7 Companies Thatll Give You Serious Work FOMO

7 Companies Thatll Give You Serious Work FOMO I admit it I have a chronic case of company-lust.Its sort of like wanderlust, but for companies other than the one youre employed by. Despite having a full-time job Im over the moon about, Ive always had a weird fascination with those best places to work lists. Its almost a hobby to read about what makes other companies tick, from unique company cultures to learning what sets them apart in terms of career benefits.Whether youre actively job hunting right now or like me just have a curiosity about whether the grass really is greener at the office next door, this is the list for you. Here are seven companies weve got serious FOMO for1.TOMSFirst of all, they have a slide IN their headquarters. As in, a playground slide inside their office building, connecting the second floor to the first floor. Ive seen it (and ridden it) myself. If thats not enough for you, their mission is to, literally, help the worlds children one shoe at a time, and employees have the opportunity to join in on their giving trips around the world.2.REIThis is the brand thats been telling you to optoutside instead of hitting the mall. REI genuinely practices what they preach, closing for a paid holiday on Black Friday, working to make their buildings (both stores and offices) environmentally friendly, and encouraging employees to, literally, get outside. That happens through a paid sabbatical for employees whove worked there 15+ years, company discounts, and YAY days, a.k.a. one paid day off every six months to go you guessed it play outdoors.3.EllevestThis financial advising start-up welches started and is run by a woman, and literally lists a chocolate drawer and wine fridge as a work perk. Need I say more? Theres also unlimited vacation and the option for a flexible work schedule. I have no expertise or background in finance, and yet would love the chance to hang out in Ellevests office.4.Whole FoodsThe sense of community and steep discount on groceries (20%, even for part-timers) is what has me crossing my fingers for an opportunity to someday work at Whole Foods. A friend of mine took a standort at a local store fresh out of law school while awaiting her bar exam results and loved the work environment so much that she has kept her position part-time to this day, despite also working at a law firm full-time.5.LululemonIts more than than just stretchy yoga pants and sports bras, folks. At the core of Lululemons mission and manifesto is goal-setting and fulfilling your individual passion. The company encourages empowering yourself and others, as well as living a healthy lifestyle, and includes personal development training and free fitness classes as some of the employment benefits. I have yet to meet a Lululemon employee who isnt bursting with excitement for the companys brand and mission, which to me is a testament to a great company culture.6. AirbnbHow does an annual stipend of $2,000 for the sole purpose of travel ing sound? Air BnB employees are able to stay in an Airbnb listing anywhere in the world, and over at their U.S. headquarters, enjoy a healthy meal and snack program. Sign me up7.ClifBarAs a runner, I love their bars as pre-run fuel, but ClifBars ability to personify their feed your adventure tagline is pretty darn inspiring. From an onsite gym with a bouldering wall, a flexible work schedule, and a paid time off program that starts at 15 days, I cant imagine a better place to work. Oh, and did I mention you can bring your dog to work?Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer

What You Should Do to Find Out About Resume and Cover Letter Writing Tips Before Youre Left Behind

What You Should Do to Find Out About Resume and Cover Letter Writing Tips Before Youre Left Behind Resume and Cover Letter Writing Tips - the Conspiracy Writing and including a reference sheet with your resume is one method to demonstrate that youre fully prepared and prepared to join the work force. Maybe you have received resume writing instructions sooner or later in your training. To best resume and the way to present its a guide to. Checking out suitable examples about how to compose a resume is the very best method to obtain the understanding of how to put one together. Focus on what you could offer the company rather than what the company can provide you. So you must learn how to create the best letter that it is possible to send to the business and give good first effect about yourself. You must know how to generate the very best cover letter writing guide as youre in a position to deliver to the company and give great first impact about yourself, learn it here. Wh ich means that you need to understand how to generate the very best letter as possible deliver to the business and offer good first effect about yourself.A cover letter is potentially the most significant part the job application procedure. however, its frequently the most overlooked. A great cover letter isnt an overview of the resume in any way. It needs to complement you RESUME. Your absolutely free cover letter might be the kiss of death for your resume for many explanations. schriftart of Resume and Cover Letter Writing Tips Bear in mind that the more specifically it is possible to tailor your resume and cover letter to deal with the needs of the position, the better your odds of earning an interview. For grabbing the work opportunity, its crucial that you compose your letter accurately. 1 thing to keep in mind about resumes, nevertheless, is they must not be exceedingly long. Your resume is supposed to highlight you, and show your possible employer why you stick out fr om the rest of the applicants.

