Tips for Finding Work or Starting a New Business
By Cherie Mclaughlin – couchbasedbiz.com
Being out of work can be difficult, especially if you’re deep in the job-hunting phase and having trouble landing a new job. Or if you’re employed but not earning enough to make ends meet, finding a side gig can also be tricky.
If you’re in the thick of a job search but not having much luck, use this guide for help finding a job, forming a business, or taking on some freelance work. For budding entrepreneurs needing some guidance, Keller Professional Services can help you get started in the right direction.
Assess your strengths
If your job search isn’t panning out, it’s probably time to step back and reassess your strategy. It might be that your resume needs a revamp or that you’re applying to jobs that you’re not quite qualified for. It’s a good idea to start back at square one and assess your marketable skills — this will help you restructure your resume and start looking for jobs that are more appropriate based on your skillset.
One way to do this is by making a list of your skills based on your current or most recent position. Hard skills will be fairly easy to nail down, whether it’s proficiency in a specific software program or market research know-how. This is the easiest starting point because it’s easily quantifiable and should be fairly obvious based on your education and past work experience.
While hard skills are necessary, some employers may actually put more emphasis on soft skills such as communication, leadership, and being a team player. It’s a good idea to think about scenarios in which you can give examples of how you’ve demonstrated your soft skills — this will give you a leg-up when it comes time for an interview.
Where to find opportunities
Nowadays, job postings show up everywhere online. From Twitter to Facebook to a myriad of recruitment websites, it can be difficult to know where to start. To narrow down your search, first look for job postings from prominent employers in your industry. Then speak to past colleagues or others in your network to see if they know of any opportunities.
Remember to stay focused during your job hunt. Use consistent keywords when searching for jobs, and try to narrow down your search criteria to help find positions that match your experience.
Starting your own business
If you’re sick of looking for jobs and want to be your own boss, starting a business could be a great option for you. One way to test the waters is by freelancing for a while to see if you can establish some regular clients. You can find freelance work on online job boards such as Upwork, which allows freelancers to connect with clients and submit work proposals.
When you’re ready to launch your business, determine what business structure you’d like to set up. There are many benefits to forming a limited liability company or LLC. You can qualify for tax advantages, have your personal assets protected, and have more flexibility in the type of work you do. Forming an LLC can be done on your own or with a formation service, but first, check in your state to be sure you’re following the right regulations and rules.
Even if you’ve been on the job hunt for a long time, don’t give up hope. You may just need to re-strategize and start over. Assess your marketable skills, revamp your resume, and narrow down your search criteria so you can find jobs that match your experience and interests. And if you’re ready to go out on your own, consider starting by freelancing and then forming an LLC when you have confidence in your business plan.
Need help with organizational development in your business? Consult Keller Professional Services to make your business grow and thrive!