Tag: career advice

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Job Interview Question: are you willing to work overtime?

There’s a love-hate relationship with job interviews. We love that we have the chance to prove ourselves to a new employer, and hopefully get a new position with a big new salary…but we hate the job interview process; its scary, horrific, terrifying!!!

This series of job interview articles will teach you how to pass your next job interview by explaining how to answer each tricky job interview question

How to Answer “are you willing to work overtime?”

This question only come up if the employer needs a flexible workforce

If you are required to have a flexible approach IE you can start and end the day whenever you want as long as you get the job completed (a common approach in project management and consulting roles) you won’t be asked the ‘can you work overtime’ interview question

This question is for those employers who need to achieve customer demand at short notice and need a workforce to help achieve this requested objective. If you prefer only to work your set hours, this position may not be for you

How to Answer the Interview Question

Start with a confirmation opener

A confirmation opener is you stating you can do (whatever it is the employer has asked you) without any hesitation, without any thinking time, instead of leaving a gap you answer “yes” quickly and with assertiveness

This simple interview answer opener has a powerful effect, it reassures the employer at the subconscious level. If you hesitate, the employer will start having doubts about the sincerity of your answer

If an employer starts to doubt you, you are unlikely to be successful in the job interview

So now you have grabbed their attention with the confirmation opener “yes…” the next step is to offer proof.

Proof is achieved easily by giving an example “…in my previous role…” this ambiguous opening is great “previous role” this could be your last role or a previous role from 6 years ago

“…in my previous role, I would work overtime at the drop of a hat, as last-minute orders with short deadlines would come in at the end of the day” You need your example to link to the company you are applying for a position with IE does this organization work in a sector where late orders come in at the end of the day?

Finally, use your values as a final influencer tactic “… I actually prefer roles where you work different hours, it brings variety which I enjoy”

Its easy isn’t it? all you need to do to answer ‘are you willing to work overtime?’ is to:

1 – use a confirmation opener

2- give a real example of having a flexible approach

3 – explain how you enjoy a flexible working pattern

Job Interview Advice

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Job Interview Question: why do you want to work for this organisation?

There’s a love-hate relationship with job interviews. We love that we have the chance to prove ourselves to a new employer, and hopefully get a new position with a big new salary…but we hate the job interview process; its scary, horrific, terrifying!!!

This series of job interview articles will teach you how to pass your next job interview by explaining how to answer each tricky job interview question

How to Answer “why do you want to work for this organisation?”

Another commonly asked interview question, and the answer is, because we want a salary increase, of course! Well, joking aside, an increase in salary is the number one reason for applying for a new position, but this truthful interview answer isn’t going to win you job offers

The truth is, there are a variety of reasons why people apply for new job positions; a current short term contract is coming to the end, promotional opportunity, the company vision and mission are in-line with your personal values, location – this is becoming more important for many people, flexi-working or being able to work from home, company reputation – which is why organisations such as Google and Apple get a higher percentage of applicants than lesser know employers.

How to Answer the Interview Question

Some employers want there ego rubbing (we all like it when people say nice things about us, don’t we?) But really, this question, in the main, is asked by managing directors because they don’t just want to hire anyone! They are interested in your experience and qualifications, but more importantly, they want to recruit an employee who will fit in with the current team and with the company culture.

First, they want to know why you are leaving your current employer. Are leaving your current employer because of an issue with authority – you can’t follow orders? Or due to you knowing if you don’t leave on your own accord you will soon be booted out?

Employers want to know if you are constantly chasing the next job which means you are likely to leave this new position in a couple of months (costing me overhead cost as I will have to re-recruit)?

In short, employers ask the ‘why do you want to work for this organisation?” because you may leave this position for the same reasons why you are currently looking for a new job role. Your goal, here, is to reassure the employer…and here’s how to do it

To answer this question; why do you want to work for this company? You need to reassure the employer that you aren’t a flight’ risk and secondly that you will fit in to the company culture

Step 1 – reassurance; create a positive frame for leaving the current position “I really like working at X; during the last 5 years I have been able to lead on Y…” Now the employer is thinking, great but why do you want to leave if its so good?

