Author Archives: Juan Burton

What to Know About Community Association & HOA Loans

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According to the most recent numbers gathered by the Foundation for Community Association Research, approximately 74.2 million people are part of a homeowner’s community association in the U.S. These associations look to HOA loans as a smart way to get capital improvement projects done quickly without breaking into reserve funds.

Homeowner’s associations (HOA), cooperatives, and timeshare properties often run against the clock for property updates or much-needed repairs that require immediate attention, making an HOA loan a great option to fix things fast. As interest rates continue to rise, there’s no better time than the present, so let’s look at the basics of what an HOA loan is, how to get one, and what to expect in the process.

The Right Lender is Crucial

Working with a trustworthy and reliable lender will be the most important choice you make in securing an HOA loan. If your current bank provides HOA loans, it will likely make the application process easier.

Whichever lender you choose, it’s best to conduct thorough research on the front end to know what will be expected as far as paperwork and documentation goes. Gathering these important documents as you research will help you expedite the approval process when you’re ready to apply. This could also save your association a lot of hassle during the loan approval stages.

Payment is Made by Those Benefiting

The property owners within your community want all of the benefits their HOA or timeshare contract has to offer while they are living at the property, including improved accessibility and upgraded common areas. Making the improvements and increasing HOA fees over time to pay the loan ensures that the people enjoying the upgrades are the ones who will be rightfully paying for it. 

Specific Factors Lenders Want to See

Many banks specialize in HOA loans while others offer them as a courtesy to their account holders. If you’re a member of an HOA board and searching for the best rates and terms, here are a few terms you should know in the process. Expect them to come up as you communicate with a potential lender.

Diversity of ownership: Your association’s loan approval odds will increase if you can show diversity in ownership. When one owner has a majority stake in a concentration of units, banks tend to be less inclined to approve an HOA loan request. If your association is made up of a diverse group of owners sharing a stake in the capital project to be funded, the bank will be much more likely to approve your loan request.Owner-occupied units vs. rentals: When homes or timeshare units are primarily occupied by owners instead of renters, banks are more likely to offer a community association loan. Too many renters could be a red flag that association will not be able to pay back the loan through collecting increased dues, as there are legal restrictions around increases in rent.Delinquencies: When a lender questions your association about delinquencies in dues, they’re really trying to see how dependable monthly payments will be for replaying the HOA loan in the future. If your records show more than 10% in delinquent association fees, you might have trouble qualifying for a loan.

Getting the Loan You Need

Working with a trusted and reliable loan partner is always better than accepting a loan offer from an unknown bank. Don’t let rising interest rates keep your HOA projects waiting — start researching the right loan today.

The post What to Know About Community Association & HOA Loans appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Use Social Proof for Marketing

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Social media made it easier for people to exchange and access information – this extends to the products and services they purchase. The more reviews or recommendations customers read, the more they’ll trust or dislike a brand’s products.

This is done through a psychological phenomenon called “Social Proof” which marketers use to skyrocket conversion rates. But in order to use this effectively, we need to understand the fundamentals of what social proof is.

Social Proof Psychology

Social proof is a concept etched deep into our core human psychology. In a nutshell, it means we’re more inclined to do something we’re uncertain of if we see others doing it as well.

This extends to people with authority, celebrities, and other personalities with an influence.

According to psychologist Harold Kelly, three guiding factors influence a person’s decision-making in social settings: “Consensus, Consistency, and Distinctiveness”.

Here’s how you would use it from a marketing standpoint:

Consensus – Are others using the product? How do they feel about it?Consistency – Will a customer feel the same way about a product as time goes by?Distinctiveness – How unusual or uncommon an action is for a person.

Now that we’ve learned the basic psychology behind social proof, let’s learn about why it’s so beneficial for marketers.

5 Reasons Why Social Proof Matters In Marketing

Reviews Are Essential – 93% of online shoppers check reviews before making a purchase (Consensus). The visibility that products have helps people remember a product over time. (Consistency).

Consumers Trust Family/Friends – Research suggests that 92% of consumers trust friends and family most when it comes to product recommendations VS celebrities with paid endorsements.

Organic Opinions – Most people value organic reviews rather than paid ads with a celebrity that doesn’t usually use certain products (Distinctiveness).

Builds Trust & Legitimacy – Social proof builds trust which is crucial to converting clients online. Through testimonials and user reviews, a business shows its legitimacy and trustworthiness to potential clients.

Expert Testimonies Establishes Credibility – Social proof builds online marketing credibility. Expert testimony may be more persuasive than 100 average reviews. Using client logos can give social evidence and authority.

With these in mind, here’s how you can use social proof in your next marketing campaign:

How To Use Social Proof In Marketing

Testimonials and Reviews

Satisfied customers often leave short, but impactful reviews. No matter what niche you’re in, testimonials can be powerful forms of social proof. 

This includes ratings, reviews, social media posts, and more. People can also upload images of your product so others can see the actual product.

In certain circumstances, images include a lot of noise or undesired objects. If this happens, you may utilize free programs to cleanup pictures for your official website or social networking profiles.

Milestones and Awards

Show off your company’s awards and rankings. It’s great for corporate promotion. Some awards include a badge for your website’s footer or homepage.

Social proof options include attaining xx number of likes, purchases, or anniversaries. It also allows you to engage with your audience through promos or offers.

