Jobs and Moms

Mom Returning to Work? Turn your Volunteer Work into Career Gold

A friend of mine has a notepad on her refrigerator that reads, "Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again!" Sound familiar? I am sure this is a common problem for many of you, especially during the first few months of the fall. Unfortunately, volunteering can sometimes be a double-edged sword for back-to-work moms. You'd like to be a good community citizen and you want to help out, but volunteering can turn into a time drain that prevents you from concentrating on job-search related activities. 

To help avoid the trap of either volunteering or concentrating on your back-to-work job search, I'd like to suggest that you instead consider doing "targeted volunteering" and instead of waiting for people to approach you about volunteer jobs you don't really want to do (i.e., chairing the bake sale committee), you proactively seek out challenging assignments with organizations that really interest you. You'll be happier; they'll benefit from your hard work; and in the process, you'll gain new skills, contacts and experiences to help bolster your resume when you're ready to return to work. Whether you're thinking of starting your own business or contemplating a return to the office, here are four ways to turn into a "career-smart" volunteer: 

1. Chair a committee for a professional association: One of my clients did this when she was trying to break into the field of training and development and within two years she was elected president of her local chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. She then used the contacts and skills gained from her volunteer experience as a springboard into her new business as a public speaking coach and trainer. 

2. Accept volunteer assignments with organizations that are aligned with your career interests: Thinking about becoming a teacher? Volunteer at your child's school and learn more about the day-to-day challenges of being a teacher. Interested in grant-writing? Seek out opportunities to write a grant for a local community agency. Find organizations where you can test out new skills and build up your resume.

3. Consider serving as president of your group: While it is always helpful to serve on the board, serving as president will bring you a special level of status and notice. As president of a volunteer organization you'll have opportunities to polish your management, public-speaking and long-range planning skills. This is a smart way to add relevant leadership skills to your resume without the pressures associated with a "real" full-time job. 

4. Join a non-profit board: Volunteer to serve on the board of directors of a high-profile organization. The people you'll meet will help broaden your sphere of knowledge and influence and you'll enhance your management skills at the same time.

Enjoy these tips? Take a look at our exclusive Back-to-Work Toolkit: A Guide for Comeback Moms, a course designed specifically for professional moms returning to work!!

Mom Returning to Work? How to Write Your Resume

Of all the steps in the job search process, putting together a resume seems to be the toughest obstacle for most return-to-work-moms. Writing resumes is a tough task for most people, but for stay-at-home-moms there are three nagging questions that make this task particularly difficult: 

1. How do I structure my resume so that my absence from the workplace is not the first thing employers will notice? 
2. How do I integrate volunteer experience into the resume so that the resume accurately reflects the skills I have gained while being a stay-at- home mom? 
3. How do I account for the time spent away from the workplace? 

Sound like familiar concerns? If so, read on… 

1. How do I structure my resume so that my absence from the workplace is not the first thing employers will notice? The vast majority of employers, and almost all recruiters, will tell you that they prefer to see resumes that are formatted in the traditional reverse chronological style (starting with your most recent position first). Unfortunately, this preference creates a real dilemma for women who have been out of the workplace for an extended period of time and don’t want “Homemaker” to be the first entry a potential employer reads. Consequently, if you have been out of work for at least a year, consider changing the format of your resume from a chronological style to a “hybrid” or “combination” format that blends the best of a chronological resume with the benefits of a functional resume. Basically, a combination resume starts off with a skills summary, followed by a section that highlights skill clusters, and concludes with a chronological section at the bottom of the resume that includes specifics about education, places of employment, job titles and dates of employment. Because combination resumes are accomplishment oriented, they are a great way to showcase your capabilities without drawing attention to the gaps in your work history. The skill clusters provide you with a structure that highlights your most relevant skills and accomplishments to the employer, while drawing emphasis away from dates and gaps in your work history. 

2. How do I integrate volunteer experience into the resume so that the resume accurately reflects the skills I have gained while being a stay-at-home mom? Volunteering may have provided you with credentials and accomplishments that are highly relevant to your career goals. Fortunately, by utilizing a combination resume, you can seamlessly weave your most relevant volunteer experience into the skill clusters area. For example, if one of your skill cluster areas is “sales”, you could include information about how you collected $10,000 from local merchants as part of a fund raising drive to benefit local literacy programs. If you want a position in corporate training, and one of your skill clusters is “public speaking”, you should include specifics about your experience as president of your local Toastmasters group. Remember, skills learned while volunteering are equally valuable as skills gained for paid employment. There is no need to distinguish between paid and unpaid work related skills on a resume. 

