Your 12-week plan can coincide with your goals, or it can simply be mapping out your first 12 weeks of being self-employed. It can be tempting to start your days at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m., but by having a plan in place of how, when, and where you work will make the transition smoother.

​Turning your side hustle into a full-time gig is scary. It is also fantastic, exhilarating, and rewarding when done right. If you can successfully check off all these steps, then take the plunge!

​Indeed bills itself as “the #1 job site in the world.” Indeed is more than a job search board. It’s a tool you can use in your job search. It can be especially valuable in a passive job search, delivering job opportunities to your email each day.
 
The first step is to create an Indeed account. It’s free, and setting it up will take just a few minutes.
 
On the Indeed.com home page, click the “Sign In” link. 

​That will take you to a login screen. On that page, click “New to Indeed? Create an account.”

​You’ll be prompted to “Add a resume.” Don’t do it.
 
Do not upload your resume to your Indeed profile. Instead, customize your resume for the specific position you’re applying for. You can still use the “easy apply” option available on job postings by uploading a specific resume for a specific job. You’ll get a better match with applicant tracking systems if you tailor the resume for the job posting.

​In addition, if you upload a resume, your resume is public by default and may be viewed by anyone accessing the website. Indeed’s terms and conditions page says “this includes users of Indeed’s Resume Search product, Employers whose Company Page you may be following, and anyone with access to the URL associated with your public resume, such as search engines and other third parties that may crawl our Site. We offer you this visibility to help you find a job.”
 
If you’re conducting a confidential job search, posting your resume may tip off your employer that you’re looking for a new role. That’s another good reason not to upload a resume.
 
After continuing on, you’ll be prompted to confirm your email account. 

​Click on the link and you’ll receive an email with a button you’ll need to click to complete the confirmation:

​And once you click on the link, you’ll get a confirmation message:

​You should also designate your account type:

​Click the “Set account type” button.

​Choose “Job seeker (looking for a job).”
 
Once your account is set up, you can save jobs that you want to apply for so you can come back to them later. Once you’ve applied, you can also track your status for positions you’ve applied for on the same page.

​Indeed’s search function is robust. You can search for possible job opportunities by location, distance, industry, job title, experience level, salary, and more.
 
You can use Indeed’s filters to refine your search parameters, adding or removing criteria until you find positions that are a good fit for your skills, education, and experience.
 
To get started using Indeed search, click on the “Find jobs” link in the menu bar. 

​The default search is “What” (job title, keywords, or company) and “Where” (city, state, zip code, or “remote”).

​Indeed will identify job opportunities that match the criteria you’ve selected.

​Click on the job title to expand the information about the posting.

​Click on the “Easily apply” link or the “Apply Now” button to apply for the role.

​A new window will open. Enter your information in the fields. You can also attach your resume and cover letter.

​Or click on the “heart” button next to the “Apply Now” button to save the posting for later. (It will be saved to the “My Jobs” page.)

​Here is the saved job dashboard:

Indeed’s Advanced Job Search function makes it even easier to target job opportunities.

​With the search function, you have the option to see jobs from job boards only, from the websites of employers only, or both. You can also include or leave out postings from staffing agencies. You can target specific salary ranges using the salary estimate field. 

​You can choose specific location and distance criteria, and choose to see jobs posted only within a specific number of days.

​In addition to searching for job postings, you can set up job alerts to be emailed to you.

Job alerts are emails listing new jobs posted on Indeed that meet the criteria you’ve established. Instead of visiting Indeed daily to see what opportunities are available, you can receive an email with postings. You can choose to have alerts sent to you daily or weekly.
 
Set up Job Alerts on this page:
https://subscriptions.indeed.com/create/jobaler

​Once you enter your information, you’ll see a confirmation screen:

​You’ll also receive a confirmation email to the email address you entered, along with jobs that match the criteria you selected.

​Indeed also offers plugins for Chrome, Firefox, and Google Toolbar. These apps provide notifications from within your Internet browser about new jobs and messages from prospective employers. 

​Indeed provides Company Pages, providing reviews of the workplace, photos, job openings, and salary data. On the job posting, click on the company name to access this information. If a Company Page is available, it will open when the company name is clicked on.

​On the Company Page, you can see a Snapshot of the company. The company can populate a “Why Join Us” page and photos. You can read employee reviews of the company, and look at a list of all the jobs posted on Indeed. There is also salary and benefit information. Jobseekers can post questions that a company representative or other people can answer.

Some Company Pages are more complete than others. Salary and benefit information is user-submitted, so the more employees the company has, the more likely this information is to be populated on the page.
 
Indeed also conducts surveys on work happiness. It evaluates several criteria:

• Work Happiness Score: Do people feel happy at work most of the time?
• Flexibility: Do people feel they have the time and location flexibility they need?
• Achievement: Do people feel they are achieving most of their goals at work?

