Work From Home with Kimber

Show Notes | September 24, 2020 | Episode 76

There are some words in your email and chat vocabulary you should NEVER use at work. No. We're not talking about LOL and JK. These words are much sneakier and are covertly sabotaging your career.   

One of the biggest tools you'll use in the remote and virtual workplace is email and chat. In this two-part series, we'll identify words you should be eliminating in your day-to-day communications with your remote team. 

Hot words people use a lot that intentionally, or unintentionally, communicate their emotions or incompetencies include:

Sorry FineJustI think 

We're going to point out some of the worst of the worst and explain which words are truly sabotaging your career. 

First of all, stop apologizing. 

Often, when someone sends a chat and you're away at lunch you can be tempted to say, "Sorry, I was at lunch," or if your calendars don't align, "I'm sorry, I can't seem to make it that day." 

The true meaning of an apology should be realized when you've actually done something wrong. If you owe someone an apology, you should pick up the phone and make a personal call to apologize. 

When we throw around apologies and the words, "I'm sorry" in casual chat, we are devaluing the meaning of a true apology. 

But that's not even the worst part. Every time you slide "sorry" into a sentence, you're submitting that the situation is somehow your fault. 

Next time you are tempted to use "sorry" in an email or chat, try swapping it for a different phrase like, "Thank you for [fill in the blank]."

Instead of, "I'm sorry I'm not available. How about Thursday?" Try, "Thank you for taking the time to schedule this meeting. I'm not available at that time. How about Thursday?"

You will notice a world of difference in the way you see yourself and the way you present yourself to your remote coworkers.   

A key factor of effective communication is to extract sabotaging language and replace it with architect language. 

For a refresher on architect language, listen to episode 11 of the VirtForce podcast "You are what you speak" with Mark England, linked in the show notes below.

Why do we accidentally overuse "I'm sorry?" It is our intent to take responsibility of the situation and that misplaced intent sends us down the wrong path. 

For workplace relationships, you have to learn to interpret whether it was meant to be your responsibility or not. In most cases, it's not. 

Some would say the overuse of "sorry" is a people pleasing tendency, but it can also be a sign of wanting to take ownership in the workplace. 

So, what is the difference between responsibility and ownership? 

In the workplace, responsibility is defined by tasks, objectives and activities that are assigned to you as part of your job that will not get done without you. 

Ownership is an expression of leadership. It is achievable when you have reached a level of excellence in your own work, so you can then develop and lead others. 

Knowing how your work impacts the whole organization helps you develop vision and the ability to guide and advise your colleagues. 

The bottom line is, don't dump needless apologies into every sentence. Break that habit! Pull "I'm sorry" out of your emails, chats and text vocabulary, and start communicating at a higher level. 

Once you eliminate this saboteur from your email and ...

Show Notes | September 22, 2020 | Episode 75

The military lifestyle can be frustrating when you have to pick a job you may not necessarily love, but it fits where you are at the time. 

As a mom and step parent, Leila Hoy wanted a remote job she could do from home, so she could spend holidays and summers bonding with her blended family.

Leila heard about VirtForce through some milspouse friends in Jacksonville, Florida when looking to connect with more people like herself ― stay-at-home parents who move around a lot and have spouses who deploy.

For a long time, Leila struggled with feeling like she is good enough, and that she can succeed and balance it all. 

Leila read motivational books and listened to podcasts like VirtForce just to keep chugging along, but somewhere along the way that led her to start believing in herself again.

Now, Leila is head of graphic design for GFI Apparel, a California-based apparel company whose name stands for "Go For It." 

Ironically, Leila got on the VirtForce Facebook Group and typed in "graphic designer" and the GFI post came up, and she said to herself, "I'm just going to go for it."

She messaged the employee who posted the job opening. They asked Leila to create some test graphics and within a few days, she had an interview. 

She had no idea GFI was an acronym for "go for it" when she first saw the post. 

As a graphic designer, Leila is loving her new role that enables her to practice her passion for art on a daily basis. Leila has a lot of creative freedom in her role as head of graphic design. It's not just a job where she's told what to do. She's given a project where she can demonstrate her skills.