3. How do I account on the resume for the time spent away from the workplace?  A combination resume has room for both a skills section and a "work history" section that will show a brief chronological work history. This is the area where you will include a line about what you have been doing while you’ve been home. For example: 

 

• 1994-present Full time homemaker, PTA president, community volunteer 

 

While this particular entry is not going to win you any jobs, it will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the gap on your resume. Hopefully, by the time the employer reads down to this line, she/he will be so impressed with your skills and accomplishments, that the employment gap will be interpreted as just a minor distraction.

Enjoy this article?  We've got tons more tips in The Back-to-Work-Toolkit: A Guide for Comeback Moms

P.S. One of my favorite resources for back-to-work resumes is the book, Expert Resumes for People Returning to Work by Louise Kursmark and Wendy Enelow.

Mom Returning to Work? Put Your Fears to Rest

Are you a mom who thinks about returning to the workplace, but your plans stop short because of that little nagging voice in your head that says, “Who is going to want to hire me?” As a career consultant who has helped lots of moms get back to work, and as the author of the Back-to-Work-Toolkit: A Guide for Comeback Moms, I can assure you that there are plenty of employers who are very interested in speaking with you. Moms bring a level of maturity, work experience and stability that many employers find lacking in younger workers. As Hans Morris, chief financial officer of Citigroup Corporate and Investment Bank in New York stated in a NY Times article on February 12, 2006, “We’ve had women who were real leaders and demonstrated an ability to get things done but who have dropped out. It’s not that it would be nice to have them – it’s that we need them.” If you’re thinking about stepping back into the professional workplace, here are some strategies to help boost your confidence as you start down this road: 

Clarify your goals: As Yogi Berra once said, “If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” Once you are able to clarify your career goals you’ll find it easier to develop an action plan for success. Your goal should include a realistic target date for securing a job, as well as a specific industry and job function role. If you’re having difficulty deciding on a definitive job target, consider getting some assistance by either reading a great career book (such as Wishcraft by Barbara Sher or Finding Your Perfect Work by Paul and Sarah Edwards), attending a career workshop sponsored by your local YWCA or community college or getting some private sessions with a qualified career counselor. 

Separate fact from fiction: After you have a clear goal in mind, begin a fact-finding mission to help you separate the “myths” and “realities” of your situation. If you are feeling that your skills are outdated, talk to people in your industry to determine how to best improve your marketability. If you’re worried about age discrimination in the workplace, speak with friends who are actively employed to get their perspective on this issue. Identifying your concerns, and then taking proactive steps to address them, will enable you to focus on the steps needed to ensure an easier transition back to work. 

Focus on "Project Me:" Moms are great at doing for others. We bake the cupcakes, write out the party invitations and at the point that our children start the college search, we devoteg hours to helping them identify suitable schools, tour campuses and write college entrance essays. Doesn’t your future deserve that same level of care and attention? Build time into your schedule for the research, networking and administrative tasks needed for a successful job search. 

Don’t go it alone: Remember the excitement you felt when you and your friends discussed wedding plans? Sharing your thoughts with others gives you much needed support in times of transition. As a mom contemplating a return to the workplace, don’t try to tackle this transition without getting support. Enroll in a career workshop targeted to moms re-entering the workplace. If you can’t find a workshop in your area, talk to other moms and start a mini-support group on your own. 

Last, but certainly not least, be patient. Job search takes time under the best of circumstances, so be realistic in your expectations. Keep a sense of humor, stay committed, and step-by-step, you’ll reach your goal.

Enjoy these tips? Take a look at our exclusive Back-to-Work Toolkit: A Guide for Comeback Moms, a course designed exclusively for professional moms returning to work!!

How to Stay Career Ready While Staying Home with Children: 5 Tips for Success

Q.  Hi Nancy:

After trying to juggle both a full time career and being a mom, I have decided to quit my professional career and become a full-time Mom. As much as I feel that this is the right decision, I do worry about the impact of this on my career. I’ve heard such horror stories about Moms trying to re-enter the workforce. Am I right to be concerned or should I just relax and enjoy my children during the next several years?  -- A Faithful Fan

A.  Dear Faithful:

Would it help ease your fears to know that Sandra Day O’Connor, Meredith Viera and Nancy Pelosi all took time away from the workplace to be full-time mothers? Clearly, their careers didn’t suffer irreparable damage, and with some careful planning, neither should yours. 