The Undisputed Truth About Volunteer Resume That the Experts Dont Want You to Hear

The Undisputed Truth About Volunteer Resume That the Experts Dont Want You to Hear Maybe you would like to help the disadvantaged. Volunteering allows you accessibility to a completely new group of fresh contacts in an industry that you need to construct your career in. It is hard to choose just one because each opportunity supplies a special experience. Otherwise, you probably should. Volunteering a couple of hours each week can supply you with social opportunities and a sense of fulfillment. Opt for an exciting place Since youre able to combine volunteering with your vacation, you may too pick a country at which you would really like to devote your vacation. Its important to set up your needs so that you can adjust your volunteer recruitment strategy accordingly. Acknowledging your volunteers efforts ought to be an important element of your program program. Targeted recruitment tends to be the very best approach to recruit volunteers if youre searching for volunteers wi th specific abilities or interests. Consequently, volunteer recruitment ought to be a focus for virtually any volunteer program. Volunteer positions are likewise bedrngnis guaranteed. As part of your programs planning procedure, you are going to want to fully grasp how your volunteers will allow you to accomplish your mission. Volunteers wish to play a major function in facilitating change. They perform a plethora of different activities, depending on the type of organization for which they are volunteering. Volunteer work doesnt necessarily need to be job related. Including your community-service work will help you distinguish yourself from the rest of the resumes and applicants out there. Being a coordinator may be a lifelong rewarding career, but sometimes it is advisable to start as a volunteer before you are able to get to a level in which you receive a salary for the job. What Does Volunteer Resume Mean? Volunteer work covers a vast range of activities and can vastly enhance your odds of receiving an interview for your perfect job if you learn how to put volunteer work on your resume in a means that shows your strengths, dedication and enthusiasm. It is all about helping people. Relevant volunteer work might be only the thing to capture that employers interest. So, you can want to look at leaving potentially-revealing volunteer work out. The Volunteer Resume Trap All volunteer work ought to be utilized to supplement your true work history when youre asking for a paid position. Start looking for groups who might be interested in your cause. Show off any appropriate experience on your resume so that you are able to portray yourself as the sort of candidate whod fit well in their culture of giving back to the community. It is a personal decision to include your volunteer work, and your decision may differ based on what you would like to highlight about yourself and where youre applying, says Sidon. You wind up sacrificing free time and i ndividual resources to do a very good deed. Theres nobody right approach to structure a resume. Resume examples without having to spend a dime will assist you in a step-by-step path of on tips about how to compose your resume. Your resume summary is an excellent place to indicate that youre a flexible kollektiv player whos ready to do whatever has to be carried out. Your profile summary needs to be simple to read. Volunteer Resume - the Conspiracy Volunteer managers basically are accountable for high-level or executive pursuits and spend the majority of their time planning, analyzing, and making decisions by themselves. Volunteers utilize active listening methods to counsel callers, interview potential customers and give suitable referrals. Volunteer work may be a great way to feature a selection of valuable skills like fundraising, community planning, patient care, or event administration. So ensure your Volunteer page is simple to discover on your site, as people are som ewhat more likely to eliminate interest should they need to dig around your site to find volunteer opportunities. A health assistants primary responsibility is to give patients with clinical and administrative support. Too many never create the telephone call that could change their lives since theyre not certain what will be expected of them, and theyre not certain if they have what it takes. When choosing a message, attempt to concentrate on why youre recruiting volunteers and what positions you need filled.