Her team consists of a strong group of military spouses, stay-at-home moms and blended families who have a lot to balance, but work together to get the job done. 

For those who are still looking for a job that fits their lifestyle, Leila encourages you to keep looking. Don't give up. Believe in yourself. 

Serendipitously, Leila followed the GFI model ― she just went for it, and got #hired. 

Tune in to hear more about how Leila went from freelancing to finding a remote career opportunity.

If you are a new listener to VirtForce podcast, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and let us know how we can help you today!

Links and Resources

VirtForce Facebook Group

VirtForce Job Board

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Leila Hoy LinkedIn

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60) – https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium Course – http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes

74. Or Should I Go? ― Resigning Part 273. #Hired: Stand Out with Video72. Should I Stay? — Resigning Part 171. #Hired: Work Social Media70. VA Certified in 5 Weeks69. #Hired: Finding a Job that will PCS with Me

Show Notes | September 17, 2020 | Episode 74

It can be tempting to keep your head down, keep a smile on your face and keep working until you're totally burnt out in a role, but if you do, and especially if you are working remotely, how could you expect your management team to know how you feel? 

It's kind of like a relationship, your manager can't read your mind. They look at your face and your work performance and hope those two things match up. 

When you're clear about what you want (even if that changes) then the management team can clearly see how to keep you, or how to prepare for your eventual exit.

Last week, in our episode "Should I Stay" we discussed reasons why you may want to reconsider submitting your resignation notice. This week, we're talking about how to really know when it's time to leave and how to appropriately step away from a position. 

As I mentioned last week, when my friend got an offer for another job she felt guilty about completely blindsiding her boss and her team. Just a few months earlier, she was so happy in her role and had no plans on leaving. I wanted to know what happened? 

Turns out, the job really went in a different direction and it pushed her out of her comfort zone. When asked if she had talked to her boss, she said she hadn't. 

What she didn't know is being open with your management team can do two things:

1. Set your manager's expectations of how you can grow in a position that works for you. 

2. Can help set the tone for your exit if the job is ultimately not working out. 

Since my friend's boss had no idea she was dissatisfied or planned to leave, the best thing she could do is stop sitting on her secret and tell her boss during the next virtual face-to-face opportunity that she was leaving and they needed to work on a transition plan that would not leave the team high and dry. 

She salvaged the situation and relationship with her boss before it went sour, but making the decision to leave is not always so black and white.

There are a few red flags that should definitely make you leave your job: 

1. You feel stressed. 

2. You feel dissatisfied with the way you are managed. 

3. A toxic work environment. 

4. No growth track. 

Regardless of which of these red flags you're experiencing, there is an appropriate way to leave. While two weeks is the accepted industry standard, some of the most seamless transitions require a little more time, but they can happen in as little as one hour. 

Your goal as an exiting employee is to ensure everything you've worked on is traceable, processed and ready for the next team member. 

Generally new positions come with a desired start date, but before you accept all the new terms ensure that there are at least two weeks between the day you submit your notice and the day you start your new job. 

Don't feel pressure by the phrase, "How soon can you start?" 

If a company is going to hire you, they are going to hire you just as much in two weeks as they would in four weeks. 

When you explain you are leaving, you don't have to give a reason for your departure. For the love of the military, do not use these excuses:

1. I'm PCSing.

2. I'm pregnant. 

3. Military life is just too much to hold down a job right now. 

While on the surface these sound like good excuses to you,

Show Notes | September 15, 2020 | Episode 73

As an Air Force spouse moving across the country with her husband, Emily Snyder had to shift her career goals and expectations.

After taking some job opportunities that weren't the right fit, she took some time to self reflect. She narrowed down what she needed in a job and set out to find remote work. 

That's when Emily discovered VirtForce, and landed a job with Sitka, a health care technology company that has been 100% virtual since day one, enabling Emily to work from anywhere.

Emily looked for virtual work for nearly a year before finding the right employer, so she advises listeners to stay true to themselves, set expectations and get creative.

Emily did her research to understand the company she was applying to and their product. She tailored her work experience and got creative with her application. 