That said, now is the time to prepare for your eventual return, even if you expect to be home for several years. (If you ever ride the underground rail system in London , a voice comes across the intercom at each stop urging you to “mind the gap” as you disembark; a useful warning as well for Moms who take time to step off the employment track). Here are five suggestions to keep you career market-ready while you are home full-time with your children: 

1. Use the time to explore new interests – Chances are the last time you got to choose your career direction was when you were a sophomore in college and you had to declare your major. Now, with many additional years of life and work experience behind you, your old career choice may no longer be your best option. Take advantage of this “break in service” to do some serious thinking about your future career direction. If ever you’re going to make a career change, now is the time to make a shift. 

GOAL: Attend a career workshop through your local continuing education program or community college. If none are convenient, take a look at some of the wonderful career exploration books available at your local library or sign-up for a few sessions with a qualified career counselor. The sooner you clarify your career direction, the easier it will be to build up the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to support your new goal. 

2. Maintain your network: Don’t allow “out-of-sight” to become “out-of-mind.” Your network of contacts will be the single most useful tool in your job search arsenal when you are ready to go back to work, so carefully nurture those relationships by making a concerted effort to stay in touch. 

GOAL: At least once a quarter, connect with your network of colleagues by sending an article, a quick note or an invitation for coffee or lunch. Once a year, send holiday cards to your entire rolodex of contacts. Even if you don’t go back into your old line of work, you’ll still want to be able to call upon these people for references and general networking assistance. 

3. Take courses: In today’s information-based economy, education must be an ongoing priority for people who expect to enjoy prosperous careers. Fortunately, the options for continuing adult education in today’s world are vast -- you can go to a traditional college, sign up for online courses, attend workshops/ conferences or study via a local continuing-ed program. 

GOAL: Make it a priority to learn at least one new technology-based skill and one new industry-related skill per year. 

4. Keep up to date with trade journals and association meetings: While we are on the subject of education, make sure you keep your skills fresh by reading trade journals or industry newsletters. 

GOAL: When you’re a year away from re-entering the workplace, make it a point to attend industry meetings so you can collect business cards, make new contacts and be up-to-date on the latest developments within your industry. Nothing beats good old fashioned face-to-face networking to maximize your job search efforts. 

5. Become a strategic volunteer: As a stay-at-home Mom you’ll be bombarded with requests for volunteer work (especially once your kids get to be school-aged). While volunteering is a noble task in and of itself, you can turn your volunteer assignments into a real win-win by strategically choosing assignments that complement your career goals and teach you valuable new skills. 

GOAL: Once a year, seek out a volunteer assignment that helps you to learn a new skill, allows you to impact the bottom line or in some way puts you into a high-visibility leadership role. Don’t be afraid to take chances and step out of your comfort zone! 

In summary, be proactive and you’ll be just fine. It doesn’t take long to become obsolete, but by keeping yourself at least partially connected to the business world, you’ll be able to quickly get your career back on track when you’re ready to re-board the employment train.

Mom Returning to Work? Tips for a Winning Job Interview

Job interviews are stressful enough, but they can be especially nerve-wracking for moms returning to work. If you’re a return-to-work-mom who has been worrying how you’re going to answer questions like “What have you been doing for the past eight years?” it’s time to stop the jitters and start getting prepared! Here are the three “mommy-track” questions you should be ready to answer: 

1. Why did you take time away from the workplace? Oh man, I love this question! I mean, really. Seriously, must we explain this?  Annoying or not, when asked about your decision to stay home with your children, it is critical to respond with an answer that is upbeat, positive, and does not contain even a hint, whiff or drop of sarcasm. Explain that you enjoyed the time at home and emphasize that you have gained valuable skills during this time period. Then deftly (and quickly) steer the focus of the discussion back to the job and your interest in the company. Whatever you do, don’t apologize for your decision or make excuses about why you didn’t return to work earlier. 

RATIONALE: If you feel good about the choice you made, the interviewer will appreciate your comfort and conviction. Employers want to hire people with positive attitudes who demonstrate confidence in their choices. 