The Value and Importance of an Internship

The Value and Importance of an InternshipThe Value and Importance of an InternshipThe best part of an internship is that it teaches a young person about a specific industry and company. In high school, the only professional experience you might have had was washing dishes at the local diner. Other than visiting your parents at work, you probably had no idea what a real office environment was like. You were green, unseasoned, leid even remotely ready to wade into the real business world. An internship gives you an opportunity to learn the ropes in an environment where everyone knows youre new at this, and ideally theyll mentor you and give you a guiding hand. Expectations If youre lucky, your internship position will place you right at the heart of the action. If your goal is a career in public relations, you can watch employees hustle about, pitch their ideas, cold call the media, write press releases, brainstorm in meetings, and do so much mora. It can be like a front-row seat t o your potential future. Not only will you have an opportunity to watch and observe, but at some point, someone will give you a gentle push into the drivers seat. A good internship will give you hands-on experience withthe company. You might be able to try writing a press release or two on your own, or maybe to organize large press kits. You might even be entrusted with making an attempt at a media pitch call. These are all tasks you would have never had the opportunity to do in your dorm or inside the classroom. Knowledge Gained Youll probably go into your internship knowing nothing about public relations and leave feeling like you know everything. An internship can give you a well-rounded hands-on education that you wouldnt receive otherwise. Maybe you dont think too much about the future when youre in college. After serving an internship, you should be much more focused and motivated, as though someone gave you a crystal ball so youre now able to look directly into your futur e. An internship can show you what your life could be like after college, and that can be pretty inspiring. If You Hate Your Internship Unfortunately, sometimes it happens that the internship you were so hungry for turns out to be awful. Every student is different and has his own interests and goals. If you end up with an internship in a field that you dont love, thats OK. Youll still learn more about that field and youll know that its not something you want to pursue after graduation. Its better to find out now than later. Think of it this way youre spending time figuring out your future now so you dont have to waste time doing it after you graduate. You can turn this into a learning experience and still walk away with a great resume builder and professional contacts. And remember, people change jobs every three years on average, so you never know where these professional contacts will end up. Everyone has to start somewhere. When youre talking to successful people, youll fin d that many started with an internship.

Market Meltdown Change Your Job-Search Mindset

Market Meltdown Change Your Job-Search MindsetMarket Meltdown Change Your Job-Search MindsetMarket Meltdown Change Your Job-Search MindsetThe current economic meltdown is just the tip of a much larger iceberg that will have far reaching economic implications for all of us here in the U.S. Tens of thousands of layoffs in and beyond the financial industry will only be the start of more sober times as companies across the country will be forced to rethink their future hiring plans.One fact seems certain. All of these combined circumstances will have huge ramifications for job seekers. The failing economy and a constantly rising unemployment rate will require individuals to take a fresh approach to their job search.Referencing the most recent economic crisis, Neil McNulty, Principal Recruiter, McNulty Management Group states, The game has changed, but the rules remain the saatkorn now, more than ever, job seekers need to change their mindset from looking for openings to looking for oppor tunities. Opportunities are born out of crisis and chaos, and exist evenin the worst economy.This means that you, as a job seeker, must look beyond job postings and move into marketing yourself to the managers of the companies and organizations who are experiencing problems that you can solve. Heres how1. Change Your MindsetMove away from being a passive job seeker and toward being an active problem-solver. Dont just rely on the Internet to find job openings. Scour the marketplace to find the hidden jobs that arent advertised. Most jobs are not posted or advertised. The best jobs are often found through networking, word-of-mouth and informational interviews.2. Stop Thinking of Yourself as Just an Assortment of Job SkillsSee yourself as a product to package and market, and then create your own marketing campaign to find your desired job. This includes having a state-of-the-art resume and sharpening your interviewing skills.3. Sell ROIView yourself in terms of Return on Investment for an employer. See yourself as a mini-profit and loss center. Be prepared to demonstrate ways you have helped to positively impact the bottom line of your past or current employer. This means demonstrating ways youve helped make money or save money for an employer or clients. As employees, we all touch money. Some of us may be closer to it than others. Regardless, we must find ways to prove this in short sound bites when given the opportunity.Remember, its not about you, but about the organization itself. All communication with a prospective employer must answer the question, Whats in it for me (the employer)?The road ahead will be littered with casualties make no mistake about that. We could sit by and whine about the circumstances. We could wait for the government to initiate a bailout package that might somehow rescue the unemployed. Or, we could take charge of our own lives and power ourselves forward. Joseph P. Kennedy said many years ago, When the going gets tough, the tough ge t going. That statement is just as true today as it was then. Whether were employed or not, we all have this rocky, tough economy in common. We can respond as victims of the economy or we can get tough, and get going.

