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Ask Judy Question #10
Dear Judy: I want to start a home based word processing business, I have plenty of qualifications, but no experience. Worst yet, for the past 8 years I have been employed in a totally unrelated field. How can I write a resume to convince future clients that I can do the job. Most of the time qualifications are not
enough, they want experience.
Signed...Not giving up in North Carolina
From Judy Vorfeld
Dear Persistent: Do you want to start a local or virtual home-based business? There are many differences. If you want to work locally, to you have a good target market? Is there a strong need for your kind of work within these businesses?
Do you want to be all things to all people, or have you some specialties that you can advertise (like data base or spreadsheet management; excellent telephone skills; organizational skills; etc.).
Regarding your resume, one approach may be to write a brief, superb cover letter explaining that it's your acquaintance with many aspects of the business world that makes you valuable.
Before writing such a letter, however, why not nail down the right time to start your business? Certain activities, like creating a business plan and a detailed budget, and how much money you'll need to survive the startup (for most people it's about a year) will help you decide.
Because of the tremendous amount of support plus the ability to respond to numerous RFPs (Requests for Proposal), I advise researching both International Virtual Assistants Association and StaffCentrix. Membership fees are minimal, and the benefits almost limitless for committed independent contractors wanting to improve themselves and their prospects.
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From Bob Brooke
I quit cold--one day in January (no pun intended) at around 11 AM. I just walked out
and didn't look back. However, I don't recommend this for everyone. One thing you
must realize is that you're not quitting your job to NOT work--as most of your
friends and family will probably think. What you ARE doing is starting your own
business. So what do you need to begin your own business, regardless of what talents
you may possess?
Anyone who starts a new business must create a business plan. Find out what should be
included in one and get started. Then consider quitting your full-time job to begin
your new career.
Bob Brooke, Writer and Photographer: Writing at its Best.
Member American Society of Journalists and Authors
NOTE: Brooke's comments were originally published in the August 14, 2001 issue of Online Writer's List, and are published here with his permission.
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From Mark Neely
Before anyone quits their day job, they need to make sure they are equipped
to become a self-employed freelancer.
Many people who have worked within organisations for their entire working
lives fail to understand the complexities involved in running a business.
When you work at a desk in an office, it is generally someone else's job to:
- provide stationery
- furnish the place
- institute payroll systems
- handle corporate tax/regulatory filings
- process mail
- provide telephony services
- provide IT services (and support)
- provide you with tasks to do
- issue invoices
- collect monies owed
- banking
- arrange employee insurance/superannuation
- collect & remit income/fringe benefits and other taxes
- quantify and record standard financial data (assets, inventory,
- liabilities, depreciation)
- worry about making payroll
- filing paperwork
The day you go into business for yourself, suddenly it is YOUR job to do
all these things and more (you become, literally, the chief cook and
bottlewasher).
It sounds quite easy to set up an office, organise telephone/fax/Internet
services, buy a PC and get some stationery, but it is a lot more involved
than you think - and time consuming. You won't be able to start business on
day 1. You will need to open bank accounts, register for tax purposes, get
any licences necessary, wait for an office telephone line etc. etc. Expect
it to take around a month for everything to be in full working order.
When you become self-employed, expect to spend at least 1-2 days a week
doing non-billable work (paying bills, chasing up invoices, filing etc.).
It can be a real time drain and can cause financial damage if you don't
budget for it (i.e. don't do your calculations on the basis that you will
have 5 days x. 8hrs working time available).
If you've never understood accounting, especially the basic stuff like
cashflow, profit and loss and balance sheets, learn it (and well) _before_
you quit. Ditto general tax issues. Few people will be able to hire a
bookkeeper when they start, so suddenly balancing the books is your job
too, as will be worrying about how much tax to pay, when and to whom. Get
to know a good accountant (they can be hard to find, so be prepared to
trial a few of them).
Not throwing a wet blanket onto festivities, just trying to provide a
larger context.
Mark Neely, Infolution Pty Ltd: providing powerful effective communication strategies.
NOTE: Neely's comments were originally published in the August 14, 2001 issue of Online Writer's List, and are published here with his permission.
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