Step 2 – reason; explain the why, not the what. Don’t state what you want to get out of this company, instead state your why – why you must work here? “…I seen this opportunity being advertised and I was drawn to X. For me the salary, working hours, aren’t as important as being able to X, this is something i am very passionate about…”

Step 3 – reward; you need to let the employer know what you can bring to the party. This crucial step is often missed by most job applicants; explain the reward they get for hiring you “…if you hire me I can use my expertise at X to do Y…”

These 3 steps (the 3 Rs) create a strong structure for the job interview answer, framing the reason for leaving the previous employer, as a positive, while highlighting your unique selling point – the reward they receive form employing you

Job Interview Advice

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10 Job Interview Question for a Civil Engineer

This article will help you to prepare for your next civic engineering job interview by helping you to understand the commonly asked job interview questions for a civic engineer.

Civil Engineer Job Interview

Civil engineers day to day job duties include the design and managing, in collaboration with others, of construction projects. The company you are applying for may specialize in bridges, buildings, foundations, transport infrastructure and a specific niche such as culverts used for drainage

So, it’s fair to say, that most of your job interview questions will be based on your engineering and design knowledge and expertise

10 Civil Engineering Job Interview Questions

1. What is your experience working as a civil engineer?

2. How do you decide if a new project proposal is worth taking on in terms of cost, risk and profit?

3. What is your approach to working with a new client to plan a new project?

4. Do you have experience of analyzing surveys, testing and mapping data using computer modeling software?

5. Give me an example of creating blueprints using computer-aided design (CAD) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this approach?

6. Give me an example of checking the effects on the environment prior to a project start? What do you have to consider?

7. How would you prepare bids for tenders?

8. How do you ensure the accuracy of technical drawings?

9. What steps do you take to ensure projects are following government health and safety processes?

10. Do you have any questions for me?

To prepare for a civil engineer job interview give as many real examples while quoting engineering models and theories

If asked any problem-solving question, the process for solving the problem is more important then the answer, so focus on this element of the interview answer

Job Interview Advice Resources

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Job Interview Question: why did you leave your last job

There’s a love hate relationship with job interviews. We love that we have the chance to prove ourselves to a new employer, and hopefully get a new job with a big new salary…but we hate the job interview; its scary, horrific, terrifying

These job interview articles will teach you how to pass the job interview by explaining how to answer tricky job interview questions

How to Answer “why did you leave your last job?”

Do you feel awkward when you are asked the ‘why did you leave your last or current job?’ interview question?

Most of us have learnt that employers respect loyalty and that they want to employ someone who will be committed to their organisation. So, when we are asked the reason for quitting the current position, our toes curl up!

How to Answer the Interview Question

First thing first – this isn’t the year 1920! Company loyalty, as you are thinking, no longer exist; you don’t get a gold watch when you retire after 50 years of working for one organization, boy and man.

Most people will have 3 different careers in their life. Many of us will be working in a job in the next 20 years that currently doesn’t exist. It is common for employees to work for a company on average for just 5 years before moving onto the next, often better paid, position

So, what I am saying is …that it is OK for you to apply for another job

This job interview question is asked for 2 reasons

1) the employer has staff retention problems (and if they do I would ask questions to the interviewer about the reason why, before accepting a position with them)

2) they want to understand your character; are you ambitious, motivated by money, enjoy managing short-term projects or do you have values similar to the organisation?

In short, they are looking if your character matches who they perceive to be the best fit.

To answer this job interview question you simply need to be honest. You can fake it, yes, but you might not enjoy the organisational culture once you have accepted the job offer.

Step 1 – Start by explaining what you like about your previous/current position “I am currently in charge of…”

Step 2 – give the reason for you leaving “I specialize in X and want to work for an organization who mainly works in this area…”

Step 3 – make it relevant to the employer “that is why I applied here, as you are the world leader in…”

These 3 steps create a strong structure for the job interview answer, framing the reason for leaving the previous employer, as a positive, while highlighting your unique selling point.