How to Tell Your Boss When You Have Burnout - The Muse

How to Tell Your Boss When You Have Burnout - The MuseHow to Tell Your Boss When You Have Burnout One day youre crushing it. Delivering projects, sharing big ideas in meetings, making things happen.Next thing you know, youre crushed. You feel lost, confused, and unable to find your way out. Youve completely lost your focus, and youre just so exhausted.Burnout generally happens after a prolonged spell of working as hard as you possibly can- either without being invested or engaged in the work (i.e., youre just calling it in) or because you intend to deliver above and beyond expectations. Both of these situations are problematic. Feeling like youre personally contributing, connecting with others, leveraging your creativity- or whatever your role means to you- is an anchor for the work you do. Its why you do what you do. Without personal meaning, youll departeure to wear down from relentlessly throwing yourself into the churn and pulse of things. You cant sustain this kind of disconnect ed, meaningless work for very long. If youve made it your mission to work as hard as you can to exceed the expectations of your role and your organization, youre bound to fall into the habit of doing your work to please everyone around you and eigenheit off all of their boxes. Always focusing on proving yourself and delivering in line with expectations will leave you struggling to keep up. Its exhausting.There are different strategies to deal with and move through burnout, but the healing process (because this does require healing) often starts with one thing- telling your boss. Yes, I know thats a scary prospect, but here are some ways to get yourself ready for the conversation and prepare you to take positive steps forward to get past this tumultuous time.1. Find a ConfidanteBefore talking with your boss, a great first step is to confide in a friend or speak with your partner or a family member about where you are and what youre feeling. The act of verbalizing whats happening, whi le difficult, is essential in starting to get the support you need.Without the care of people close to you, youll feel alone or anxious about dealing with it on your own. Just as Im sure youd want to help a friend or loved one, know that they want to be there for you too. Be brave, swallow any pride thats holding you back, and open up about your breakdown.2. Expect DiscomfortGoing into the meeting with your manager expecting it to be comfortable is unrealistic. Youre in an unfamiliar, unwanted place, but rather than taking your discomfort and using it as a reason bedrngnis to discuss your struggles, you should look at it as the exact reason why you do have to discuss it.You can set things up by framing it as a necessary conversation- I hope you know I wouldnt be bringing this to your attention unless it was necessary. Moreover, mentioning how hard the conversation is can be a useful way to call out the elephant in the room- This is really hard for me, but... or It feels really hard to even bring this up, but....3. Dont Problem SolveYou may be used to going to your boss with updates that prove your problem-solving skills, but this isnt that kind of issue. You dont have to have the fix. You dont have to find a way to cover your workload if youre going to be out of the office, and you dont even need to try and explain how you got to this point.Resist the temptation to offer a solution because you think itll make you look good to your manager. The only important thing right now is that you start the healing process. That begins when you allow yourself to be vulnerable when you approach your boss without all the answers. 4. Put Yourself FirstIf youre a high-achiever with inflexible personal standards, itll be hard for you to put your work responsibilities to one side and prioritize your mental health and well-being. But thats what you need to do to start moving through this.Go into the conversation knowing that, while your team will want to do what they can to supp ort you, your boss will likely need to prioritize the work to keep everything moving along. That means you can expect some difficult conversations where youre pulled between doing the right thing for you and the right thing for the work. So let me be clear once again- your primary responsibility is to know what you need to start healing, then make the decision to follow through.Listening to your body and hearing that voice inside that knows what you need means not sticking to your regular working hours out of a sense of duty if your boss seems reluctant to let you take a break from all work to recover. If time off isnt offered, be direct and ask for what you need- a regular work-from-home-day, two days off, maybe even an entire week out of the office. It may be tempting to offer up compromises until youre ready to be back in the office full swing, but thats only putting yourself at risk and delaying the healing. So if you truly need a full two days off with no email- make sure youre making that clear.In other words, trust yourself to make decisions that serve you well. And know this If youve been a hard worker and a diligent, productive employee and your company cares about your growth and success, it will find a way to understand- no matter how busy things are.Burnout can create a bubbling stew of emotion- feelings of not being good enough, like you should have been able to avoid it happening, that youll lose all the hard work youve put in or that people will judge you- and its sometimes hard to know which way is up. Your emotions can become unpredictable or erupt suddenly, especially when you start talking about where you are.But these emotions are a real part of what youre going through they arent your enemy. You might find tears welling up or your breath sticking in your chest as you try to find the right words. Thats OK. Emotion might not be a normal part of the workplace, but in this case, its to be expected. You dont need to stifle them or push them awa y in the interests of being professional.So take all the time that you need to breathe and steady yourself. If it helps to diffuse the drama, even call it out by saying This is an emotional thing for me or The emotion catches up with me sometimes.Its not your fault this happened and it can be a great learning experience, (believe me, I know), but you wont learn any lessons overnight. For now, all you have to do is take the best care of yourself that you can, and trust that this isnt how its going to be forever.

