Work From Home with Kimber

Show Notes | May 20, 2020 |Episode 037

We are so excited to release this bonus episode where we sit down with Melissa, a military spouse and Aira Agent. In this jam packed conversation, Melissa and Kimber break down the tips we need to hear as applicants. Melissa, who has two years of experience with Aira, really digs into how you communicate with an Explorer. If you are considering applying with Aira and are nervous about completing the aptitude test where you do a trial run of working with an Explorer , this is a "don't miss" episode.

Links and Resources

Join the Instant Teams Workforce

VirtForce Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify

VirtForce Linktree

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Melissa Nunley Facebook

Explore These Resources

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:

Aira Agent on VirtForce Job Board

Aira Agent Interest Form

Google Maps 101

Here are the important things to learn and minute markers where you can find them.

1:00 interchanging google maps view vs google earth view2:16 Distinguishing alternate routes2:20 Determining your mode of transportation2:50 Route Options3:10 Departure and Arrival Times3:35 Adding more than 1 destination4:40 Street View (north, south, east, west)5:40 Traffic and terrain 6:35 the Nearby feature

Google Maps Public Transit

Here are the important things to learn and minute markers where you can find them. 

1:14 -3:30 Public Transit3:40 - 4:45 schedule explorer

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

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VirtForce on Instagram

Check Out Recent Podcast Episodes:

Applying with Aira? What You Should (And Shouldn't) Say To Blind People

6. Milspouses: The Perfect Fit For Aira

Show Notes | May 19, 2020 | Episode 036Negotiation takes a lot of patience and persistence. It can be challenging to push through the application process and to keep the momentum going. Often we find ourselves taking the first offer that’s extended to us just so that we can get back into the workforce. 

VirtForce member Laura joins us to share her #hired story. She is here to encourage, inspire, and remind you that patience is critical when looking for your next #remote opportunity. Laura talks about how difficult it was to make it to the last round of an interview process and then not be selected. However, not getting selected for that position allowed her to become the top candidate for another fantastic job. Laura was able to not only negotiate her salary but also negotiate a partially remote position into a fully remote opportunity. 

Tune in now to hear how VirtForce founder and podcast host Kimber helped Laura negotiate the role of a lifetime! 

If you are a new listener to the 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 Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify

VirtForce Linktree

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Laura Briggs LinkedIn 

Explore These Resources

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: 

Career Coaches

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

32. Applying to Aira? What You Should (And Shouldn’t) Say To Blind People

31. How to Get Security Clearance

31. 3 Tips for Reframing Your Work From Home Mindset

30. How to Be A Pro Virtual Assistant

Show Notes | May 14, 2020 | Episode 035

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

Hear us out on this: the job market does not have to be a scary place right now. There are amazing opportunities out there, from open jobs to volunteer work to courses designed to develop new skills. This strange time is also a great time to learn how to engage as part of a remote team and how to be successful while working from home. In this episode, career coach Kristen Earp gives us tools and strategies to reframe our mindset while working from home during a global pandemic.

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

Join the Instant Teams Workforce

VirtForce Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify

VirtForce Linktree

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

Kristen Earp LinkedIn

Explore these Resources

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: 

15-Minute Power Session with Kristen Earp 

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:

32. Applying to Aira? What You Should (And Shouldn’t) Say To Blind People

31. How to Get Security Clearance

30. How to Be A Pro Virtual Assistant

29. Is Volunteer Work Hurting You?

28. How to Freelance with Laura Briggs

About Our Sponsor

Instant Teams serves professionals across the military-connected community whose lifestyles demand communication and flexibility. Their automated remote team innovation software, Arti, uniquely positions Instant Teams to serve a high growth customer base, and improve the employment prospects of military spouses and other military-connected individuals.

Join the Instant Teams workforce today at this link: bit.ly/InstantTeams

Blog

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back to the podcast our friend Kristen Earp. You may recognize her from the VirtForce community. She is one of our fantastic vetted career coaches. 

It’s no secret we are living in strange times right now. As milspouses, we are definitely used to a certain amount of uncertainty and, let’s call it what it is, weirdness in our lives. However, this is magnified and is unlike anything we’ve dealt with before.

We are going to break down Kristen’s 3 Tips to Navigating Remote Work and Social Distancing.

Stop calling it social distancing. Reframe it in your mind as physical distancing.Think about where you can make an impact.Know that eventually this will pass. 

Hear us out on this: the job market does not have to be a scary place right now. There are amazing opportunities out there, from open jobs to volunteer work to courses designed to develop new skills. This strange time is also a great time to learn how to engage as part of a remote team and how to be successful while working from home.