Applying to a company that connects patients, physicians and specialists through video calls, Emily made a video cover letter that really impressed the hiring manager and made her stand out from the other 200 applicants.

Really do your due diligence, she says. Don't just slap your resume in an email and send it off. Get creative, so your resume will shine through. 

Since Sitka is growing so quickly, Emily has taken on projects outside of her role on the clinical operations team. She's excited about the opportunity to wear multiple hats and help the company grow. 

VirtForce helped Emily in so many other ways than just its job board. She regularly listens to the podcast because its resources are multidimensional and not focused on a particular job or title. 

When she was #hired at Sitka, Emily went back and listened to the episode on how to set up a work-from-home office to make sure she had everything she needed for her new remote role.   

Tune in to hear more about what Emily thinks of startup culture and how she stays connected to her coworkers without ever leaving the house.

If you are a new listener to VirtForce podcast, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and let us know how we can help you today!

Links and Resources

VirtForce Facebook Group

VirtForce Job Board

38. Your Work From Home Office

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Emily Snyder LinkedIn

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60) – https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium Course – http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes

72. Should I Stay? — Resigning Part 171. #Hired: Work Social Media70. VA Certified in 5 Weeks69. #Hired: Finding a Job that will PCS with Me68. Transition & Remote Work67. #Hired: Don't Wait to Apply

Show Notes | September 10, 2020 | Episode 72

When you get an offer for a promotion or higher-paying job, it can be tempting to immediately turn in a resignation letter. However, there are several reasons why you should stop and think it over first.  

When a great coworker leaves, you wonder, "Why didn't the company make a counteroffer?" You'd be surprised to learn it's often because the employee never asked!

In one case, the employee assumed if the company wanted them to stay or was willing to pay them more, the boss would have said so. On the other hand, when the company received the employee's resignation letter, they understood it to mean, "I quit!"

A leadership team and an employee can be on completely different pages about what giving notice means. 

Tune in to the first episode of this two-part series that will help you decide if leaving is right for you, and if it is, the most amicable ways to let your employer know.

Resigning from a position is a major decision that will ultimately leave your personal character on display. The pressure is real when the offer is better for you and your family, but you don't want to let your current boss and coworkers down.

If you do decide to leave, timing is everything, and while the pay might be better, there's always risk when taking a new job — Will you get along with the new team? Will you live up to the pay scale and performance expectations?

Before you accept an offer:

1: Do your research on the company and set clear expectations 2: Talk to your current employer

You must advocate for yourself. Management is not always going to do it for you. A conversation with your employer can often lead to a better position within the company. 

It's important to state your goals early and often. Let your company know about your changing lifestyle needs and that they might lose you. 

The employer will likely see your initiative as an asset, and you will know by their reaction if staying is an option for you or not.  

Remember, the first offer that comes along may not be the best and showing loyalty can ensure your next job comes with a better title and salary.

Your 3 and 5-year marks of employment are when your value goes up as well as benefits such as hourly wage, salary, PTO and 401k, which can all be part of the negotiation when you're ready to move into a new role. 

In reality, it's not always about a higher salary, new title or climbing the career ladder. Sometimes, leaving is about finding a better fit for the lifestyle you want. 

Tune in to this week's episode to learn more.  

If you are a new listener to VirtForce podcast, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and let us know how we can help you today.

Links and Resources

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

MilSpouse CoffeeHouse Podcast

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60): https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium: http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Show Notes | September 8, 2020 | Episode 71

As a working mom of three and a PhD candidate, Lantisha Scott overcame COVID-19 quarantine layoffs with a flexible opportunity that supports her busy lifestyle.

Lantisha discovered VirtForce through a Facebook Group for military spouses with advanced degrees. Lantisha is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in clinical psychology.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the school where Lantisha was working as a substitute teacher transitioned to online learning, leaving her without a job. 

After a month of searching, Lantisha landed a job as a customer service expert with SimplrFlex. Through VirtForce, Lantisha found a job she could do from home while OCONUS. 

She loves the opportunity to work from home, help other people and earn an income on her terms. She can adjust her workweek to full-time or part-time depending on what works best for her schedule. 

Lantisha encourages other job seekers to engage with the VirtForce community on Facebook, and plans to continue in her role as she finishes her degree. 