If you work from home, use these 12 crucial tips every day

If you work from home, use these 12 crucial tips every dayIf you work from home, use these 12 crucial tips every dayBefore Iretired at 35, I used to work from home in my boxer shorts. Okay, sometimes Id have a shirt, but the point is working out of a home sekretariat made all the difference in the world. It meant I could be ME.It meant that I could choose the perfect working environment for me.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraNo cubicle. No coworkers asking me questions and no overhearing conversations and other office chatter and general hum that permeates through typical office buildings.It was just me. Working from home. Getting my work done often in half the time it took when I worked in an office, which meant I had way more time for myself.Working from home was just straightwonderful.But, heres the thing Working from home is a privilege that requires additional responsibili ties. Just likebeing your own boss, it comes with it an additional layer of management that you need to carefully manage.Done wrong, you could end up getting fired and have a hard time finding a job replacement unless, of course, you have akiller resumeat the ready. You might also unintentionally limit your income and promotions.Take it from Chris who blogs atMoney Stir. Hes worked out of his home office for eight straight years, and here are the top 12 tips that hes learned over those years of working in peace and quiet.Use these 12 tips to succeed in your work from home job1 CommunicationWithout a doubt,communicationis the undercurrent in working from home successfully. Its kind of like how menschenwrdigs need air to breathe. If we dont communicate well, a work from home arrangement wont work.This idea is true with most jobs but becomes a top priority when working remotely. Thats because your primary connection with the company you work for and your co-workers is 100% through the digital space.If you dont get good at communicating over the internet, you will leave a path of confusion and frustration.Excellent communication isnt just about how much you communicate. It has more to do with being clear, concise, and direct.Over the years Ive focused onover-communication, which I think is a good thing at its core. But Im learning to write what I mean in fewer words, to make what Im trying to communicate easier to digest and understand.Great communication comes down to a few core principlesAsk the right questionsas early as possibleMake sure you understand each request or taskExplain complex problems for anyone to understand, regardless of their backgroundBe careful about what assumptions you makeTake an active role in whatever you touch2 Stay Organized and Work EfficientlyYou could be at the top of your field, but if you dont carefully manage your workday, you could fall flat on your face when working from home.Ive worked with well-intentioned individuals who st ruggle to get this right. They were smart and talented but had a hard time organizing their time when working through multiple priorities at home.Its aboutmaking order out of chaos. The better you become at what you do regularly, the more the company will go to you in solving those problems.Being organized means increased responsibilities and more tasks coming your way (and can anyone say cha-ching).This idea isnt about letting your employer putunrealistic expectationson your time its about increasing your work efficiency. In most work at home situations, no one is going to dictate your every move. You have to figure this out on your own.A few questions I like to ask myself to keep on trackAre my priorities for today and this week clear?Am I being blocked by anyone, and have I communicated this clearly to the correct people?Are the expectations of what I will accomplish with my time realistic?In regards to what I am working on what are the main risks? Have I communicated these risks clearly?As you can probably tell, being organized is highly coupled with communication. Both communication and organization depend on each other, and the more you can improve these skills, the more you will increase your value.If you want to excel at working from home, focus on your communication and organizational skills. Youll decimate your competition if you do.3 Honesty and TrustThere is an element of working from home that requires ahigher level of trust than working in an office. Though they cant see you, people still depend on you to get your job done.The more you can convince your co-workers that you know what you are doing, and are reliable in solving problems, the more you increase your value as a remote worker.Working out of your home office,your value should be evident through your day-to-day output. If the company you work for starts to wonder if you are working at all, that is a bad sign.Once you get to the point where people learn to rely upon you for high-value outp ut, they will start to give you the benefit of the doubt.When something takes you longer than expected, they assume this is because it is a more complex task than expected as opposed to questioning your abilities or work ethic.And I cant stress how important this is when working from home. When costs get tight, you dont want to be at the top of the list of people to be let go. Remember that in some organizations, out of sight, out of mind.Its easier for a company to fire remote employees than their in-office counterpartes. You can counteract this by being a necessary component on your team.4 Maintain Organic RelationshipsI was born an introvert and still very much associate with that. I suffer from social anxiety when Im in crowds of people I dont know very well.But even if you are an introvert like me, we all need human connection. When