Job Interview Advice

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Job Interview Question: give me an example of teamwork

How to Answer “give me an example of teamwork”

The teamwork interview question is important as we all, in one form or another, work within a team.

This includes contractors, self-employed or outreach staff. We may complete the duties alone but we are always part of a bigger project.

It’s surprising how many job applicants struggle with this job interview question. The way to answer it is to give a teamwork example – wrong! Well, yes you are correct but to impress an interviewer you need to give more than an account of a previous teamwork experience

How to Blow Away The Interviewer

Remember the job interviewer isn’t just wanting to hear the team task, they want to know what your part within the team dynamics was; leader, creator, mentor, doer, communicator, problem-solver?

As well as identifying your role, you need to set out the scene. So many interviewees simply jump into the task without explaining the reason for doing the task – by stating this problem you can create intrigue; with intrigue, you have an engaged audience

How to Answer the Interview Question

Step 1 – explain the problem. Make this sound exciting! The opening credits to a film do this really well; the beginning is mysterious, you don’t know what will happen but you want to find out

State something like “the company was just about to go bankrupt” “customers were all complaining” “no-one knew what to do”

These opening lines are so ambiguous, that your audience – the interviewer, will want to listen to what you have to say

Step 2 – give more detail about the problem, explain in enough detail (but don’t get carried away as there is nothing more boring the listening to all the details of a problem) what the actual problem was

Step 3 – explain what you did to achieve the solution or objective; what was your role; what action did you take; how did your idea make a difference?

Step 4 – finally end with a positive outcome. Did you make a profit, create a new piece of technology, decrease overhead cost?

This storytelling technique is not only interesting but shows the employer what you can offer to their team. The key here is making it clear what you did – the skill set you are offering the new employer

Job Interview Advice

101 Job Interview Questions for FREE

How to Pass Every Job Interview

How to Persuade and Influence

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Job Interview Question: Tell me about yourself?

How to Answer “Tell me about yourself” To Increase Job Offers

This is one of the most common asked interview questions, but its the easiest job interview question to answer

Personally, I love this open job interview question, as it gives you the chance to say anything you want to say. Don’t miss your chance smack the employer in the chops with a couple of unique selling points!!

Ok, so most people mess up this opportunity. But today I will teach you have to start the job interview with a big bang by smashing this first introductory job interview question

How to Blow Away The Interviewer

Employers follow a set of rules when interviewing potential employees. Rule 1 make the applicant feel at ease by asking as simple open question designed to get them talking

The interviewer isn’t expecting anything of substance here. They predict that you will stumble over your words, stutter and simple mess up until you get the confidence to start talking with confidence

So, to stand out, all you have to do is start with a killer job interview answer that will influence the rest of the job interview…resulting in more job offers…resulting in a higher salary

How to Answer the Interview Question

Don’t be an idiot and start talking about how much you love your pet dog! This has actually happened in a job interview I was leading on

The interviewer isn’t expecting fireworks, but the answer must be related to the job position you are applying for

To answer this question you need to think of 3, industry-related, unique selling points. What is you are offering that others aren’t? What can you bring to the business? What knowledge or expertise do you possess?

Think about it when you are buying a house the estate agent doesn’t start off talking about all the little irrelevant details. No, they tell you about the 3 key strengths of the property; location, price, the converted loft! You need to get your interviewer interested in you from the get-go

Once you open with a killer line then you can give some extra details. Explained what it is you can bring to the organisation, discuss those additional skills (you may be an expert in excel, project management or customer service

You may choose to talk about your work ethic or values. Once you have sold yourself you need to end with a summary “If I was offered the job it is these 3 things I would bring to the company; A, B and C”

Job Interview Advice

101 Job Interview Questions for FREE

How to Pass Every Job Interview

How to Persuade and Influence

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A new approach to job interviews for 2020

The job marketing is changing

Employers are looking for a new style of employee for 2020. Ok for the basics; to pass the job interview you need to have the required qualifications and the experience for the job you are applying for – you cant be a doctor without the training, right?