Influencer Marketing

This social proof technique uses influencers to promote your brand in their photos, videos, and other forms of content. Brands can also collaborate with local micro-influencers with small yet dedicated fans.

You can either pay influencers their fee for promoting your brand or send them free products for them to review or sample. Either way, influencer marketing is becoming the fastest-growing consumer acquisition tool out there.

Publish Case Studies On Website/Blogs

If you have a website or blog where you promote or sell your product, it’s best to optimize it for social proof. The best way to do so is by creating case studies from satisfied customers.

Reach out to the customers and ask if they’re willing to join a case study. This type of content should be more detailed or technical.

You can then showcase the case studies as a downloadable pdf or a landing page on your site.

Engaging With Social Media Mentions

Replying to mentions on social media is one of the best ways to connect with your audience. Thank them when they’re praising you and assist when they need help. But, there will be cases where you’re tagged because of an issue or concern.

When this happens, take the comment into consideration. If it is a widespread issue, respond that your team will look into it as soon as possible to continue delivering the best quality products.

Key Takeaways

Social proof is essential for marketers as it helps us understand the psychology behind how to use facets of social media to boost revenue. As more shoppers use social media for product reviews and testimonials, consider the following:

93% of internet users look at reviews and testimonials before purchasing a product or service. However, 92% trust family and friends more compared to influencers.Engaging with customers through social media shows genuine care for a brand’s audience.Social Proof can make or break a brand’s image. If enough customers have a bad review or experience, it’s likely others will look past your products and services.

Meta Description: Marketers use social proof techniques to tap into the basic psychological triggers of humans when making decisions which can lead to higher conversions.

The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Use Social Proof for Marketing appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

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Ways Business Startups Can Remain Productive

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When opening your own startup, a key aspect of being successful is a healthy amount of productivity. Productivity and ensuring operations are being run efficiently is how you get your feet off the ground. It’s also how you ultimately grow as a business as well. However, it’s not uncommon for new startups to lose a bit of traction. Whether it’s because of unclear goals or not enough funding, productivity levels can fluctuate when you least expect them to, which can be bad for business. In this post, we’ll be going over a few ways for startups to remain productive.

Get Your Thoughts, Ideas, and Goals Organized

In order to keep everything productive, you must learn to clear your mind first and foremost. A chaotic and frantic mind will only make things more complicated than they have to be. It’s certainly understandable, however, because running a business is no easy task. Many newcomers to the industry often find themselves swamped with responsibility. However, that doesn’t mean you should let it overwhelm you. The key to properly managing it is to organize your thoughts. Go over your ideas and any goals you have in mind. Deliberate which goals you should prioritize and the ones you need to put on the backburner. When you know exactly what you’re working towards, the process can become a lot easier.

Invest in the Proper Technology

The way businesses were run back in the day is nowhere near the same as they’re operated today. This is all thanks to the implementation of technology. Technology has simplified tasks that required a lot of attention to something you can do from home. Fleet technology is one of the best examples of this. If your business specializes in delivering products and services, then a fleet is a must-have. But before you can use it, you’ll need to have the appropriate technology installed first.

Some of the mandatory technology includes GPS tracking systems and ELDs. A fuel management system is also ideal because it helps you lower the costs and come up with effective strategies. When it comes to fuel costs, getting fuel cards is a fantastic way for trucking companies to keep tabs on how much they’re spending. There are fuel cards for truckers that can also provide a significant discount and make it easier to report for the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).

Simplify Communication Between Team Members

If there’s one thing that either improve business productivity or throw your productivity off balance, it’s communication. Whenever there’s a project or a venture that needs planned out, you and your team members must have a way to effectively communicate. It makes the strategic phase more open-ended; people can ask questions and get immediate answers and even share their progress on their end for quick feedback. Interestingly enough, technology has made communication far easier than it originally was. This is because of applications, like Zoom, Google Meets, and Slack. You can even host meetings via video call, which can save a lot of time in the long run.

The post Ways Business Startups Can Remain Productive appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.

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Global Expansion Roadblocks: Managing An International Team

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The internet and technological innovations like eCommerce platforms, cloud computing, video conferencing software, and other business resources allow brands to expand into international markets and increase their earnings potential. While the opportunities are endless, global expansions lead to heavier workloads and more responsibilities requiring the assistance of a diverse workforce. Unfortunately, cultivating a team and managing the legalities, logistics, and day-to-day operations is challenging. 

Source: Unsplash

Accommodating Diverse Teams

Diversity in the workplace is a substantial advantage. It’s the uniqueness of each individual that, when harnessed and combined with others, can open the doors of opportunity. A diverse team provides access to different perspectives, creativities, and innovations, which can ultimately improve productivity, increase sales, and separate your brand from competitors. Be that as it may, managing a group from different locations, cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds isn’t easy. 

Establishing and managing a global team requires businesses to consider and understand everything from international laws to team member needs. They must protect employee rights, provide a healthy work environment, and develop policies and procedures to streamline processes and encourage collaboration. 

Global Team Management Solutions

As you can imagine, the more countries you set up operations in, the more complicated it becomes to develop an effective global team management strategy. Fortunately, there are practical solutions to make the process more efficient. 