working from home, this becomes more vital. Building personal relationships is harder when you arent physically working with people.Creating an org anic connection with your co-workers is about team dynamics, and its tougher than you may think. Strong teams know each other well. The more you can identify a human behind a name, the more you can collaborate effectively with each other.There are several ways you can build strong personal connections when working from homeCompany ChatNot being able to walk up to someone and have a physical conversation means it is difficult in having more in-depth discussions. Email does notlage work great when theres a ton of back and forth.Chat software, likeSlack, helps solve this problem. It allows you to have private conversations with individuals, or have rooms dedicated to teams. It also provides a way of having lighter social conversations through general chat rooms. These can be fun and gives a break from the regular day-to-day conversations.Video ConferencingBeing able to see your coworkers regularly during meetings does a great job connecting with your coworkers on a personal level. You can see expressions, hear voices, and interact with people, not much different from what you would do in an office environment.If you work for a company that does not have this setup, I highly suggest you push them to implement video chat company-wide. Even if your company has a central office, they should be able to install a webcam so that you can be a part of meetings in the office. Google Hangouts andZoomare great options.You will want to have a decent web camera that produces a clear picture. Even if you dont end up doing video conferences, you will want to have a good headset or microphone, that will record your voice crisp and clear. It can be annoying to be on a call with someone who is talking, but no one can understand what they are saying. Did anyone hear what Chris said?Face-to-Face GatheringsSpending in-person time with your co-workers adds a human element that is hard to replicate when you are a digital nomad. Sharing meals, chatting over a beer, and attending conferen ces can do wonders in building a personal bond with your ansprechbar co-workers.The goal is not necessarily to become best friends with everyone at your company. But the more you can connect with others on a personal level, the more integrated you become into that company.If you work remotely for a company and dont do any of the above, I recommend you request these things. Otherwise, you are going to feel like you work on an island, and work depression can set in quickly.5 www Connection and ReliabilityWhen working from home,yourinternet connectionis your lifeline. When it goes down, you might be stuck. Without it, youre left sitting at your desk twiddling your thumbs.Ive worked with people who tend always to have some kind of internet issue. They either take forever downloading a large file (which wastes time), or their internet is not reliable, and they will frequently go offline.Besides slowing you down (literally), it doesnt put you in a positive light if you seem to have consta nt internet issues. Having a reliable internet connection is avital aspect of working from home.In addition to getting stable internet, spend extra money ($100-$300) on a reliable wireless router. The best routers are mostly set it up and forget about it and will work reliably for multiple years. The one I use has lasted over 3-years and is still going strong.I can even get a reliable internet connection from my front porchWhat if you are needed for a critical issue and end up losing the internet? Losing your internet connection can happen to anyone, but the more you can reduce this risk based on your internet provider and hardware, the less likely this will occur at the wrong time.6 Your Sleep Habits Are ImportantBeing at the top of your game means you need to prioritize your physical wellbeing, and that definitely includes sleep.If you are always dead tired when you work at home, you are going to find it challenging to focus on the problems at hand. You also might end up taking yo ur frustration out on your coworkers or managers, which is never a good thing.In my case, when my sleep schedule is not consistent or if Im having problems sleeping, my monitor feels like a gateway to hell. Words look like mush and issues seem impossible to solve.My comfortable work environment doesnt make this any easier. And, using smart phones and other digital devices makes getting sleep even tougher.From StatistaSave yourself pain and suffering by making sure you are performing at the top of your game. Figure out what sleep schedule works best for you and your family, and try to stick to it (during the weekdays at least).7WorkScheduleIn most cases, your remote employer will talk to you about the expectations on the hours you work, and just because you work from home, that doesnt mean you need to be always on.Whatever is decided and agreed upon, stick as closely to the plan as possible. And make sure you are keeping timezones in mind.If you are scheduled to start working at 8 AM MST, make sure you are online at that time, and not 815 AM. Keeping a regular schedule relates to building trust with your company.This idea might seem like a small issue, but its not good if your manager constantly wonders if youre actually in front of your computer. Coming across as flaky doesnt put you in a positive light.When you need to take off early, or take an extended lunch, make sure you communicate when you will be gone and about when you think you will be back. Its not about having people micromanage your time its to limit the possibility of someone looking for you and not being able to get a hold of you.Do this a few times, and people might start