Create a Job for Yourself

In this day and age, finding a job is increasingly difficult. If you can't find a job for you, why not create it, Create Jobs for others?

Steps

  1. Plan. In order to create a job for yourself, you need to think about how exactly you will go about it, what you will do, etc. Set aside a notebook or folder for your planning. Make a list of all your work experience, skills, and achievements. Then, using these suggestions, think about what you want to do in the way of a self made job. Will you be working for someone else as an agent or contractor, or really be self-employed?
    • Decide what area or field you want to work in? Will this be a full-time or part-time job that you will create?
  2. Get training, as necessary, if you may lack the proper training required for an interesting job. Do you need lots of training or classes to be qualified for the job? If so, how will you get that? Maybe you can work and get free training or the job/and valuable experience at the same time. So, if you want to become a freelance writer, for example, but have no experience in writing for publications, you are not likely to be successful without a few courses, or published articles in your portfolio.
  3. Find and fulfill a need for this particular product, skill or job. Look into up-and-coming fields or check out businesses in the area to see what is missing and fill that void.
  4. Gather your resources. Once you have a fairly clear idea of what you want in the way of a job, you need to prepare. Do you have an up-to-date resume? Do you have friends, relatives, or associates that may be able to help you? Do you need to take any courses or complete additional training in the field?
  5. Be assertive (not aggressive!) and seek out opportunities. Be kind to everyone you meet so you can gain an excellent reputation in your community. Networking is key at this stage. Maintain ongoing professional relationships by contacting them with specific but brief thank you notes, and congratulations to your business contacts/colleagues, and be sure to meet or exceed all expectations and deadlines. Be sure to sell your services nicely/effectively, by not being pushy or rude to anyone.
  6. Be flexible. If you can't make a go of it in one area, don't beat yourself up. There are many reasons the job you are attempting to create may not work out. For one thing, if the job is too specific or 'niche' for most people/businesses, you are likely not going to succeed. A narrow idea such as a reptile pet grooming and care salon, for example, may not do as well as an animal grooming salon that services dogs, cats, and birds as well. However, there is also the danger of overextending yourself, losing focusing by too broad a target, instead.
  7. Find a happy medium specialty. Do some research. If you are looking to create a job for yourself within an existing business, don't be too disappointed, if you are turned down. If the current state of the economy is where many businesses are letting employees go, they may not be able to take on another good person. Don't take a rejection personally.
  8. Keep your eyes on businesses who may be hiring. Even if your present job is a success and you are making money, a better opportunity may present itself. If you feel you can do better some other way, or you see a great new idea that will make you more money, take it!

Tips

  • There are three main types of jobs you can create for yourself:
    • Creating a position in an existing company. This is a good option that can secure you steady pay and good benefits if you are lucky enough to be hired on. Keep your eyes open and pay attention to areas where the company may be able to use more help. For example, if you were knowledgeable about computers and a company was using obsolete technology, you could propose to the company a job where you could update their computer systems and continually monitor and maintain them afterward. However, this is probably the most difficult type of job to create for yourself as the company must be able to afford to hire you as well as be interested in the services you have to offer. You will likely be rejected by a few companies before you find one that will hire you, so remain positive.
    • Freelance. Freelance jobs are, in a basic sense, when you are hired on a temporary contract to perform certain duties for a company. You do your job, they pay you a sum. This type of job is great, if you want to travel the world, as you can look for jobs anywhere and move around a lot. You can also choose how little or how much you want to work, depending on how much you want to earn and how much time off you want. However, you usually need to be skilled in a field that typically hires freelancers. Photography and writing are the most common types of freelance jobs.
    • Start your own business. Whether it be cutting lawns in your neighborhood or selling services to companies worldwide, this is probably the most surefire way to create a job for yourself. The key to starting a successful business (as a business that isn't successful is simply a drain on your funds) is to find a need or void in the market that you could fill. Do you have a great new invention, or could you improve on an existing one? Do you love food and want to open a trendy restaurant? Are you great at making jewelry and want to sell it online? Whatever you do, be prepared to invest a significant amount of time and money into your business before you make a profit. Don't try to copy other businesses: this is seldom successful and may lead to your bankruptcy or, even worse, a pricey lawsuit.
  • Fix businesses. Learn from the big operators. This might be done on a much smaller local scale. Some successful investors make an option contract to buy floundering but worthwhile businesses, if the owners will sell some unneeded assets, narrow the companies goals/product lines, layoff unsuccessful managers or sales people, hire new ones, redesign or close under-performing divisions, merge businesses, then buy, operate it for a short time and sell to make money after such revamping.

Warnings

  • Be sure to be registered or licensed appropriately with the government and to file your tax returns in a timely manner. It is illegal to earn income or operate a business without paying income tax. You may be required to file an estimate of profits and to pay quarterly taxes in advance based on the estimate, then get a refund, if you don't do that well. Or, a penalty and interest for not estimating enough earnings, if successful. You could be fined and/or spend time behind bars, if you don't keep records, or you falsify reports, don't pay large amounts of taxes; so don't risk that.

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