Cloud-Based Applications

Whether creating, filing, and sharing documents or delegating tasks and managing the progress, cloud-based applications are essential for remote teams and international organizations. They prevent purchasing and downloading software and enable authorized users to access the platforms from any internet-capable device. Cloud-based applications also update in real-time, improving productivity and reducing errors. They encourage collaboration and allow team members to perform their jobs more efficiently. 

Global Employment Outsourcing

How do you find the best talent in an unfamiliar region or industry? Do you know the appropriate salaries and required benefits an international team member must receive? Are you familiar with drafting employment contracts? If you’re unsure of the answers to these questions, you might consider outsourcing your needs to a global employment organization. It’s a team of experts that specializes in international hiring. They can assist companies in finding the most qualified candidates while remaining compliant with international laws. 

International Payroll Services

Your staff expects payment for their services. However, understanding the differences in time zones, currencies, pay schedules, tax withholdings, and labor regulations is easier said than done. While managing multiple systems may feel like a solution, it’s a costly process that slows productivity and increases the risks of errors. 

You can avoid the headache and high penalties by working with an agency that offers international payroll services. They provide a secure and user-friendly platform for clients to streamline their payroll processes. You can issue payments, track time cards, distribute and manage benefits, generate financial reports, and handle team member HR requests from one source, saving you time and money. 

Diversity Training Courses

Diversity can be your brand’s biggest asset but also present some of your biggest challenges. Managing a global team requires an extensive understanding of the various countries and cultures they represent. You must learn how to embrace their differences and cultivate an environment that encourages inclusiveness. 

One of the most effective ways to build and manage a diverse workplace is to enlist in diversity training courses. There are many options to accommodate different interests and learning styles. Such training should be a requirement for the entire organization and be revisited regularly to ensure everyone feels appreciated and valued. You can further your efforts to diversify the workplace by celebrating special holidays and milestones that are meaningful to your team. 

The landscape of the modern workforce has undoubtedly changed. It went from managing local staff in a brick-and-mortar location to overseeing remote teams and now traveling across international borders. While a global expansion could be the ticket to success, it requires the backing of a qualified team of professionals to sustain operations. As you begin planning your international hiring and management processes, consider implementing technological resources like those above to help simplify your experience. 

The post Global Expansion Roadblocks: Managing An International Team appeared first on Enterprise Podcast Network – EPN.

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AI’s Growing Impact on the Marketing Industry

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is having an increasingly significant impact on the marketing industry and its professionals. Here’s a closer look at some of its uses.

Source: Unsplash

AI Can Make Text and Sentiment Analysis More Efficient

Marketers can immediately recognize the value of letting AI scan text to pick up on trends. For example, this approach could come in handy for examining how people feel about new marketing campaigns. Did the effort leave them feeling inspired and uplifted or confused and bored? Well-built AI algorithms can quickly analyze massive quantities of text, revealing those essential takeaways.

The possibilities for using this technology are virtually endless. Imagine the convenience of relying on AI to see which questions typically arise when customers contact the email support team. The marketing team could use those insights to improve website content, including help documentation or product videos.

Using AI for sentiment analysis can also help marketers determine when users’ comments are serious versus sarcastic. University of Central Florida researchers developed an AI model that could detect cues most likely to indicate sarcasm.

The researchers pointed out how the online realm makes it much harder for people to pick out sarcastic communications. That’s because they lack the body language-related signals that help them gauge what’s said using contextual cues.

Marketers must feel confident they’ve understood a customer’s tone correctly. It’s then easier to respond correctly to comments on social media posts and other publicly accessible content.

AI Can Deliver Personalized Content

Apple forced the marketing industry to adapt by letting users opt into certain types of tracking. Marketing professionals historically relied on location and device-based cookies for ad targeting. However, with many users now opting out of such tracking, the marketing world must do things differently. AI plays a key role in this transition.

For example, marketers often use dynamic creative ads with interchangeable content that adjusts to each user. Advancements in AI mean there’s no need to gather device or cookie data to give people relevant content.

The move away from third-party cookies has also made marketers prioritize getting zero-party data. It’s information consumers voluntarily give about themselves. Once a company’s marketing department has enough zero-party data, it can use AI to make the most of opportunities.

For example, a customer might agree to register with an e-commerce site in exchange for a one-time discount. Then, a company would have a record of everything that person buys. The marketing department could then feed that information into AI algorithms that make product suggestions.

Some companies also sell AI-powered drip marketing platforms for personalized emails. Marketers can set parameters so that people get certain communications after taking specific actions. Those could include signing up for a newsletter, placing an item in a shopping cart without finishing the transaction or purchasing a product. Drip campaign messages can also go out on schedules. The idea is that they help companies or products stay in a top-of-mind position without bombarding consumers.

AI Can Relieve Marketers of Time-Consuming Tasks

Modern marketers typically have busy schedules, so they welcome anything that could help them save time. That often means being open to using AI. Some AI-driven social media posting platforms choose the best time of day to show users new content. You then don’t need to spend time posting materials to all the outlets your company utilizes.

Artificial intelligence can also complement existing marketing automation platforms. A February 2022 study showed that 38% of respondents felt marketing automation improved how workers used their time. It’s easy to imagine how that percentage could grow if marketers invest in AI, too.

Many data analytics platforms used by marketers have AI features. Users can then generate reports more efficiently and extract meaningful insights faster than they otherwise could.