to wonder what you are really doing at home.8 DistractionsHave you ever tried to get work done with a small child yelling in your ear? Its not fun, and it is incredibly hard to focus. Lets face it For some of us, a remote job may not be as fun as it sounds.Having a distraction-free work at home environment will make your time more efficient. It also doesnt help your work at home position if your coworkers think that you spend most of your time watching kids at home.Luckily, my kids are older, and even when they are off from school, they keep themselves busy by playing outside or doing things on their own in our house.In the past, I was interviewing with a possible employer for a remote position. At the time, my youngest daughter would have these tantrum fits (she was four years old at the time).During this video interview, she would storm into my office and start wailing. Im convinced that part of the reason they didnt make me a job offer was that they were concerned I didnt have a place where I could work undistracted.9 Your Work Ethic CountsHaving a solid work ethic is required while working at home. Would you hire someone to do a job who you thought was lazy?Developing a driven work ethic takes time, and isnt going to form just because you are working from home magically. It helps if you like what you do, and have lots of experience. It also helps in thinking about what you areworking towards. Do you envision having this job long-term? Or are you pursuing financial independence?Like any job, some days you might find it hard to work. But if you have an end goal in mind, this can help you push forward.The goal is to work as hard as you can, to give you more options in the future. This goal might be more money, or the opportunity to switch to a different role that fits you better.10Home Office Optimizations MatterBeing able to work from your home office means that you candefine your work environment.Improve anything that will help make your day more enjoyable. For me, Ive grown to love working on Mac laptops, as Ive found them to be reliable and I dont have to worry about viruses (so Ive always requested a Mac work computer). I also like to use a standing desk, and have decent speakers where I can pump up the music and enjoy some Kendric Lamar.Anything that is going to make you fee l comfortable, relaxed (but not too relaxed), and helps you focus on solving problems, is money well spent. Some of these things you might have to cover out of your own pocket. But you wont know unless you askA crappy chair that gives you back pain is going to become a bigger problem over time. Solve these types of issues early, and your future self will thank you.More recently, Ive converted to a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, which has simplified my computer setup. I also have a USBC/Thunderbolt 3 doc that allows me to connect + charge my laptop with one cable to all of my workstation equipment monitors, ethernet, speakers, charging cables, etc.And for the love of God, please set up a computer backup solution There are online backup services you can use, or like me, you could purchase a computer backup drive that is compatible with your OS. I use a WD My Passport drive, and it works flawlessly with my setup. I dont have to think about it and know if I am connected to my workstation , everything is getting backed up regularly.11 Adjust and Contort All The TimeThere will be times when you will work on things that dont fill you with feelings of butterflies and rainbows. But remember, working from home means there are hundreds, if not thousands of people who would love to do what you are doing.Being a valuable remote employee means that you are willing to tackle things that make you uncomfortable, up to a certain point. If you push back on every task that is assigned to you because it doesnt fit with what you want to do, eventually your employer might decide they need to find someone who fits that role better.Dont underestimate the value of being a kick-ass problem solver. Learning new things, or tackling problems that make your insides squeal, can often have you learning much more than if you only stuck to what makes you comfortable.It takes skill and tact to understand what type of tasks to push back against so I would advise you to move forward carefully until you know your value and your strengths.12 Own Your MistakesRemember, life isnt about being perfect. When you make a mistake, own up to your part of the problem. Show your coworkers and managers how you are going to prevent this problem from happening again.Owning your mistakes not only is a good mentality to have in general, but it reflects how valuable of a remote employee you are.If you are continually looking for others to blame and playing the blame game whenever you can, this erodes how much people trust you. People will wonder if you are trying to cover your tracks and if you care about what happened.You might work alone in your home office, but you are still part of a team. Show that you are a team player and care about the results and effectiveness of the team above everything else.SummaryWorking from home is a tremendous opportunity. You have more freedom with your time, and the commute is fantastic.But just because you work in your home office, doesnt mean you can take it easy and watch Netflix all day. Taking your job seriously, and improving your communication and organizational skills, ensure that someone will most likely always be looking to add you to their team.This post was expertly written by Chris fromMoney Stirand was originally published onThe Money Mix. Hes a seasoned web developer who has worked out of his home office as a remote employee for the last 8+ years.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people