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Note: This guest post was written by Gloria Martinez who loves sharing her business expertise and hopes to inspire other women to start their own businesses. You can contact her at – info@womenled.org
Changing any aspect of your career can be stress-inducing, whether you want to try out a new business idea on your own or simply go for a promotion at your current job. Not only do you have to worry about the process of boosting your resume and dealing with interviews, but there’s also the financial side to consider as well. Even the smallest change to your job can have an impact on your income, and if you’re one of the millions of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck, that can add up to trouble very quickly.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to amp up your career without the anxiety. Starting with a good plan is essential, especially if you want to branch out on your own and create a business from the ground up. Fortunately, there are many more resources available to small business owners than ever before that will make the process smooth, but it’s still a lot of work. If you want to stay within the same field but are looking to move up the ladder, there are still many things you’ll want to think about, such as how to make the most of your resume.
Read on for some tips on how to change up your career as smoothly as possible.
Know Where to Begin
Starting your own business may seem like a huge jump, but these days, it’s easier than ever for entrepreneurs to take their careers into their own hands. It does require quite a bit of research, however, so you’ll need to be prepared. Learning about the market and your competitors is crucial, as is writing out a business plan and thinking about how you’ll finance your endeavors. New businesses take a while to generate revenue, so you’ll want to make sure you have some money in savings to tide you over, or you might consider keeping a day job while you get things up and running. You’ll also need a way to accept payment from your customers, and luckily, you have some easy options that will allow you to stay on top of the financial end of things.
Think About Creating a Home Office
If you’re switching careers to start your own business, or if you decide to work for a company remotely, you’ll need to set up a functional home office to serve as your head of operations. Using a spare room or a corner of another room (living room, dining room, etc.) can help you get started — all you need is some basic equipment! However, if you’re completely out of free space inside the home, you might need to take a look outside. For example, many people seek out prefab steel buildings or garages to use as home offices. Once you have it wired for electricity, you can move in your office furniture, computer, printer, and supplies and get to work!
Boost Your Resume
When you’re ready to tackle a new title or go for a promotion, you’ll want to make sure your resume is updated and highlights your skills without showing gaps in employment. Look online for templates that you can use to make your resume a glowing recommendation of your abilities, and think about how you can tailor your cover letter to stand out.
Dress for Success
Your wardrobe may seem like a superficial thing, but when it comes to finding a new job, it’s important to dress for the career you want. You don’t have to spend a small fortune on an entirely new closet full of clothes, but updating some pieces will help to give you confidence when you walk into that interview. So, look for items that you can mix and match, as well as neutral colors that will give you a professional look.
Create a Self-Care Routine
Self-care is an important part of keeping your mental and physical health in good shape, and when you’re taking on the stressful task of changing jobs, it’s especially crucial to ensure you’re aware of your needs and how to take care of them in order to reduce stress. Create a routine that will be easy to stick with while helping you feel like the best, most confident version of yourself. Getting enough sleep, eating right, and fitting in exercise are three of the best ways to start.
Changing your career can be a life-altering move, so it’s important to make sure you begin with a solid plan that will help you move forward without a hitch. Do research, especially if you’re going to start your own business, and talk to someone who has been through it. With some good planning, you can make positive change happen for yourself in no time.