 
The Work Happiness section will tell you how many people completed the work happiness survey, so you can see the sample size the scores are based on.

​You can also click on the “Company reviews” tab in the menu bar and identify companies that are hiring. Simply enter your city or state and you can see the “popular companies” in that city and state. The listings also include links to reviews, salary information, and jobs.

​Indeed can also be a useful resource for salary information. In addition to company-specific salary data (found on the Company Page), you can use the “Find salaries” function on the menu to generate salary information.

​While not as robust as information on a specialized salary research site like Salary.com, you can generate some ballpark numbers based on job titles and location.

​Indeed is a robust tool for your job search toolbox. For active jobseekers, you can search the site for opportunities, drilling down your criteria to very specific parameters. For passive jobseekers, set up alerts and let Indeed serve up openings via email. You can also search for Indeed job be clicking here before you log into Indeed.

There are several ways to measure your goals, ranging from simple to complex and free to expensive. Sometimes it makes sense to spend money on tools, but when setting goals for your own purposes, keeping it low cost makes sense.
 
For instance, use a spreadsheet when first starting out. Many people use spreadsheet to measure their productivity at work. Most people associate Microsoft Excel with spreadsheets, and that costs money. However, there are free alternatives, such as Open Office Calc. The Open Office suite of products is available on multiple operating systems. This software is fully functional and compatible with Microsoft products. The best part is it is free.
 
Sometimes, you will need more sophisticated tools. For instance, when you work on multiple projects simultaneously and there may be dependencies associated with some of the goals, you’ll need to have a better method than a spreadsheet to manage these. This is also true when you have multiple people that you need to measure their contributions to the projects.
 
While you could use spreadsheets for this, they are not meant for collaborative activities. The reporting features are lacking in a spreadsheet program. A program such as Microsoft Project gives you more control over these types of features.
 
Other factors to consider when measuring goals is workflow. When someone on your team updates a document, you want the whole team to know about it simultaneously. Otherwise, you will need to constantly coordinate changes to documents or other assets within the project. This can become a full-time job by itself. As most of us continue to work from home, it is also helpful to keep up with the best tech gadgets to work from home.  Another factor is time management. It may help to brainstorm about time management apps with the team to find out do time management apps help your productivity.

Even if you have all the tools for working and managing remotely, keep in mind the tool should not be used as a means to run the projects for you. They have their uses, but the responsibility rests with you, or the project manager. Also, you have to consider some flexibility in the measurement as not every item will go according to plan. You may need to make some adjustments along the way. At the end, with or without the help of tools, it is important to have a personal list of good habits to have - high performance habits.

​Being too rigid with the plan can cause problems within a team. Strict adherence to a tool will make the projects rigid, by definition. On the other hand, you do need some ways to accurately measure the goals as you are moving on up. It’s a delicate balance that requires compassion as well as firmness.

When choosing a tool, try to get your team involved, so they know what to expect. This isn’t always possible as some companies already have solutions implemented. If this is the case, you will need to manage the expectations of the team and provide any training and assistance needed to make the tool work for them. As you move along, remember the 10 best practices for managing remote teams. Remembering best practices will always make the projects move along more smoothly.

Not everything has changed.  If you experienced success with your job search strategies before the pandemic, you should still implement them. For example, if you are good at writing Thank You letters of if you are good at following-up, you should still practice your success techniques. 

​Companies hire employees who can solve problems for them. Sales people create revenue. Accountants ensure compliance with regulations and provide financial data that can be used for decision-making. Customer service staff help answer questions, keeping customers happy. Beyond what you do for a company, what is the impact that you have on the organization?
 
It’s even more important to highlight accomplishments on your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and career documents in a competitive job market.
 
Change careers, if necessary, to a new field. Assess your work history and identify older skills and/or experience you can leverage. Seek out opportunities for additional training and learning.

​The more specific you can be about the opportunity that you’re seeking, the more likely you will find it. Take some time to define what you’re looking for in your next job. Are you looking for a position that allows you to work remotely? Do you have a specific schedule you need — for example, because your children are engaging in remote schooling? Having a list of criteria like this can help you identify whether a position will be a good fit — or not.

​Be aware of which industries are holding steady or growing during the pandemic, and which ones are struggling. Focus on essential companies that are not affected by government shutdowns. Create a target list of companies. Researching your prospective employer is even more critical — be aware of changes affecting the company due to the pandemic. Set up Google Alerts to get informed about news affecting your ideal employers. Follow your target companies on LinkedIn. Subscribe to the company’s emails, blog, and social media channels.

​Networking is even more important for a job search during times of high unemployment. Meeting face-to-face or for coffee may not be an option right now, but you can connect virtually. Stay in touch through social media, phone calls, Zoom or FaceTime, email, text, and LinkedIn messages.