2. Are you concerned about your skills being outdated? Although the interviewer will probably not use these exact words, it is what she/he is likely thinking, so be prepared for a question that addresses the rusty skill issue. Use this line of questioning as an opportunity to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and clearly understand the employer’s needs. For example you could say, “One of the reasons I was attracted to this position was because I understand you need somebody with strong fund raising skills. I was able to develop impressive fund-raising skills as the chairperson of the YWCA auction. Last year the auction Iraised $100,000 which was 25% greater than goal. Could you elaborate more on your specific fund raising goals for the coming year?” If you really don’t have the specific skill needed for the job, but it is one that you could quickly acquire, use an example from a previous job to demonstrate that you have a proven ability to quickly learn new skills. 

RATIONALE: It can be difficult for employers to get an accurate feel for the value of your “home-based” skills just by looking at your resume. By discussing specific initiatives you’ve taken to improve your skills, whether through volunteer work, courses or contract work, you help convey the impression that your skills are both relevant and up-to-date. 

3. Have you made arrangements for the care of your children? Although this is technically an illegal question and you would be entirely within your rights to refuse an answer, deflect the question skillfully by responding, “That will not be a problem. I have excellent coverage in place. Now, tell me more about...” 

RATIONALE: Fair or not, many employers worry that your children will interfere with your job responsibilities. Providing a direct answer responds to the interviewer’s concern without giving any more information than he/she legitimately needs to know.  

Finally, don’t forget that the interview is a two-way conversation. Use it as an opportunity to evaluate the company and don’t be afraid to ask questions of the interviewer. Even if you’re ultimately not interested in the position offered, work hard at creating a winning impression, since you never know when the employer might have a more suitable position open in the future.

Looking for more tips for moms returning to work?  Check out our Back-to-Work Toolkit.

After the Divorce: Tips for Moms Returning to Work

Looking for a job is tough enough. Looking for a job after you’ve taken a few years away from the workplace is even more difficult. So just imagine how overwhelming it can be to look for a job after you’ve been home full-time and you’re reeling from the effects of a recent divorce: emotionally, financially and physically drained. Yet, as tough as this may be, it is reality for thousands of women each year. If you find yourself suddenly thrust into this position, here are some suggestions for easing the stress: 

Get Support – The emotional and logistical issues involved in securing employment following a divorce can be overwhelming. Don’t try to go down this road alone. Ask for help. Friends and family can be an indispensable form of support and resources, but don’t hesitate to secure help from “outside” sources as well. Sometimes therapy may be in order or you might benefit from joining a divorce support group, where you can learn from others who have a firsthand understanding of the issues you face. For assistance with the specifics of the job search, enlist the aid of a qualified career counselor or a local job support group. 

Invest in Job Training – One of the best ways to calm your anxiety about the job search is to improve your technology and job-related skills. In addition to the degreed programs sponsored by colleges and universities, investigate some of the less expensive options offered through on-line courses, adult education programs, industry specific workshops and business school training courses. 

Consider Temping – Even if you’ve only been out of the workplace for a few years, you may be surprised by the changes that have taken place in today’s office environment. Temping can help ease the transition into the workplace of the 21st century, by allowing you to test out new equipment and practices within a relatively risk-free environment. Temping can also be an excellent way to secure permanent employment, so approach your temp assignment with a serious and professional attitude. You never know who you might impress along the way. 

Attend Professional Meetings – Whether it’s the local Chamber of Commerce, the US Small Business Administration or a local branch of a professional association, there are dozens of professional meetings being held in your city every week. Most of these organizations welcome newcomers (typically for a small fee) and their meetings are an excellent place to network and learn about recent industry trends. Check the business section of your local Sunday paper for meeting listings or consult your local phone book for organizations of interest. 

Finally, as tough as it may be, be sure to separate the personal from the professional when interviewing. Your feelings of anger and insecurity are understandable, but the fact remains that potential employers really don’t want to hear about how unfair life has treated you lately. Instead, focus on impressing the potential employer by emphasizing the contributions you can make to the future success of the organization.

Why I Chose to Reinvent My Career: Reflections of a Mom Entrepreneur

This is a reprint of an article I first published in my newsletter in honor of my daughter's graduation from high school.  Even though she is now a college graduate (pictured below) the sentiments expressed in this article are as true today as the day I wrote it.  Enjoy.

 

We've known since the day our Danielle was born seventeen and a half years ago, that someday she would leave home for college. But in spite of the passing years and the "day-is-drawing-near" milestones along the way, my husband and I still found ourselves in a state of denial as we watched our "little girl" receive her high school diploma this past Friday night. 