Tune in to hear more about how VirtForce and SimplrFlex help Lantisha balance her busy lifestyle. 

If you are a new listener to VirtForce podcast, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and let us know how we can help you today!

Links and Resources

VirtForce Facebook Group

Military Spouses with Advanced Degrees

VirtForce Job Board

SimplrFlex

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Lantisha Scott LinkedIn 

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60) – https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium Course – http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes

70. VA Certified in 5 Weeks69. #Hired: Finding a Job that will PCS with Me68. Transition & Remote Work67. #Hired: Don't Wait to Apply66. Army Wife Network65. #Hired: Know What Your Skills Are Worth

Show Notes | September 3, 2020 | Episode 70

April Wilhelm built a successful remote career all while taking care of her premature newborn daughter in the NICU and living from hotel to hotel.

Now, she's created a course so other spouses can take care of their families and have a career by becoming a Certified Remote Virtual Assistant.  

April and her husband, who is active duty Navy, are both military brats and wanted to create something that would affect others and make a difference in the military community. 

They each saw their fathers have great careers in the military, and that their mothers could have used something to help support them make a bigger impact for their families. 

April was a single mom before she reconnected with her middle school sweetheart and followed in her mother's footsteps, becoming a military spouse stationed in Japan. 

A year and a half later, April was expecting her second child. She had gone home to visit family, and en route to LAX to go back to Japan, April went into preterm labor. She was only 26 weeks. 

April gave birth to her daughter Annabelle at an unfamiliar hospital in Pasadena. She was a world away from the base and her family and friends.

She and her husband were unable to stay at the hospital, and ended up paying $3,000 over the course of 90 days just to find a hotel to go to at the end of the night. 

As a self described workaholic with a need to support others by nature, April needed to regain control and give back, so she poured herself into the remote digital marketing business she had at the time.

It saved her life. She regained her identity. She built up her confidence, and the work gave her the control she didn't have in her personal life. It was also flexible enough for April to provide an income, while being there for her family. 

Thanks to technology, employment has changed. The workforce has changed. Being a virtual assistant allows you to have a career you can mold into any lifestyle.

Tune in to this week's episode to learn more about the VA industry, the types of people who typically thrive in this role and what April's course has to offer. 

If you are a new listener to VirtForce podcast, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and let us know how we can help you today.

Links and Resources

Remote Virtual Assistant Course 

aprilwilhelm.com

Stay At Home Profit: The VA HUB

MilSpouse CoffeeHouse Podcast  

April Wilhelm LinkedIn

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60): https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium: http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes:

VirtForce Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify

VirtForce Linktree

Show Notes | September 1, 2020 | Episode 069

As a milspouse, Megan Wollenberg got tired of getting hired, working for a year or two, then leaving for the next duty station and having to do it all over again. 

So she set out to find a job that would move around the country (or even the world) with her. That's how she discovered VirtForce.

Although not directly hired through VirtForce, Megan used its resources to set up her resume, get advice on interview questions, figure out who to talk to and where to look for remote jobs. 

Now, she's a contractor for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Currently at their last duty station in Honolulu, Hawaii, Megan and her husband plan to move to Kansas in a few years when he retires. 

With her new remote job, Megan will be able to pause work during the PCS and pick up with the same job once they get settled. 

Megan was previously a GS employee. Moving every few years made it difficult for her to climb the ladder. Knowing she will be able to take her job with her wherever she goes is a huge relief.

Megan encourages job seekers to set time aside when looking for a job. Otherwise, they could be up all night looking at job postings and networking on LinkedIn. 

Don't give up. Don't just take anything, and ask questions, she says. 

Many jobs come through connections and oftentimes, military spouses don't know where or when they'll be moving, so take the time to network. 

Tune in to hear more about Megan's new way of life - from changing jobs at each duty station to now having a job that will move with her. 

If you are a new listener to VirtForce podcast, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and let us know how we can help you today!