To be offered a job interview, you have already gone through the application process, so your skills, qualifications and experiences have met the minimum criteria for the job position. But at the job interview, you need a new approach for 2020

How to Blow Away The Interviewer

Inspire – to get offered any job you need to inspire your interviewer

The problem with interviewing 6 applicants with similar skills and experiences, is that they all say the same thing, give similar examples and ….put the interviewers to sleep

To leave a lasting memory… inspire your audience. You need to show them a positive future. You can do this very simply by explaining how a new technology, that you have researched, can change their business saving overhead costs or creating a new product.

The psychology behind this is simple. People are more motivated by what you can offer then what you have achieved. Many interviewees focus on their previous successes, whereas if you create an image of how you, once employed, can make a profitable difference within their current business setup, you will create desire

The power of rapport

Research has proven that people are more likely to hire people who they believe are similar to themselves

The truth is, that the best teams are made up of different people, different temperaments, different personalities. But in a job interview, the employer doesn’t think about this. Instead, they think at a basic level – do I like this person? And if they like you, because they can see themselves in you, you are more likely to score higher during the job interview process.

Creating likeability is easy. Simply check social media for your interviewer’s interest and talk about how you share the same hobbies during the interview introduction. That is level 1 – basic rapport building.

Level 2 takes this a little further. Research the company mission and values, and talk passionately about what you believe in (strangely what you value will link very nicely to the company mission) But ideally you need to take rapport building to level 3

This final level requires a bit of practice. First, you need to understand that each person has a unique perspective on the world. What I mean by this is that two people can listen to the same job interview answer and create a different opinion about the interviewee….even though they heard the same words! What the hell is that all about?

Because our past experience shapes our reality each of us has a differing perspective in each situation. Someone who was bullied by the big kid at school we view a “bigger” person as more threatening than a person who, at school, hung out with the “big” kids.

Our motivations and stresses affect how we view the world. Some people see the galls half full, or half empty. There are problem solvers and firefighters, goal setters and action takers

All these small elements, and more shape people’s reality and underpin how they will view you the interviewee. So how can you understand this complexity of humanity? The answer is you don’t need to – unless you want to spend 3 years in higher education studying psychology. Instead, I share with you a quick cheat; a short cut to rapport building

All this complexity comes through in the language people use. Proactive people, for example, are likely to say “let’s go for it” whereas a reactive person would say “we need to take time to think about what has happened” Goals setters will use future achievement language “take action” “objective” “possibilities” and those who are motivated by problem-solving would say “avoid” “exclude” “get away from”

To influence somebody, in this case, the interviewer, all you need to do is copy the language – the actual words they say, in your job interview answers. This creates a short cut in their mind to their decision-making process. In short, they will want to hire you but consciously understand why

Job Interview Advice

101 Job Interview Questions for FREE

How to Pass Every Job Interview

How to Persuade and Influence

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How to Find Your First Job After University or College

 

How to Find Your First Job After University or College

 

Landing that first job after university or college can be a daunting experience. Eager to find work, many graduates settle for jobs that don’t require a degree, which puts them in an adverse position and can be detrimental for their future careers.

However, you can take control of this process early on and give your career chances for a positive start by implementing the following strategies.

Start Well Ahead

To raise the odds of landing a job that suits your skills and knowledge soon after you’ve graduated, you should mobilize yourself during your senior year.

There are several things you can do during this phase of your life:

Create a LinkedIn profile. Having a profile on LinkedIn is a good way to network and form meaningful connections in your industry of choice. Include your education details, extra-curricular activities, accolades and awards, skills and any working experience you have. Join industry-specific groups to follow the latest trends, and engage in discussions.

Have a personal blog. Present yourself to your potential employers by writing about the topics you’re most interested in professionally and your personal interest as well. WordPress, Wix and Squarespace are quick and easy solutions to start building your own personal brand.