Adding insult to injury, Danielle wasn't the only graduation in our house on Friday. Our younger daughter Juliana graduated the same day from middle school -- yet another reminder that our days as 24/7 hands-on parents are quickly coming to an end. 

Indeed, graduation is one of those markers in time, when you sit back, reflect and take stock. Not surprisingly, I've recently found myself spending a lot of time thinking about my role as a parent and wondering: "If I had a chance to do it all over again, what would I do differently?" 

Like all parents, I've made my share of less-than-brilliant decisions along the parenting road. But of all the choices I've made, one of my wisest was the move I made nine years ago to become a home-based working mom. 

I won't tell you the entrepreneurial road has always been easy or profitable. When I started my business, my husband was traveling pretty near full-time and with two small children at home, I rarely worked more than fifteen hours a week. I'm not sure I even netted a thousand dollars my first year (okay, I am sure that I didn't, but I'm trying to forget). 

And yet, in spite of the fact that it took me more years than I expected to begin earning a reasonable income stream, I always considered my business a success. I loved what I was doing, I was constantly learning, and I believed in the value of my mission -- empowering women to find better ways to mesh meaningful careers with family. 

That said, there were definitely moments when I got very frustrated with my inability to grow the business. As much as I loved my children, I felt hampered by my parenting obligations. There were days when I would fantasize about a time when the kids would be more self-sufficient, leaving me with blocks of time to work blessedly uninterrupted. 

Of course, over the years, the children did grow more independent. And, as the children got older, my ability to balance work and family got significantly easier. I now have frequent blocks of uninterrupted work-time. In fact, I actually welcome the interruptions from the kids these days. It helps break up my routine to get the daily update when they return from school, and in an ironic twist, they now get irritated with me when I start chatting with them when they have homework to complete. 

As I said before, working at home hasn't always been easy. But if I had a chance to do it over, I wouldn't hesitate a second to go down the same road again. For me, being a home-based entrepreneur was, and still is, most definitely the right choice. Working from home gives me flexibility when I need it most, and now as I face the looming empty-nest syndrome, my business keeps me busy and happy, while also providing me the means to help pay those college bills. 

When I made the choice to be a work-from-home mom, I never thought this time would fly so quickly. But it did for me...and it will for you too. 

Someday, probably a lot sooner then you expect, you'll find yourself asking, "Where did the time go?" Whether your child is now two -- or ten -- or fifteen, in a seeming "blink of an eye" you will be watching them walk down the aisle at their graduation. 

When that moment comes, will you be happy about the work-life choices you've made? 

If the answer is no, commit to making a change today. If you're a stay-at-home mom worried about facing the empty nest syndrome, think about going to a workshop geared for sequencing moms. If you've always wanted to work from home, spend the next few months researching new business ideas. If you're fed up with work, take the time to figure out next steps, polish up the resume and get that job search into gear. 

Don't wait for a "better time". Take charge of building the future you've always dreamed of starting today and make this the year you schedule your own personal work-life commencement. 

I guarantee you won't regret it.

Mom Returning to Work? Easy Networking Tips for Stay at Home Moms

One of the most common complaints I hear from stay-at-home moms regarding the job search is that they don't have a strong enough professional network. While that may very well be true, your "mommy" network might be a more valuable job search tool than you realize. Your social friends know lots of people and you just never know when a social conversation might lead to professional opportunities. You could sit next to someone at a meeting and learn she is employed by a company you're just dying to work for or a conversation on your deck could lead you to discover that your neighbor's company has a need for a person just like yourself. Those "chance" meetings can make an enormous difference in your job search. But unfortunately as busy moms, we often don't leave enough room in our days for serendipity to grace our lives. We are so busy taking care of our day-to-day responsibilities -- using lunch hours to run errands and evenings to do laundry -- that we don't allow enough time for those "lucky" conversations to take place. Of course, by definition, you can't plan for serendipity. But if you make a conscious effort, you can create more space for serendipity to cross your path.  Here are four easy ways to generate networking opportunities from your everyday routine (beyond simply posting on Facebook):  

1. At least once every few days, make it a point to introduce yourself to someone new. Talk to the person next to you on the treadmill, strike up a conversation with the receptionist at the dentist's office or introduce yourself to the new person at the PTA meeting. You never know what fruitful connections will result from your initiative. 
2. Once a week, go to a meeting, class, lecture or event outside of your "normal" routine. 
3. Once a month, pick up the phone and make a date to meet someone new for lunch. 
4. Once a year, make a point to reconnect with long lost friends. Start an e-mail chain letter to catch up with your old cronies from high school or college. Write a brief description of what you've been up to recently, pass it on to a friend, and have them send it to someone else from your class.  This is a fun way to reconnect with old buddies while effortlessly expanding your network of contacts. 