Another valuable application of AI relates to email sorting. Many tools can automatically categorize incoming messages or remind people if they take too long to send replies. Users can then avoid wasting time by trying to stay on top of email management. AI isn’t perfect, but it often cuts down many of the most cumbersome manual duties.

AI Can Support Content Marketing

Content is the backbone of many marketing efforts. It’s what can attract people to a website and keep them coming back for more, plus establish brands as worthy of someone’s trust, money and attention.

Many people wonder if AI could eventually replace human copywriters. That’s not likely to happen anytime soon, though, and it might never occur on a large scale. Google’s John Mueller, highly regarded as a search engine optimization expert, weighed in on the topic on various social media platforms.

His primary takeaway was that people don’t need any more help creating low-quality content. That’s what today’s AI copywriting products can do best. Instead, people must focus on creating high-quality material that engages the audience. Mueller also pointed out that solutions with some degree of automation, such as content spinners, are nothing new. Human copywriters remain relevant, though.

That’s not to say there’s no place for AI in content marketing, however. Some AI tools help by checking content for grammar and spelling errors. Even the most conscientious people sometimes miss mistakes while self-editing. Using AI tools for proofreading can ensure content doesn’t go live while still containing flaws.

The technology can also help people come up with titles and topics once they feel like they’ve hit creative blocks. Such tools usually work by requiring people to input a few bits of information, like the primary subject and the audience’s expertise level. They provide tailored suggestions based on a user’s input.

AI Can Safeguard Marketers From Risks

Minimizing risk is a huge part of operating a successful business. A 2022 study indicated that AI was instrumental in reducing business risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research involved small and medium-sized companies based in London.

More specifically, companies experienced a 2% reduction in risks to profits by utilizing personalized shopping recommendations. There was also a 1.2% decrease in threats to the business when people used AI for audience targeting. The researchers confirmed that artificial intelligence paid off for companies regardless of factors such as turnover and years since establishment.

However, there was a significant gap in the percentage of small businesses versus medium-sized ones opting to use AI. While 70.4% of medium-sized companies did, only 26% of small enterprises invested in artificial intelligence. That could be because leaders at smaller companies feel more reluctant to devote funds to new technologies without getting confirmation that they’ll help the bottom line.

The good news is it’s becoming easier for marketers at companies of all sizes to find AI solutions that fit their needs and budgets. One of the reasons is that artificial intelligence is more accessible than it once was, which lowers the associated costs. People also have lots of opportunities to gradually start using AI in marketing and scale up when it makes sense for their budgets.

How Will You Start Using AI in Marketing?

These examples show how AI-enabled marketing applications are gaining momentum in the industry. Now is a great time to start considering the most appropriate ways for your company or marketing team to consider using the technology in the near-to-mid future.

Get feedback from all involved parties and see which tasks they say take the most time or are the most prone to errors. Those could be good starting points for deploying AI.

The main thing to remember is that AI is not a replacement for marketing professionals. However, it can supplement what they do and improve their workflows.

Eleanor is editor of Designerly Magazine. Eleanor was the creative director and occasional blog writer at a prominent digital marketing agency before becoming her own boss in 2018. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and dog, Bear.

The post AI’s Growing Impact on the Marketing Industry appeared first on Enterprise Podcast Network – EPN.

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Is mobile commerce going to hurt or help e-commerce if there’s a downturn?

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Matt Hudson, the CEO and co-founder of BILDIT.co and Ryan Terry, President and co-founder of BILDIT.co the leading mobile app development platform specially designed for retail and brand ecommerce joins eCommerce Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guests Matt Hudson & Ryan Terry discuss the following:

Ryan, we spoke previously about e-commerce and technology, but with a major retail period around the corner and a potential recession, I need to ask:
Is mobile commerce going to hurt or help e-commerce if there’s a downturn?
Matt, can you give us a quick refresher on what “native app technology” means for the e-commerce enterprise?
What are some ways in which a mobile commerce strategy will help retailers with the critical holiday season?
Both of you have deep backgrounds in app technology – what made you launch your company, BILDIT, around native app solutions?
A forecast question – do you see web-based e-commerce fading away in favor of mobile commerce (mCommerce), or do you see shoppers favoring both channels?

Matt Hudson is the co-founder and CEO of BILDIT, the leading mobile app development platform specially designed for retail and brand ecommerce. Matt has served as the architect of the Belk app and mobile app e-commerce consultant. His mission is to bild great products and great people.  Matt’s had the privilege of featured at Facebook’s F8 Conference and his insights have been featured across television and leading media.  He serves as a mentor for Dan Ariely’s Startup Lab at Duke University.

Ryan Terry is President of BILDIT, the leading mobile app development platform specially designed for retail and brand ecommerce. Ryan has over 15 years of experience in digital retail including leading advertising growth, brand development, and mobile app creation for retailers and suppliers in the US, China, and Japan markets. Under his leadership, he has driven over $100 million in net new revenue to date for his clients and retailers while creating strategic partnerships across hundreds of vendors in the process. In addition to his professional career, he is also an avid philanthropist with long term goals set on global youth outreach via athletic leadership curriculum.

Website: https://bildit.co

Social Media Links:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/bilditon
Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/bilditon

The post Is mobile commerce going to hurt or help e-commerce if there’s a downturn? appeared first on Enterprise Podcast Network – EPN.