Find a mentor. Most of the students rely on their parents, relatives, friends or professors for mentorship, but unless they are in the career you want to pursue, look further. Use your own or your parents’ connections to reach someone working in a niche you’re interested in.

Get an internship early on. Finish as many internships as you can, and try to have at least one in a company with wide brand recognition, as it will look good in your resume. It will also help you brush up on your skills and make connections, and it might also lead to a job offer.

Be Active

As you’ve probably identified some of the companies you would like to start your career at, begin with browsing their websites for an employment section, and check whether they have any options for graduates or students.

Broaden your search to the industry-specific job boards to find any new job listings, and generate more job leads.

You can also check whether your college has alumni working in those companies, and connect with them in order to get advice on your approach. Such connections can be crucial for landing a job, so don’t be shy about reaching out.

Tailor Your Resume and Your Cover Letter

Once you start applying for the positions you’re interested in, make sure your resume is highly professional and up-to-date.

Both your resume and cover letter should be tailored to fit the description of every position you apply for and should reflect that you understand both what the company and the position are about.

Many employers nowadays use software that scans applications for keywords, and if your resume doesn’t contain them, you can end up disqualified even if you have all the skills required.  

You will raise your odds significantly if you tweak each one of your applications to mirror the language used in the description of the job posting.

 

Interview questions and answers

As your recruiters are going to check you out on social media too, make sure that by now you have established your professional online presence. If you think there is a chance your potential employers could find something embarrassing on your accounts, consider changing your settings to private.

Still, sending your resume and your cover letter is often not enough to get you a job interview, let alone a job offer.

Identify whether you can find any connections to people working at the company, no matter how distant, to raise your chances.

Prepare for the Interview

Once you’ve got your interview scheduled, do your best to prepare well.

You’ve done some research before applying, but now it’s time to dig deeper into it. Get as many details as you can on the company, its history, background, values, products and services.

 

 

Also, broaden your research to competitors, and understand the position the company holds at the market.

In addition to grasping the relevant information that you can use during the interview, consider the following:

Prepare responses to the most common interview questions. Have your answers ready on your skills, strengths and weaknesses, as well as about your motivation for working in the industry and the company. As your main goal is to shine, working with a career coach can help you determine what you should emphasize during the interview and effectively prepare for it.

Choose your outfit. For a great first impression make an effort to determine the dress code in the company and dress appropriately.

Watch your body language. Apart from your clothing, your body language plays a significant role too. Make sure you stand up straight, give firm handshakes and smile.

Check the location and directions beforehand. You don’t want to decrease your chances of success by being late for your job interview.

Show your interest. You’ll make a better first impression if you show interest in the company, so prepare your own questions beforehand too. Make your questions specific and don’t ask things you can find out on your own, browsing the net.

Don’t be disappointed if the interview doesn’t land you a job. Think of it as an experience you can learn from. It’s a good idea to get in touch with the interviewers and ask them about your performance so that you can get a clear idea about the areas you should polish.

It might take some time to find a perfect first job, so try to keep your positive state of mind and your energy up during the job hunt.

by Michael Deane

Michael has been working in marketing for almost a decade and has worked with a huge range of clients, which has made him knowledgeable on many different subjects. He has recently rediscovered a passion for writing and hopes to make it a daily habit. You can read more of Michael’s work at Qeedle.

 

Interview Preparation Resources

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Why Women Should Consider Pursuing a Career in a Trade

 

Why Women Should Consider Pursuing a Career in a Trade

 

The manual trades industries have been around for years and years, however, some of the most highly sought after tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians and building workers are in shortage in the UK. Part of the reason for this is the lack of women going into this field, with women currently representing only 6% of skilled trade workers in the UK. Manual trades provide a career with many benefits such as rewarding work, a good salary and work-life balance so it’s a huge shame that such few women choose to pursue a career in a skilled trade.