Just making a few small, but consistent, changes can have a major impact on your life over time.  Keep in mind the words of Kenneth Hildebrand: 

"Someone receives a promotion, gets an important assignment, makes a major discovery, or moves into the president's office. "He's lucky," an envious person remarks. "He gets the breaks; they're always in his favor." In reality, luck or the breaks of life had little or nothing to do with it. So-called "luck" usually is found at the exact point where preparation meets opportunity. For a time, an individual may get ahead by "pull," but eventually someone with push will displace him. Success is not due to a fortuitous concourse of stars at our birth, but to a steady trail of sparks from the grindstone of hard work each day."

Enjoy these tips? Take a look at our exclusive Back-to-Work Toolkit: A Guide for Comeback Moms, a course designed exclusively for professional moms returning to work!!

Reinvent Your Career: 5 Steps to Take Before You Quit Your Job

Have you ever daydreamed about what it would be like to quit your job and get a fresh start in a new and more exciting career? If so, you’re not alone; thousands of frustrated workers have the same thought every day.

Of course, while lots of people think about making a change, very few people actually act on that impulse. Don't let complacency get in your way.  There are a number of relatively easy things you can do to explore new career paths.  Here are five tried-and-true ways to get experience in a new field of interest – four of which you can do without quitting your job: 

1) Take Classes: Investigate the options for attending a continuing education class at your local community college or town-run program. This is an inexpensive and low-risk way to test out your interest in a new endeavor. While taking the class, talk with your teacher and other students to find out their thoughts on employment options, degree programs and growth opportunities within that industry. Then, if after taking a few non-credit classes you decide you’re ready to get the needed credentials for success, investigate the possibility of enrolling in a degree or certificate program at an accredited college or online program.

2) Volunteer: Offering your services on a volunteer basis is a great way to test out your skills in a new line of work. For example, if you want to learn more about finance, you could volunteer as the treasurer for a fund-raising event at your church or synagogue. Or, you could sign-up to help prepare the budget for your favorite local non-profit agency. A good volunteer job can be time consuming, but hopefully the benefits will outweigh the inconvenience.

3) Moonlight: Pursue a weekend or evening position that will allow you to test out a new work environment (and gain some needed experience) before you quit your day job. While the added strain of logging extra work hours may be difficult to sustain for the long-term, it’s a worthwhile investment of time when you consider the benefits of a “try-before-you-buy” approach to career change. 

4) Indulge in a Vocation Vacation: You gotta love this idea; VocationVacations®, a company launched in 2004, offers clients the chance to test-drive their dream careers and learn what it's like to work in a fantasy job without having to quit their own jobs first. Past clients have enjoyed an insider’s view of what it is like to own a winery, be a professional photographer or run a bed and breakfast while on vacation.  

Finally, if the above options don’t work, it may behoove you to work on a temporary basis to further enhance your “real-world” job experience. Of course, working as a temp most likely means you’ll have to abandon your day job, but the experience and networking contacts you’ll gain should help pave the way to a successful job search. 

Making the transition into a new career takes time, so be patient and persistent. Develop a plan, stay focused on learning new skills, earn the necessary credentials and before you know it, you’ll be driving in the fast lane to a more satisfying career.

Work From Home Idea: Sell on the Internet

General Description: Until quite recently, people who wanted to sell products were limited to catalogs, craft fairs and brick-and-mortar stores. No more. The Internet empowers you to sell and market your products to a global audience 24/7 in a myriad of formats. 

For example, you can: 

• Set up a website to sell your unique crafts, products and inventions. 
• Develop an online catalog targeted to a specific market niche (i.e., cigar enthusiasts or dachsund lovers.) 
• You can either sell products that you own or you can sell as an affiliate by linking to other sites that handle the actual order fulfillment (and you receive a commission on the sales). 
• eBay Merchant - Recycle your "treasures" though eBay or work as a "trade assistant" to help other people sell their goods on eBay. 

Options for Flexibility: Selling on the Internet can relieve you of the long-hours associated with being a traditional retailer. In general, the more you automate your systems, the higher the degree of flexibility you'll incorporate into your work.