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S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting

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Managing by objectives is preferable to managing by task in almost all situations. If you tell someone where to step, you have to be with them for every step. If you tell them where and when you want them to end up, you can leave them to find their own way.

Without setting goals or objectives, work becomes a series of chaotic happenings you don’t control. You become the plaything of coincidence. Major accomplishments such as curing the world of a disease or creating a billion dollar business are the culmination of a series of goals. A vision that was charted and realized.

What is S.M.A.R.T. goal setting?

S.M.A.R.T.  goal setting brings structure to your goals and objectives. Instead of vague resolutions, S.M.A.R.T.  goal setting creates verifiable trajectories towards certain objectives, with clear milestones and an estimation of the goal’s attainability. Every goal, from intermediary step to overarching objective, can be made S.M.A.R.T. and as such, brought closer to reality.

In corporate life, S.M.A.R.T.  goal setting is one of the most effective tools for achieving goals. Once you’ve charted to outlines of your project, it’s time to set specific intermediary goals. With the S.M.A.R.T.  checklist, you can evaluate your objectives. S.M.A.R.T.  goal setting also creates transparency throughout the company. It clarifies the way goals came into existence, and establishes clear success criteria so that no-one is in any doubt as to when the goal has been achieved.

What does S.M.A.R.T. goal setting stand for?

To make a goal S.M.A.R.T., it needs to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.

Specific

If goals are vague it is hard to know when you have achieved them. A goal, “make more profit” leaves lots of room for interpretation. The more specific your description, the clearer everyone will be on what exactly you mean. So a better goal would be “Increase profits for the year by 25% by selling more high-margin software products”. It can be helpful to ask: What exactly do I want to achieve, where, how, when and with who? What are the conditions and limitations? Why do I want to reach this goal? What are possible alternative ways of achieving the same?

Measurable

Measurable goals means that you identify exactly what it is you will see when you reach your goal. It means breaking your goal down into measurable elements. Some goals have multiple elements, such as “sell 200 units next month”. Other goals may have a single event such as “have my manager sign-off my sales plan for Q3”.

Measurable goals go a long way in refining what exactly it is that you want, too. Defining the physical manifestations of your goal or objective makes it clearer, and easier to reach.

Achievable

Is your goal attainable? That means investigating whether the goal really is possible for you or your team. You must weigh the effort, time and other costs your goal will take against the profits and the other obligations and priorities you have.

If you don’t have access to the time, money or talent to reach a certain goal you’ll certainly fail. That doesn’t mean that you can’t take set stretch goals and make them happen by planning S.M.A.R.T. ly.

In some circumstances it may be valuable to set levels of attainment. If your goal is to have your team deliver twice as many widgets with no extra labor, you might also set an acceptable target as delivering 1.5 times.

Relevant

Is reaching your goal relevant? Do you actually want to run a multinational? Will reducing your team’s consumption of paper clips help your organization?

In most businesses goals are cascaded down. The Leadership Team set corporate goals for the year. Departments set quarterly goals that will move the business towards the annual corporate goals. Teams set monthly goals to move the department towards the quarterly goals, and individuals set themselves weekly goals to play their part in delivering the team’s monthly goals. Linking goals in this way ensures that they are relevant.

You could set a goal of having a bigger team, but will that actually help to deliver the corporate goals?

Timely

Time is money! Everybody knows that deadlines are what makes most people switch to action. So install deadlines, for yourself and your team, and go after them. Keep the timeline realistic, and build in milestones, achievements that you can reach along the way that help to track progress and keep morale high.

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Work from Home Jobs at Amazon. Here’s What You Need to Know.

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First, Amazon work from home jobs are real! The mega online retailer is just one of many remote-friendly companies out there. In fact, Amazon has an entire division devoted to its virtual workers.

So, if you’re on the hunt for real wfh jobs, Amazon should definitely be on your radar. Keep reading to learn more about the Amazon remote jobs and how to get hired there.

About Amazon

Before we dive into what it’s like to be a part of the Amazon work from home team, let’s talk about the company first.

Amazon is one of the largest e-commerce retailers in the world. E-commerce is just a fancy way of saying buying and selling online. As of 2021, Amazon is the top online retailer according to Statista’s Top Online Stores Worldwide report.

And because Amazon shows no signs of slowing between its ecommerce platform and subscription services like Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and Amazon Music Unlimited (to name a few), there’s a near constant demand for new talent.

Jobs at Amazon

In fact, Amazon has literally thousands of open roles available at any given moment. For example, there are nearly 10,000 available Software Development jobs at Amazon as I type this

There are a lot of open jobs available at amazon like these 9,000 roles in software development!

However, that’s just scratching the surface. Of course there are plenty more Amazon roles in their many distribution centers. But, what about remote jobs?

Amazon Work From Home Jobs

At the height of the pandemic, the majority of Amazon Corporate employees worked remotely. Today, Amazon is continuing to offer flexibility in where many of its employees work.

For example, some of the top categories for remote location at Amazon include:

Software DevelopmentHuman ResourcesSales & Account ManagementCustomer ServiceDesign

Of course, this is just a small sampling of top categories. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on Amazon’s Remote Locations Hiring Page for a full list.

The Hiring Process at Amazon

Keep in mind, each role will have a slightly different hiring process. However, most remote jobs at Amazon follow a general application flow:

Online ApplicationAssessmentPhone InterviewVirtual Interview

Thankfully, Amazon does a pretty good job of keeping applicants updated during the hiring process. So, you can check the status of your application at any time to see where you’re at.