Show Notes | May 8, 2020 | Episode 034

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

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day and we want to take a minute to thank all of the amazing military spouses that are part of the VirtForce community. From our fearless leader Kimber Hill, to our staff, to our amazing volunteer Brand Ambassadors, to the men and women that make up this incredible community. From the bottoms of our hearts: thank you.

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

Join the Instant Teams Workforce

VirtForce in The Huffington Post

VirtForce Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify

VirtForce Linktree

Kimber Hill 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:

32. Applying to Aira? What You Should (And Shouldn’t) Say To Blind People

31. How to Get Security Clearance

30. How to Be A Pro Virtual Assistant

29. Is Volunteer Work Hurting You?

28. How to Freelance with Laura Briggs

About Our Sponsor

Instant Teams serves professionals across the military-connected community whose lifestyles demand communication and flexibility. Their automated remote team innovation software, Arti, uniquely positions Instant Teams to serve a high growth customer base, and improve the employment prospects of military spouses and other military-connected individuals.

Join the Instant Teams workforce today at this link: bit.ly/InstantTeams

Show Notes | May 7, 2020 | Episode 033

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

Have you ever dreamed of running your own empire? Setting your own hours? Choosing the clients that you want to work with? Then scrolling and click play. Kimber sits down with six-figure Virtual Assistant pace setter, April Wilhelm. Through April’s company, Stay At Home Profit, you can learn VA work from a true pro. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?” this is the episode for you.

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

Join the Instant Teams Workforce

VirtForce Podcast on Apple Podcasts 

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify

VirtForce Linktree

Kimber Hill LinkedIn

April Wilhelm LinkedIn

Explore these Resources

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources: 

Stay At Home ProfitStay At Home Profit Podcast

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:

29. Applying to Aira? What You Should (And Shouldn't) Say To Blind People

28. How to Get Security Clearance

27. Is Volunteer Work Hurting You?

26. How to Freelance with Laura Briggs

About Our Sponsor

Instant Teams serves professionals across the military-connected community whose lifestyles demand communication and flexibility. Their automated remote team innovation software, Arti, uniquely positions Instant Teams to serve a high growth customer base, and improve the employment prospects of military spouses and other military-connected individuals.

Join the Instant Teams workforce today at this link: bit.ly/InstantTeams

Blog

Have you ever dreamed of running your own empire? Setting your own hours? Choosing the clients that you want to work with? Then quit scrolling and click play.

In this episode, Kimber sits down with six-figure Virtual Assistant pace setter, April Wilhelm. Through April’s company, Stay At Home Profit, you can learn VA work from a true pro. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?” this is the episode for you. Kimber and April talk all about how you can be there for your kids/spouse/family/dog/etc while still working and pursuing your own at-home career.

April built her business from the NICU after her daughter was born premature at only 26 weeks. She was surrounded by circumstances she had no control over. She needed to feel in control of something and she threw herself into building her business from the ground up. She knew that working would not only give her control over at least part of her life, but it gave her back her self-identity and a sense of fulfillment.

Stay At Home Profit is focused on digital marketing strategy. In the training they offer, soon-to-be Virtual Assistants not only identify their personality type and skillset,

Show Notes | April 30, 2020 | Episode 032

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

The opportunity to apply to be an Aira Agent will open again soon, so buckle up for a crash course in “blind people for dummies.” 

Our team recently traveled to Military Creator Con and Podfest 2020 in Orlando, FL where Kimber was lucky enough to meet David Goldstein of the iCantCU podcast. David has been visually impaired his entire life. In this episode, Kimber and David sit down to chat about what it was like for him to navigate a huge conference like Podfest, how he uses Aira (shout-out to one of our favorite employment partners!), and the things you should (and shouldn’t) say when talking to or guiding a visually impaired individual. 

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 

Join the Instant Teams Workforce  

VirtForce Podcast on Apple Podcasts  

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify 

VirtForce Linktree 

Kimber Hill LinkedIn 

iCantCU 

Explore these Resources 

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:  

Aira 

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: 

28. How to Get Security Clearance

27. Is Volunteer Work Hurting You?

26. How to Freelance with Laura Briggs

Blog

The opportunity to apply to be an Aira Agent will open again soon, so take a minute to think about this: how would you give directions to a visually impaired individual that would allow them to cross a street safely and without running into anything? How would you explain where the restroom is in a giant conference center? If you’ve ever looked into the VirtForce partnership with Aira, you may have asked yourself these questions.  

