential clients. You can find graphics design jobs on Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr
Web development: If you're on the techy side, you can consider web development. This is basically developing a website for the internet. A lot of technical skills are needed for web development. Aspiring web developers need to have skills in HTML/CSS, JavaScript, SEO and so forth. Check out courses for web developers like Coursera, Udemy, Hubspot etc.
The opportunities in the world are endless and you only have to be creative and go after what you want however it is important to note that if you are being realistic being a SAHM and combining work is just like moonlighting. Therefore, you should aim to make the most out of what you want to do. A friendly advice would be to pick niches in high demand, develop the skills needed, and search for jobs. You should also keep in mind that the job market is super competitive and jobs won't fall on a platter. Hence, go easy on yourself when your job search efforts are futile. Also, build an online presence. You never can tell, your dream job might come knocking on your door.
Get a FREE chapter of my book Free to fly: How to thrive as a stay-at-home mum here. You can also place your order Here
Time Management Tips For Stay-At-Home Mums
SAHMs spend a great deal of time mentally, physically and emotionally running the household. This leaves very little time for personal affairs. A repetitive cycle of household chores with no personal breaks may inadvertently lead to mental exhaustion or depression. Most SAHMs complain that they are almost always neck deep in home management, that they can't seem to find time for anything else. The solution lies in artfully balancing everything on your plate. How to find this balance is often where the problem lies.
Most people struggle with time management. It is a different kind of struggle for SAHMs, as it is easy to unintentionally get engrossed doing household chores. Time management involves a lot of commitment and discipline to enforce.
SAHMs can implement these tips to manage their time better.
Set a goal: To achieve anything, it is pertinent to have a goal to work with. Becoming a better time manager won't out rightly be easy. Achieving the set goal is easier, when broken down into milestones. You can start with milestones for three days or a week and gradually up it to a month.
Create and stick to a daily schedule: Schedules would help to keep you in check. Without them, you can end up being all over the place with nothing impactful happening. Start your day by outlining what you have to do, whether it's cooking or cleaning. List recurring tasks and add one-off tasks as they come. You can break them down in stick notes and place them where you can see them often, so acting haphazardly reduces to the barest minimum and you get to achieve so much.
Create a scale of preference: Most mothers tend to have a superhero complex, so they end up juggling a lot of things together. Putting activities or chores on a scale of preference would help you finish them faster and even achieve more than what you planned to do. Prioritize activities that have more importance. You can scale them by value, resources involved to carry them out or urgency.
Set logical time limits: Without restraints, spending too much time doing one thing becomes imminent. Logical time limits help to curtail impulsiveness, overperformance or underperformance. Use alarms, reminders or stick notes to help keep you on track. Here's a good hack to increase your speed: estimate the time it takes you to normally finish your chores, take 10 or 15 minutes away from the time and try to work with the remaining time. The end result s an increase in speed, which is a win for you.
Avoid multitasking: It can be tempting to do too many things at a time. Taking on too many tasks can cause extreme fatigue in the long run. Perform tasks that can be handled without tiring your body. Finish one task before moving on to the next. Even when you don't finish your tasks on time, don't beat yourself up. You are still human after all, not Robocop.
Deal with difficult tasks first: Difficult tasks can seem exhausting and scary at first. The best way to tackle them is to start with them first. Duties like this should be tackled first, in order to eliminate procrastination. Difficult tasks should top your scale of preference as they are often more important.
Work on similar tasks together: To avoid unnecessary repetition, work on similar tasks together. For instance: you have chores to do in the kitchen, finish up everything kitchen related before moving to the next task. This is another hack to finishing your chores faster.
Learn to shelve certain tasks: Certain tasks are unimportant in the grand scheme of your daily schedule. Learn to shelve them till the next day or when it's really important to do. If such tasks don't top your scale of preference, leave them till then when they are really important.
Create a break time: Being a stay-at-home mom, means the bulk of domestic work falls on you. Daily activities for mothers in this category tend to have a rinse and repeat pattern. They also tend to complain of fatigue quite often. Achieving a lot with your time will be a mirage if you're physically in bad shape. That is why taking intermittent breaks is really important. Periodic rests will make you rejuvenated and more efficient.
Have an accountability partner: Sometimes, self-will is not enough. So many people struggle with procrastination and often cannot get anything done. This is where getting someone who has your interest at heart, to hold you responsible comes in. Have someone you can report your daily progress and even relapses to.
Closing Thoughts
Becoming better at time management will not happen in one swoop. Like the good ol' saying, "practice makes perfect". Apply these tips over and again till the change you want to see starts happening. As a stay-at-home mom, always have it in mind that you deserve a life beyond chores and childcare. Build friendships, develop hobbies and have as much fun as you can.