Prepare for an online job interview. Set up a specific space for the interview. Make sure it’s someplace quiet with no distractions. Conduct a practice session with a friend on Zoom. When it’s time for the actual interview, dress like you’re going to an in-person interview (head to toe!).
 
Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear back from the interviewer right away. Be patient. The hiring process will likely take even longer than normal. That’s true even if the company initially seemed in a hurry to hire. Do follow up, but don’t be a pest. Ask how the person is doing, and if there’s anything they need from you to move the process along.
 
If you do have a job offer that is put on hold, consider asking if you could work in a contract or temporary role in the meantime. For example, one national furniture rental company is currently in a hiring freeze, but they are staffing with contract/temporary workers in the meantime.

Unemployment numbers are expected to continue to fluctuate through the end of 2020 and into 2021. While the pandemic is new, looking for work in a challenging job market is not. You can supplement some of the “tried and true” job search techniques with special strategies that are necessary because of COVID-19. But there are no hard and fast rules for a job search in a pandemic, so be flexible!
 
Even if you are currently employed now, some companies have announced further layoffs and furloughs as the pandemic stretches into late 2020. It’s important to be prepared for what’s next. This means updating your résumé and LinkedIn profile and taking the time to track and document your accomplishments.
 
In addition, it may be useful to take some time to analyze your transferable skills and experience, particularly if you are in a declining industry or an industry that has been negatively affected by the pandemic.
 
Some things about the job search are the same:

• Companies are still looking to hire problem-solvers
• It’s important to use your network in your job search, as your contacts can help you identify unadvertised job opportunities and connect with hiring managers
• Having an accomplishment-focused, up-to-date résumé and LinkedIn profile can help you secure interviews

 
However, some things are different in a job search during the pandemic:

• Interviews for job opportunities are more likely to be virtual interviews (rather than in person)
• Human resources staffers are likely to be working remotely, and coordinating the hiring process can take more time than it did before the pandemic
• Opportunities for remote work are increasing, and if you are able to do your job remotely, there are even more opportunities, especially outside your current geographic area
• Temporary and short-term positions may be more plentiful. Companies may be wary of taking on permanent, full-time employees when their future is uncertain, but they still have needs to fulfill

 
One important thing to remember: Don’t automatically discard the things that worked for you before in your job search. If you have had success previously with a specific tactic — for example, working with recruiters, or tapping into the hidden job market, don’t write them off just because there is a pandemic.
 
“No One Is Hiring”
Your mindset is especially important when looking for a job during a pandemic. Companies are still hiring new employees. Want proof? Search for openings on job aggregator sites like Indeed.com, SimplyHired, or Monster. Check out the “Jobs on Facebook” feature (https://www.facebook.com/jobs/) or LinkedIn Jobs (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/). You’ll see hundreds of open opportunities.
 
Companies in the shipping/delivery field are hiring, as are grocery stores and many healthcare facilities, including pharmacies. Information technology and technical support positions are also in high demand, as employees need more assistance with their computers and other devices when working from home.
 
Look for companies that are meeting pandemic-specific needs. These companies are now hiring for temporary, part-time, and short-term opportunities.
 
However, some industries are struggling. For example, hospitality companies — restaurants, airlines, resorts, hotels, and conference centers. Almost everything related to the entertainment industry has been affected. Colleges and universities are facing budget cuts as students defer returning to campus until the pandemic ends. Government organizations — often some of the steadiest employers — are also facing shortfalls affecting employment and hiring.
 
Even in companies that are hiring, there may still be uncertainty. The hiring timeline has grown longer in some cases. If the company is conducting multi-person interviews, it may take time to coordinate schedules so all the panelists are available at the same time. Some job openings may be put on hold temporarily as situations change in the business. You may even have a job offer rescinded if a company’s fortunes suddenly change.
 
If you’re suddenly unemployed, your next job may not be a full-time or permanent position. It may not be your dream job. But a short-term or temporary position may make it easier for you to weather the pandemic and be in a position to get a new role in the future. It’s often easier to get a job when you already have one. And some temporary and short-term roles may turn into permanent positions once the economy ramps back up again.
 
You may also find yourself going through a career change during the pandemic. Is there a way you can use your existing skills in a new industry in the short term? For example, if you were a Server in a restaurant, can you use your communication skills to work a remote customer service job? Or if you were an Event Coordinator for a hotel/conference center, could you use your project management capabilities to manage scheduling for a hospital?
 
If You’re Furloughed
The pandemic caused a number of companies to furlough employees. Many of these companies continue to pay employee benefits (such as health insurance) but the furlough allows workers to apply for unemployment.
 
If you’re still on furlough, develop a job search strategy in case your position is permanently eliminated. Start working now on updating your job search documents (résumé, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, etc.). so you can immediately start applying for positions if you find yourself without a job.
 