1. Fill Out Your Online Application

First, you have to find remote jobs at Amazon you’re interested in. To do this, head over to Amazon’s Virtual Locations page. From there, narrow search results using filters like:

Job TypeCategoryCountry/Region

After you find a role you want to apply for, you’ll create an Amazon.jobs account. Note: This will be separate from any personal Amazon shopping account you have.

You will use this account to access your profile, fill out applications, and check on the status of your applications. make sure to fill out the application in full. It’s a good idea to have a copy of your resume and cover letter to fill in all the required details.

2. Assessment

Next, Amazon uses online assessments for some of its remote roles. These assessments help Amazon get to know you better and to determine if you have the right skills to be successful.

Typically, the two main types of assessments Amazon gives its applicants are:

Work Style Assessment – This is a 10-20 minute personality-type test. It helps Amazon discover your unique working style.Work Sample Situation – These are specific to individual roles at Amazon. You may be asked to perform sample tasks you are likely to encounter if you were hired.

Remember, assessments are pretty standard in the world of remote work. Additionally, many companies ask applicants to take work style assessments too. If you take one, try not to overthink it and answer the questions honestly.

3. Phone Interview

After assessments, Amazon invites select candidates to a phone interview. Remember, you should always do pre-interview homework. And, at Amazon that should include reading its Leadership Principles. After all, Amazon evaluates all candidates against its unique Leadership Principles!

Amazon evalutes all its applicants against its unique leadership principles.

4. Virtual Interview

The final step before being hired is an interview. For work from home jobs, these interviews are done virtually. In order to attend the virtual interview you will need to download Amazon Chime and Google Chrome. Then your recruiter will give you a meeting ID# so you can join the session. Since this is a virtual interview always remember to:

Have good lightingTest your internet connectionMake sure your webcam and mic are working

Additionally, prepare for your interview ahead of time by practicing answers to common interview questions!

Amazon Seasonal WFH Customer Service Jobs

Now that we’ve broadly covered all remote jobs at Amazon, let’s look at one of its most popular wfh roles: Customer Service.

Each year, Amazon ramps up hiring during the busy shopping season. And, one of the roles it heavily recruits for is Virtual Customer Service reps.

Keep in mind, these are often seasonal roles. In other words, your employment is only for a short period of time. However, there are chances to snag permanent Amazon work from home part-time and full-time gigs. Additionally, some seasonal workers are offered full-time roles in the future!

What You’ll Be Doing As an Amazon Work From Home Customer Service Rep

Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve taking inbound calls from Amazon customers. You may also respond to support emails or incoming live chats.

Most interactions with customers will deal with orders — either questions about an existing order or difficulties when trying to place an order.

But you may also help solve problems or provide support. Keep in mind, most customers contact Amazon by live chat or phone — so you’ll have to be quick when offering solutions to customers!

Where Does Amazon Hire?

Good question! Although the virtual customer service positions at Amazon are work-from-home, you still need to reside in one of the following states:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

At the time I’m writing this, these are the only states Amazon currently hires virtual customer service reps.

Now, if you’re looking for other virtual jobs at Amazon, be sure to read the job description from the Virtual Locations Hiring Page. Those jobs may or may not be location-specific. However, when it comes to their work from home customer service jobs, you will need to live in one of the states listed!

What Experience Do I Need to Work From Home For Amazon?

Generally speaking, Amazon likes to see the following experience for their virtual customer service reps:

High school diploma (or equivalent) 1+ years in a service environment Basic typing, Internet, phone, and research skills

It’s also helpful if you possess the following qualities:

Customer focus Ability to prioritize customer needs Patience Conflict resolution Ability to assess customer needs & deliver appropriate solutions

That’s it! This is a really great opportunity to use your real world experience in retail, hospitality or other service-based industry to snag a work-from-home job.

What About Technical Requirements? What Will I Need?

Like all work from home jobs, you will need to meet certain tech requirements in order to be considered for a position. And the Amazon work from home jobs are no different. The basic tech requirements needed for their virtual customer service jobs include:

A Windows PC 64-bit operating system running either Windows 8.1, Windows 10, OSX 10.9 or higher Minimum 10 mbps download speed (test your speed over at Speedtest.net) No wifi — must be hardwired to the internet via Ethernet cable — sorry no satellite! Laptops are OK, but you must have an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse Windows Auto Update Windows Defender

You’ll also need to be able to take phone calls. But don’t worry, you won’t need a landline! Once you’re hired, Amazon will ship you a headset for taking calls via Internet. You’ll also receive a Gemalto token, which will turn your PC into a super-secure powerhouse for both your protection and the customers you interact with!

So Far So Good. What Will My Schedule Be Like?

Your schedule will largely depend on demand. Sometimes, Amazon specifically hires work from home customer service agents just to handle calls during high-volume times. Remember, Amazon’s peak times run from Thanksgiving to mid-January. During those months you may be working full time or even overtime to meet the increase in online shoppers.

During off-peak times, Amazon’s virtual support center is open from 3 a.m. to midnight PST. Your shift could fall anytime during these hours. And you’ll be expected to have a pretty flexible schedule to accommodate these hours. You may be assigned any combo of day, afternoon, or evening shifts. Most reps will work at least one weekend day with many working both Saturday and Sunday.