The team at KindWater have looked at the many benefits that different trade roles provide workers and why more women should consider pursuing a role in manual trades.

 

What Trade Roles Are Available to Me?

  • Electrician (Average salary: £30,784)
  • Plumber (Average salary: £29,799)
  • Roofer (Average salary: £24,439)
  • Bricklayer (Average salary: £25,201)
  • Carpenter (Average salary: £26,416)
  • Painter (Average salary: £24,039)

Photo by Ascel Kadhem on Unsplash

 

The Perks of Working in a Trade


You gain immediate industry experience

In a lot of industries, getting your foot in the door and gaining valuable experience is often one of the biggest challenges you’ll face, especially at the start. Luckily in most trade industries, it’s pretty easy to gain experience once you’ve had your training or received the qualifications you need. And because most skilled trades are in such high demand, it’s easy enough to get your foot in the door and start building experience right away.

 

Interview questions and answers

You’ll earn a good salary

Earning a stable salary at the start of your career is rare, especially for university graduates. Many graduates even end up working for free whilst trying to gain experience in a new industry. This is one of the main benefits of working in a trade role, as from your starting salary is above the average and remains stable throughout your career. In the UK, tradespeople are earning, on average, £10,000 more than most graduate workers and since most skilled trades don’t require a degree, you won’t have all the student debt to pay off either.

 

Skilled trades workers are in high demand

Today’s job market is more competitive than ever and being able to get stable work is a challenge for many. Training in a skilled trade, however, pretty much guarantees you stable work throughout your career. There is currently a huge demand for trades workers and lots of employment opportunities for those trained in these skills. 

Trade work requires practical skills that can’t be done by technology, so there will always be a demand for these roles in the future. Innovation company Nesta published a report revealing what the job market will look like in 2030, and trade careers, such as engineers, are amongst those most highly in demand – especially considering the rise of automation.

 

You can become your own boss

If you think you might one day want to own your own business, learning a trade could be a great way to do so. Over time and with experience, you’ll slowly become an expert in your industry and be well-equipped to manage a team of your own. Not only does being a business owner means that you get to manage your own schedule, but it’s also a great way to progress on the job ladder and make a higher than average salary. Owning your own business is also a great way to do things differently and make a positive change in your industry.

 

It doesn’t require a degree

Going to university is incredibly popular; 350,000 young people enrolled in university courses last year. However, university certainly isn’t the only option for school leavers and with the huge amount of debt it produces, it’s often not the best option for many people. 

Pursuing a trade doesn’t require a degree and the skills required can often be gained through studying for a qualification or through an apprenticeship. Often, apprenticeships are paid too, which means you’ll be getting on the job ladder earlier than most and building up your savings.

 

Every day at work is different

When you’re practising a trade, no two days at work are the same. You get to work with a range of different clients and work on a range of new projects. You’ll meet lots of different people and learn new things all the time. It’s also a social environment to be in where you’ll be around lots of like-minded people and make friends for life.

 



Advice to Women Starting Out in a Trade

 

Stand your ground

Unfortunately, the disparity in the number of male to female workers in this industry has led to some reports of negative discrimination within the workplace. Don’t let this put you off however since this isn’t everyone’s experience and just something to be aware of. Stand your ground and remember the reasons why you chose to work in this industry. Remembering your goals will help you to stay focused if you ever face negativity from other people in your work.

 

Negotiating your starting salary

Women have a tendency to underestimate their professional value but remember that you deserve the same pay as everyone else at your level. When negotiating your starting salary, do some research beforehand so you know that what you’re asking for is reasonable. Also, remember to have a definite figure in your head that you want to ask for. Also, remember to enquire about benefits such as pension and bonuses as these are an important factor to consider within a salary. 

 

Use it to your advantage

Being a woman in this male-dominated industry makes you stand out and sets you apart from the competition, so try to use this to your advantage. Your differences are what will make clients remember you and choose you over others.