With the end of the enhanced unemployment benefits, if you are still furloughed, you may be considering short-term or part-time work. Research your state’s unemployment benefit requirements to determine how this work may affect your benefits.

Here is an infographic to help you review the 10 best practices to manage your team from home and keep everything in perspective. Much like enything else, there is a right way and a wrong way to do everything.

First define motivation for yourself. You would be surprised at the different meanings that are offered online. A good place to start is a look at motivation synonym offered by Thesaurus. You will also see a and 

​When you work in an office, your day might already be planned out with your coworkers giving you social interaction and your boss giving you accountability. Sometimes, the interruptions are significantly higher and/or of a more urgent nature; i.e.: if you work in property management or in healthcare, etc.
 
However, working from home is much different. How can you get work done without any of this help that you would normally receive from coworkers?
 
Try these techniques to stay motivated and be productive: ​

1. Wake up early. Think of it like this: When you’re working from home, you’re still going to work, but the commute to your desk is much shorter. Set your alarm and make an effort to get up and get ready for an early start.
   
   
   • You may find that you’re more productive earlier in the day, as your mind may be sharper.

 

1. Get dressed. However tempting it is to work in a pair of comfortable sweatpants or pajamas, you may be more productive in regular clothes.
   
   
   • Research has shown that how you dress sends psychological signals, so if you want to get work done, it’s important to dress appropriately.

 

1. Have your own workspace. Setting aside a regular space to work sends a signal to your brain to work whenever you’re in your workspace. Plus, having your own workspace will help keep distractions to a minimum.

 

1. Create a schedule. A work schedule also helps to motivate you, get you going each morning, and be more productive while you work. With a schedule, you’ll know what to get started on the moment you sit down to work. Then, you can depend on it to guide you throughout the rest of the day.
   
   
   • Your schedule will depend on your own job, but, for example, if you were a blogger, you might write in the morning, before editing and posting the content in the afternoon.

 

1. Take time to exercise. Set aside some time each day to get some exercise. Regular exercise is good for both your body and mind.
   
   
   • Most office jobs are pretty sedentary but working from home may be even worse. After all, you only need to travel a few feet to visit the restroom. With this in mind, it’s important to ensure that you take extra care to look after your physical needs.

 

1. Reward yourself. Since you’re working from home, it would be easy to just sit in front of the television all day and not get any work done. But for obvious reasons this is not the best idea. You can bypass such temptations by using rewards to increase productivity.
   
   
   • For instance, you could work for two hours straight and then reward yourself with a short, 30-minute episode of your favorite show.

 

1. Go outside. Not leaving your house for days on end can negatively impact your mental health. Not only is sunlight good for your health but seeing and interacting with others is important too.
   
   
   • Your mood will be uplifted, and you’ll get more work done after a short break for getting out into nature and socializing with others.

 

1. Avoid social media. If you find yourself browsing Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram instead of working, you can take steps to avoid these distractions.
   
   
   • Try deleting these bookmarks from your browser or installing a plugin that will block you from visiting those sites.
     
     
   • Turning off notifications on your smartphone while you work also helps to stop distractions.

 
Working from home isn’t for everyone, but if you love the freedom of making your own schedule, then you may love it.
 
Follow these tips and you’ll be able to stay motivated, maintain discipline, and get all of your work done while working from home.

Here is an infographic to help you review the mistakes to avoid when managing your team from home and keep everything in perspective. Much like enything else, there is a right way and a wrong way to do everything.

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Asana
Basecamp
Monday
Jira
Trello
Workfront
Proofhub

Skype
Zoom
Slack
Join.me
UberConference
Google Hangouts

TeamViewer
Zoho Assist
RemotePC
LogMeIn
Chrome Remote Desktop

Dropbox
Box
Google Drive
Huddle
OneHub
OneDrive

Toggl
Clockify
Hivedesk
Hubstaff
Harvest
FunctionFox

Canva
Bannersnack
Visme
InVision
GoVisually

Evernote
OneNote

MindMeister
MindMup
Idea Flip
Concept Board

Google Calendar
Calendly
Microsoft Outlook Calendar
TimeTree

StayFocusd
SelfControl (Mac)
Serene (Mac)
Cold Turkey
Productivity Owl
Scrivener (minimalist writing tool)

Zoho Vault
LastPass
1Password
TrueKey
Dashlane
VPN's (Tested and Reviewed)

Office Vibe
Tiny Pulse
Culture Amp
Know Your Team
15Five

World Time Buddy
Spacetime
Timezone
Team Time Zone Pro
Time Zone Ninja

Here is a list of more than 60 places where you can find and apply for remote jobs. If you’re trying to start a freelance career or hoping to find a remote job, these websites are a great place to start looking.

Some of these sites are free, while others are paid membership sites.

As we move forward with the times, finding remote work is becoming easier. Be sure to check all resources available to you. 

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