You’ll also have to attend and complete paid training which may have a completely different schedule. Fortunately, your recruiter will go over all that information with you so you won’t be caught off guard when it comes time to train.

What About Amazon Work From Home Salary? How Much Will I Make?

For customer service reps, the Amazon work from home salary is the same: $10.00/hour (unless you reside in a state where the minimum wage is higher).

This includes paid training while you’re learning the ropes! Virtual reps also have bonus opportunities that can boost their $10 hourly rate.

Remember, Amazon has additional virtual work from home jobs available which will likely pay higher, but for customer service reps there is an across-the-nation pay rate of $10/hour.

Additional Facts About Working for Amazon

You’re probably an Amazon customer already and know about its Prime Membership and 2-day shipping. However, there are some interesting details about Amazon I want to share from an employment perspective.

Amazon ranks number 14 on Forbes World’s Best Employers List

Amazon ranks number 14 on this updated 2022 list!

They will hire 100,000 veterans and military spouses prior to 2024As part of their Upskilling Program, Amazon offers free skills training to US employees400,000 new jobs were created in 2020 aloeFull time employees receive comprehensive benefits on Day 1Its Amazon Technical Academy trains employees to become software engineers in just 9 months

Feel free to browse additional Amazon Facts as you learn more about this company and how they work.

Hint: It’s a good idea to know these things before applying and a definite must before an interview!

I Want To Be A Part Of the Amazon Work From Home Team!

That’s the spirit! Remember, Amazon has a lot of different work from home jobs available. They hire throughout the year for a ton of different roles from Software Development to Human Resources and more!

Additionally, Amazon typically hires a group of seasonal remote customer service agents for the holiday season. As a remote job seeker, be sure to determine your career ideals before you start applying to different jobs!

Whether you want to work from home temporarily for Amazon or grow your career there full time follow these steps:

Search for opening on the Virtual Locations Career PageCreate an Amazon Jobs AccountApply to positions using your resume and cover letterComplete any necessary assessmentsPrepare for a phone interview or virtual interview

Need additional help? Let me know in the comments below! I’m happy to help you prep for your work from home job search at Amazon.

Happily,

Ashlee

P.S. This post might have affiliate links. What are affiliate links? They’re a way for me to earn a little cash recommending products and services to you. Even so, I only suggest products, brands, and services I know, trust and use. Need to know more? No problem. I’ve written a disclosure statement you can read

The post Work from Home Jobs at Amazon. Here’s What You Need to Know. appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

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Apple Work from Home Jobs

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Does Apple have work from home jobs? You bet!

Apple work from home program is a legitimate way to work remotely. In fact, it’s quite popular in the world of work from home — and for good reason.

For starters, Apple was the first American public company to cross the major $1 trillion in market value. Impressive, right? And then there’s the cult-like popularity of their many products, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, and AirPods.

Who wouldn’t want to work for one of the largest most popular companies in the world? And, what’s even better, you can work remotely as part of the Apple work from home jobs team.

Before you get excited and start thinking, “Sign me up,” a little background info is definitely needed. Remember, not all work from home jobs are created equal. And, just like any job opportunity, there are pros and cons that need to be weighed.

Here’s what you need to know about Apple work from home jobs, including available job titles, restrictions, requirements, benefits, and of course tips on how to get hired!

At Home Advisor at Apple

The first big question you probably have is, “What work from home jobs are available at Apple?” The main jobs Apple has for remote workers is through their At Home Advisor Program. An At Home Advisor is part of AppleCare, which is Apple’s very own customer service department. In other words, they are remote customer service jobs.

If you’ve ever called Apple needing help with anything from iTunes to rebooting your iPad, you’ve spoken to a representative in the Customer Care Department. And, chances are, the person on the other end of the line is working from their home office instead of a cramped cubicle.

What Kind Of Customer Service Issues Will I Deal With As An At Home Advisor?

It depends. As an At Home Advisor, your job is to respond to customers’ questions — which can range from general inquiries about products to more in-depth queries regarding tech support.

At Home Advisors are able to help Apple customers via phone, email or chat, depending on the issue.

Do I Need To Be An Apple Product Expert To Become An At Home Advisor?

The short answer? No! Although customers can call in to ask questions about any Apple product or accessory, it doesn’t mean every At Home Advisor must know everything about all things Apple. You will have the chance to learn the full product line during training, but are not expected to handle support issues for all products at any given time.

However, you should definitely be an Apple enthusiast. In fact, the job description specifically states:

Be the voice of Apple, helping customers with live support by phone, chat, or email. On this team, you’ll share your passion for Apple products and services as you build relationships with customers, partners, or program members. 

Is This Full Time, Part Time, Seasonal? Will I Actually Be Employed By Apple?

The Apple Work From Home Team can be both full-time and or part time. During the holidays hiring definitely ramps up. Think of all the people receiving iPads, Macs, and AirPods between November-January. Many will require some type of support as they setup their new products!

Whether seasonal, full time or part time, all At Home Advisors are employed directly by Apple.

Do Apple Work from Home Jobs Have Benefits? What About Pay?

Absolutely! Both full time and part time Apple Work From Home employees receive benefits, which include paid time off, health insurance, 401(k) and more. Oh, and did I mention that all employees receive products discounts?!?!