 

Making connections

A big part of working in a trade is getting your name out there and establishing good connections. Keep this in mind early on in your career and never miss an opportunity to exchange numbers with a client and make a connection that could be used for future business.

 

Sources:

https://www.electriciancourses4u.co.uk/

https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/ 

https://www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/

https://gothinkbig.co.uk/

 

Author bio:

Katie Myers is an online content writer who creates online content on a range of topics including the environment, careers and home design to name a few. One of her clients KindWater, are water softener experts based in East Anglia. On their blog you will find a range of information all about water quality and the benefits of soft water.

 

Interview Preparation Resources

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Tips for Starting a Successful Home Business in Retirement

 

Tips for Starting a Successful Home Business in Retirement

 

Retirement can be tough after spending the majority of your life working, especially when a reduced income threatens the lifestyle you’ve become accustomed to. This may be why more and more seniors are starting their own businesses. Whether you’re looking for a fulfilling way to fill your days or produce a little extra cash, starting a home-based business is an excellent idea. The following tips can help you get started on the entrepreneurial path.

Choose a Business Idea That Excites You

Coming up with an idea can be the hardest part of starting a business. Fortunately, you have a whole lifetime of experience developing skills and discovering your passions. Use this to generate your business idea. If you have a background in advertising or sales, consider selling items online. If you enjoy a hands-on hobby like landscaping or photography, monetize it by selling your services to locals. You can also write a book, sell courses online, or start a podcast  to share your knowledge with others. Your options are endless!

 

 

 

If you want to sell things online but don’t have the room or capital to hold inventory, consider dropshipping. Dropshipping allows you to buy individual products from a manufacturer or supplier and ship them directly to your customer. It costs very little to get started because you only pay for products when you make a sale. According to The Next Scoop, dropshipping can be a particularly desirable business model for people who want flexibility—you can work on your dropshipping business while you travel the world! Not only that, but you can automate many parts of your dropshipping business to save time and money. Research products on Oberlo to see what kinds of items you can sell on your dropshipping store.

Do Some Research

Before starting any business, it’s important to research your target market and your competitors. Market research involves assessing the demand for your business in your industry. This will ensure that making money with your business is viable and can help you develop the best path to success. Whether or not you’re familiar with doing research online, your local Chamber of Commerce may be the best place to go for in-depth information on your industry. You can also check out specific online forums to learn from like-minded entrepreneurs in your niche.

Decide What Sets You Apart

Once you’ve done your homework, you’ll have a better idea of what makes your business unique and valuable compared to your competitors. Can you offer better customer service? Are your goods hand-made? Do you source eco-friendly materials? Think about what sets your business apart.

If you’re running an ecommerce store, you may not be able to compete against major retailers on price or shipping speeds. You can, however, beat them when it comes to customer satisfaction. Set up social media pages for your business, reply to comments, and do everything you can to keep those customers happy. Home-based businesses are in the perfect position to engage with their customers on a personal level. According to Zendesk, customer satisfaction is essential to business success.

Interview questions and answers

Learn About Business Laws and Taxes

Before you move forward with your business idea, learn about the licenses and permits you need to acquire. First, all home-based businesses must have a business license. You can learn more about this at your local licensing department or tax office. If you’re providing professional services, like haircutting, financial advising, or daycare, you may also need certification or professional licensing. Likewise, you will need a health department permit if you’re selling food or beverages from your home.

Self-employed seniors also need to know how their home-based business may interfere with their taxes and benefits. For example, you will have to pay social security and Medicare tax on your earnings, even if you’re receiving social security benefits. Remember that you will have to calculate the tax you owe and pay this amount yourself.

Starting a home-based business is both affordable and accessible, so it’s a great option for seniors limited by a tight budget or mobility problems. With just a small investment, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture. To increase your chances of enjoying small-business success, take your time and do plenty of research before jumping in.

 

Author: “Carla Lopez kept her entrepreneurial spirit even after retiring a couple of years ago. She created Boomerbig.org for retirees who still desire to work and achieve – a site that offers business resources for people in their golden years.”

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