In this episode, Kimber sits down with David Goldstein of the iCantCU podcast. The two met while attending Military Creator Con and Podfest in Orlando, FL. David, a lifelong entrepreneur and podcaster, has been visually impaired for his entire life. He says that the iCantCU podcast is “blind people for dummies.”  

In this episode, Kimber and David sit down to chat about what it was like for him to navigate Podfest, how he uses Aira (shout-out to one of our favorite partners!), and the things you should (and shouldn’t) say when talking to or guiding a visually impaired individual. 

Not only is this episode a great resource for anyone interested in working with Aira and their worldwide community of explorers like David, but it is also a great resource for us as community members and human beings. 

Make sure to tune in and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify). 

We want to give a special thanks to our military spouse employment partners at Instant Teams for sponsoring this episode! 

About Our Sponsor

Show Notes | April 23, 2020 | Episode 031  

 We know security clearances can be tricky, especially when navigating life after service and telework. In this episode, we break down how to put your security clearance to use, how to maintain your clearance, and how to obtain security clearance. Kimber sits down with Jeff Bennett of DoD Secure and Red Bike Publishing to answer all of our questions about security clearances and gives us hope that, yes, you can work from home in a job that requires security clearance. 

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 Podcast on Apple Podcasts   

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify  

Kimber Hill LinkedIn  

Jeff Bennett LinkedIn   

In this episode, we discussed the following resources:  

Red Bike Publishing  

Insider’s Guide to Security Clearance 

DoD Secure Podcast 

Security Clearance Application 

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  

27. Tiger King Video Chat Do’s & Don’ts  

How to Freelance with Laura Briggs  

Famous Remote Workers from Cavemen to Walt Disney  

24. Telework in the Time of Corona  

Blog

We know security clearances can be tricky, especially when navigating life after service and telework. In this episode, Kimber sits down with Jeff Bennett of DoD Secureand Red Bike Publishing to answer all of our questions about security clearances and gives us hope that, yes, you can work from home in a job that requires security clearance. Jeff is a veteran and security clearance guru. Together, he and Kimber break down the following questions: 

How do I put my security clearance to use after the service? How do I maintain my clearance? How do I even start the process to obtain security clearance? 

If you are transitioning out of the service, or are already considering what life after the service may look like for you, rest assured that any clearance you may have when you exit the service can easily be transitioned to a new job. But here’s the catch – you must transition your clearance to a new role within 24 months. If you don’t, you will need to restart the process to get re-cleared. 

So, if you’ve got your eye on a job with a government entity or government contractor that requires a clearance, we’re going to cover what that means.  

Here is a pro-tip from Jeff: if you know you want to do work that will require a security clearance, go online and download a form (SF-86 or the Security Clearance Application). Start by gathering your addresses for the last 7-10 years, the places you’ve worked, the people you’ve known, etc. Having this list ready is something you can control and a great way to prepare. 

What is a security clearance?  

 To break it down simply, there are three levels of clearance:  

1) Confidential (lowest level),  

Show Notes | April 23, 2020 | Episode 030

Warning: This episode covers potentially triggering topics including suicide, substance abuse, and sexual assault.  

In this episode, we are sharing a raw conversation with entrepreneur and veteran John Krotec of GreenZone Hero. John is using his experiences, including a traumatic brain injury and childhood sexual assault, to bring what he has learned from them to the military community. We are proud to share John’s story during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and to shine light on a conversation that is often times hard to have.  

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 Podcast on Apple Podcasts   

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify  

Kimber Hill LinkedIn  

John Krotec LinkedIn  

Explore These Resources  

If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider these resources:  

The National Resource Directory  

Veterans Crisis Line  

Vet Call Center 1-877-WAR-VETS  

National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 800-656-HOPE  

National Sexual Violence Resource Center  

In this episode, we discussed the following resources:  

GreenZone Hero  

Straight Outta Combat  

Task Force Zen  

Fractals Poetry  

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  

How to Freelance with Laura Briggs  

27. Tiger King Video Chat Do’s & Don’ts  

24. Telework in the Time of Corona  

Famous Remote Workers from Cavemen to Walt Disney  

Blog

In this episode, we are sharing a raw conversation with entrepreneur and veteran John Krotec of GreenZone Hero. John is a firm believer that, “living is people.” It is people who create our experience and our existence here. He is using his experiences and what he has learned through them, including a traumatic brain injury and childhood sexual assault, to pour back into the military community. GreenZone Hero is an online directory of businesses (both veteran and non-veteran owned) that support freedom in one way or another. This includes giving special pricing to veterans and active duty, employing veterans, or supporting the military community in some other way. John is also the mind behind Straight Outta Combat Radio and Task Force Zen Radio, podcasts that tell the stories of our combat veterans so we can change the negative stereotypes surrounding veterans and have an open conversation. 