Apple doesn’t share the pay rate directly on its work from home jobs listings. However, current and former at-home advisors report starting rates around $16.00 an hour.

Do I Need A Home Office?

Yes! A home office is part of working from home for Apple. Your office should have a door that closes so it can remain quiet and distraction free during work hours.

Other Apple work from home office requirements include:

Desk Ergonomic chair High speed internet connection with at least 5 megabits download and 1 megabit upload speeds

Not sure about your current internet connection? Use a free service, like Speed Test, to figure out your upload and download speeds.

What About A Work Computer?

Apple has got you covered. As an Apple Work From Home Advisor you are issued an iMac and headset. For free! Remember, this is for work only.

Will I Receive Training?

Of course. All new hires go through paid training as part of the Apple Work From Home Advisors team. The entire training program lasts between 5 and 7 weeks and is completed virtually with a live instructor. Training is comprehensive and includes topics like:

Advanced troubleshooting Specific Apple product lessonsCustomer service and support

Once training is complete, you’ll be ready to take on live customers using Apple’s unique approach to customer service.

And, don’t worry, training takes place at your home office using the company-provided iMac!

I’ve Never Used A Mac Before. Does That Matter?

Not necessarily. However, it is beneficial if you have previous Mac experience or familiarity with other Apple products. Remember, in Apple work from home jobs ads it specifically states “share your passion for Apple products…” It’s not technically a requirement to use them but it clearly helps!

Keep in mind, experience troubleshooting other operating systems, like Windows, and a willingness to learn about Macs allows you to still be considered for the program.

What Hours Will I Work?

That depends on the schedule you sign up for. But, remember, this is a customer service and support position. That means Apple Work From Home Advisors are expected to work evenings, weekends, and even major holidays. Don’t forget – Apple customer service is available 24/7/365.

I’m Interested in Apple Work from Home Jobs. How Can I Be Sure I’m Right For The Job?

If you love technology and enjoy helping people, this is a great fit for you. An ability to troubleshoot problems, offer resolutions, and work independently are all musts. Remember, a love for Apple products isn’t a prerequisite, but it certainly helps!

Awesome. Where Can I Apply?

Head on over to the Apple At Home Advisor Career Page. There, you can learn more about the Apple Work From Home Program and search current job openings.

Note: Jobs will have an associated city and state. However, that does not matter. Support positions are remote and available throughout the US.

What’s The Application Process Like?

The first thing you have to do is sign in with your Apple ID. If you don’t have, you can easily create one.

From there, you can apply via LinkedIn or upload a resume. After that, you’ll go through a series of questions to make sure you’re able to get the job done. Questions cover topics like:

Internet speed Home office set up Previous customer service experience Availability

These questions are used to determine whether or not you have the basics needed, i.e., experience and home office capabilities, to be successful.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Have a home office ready to go ahead of time. It places you ahead of competition and shows you’re serious about remote work!

How Can I Increase My Interview Chances?

Great question! Today, many big-name companies, like Apple, use Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to find the best candidates.

ATS is a recruiting software that streamlines the hiring process for recruiters and hiring managers. When you, the job seeker, upload your resume it goes through the ATS. From there, the person in charge of interviewing and hiring uses the ATS to narrow down resumes from hundreds to a much more manageable number. To do that, they search resumes for keywords.

This means you need to make sure your resume has the right keywords in order to get found. If you don’t have the right keywords, your resume will never be seen by human eyes.

How To Keyword Optimize Your Resume

The good news is it’s relatively easy to keyword optimize your resume. The keywords you need to get found are hiding in plain sight! All you have to do is look to the job ad itself.

You see, the job listing employers place online are basically them describing their ideal employee. To make yourself the perfect fit, you simply need to pull the right keywords from the ad and place them strategically in your resume.

Easy, right?

It is. Just remember, only place keywords that are relevant to you and your experience on your resume. That is, no fibbing. If a company specifies candidates must have Photoshop knowledge and you don’t, it’s not okay to place Photoshop under your Skills Section just so you’ll fool the ATS.

How Do I Identify Keywords?

At first glance, keywords might not jump out at you. And, that’s okay. It can take a little practice to figure out what words need to make it to your resume and which don’t.

Fortunately, there’s an easy-to-use online tool that takes the guesswork out of resume optimization. It’s called JobScan.

JobScan To Optimize Your Apple Work From Home Resume

JobScan analyzes your resume against a job ad. Then, JobScan provides a report telling you how closely your resume matches the ad. In other words, JobScan lets you know how well you meet the ‘perfect candidate’ criteria.

Generally, you want to shoot for an 80% match or better. If you fall short, that’s okay. JobScan will give you pointers and tips to improve your resume.

You can use JobScan for free for up to 5 scans a month.

Find And Land Apple Work From Home Jobs

There you have it — how to find (and land) yourself a job with Apple that lets you work from home. Remember:

Search current job openings via their At Home Advisor Page Login using your Apple ID (Don’t have one? You can create one here) Optimize your resume to the ad using JobScan Upload your keyword optimized resume and answer the questionnaire

And, as always, if you have any questions feel free to ask! Hit me with them in the comments below. You’ve got this!

Happily,

Ashlee

P.S. This post contains affiliate link. Check out my disclosure statement for more details.

The post Apple Work from Home Jobs appeared first on Work from Home Happiness.

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