Links and Resources

VirtForce Job Board

VirtForce Facebook Group

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Megan Wollenberg LinkedIn

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60) – https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium Course – http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes

68. Transition & Remote Work67. #Hired: Don't Wait to Apply66. Army Wife Network65. #Hired: Know What Your Skills Are Worth64. VirtForce Candidate Profiles63. #Hired: New Remote Career + New Friend

Show Notes | August 27, 2020 | Episode 68

This episode is sponsored by our military spouse employment partners at Instant Teams.

In this episode, Kimber talks with Jen Amos of US VetWealth about military transition and how remote work can support.

We also learn from Jen how suicide is a very present danger in transitioning service members. We explore some of the causes and potential solutions to overcoming this issue in the transitioning community.

Jen lost her dad while he was on active duty in the US Navy. The death certificate said his death was unknown or that he may have drowned at sea. 

As Jen and her sister learn more about his story, they’ve discovered he may have committed suicide, but the Navy classified his death that way so his family could still receive their military benefits. 

Jen recognizes there are many reasons why a veteran could commit suicide. One way she and her husband Scott are combating the trend is by giving veterans a sense of purpose after they transition out. 

Military members always know what’s coming next for their career. When they transition out they have to make those decisions on their own. 

Through US VetWealth, Jen and Scott are helping veterans figure out their purpose and how to align their finances to support it. 

Members of the US military are unique. When they retire, they are young and still have several more decades before they can officially retire. 

The internet has been a common theme throughout Jen Amos’ life. 

Jen started building an online community beginning with MSN chat rooms in the 5th grade. 

After being fired from several jobs after college, she then went into sales, which led to running her own social media and marketing agency. 

Today, she is the director of community relations at US VetWealth. She is also the producer of the Wealth and Liberty podcast and the producer and host of the podcast Holding Down the Fort. 

Jen started Holding Down the Fort about a year ago to better understand the current needs of active duty military spouses. 

She’s found that military spouses don’t always need help because they are so resilient and resourceful, but she hopes the podcast provides additional stories and resources that validate where military spouses are on their journey. 

The podcast covers financial benefits, specifically for spouses who might not be receiving the information first hand, entrepreneurship and mental health. 

Links and Resources

US VetWealth (Contact: [email protected])

The Transition Savings Plan

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60): https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium: http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Instant Teams Workforce

Instant Teams LinkedIn

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes:

VirtForce Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify

VirtForce Linktree

Show Notes | August 25, 2020 | Episode 067

Considered a nonessential employee, Elizabeth Raines was laid off from her tutoring job at a local elementary school during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After joining VirtForce, she quickly turned her situation around and got a remote job with e-commerce giant Amazon.  

Elizabeth discovered VirtForce a year ago when she met founder Kimber Hill through the Spouses of Student Aviators group while their husbands were going through the same training in Florida. 

Since she came across VirtForce, Elizabeth had been looking for jobs casually, unsure if she wanted to work from home. Elizabeth enjoys working with others and wasn't sure if remote work would be her ideal job.   

Given the current situation with COVID, she was forced into it. So far, she likes it a lot. With a team group chat, she still gets the social interaction she needs from her coworkers without being face to face. 

Elizabeth's biggest piece of advice? Be proactive! Don't wait to apply. Once Elizabeth stopped waiting a few days to apply, she got a call back. 

Literally the same day Elizabeth received the news that she would not be returning to her tutoring job, VirtForce posted an opportunity with Amazon.

Elizabeth jumped on it, applying within a few hours. 

Tune in to hear more about how Elizabeth bounced back after being laid off and kicked her job search into high gear!  

If you are a new listener to VirtForce podcast, we would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] and let us know how we can help you today!

Links and Resources

VirtForce Facebook Group 

Spouses of Student Aviators Facebook Group 

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Elizabeth Raines LinkedIn

Resume Boot CampFreemium Course (Episodes 47-60) – https://bit.ly/RBCEp47Premium Course – http://bit.ly/vf-bc

Join the Conversation

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section.  

VirtForce on Facebook

VirtForce on LinkedIn

VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes

66. Army Wife Network65. #Hired: Know What Your Skills Are Worth64. VirtForce Candidate Profiles63. #Hired: New Remote Career + New Friend62. Digital Skill Readiness61. #Hired: Don’t Rely on Online Applications