It is clear through spending even just 5 minutes with John that he has a powerful mindset and is a necessary voice for combat veterans whose stories need to be told. Everything he does is with the goal of benefitting our military community. This includes staffing GreenZone Hero with milspouses. Through his work, John is unveiling what it’s like to be a veteran and what it’s like in the life of a ser...

Show Notes | April 16, 2020 | Episode 029 

Volunteer work may be hurting you and may be leading you to self-sabotage your job prospects. In this Resume Bootcamp Teaser episode, we offer some ideas for how to take advantage of #stayinghome to volunteer and bolster your resume. Right now, it feels like a lot of things are out of our control, but something we can control is how shape our volunteer experiences to help us in our job search rather than hurt us. Learn how by listening now.  

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 Podcast on Apple Podcasts  

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify 

Kimber Hill LinkedIn VolunteerMatch.org 

Explore these Resources 

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:  

Resume Bootcamp Wait List  

10. “You are what you speak” with Mark England 

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 

27. Tiger King Video Chat Do’s & Don’ts 

26. How to Freelance with Laura Briggs 

 Famous Remote Workers from Cavemen to Walt Disney 

24. Telework in the Time of Corona 

Blog

In these chaotic and uncertain times, when unemployment is skyrocketing and quarantine has become the norm, it is daunting to think about our resumes, our work experience, and what our future in the workforce might look like.  

Here at VirtForce, our hearts go out to everyone experience economic hardship. One of our core values is servant leadership - our team is always working to give back to our community. Because of that, we want to share this teaser for an upcoming resource called Resume Bootcamp. 

In this episode, we talk about how you can frame volunteer experience to your advantage, both on your resume and in interviews.  

So why are we talking about this now?  

If you are able, you can take this time to support your community and volunteer. We found over 120,000 virtual volunteer opportunities using VolunteerMatch.org. Why not use your skills and time to not only bolster your resume and LinkedIn, but also contribute to the greater good while we all find our way through this #pandemic. 

As you look to bolster your work experience with volunteering, make sure you are considering how you may be using your volunteer work to self-sabotage your job prospects. Yes, your volunteer work can actually hurt you on your resume, LinkedIn, and in interviews. 

This is the bottom line: volunteer work may not be exchanging your time for pay but it is exchanging your time for experience. Because of this, volunteer positions should be listed with formal titles (not just “Volunteer”) and should be treated like any other job on your resume and LinkedIn. 

Kimber walks you through exactly how you should be listing your volunteer work, how to ride the confidence wave, and how to check yourself to make sure you are using architect language.

Show Notes | April 9, 2020 | Episode 028

Solopreneur. Milpreneur. Mompreneur. Do any of these words resonate with you? Good, because this episode is full of advice for anyone considering freelance or contractor work. Kimber sits down with VirtForce family member and wildly successful freelance coach Laura Briggs. They chat about everything from the differences in remote and freelance work to facing the fears that come along with being your own boss. 

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 Podcast on Apple Podcasts  

VirtForce Podcast on Spotify 

VirtForce Linktree 

Kimber Hill LinkedIn 

Laura Briggs LinkedIn 

Advanced Freelancing Podcast 

Explore these Resources 

In this episode, we mentioned the following resources:  

Xero Accounting Software 

GoDaddy Online Bookkeeping 

Laura’s Books: 

How To Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business 

The Top 24 Most Profitable Freelance Side Hustles 

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 

Tiger King Video Chat Do’s & Don’ts 

Famous Remote Workers from Cavemen to Walt Disney 

Telework in the Time of Corona 

Blog

Thinking about a stronger financial future for your family? Have you ever wondered if you can have a job and a freelance side gig? This episode focuses not only on how to become a freelancer, but really on how to create a business (or job) that brings you joy and allows you to take some much-needed time for yourself. 

Kimber sat down with Laura Briggs, a VirtForce family member, milspouse, and wildly successful freelance coach. Laura has trained over 5,000 freelancers, has published several books on the topic of freelancing, and has her own podcast. She really is an example of being able to do it all. 

In this amazing episode, Kimber and Laura chat about everything from the difference between remote and freelance work to facing the fears that come along with being your own boss. 

Make sure to tune in and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify).