Why CV Templates and Free CV Samples Are Obsolete
Author: Peter Whitehead
These days, employers are far more likely to read a CV from a recruiter, re-formatted on their screens, than to receive an exact copy of the original by post. Here are some great tips on designing the perfect online CV for the modern jobs market.
How NOT to create a CV:
When Jonathan graduated, he knew exactly what he wanted his new CV to do: get him a job designing web sites in London. So he studied all those free CV examples and templates on the web and then went to work creating an eye-popping CV he was sure would snag the job of his dreams. He sent it off to recruitment agencies, job boards and a few targeted companies. Then he waited. And waited.
Once upon a time, this might have been a good strategy. Job seekers were encouraged to select a CV template from dozens of examples. Then, they'd spend hours if not days fitting their data into the template to create a CV with equal parts impact and information. Even today, the web is full of free samples and examples that illustrate the old way of doing things... a way that pretty much ensures your CV will not produce the results you want.
CV Templates: The Dinosaurs of Job Search
It is not common knowledge yet that spending time on beautifully designed CVs is not the best use of a your time! These days, when a CV is sent to major recruitment agencies, the initial eye appeal no longer matters because the document is processed before anyone in a decision-making role even sees it.
The key information contained in the CV is extracted, reformatted and placed in a database where it can more easily be searched and accessed by recruiters and hirers. So everything but the raw information is discarded: the CV template you so carefully selected, the headings, subheadings and formatting, the design layout... everything but text is removed during extraction and reformatting.
Jonathon, being a recent grad, had never done a CV before so he didn't realize his CV would end up this way. He contacted a friend in the recruitment industry who told him most of the UK job market is converting to online CV templates.
What you SHOULD do instead:
Here are a few tips to help you get ready to build your online CV:
If you don't have a CV yet, concentrate your efforts on compiling key information about your skills, experience and training. You'll need specifics like:
1. dates of jobs and schooling,
2. names of companies,
3. your job titles and responsibilities for each job,
4. achievements and accomplishments at each job,
5. transferable skills you have acquired,
6. professional associations you belong to,
7. published works,
8. any security clearances you've obtained,
9. complete, current contact information.
If you concentrate of having great content like this in your CV and don't waste too much energy on fancy design, you'll get far better results in the new market of online CVs. Good luck!
These days, employers are far more likely to read a CV from a recruiter, re-formatted on their screens, than to receive an exact copy of the original by post. Here are some great tips on designing the perfect online CV for the modern jobs market.
How NOT to create a CV:
When Jonathan graduated, he knew exactly what he wanted his new CV to do: get him a job designing web sites in London. So he studied all those free CV examples and templates on the web and then went to work creating an eye-popping CV he was sure would snag the job of his dreams. He sent it off to recruitment agencies, job boards and a few targeted companies. Then he waited. And waited.
Once upon a time, this might have been a good strategy. Job seekers were encouraged to select a CV template from dozens of examples. Then, they'd spend hours if not days fitting their data into the template to create a CV with equal parts impact and information. Even today, the web is full of free samples and examples that illustrate the old way of doing things... a way that pretty much ensures your CV will not produce the results you want.
CV Templates: The Dinosaurs of Job Search
It is not common knowledge yet that spending time on beautifully designed CVs is not the best use of a your time! These days, when a CV is sent to major recruitment agencies, the initial eye appeal no longer matters because the document is processed before anyone in a decision-making role even sees it.
The key information contained in the CV is extracted, reformatted and placed in a database where it can more easily be searched and accessed by recruiters and hirers. So everything but the raw information is discarded: the CV template you so carefully selected, the headings, subheadings and formatting, the design layout... everything but text is removed during extraction and reformatting.
Jonathon, being a recent grad, had never done a CV before so he didn't realize his CV would end up this way. He contacted a friend in the recruitment industry who told him most of the UK job market is converting to online CV templates.
What you SHOULD do instead:
Here are a few tips to help you get ready to build your online CV:
If you don't have a CV yet, concentrate your efforts on compiling key information about your skills, experience and training. You'll need specifics like:
1. dates of jobs and schooling,
2. names of companies,
3. your job titles and responsibilities for each job,
4. achievements and accomplishments at each job,
5. transferable skills you have acquired,
6. professional associations you belong to,
7. published works,
8. any security clearances you've obtained,
9. complete, current contact information.
If you concentrate of having great content like this in your CV and don't waste too much energy on fancy design, you'll get far better results in the new market of online CVs. Good luck!
Executive Resume Writing: Get the Top-Level Job You Deserve
Author: Heather Eagar
Securing a top-level job (executive, senior manager or senior professional) may seem like an impossible task, especially if this is your first time applying for one. But if you feel that you're ready to take that next step in your career, you can certainly get the job you want - you'll just have to put in the necessary work by creating a great resume.
Undoubtedly, a resume for an executive-level job is different from one for a lower-level position. So before you send off your application for the position you're eyeing, you should take some time to develop strategies that can help you write a standout executive resume. Here are some ideas to get you started ...
Use an Executive Profile
While you may be used to using an objective as an introduction to your resume, for executive jobs it is a good idea to create an executive profile. It serves a similar purpose in explaining why you're applying for the position, but also goes one step further to summarize your key qualifications.
The executive profile is typically much longer than an objective, sometimes spanning up to a half of a page. In the profile, you can highlight 4-6 specific skills or qualifications that are each followed by examples of these skills. For instance, one qualification may be that you're "effective and wholly accountable in high-profile executive roles." Beneath this qualification you can note the reasons why this is true. By doing this you'll be able to highlight your standout abilities without forcing the employer to sift through the resume to find them.
Show Them You're a Complete Package
As an executive you are expected to showcase leadership and strong decision-making skills at all times. You need to prove you are a visionary who can help the company grow. Also, you must have integrity, charisma, and the ability to communicate with individuals at all levels in the company. In other words, you should be the complete package.
A good way to express that you are is by creating an achievement-oriented resume that focuses on specific instances at your previous employers that show off some or all of the above criteria. You may have taken a chance on a retail product that others were unsure of, but your risk-taking made the company record profits. Or you may have masterminded and implemented a new team to manage internal conflicts that was so successful that turnover decreased by 30 percent. Whatever details you choose to highlight when summarizing your experiences at previous employers, you should also tailor them to match what the specific employer is looking for in an applicant.
Believe You Belong There
It may seem a bit intimidating to take steps toward higher-level positions, but fortunately for you no one starts at the top - you are not the first to try this. So see yourself in that great job, making confident decisions, and catapulting the company into a new stratosphere. Your positive attitude will serve you immensely in writing your resume as well as interviewing.
Submitting your executive resume is only the start of your journey in securing a top-level job. But by creating a very thorough, very informative, and very professional one, you can at least know that your dreams are that much closer to being realized.
Securing a top-level job (executive, senior manager or senior professional) may seem like an impossible task, especially if this is your first time applying for one. But if you feel that you're ready to take that next step in your career, you can certainly get the job you want - you'll just have to put in the necessary work by creating a great resume.
Undoubtedly, a resume for an executive-level job is different from one for a lower-level position. So before you send off your application for the position you're eyeing, you should take some time to develop strategies that can help you write a standout executive resume. Here are some ideas to get you started ...
Use an Executive Profile
While you may be used to using an objective as an introduction to your resume, for executive jobs it is a good idea to create an executive profile. It serves a similar purpose in explaining why you're applying for the position, but also goes one step further to summarize your key qualifications.
The executive profile is typically much longer than an objective, sometimes spanning up to a half of a page. In the profile, you can highlight 4-6 specific skills or qualifications that are each followed by examples of these skills. For instance, one qualification may be that you're "effective and wholly accountable in high-profile executive roles." Beneath this qualification you can note the reasons why this is true. By doing this you'll be able to highlight your standout abilities without forcing the employer to sift through the resume to find them.
Show Them You're a Complete Package
As an executive you are expected to showcase leadership and strong decision-making skills at all times. You need to prove you are a visionary who can help the company grow. Also, you must have integrity, charisma, and the ability to communicate with individuals at all levels in the company. In other words, you should be the complete package.
A good way to express that you are is by creating an achievement-oriented resume that focuses on specific instances at your previous employers that show off some or all of the above criteria. You may have taken a chance on a retail product that others were unsure of, but your risk-taking made the company record profits. Or you may have masterminded and implemented a new team to manage internal conflicts that was so successful that turnover decreased by 30 percent. Whatever details you choose to highlight when summarizing your experiences at previous employers, you should also tailor them to match what the specific employer is looking for in an applicant.
Believe You Belong There
It may seem a bit intimidating to take steps toward higher-level positions, but fortunately for you no one starts at the top - you are not the first to try this. So see yourself in that great job, making confident decisions, and catapulting the company into a new stratosphere. Your positive attitude will serve you immensely in writing your resume as well as interviewing.
Submitting your executive resume is only the start of your journey in securing a top-level job. But by creating a very thorough, very informative, and very professional one, you can at least know that your dreams are that much closer to being realized.
Deciding Between Permanent Or Contract Work
Author: Peter Whitehead
Contract work has grown enormously as an alternative to traditional staff jobs. Those facing a job search are often tempted to explore the possibility of controlling their own destiny and flying on their own.
It's important to consider the highs and lows of both work models in order to conduct the most focused job search. Prospective contractors should review not only the pros and cons, but also evaluate their own personality to determine if it's the best fit.
The World of Contractors
A major attraction for contractors is that they typically earn better pay than permanent employees doing similar work. Contractors earn more because they are temporary and the company isn't obliged to take on the burden of benefits, health/unemployment insurance, or paid vacations for them.
Another big draw for contractors is the flexibility of their schedules. Contractors can take on work when they wish and arrange breaks, vacation or travel as they please.
Hiring contractors is often seen as a more attractive option for employers, especially if they are not in a position to add to the head count of permanent staff.
Good contractors are always in job search mode, actively engaged in networking and armed with an updated CV. Contractors can stay a step ahead of permanent employees caught unawares by layoffs and facing the stress of having to quickly rework an antiquated CV template and rush into an unexpected job search.
Office politics and intrigues are less likely to affect contractors.
Contractors are exposed to varied settings and work personalities, honing their ability to adjust to diverse groups and cope with projects at different stages.
The Permanent Solution
A key shortcoming in contract work is the lack of job security compared to permanent employees. In cases of company restructuring, permanent employees may have more job security although there are cases where contractors outlast the regular staff.
Permanent workers receive company benefits and/or incentives unlike contractors. If contractors miss work, they're not paid and their absence is less likely to be excused. If they turn down a job, contractors risk being passed over the next time.
Permanent staff enjoy periodic pay rises, evaluations and promotions; this is far less common with contractors. Because they are temporary, contractors find it difficult to move into management roles. Companies are more likely to invest in training and retaining their permanent employees.
Permanent workers have a fixed place of employment while contractors must go where the jobs are. Contractors may need to commute on demand unless the project can be done off site.
Another negative aspect of being a hired hand is that contractors are not usually given much ownership of a project. Unlike permanent staff, their opinions may not count as much and they may not even be around to see the end result.
Contractors are less likely to be trusted with confidential projects and could lose out on more interesting work to permanent employees who get first pick.
What's Right For You?
As you update or create your CV and embark on your job search, take a long, honest look at your personality.
Those who prefer the security of an established job, benefits, and promotions may be more likely to thrive in a permanent position.
On the other hand, if you have the self-motivation and drive to handle a variety of projects and settings, the commitment to update your skills, and the fiscal discipline to manage a business, then you may enjoy contract work.
Other variables such as age, experience, family and financial commitments will help you decide how to focus your current job search.
Note that there are exceptions to the above list of pros and cons. There are contractors who outlast permanent staff, permanent employees trapped under the yoke of autocratic management, and layoffs that might axe a senior employee while retaining one or more contractors.
The Key to Your Job Search: Your Online CV
Even if you're not currently in job search mode, you should always maintain a current CV. While numerous CV templates are available, they all use a different format and recruiters often struggle to decode them in order to assess a candidate. By creating a great online CV, both contractors and traditional workers can leverage a format preferred by most leading UK recruiters.
Contract work has grown enormously as an alternative to traditional staff jobs. Those facing a job search are often tempted to explore the possibility of controlling their own destiny and flying on their own.
It's important to consider the highs and lows of both work models in order to conduct the most focused job search. Prospective contractors should review not only the pros and cons, but also evaluate their own personality to determine if it's the best fit.
The World of Contractors
A major attraction for contractors is that they typically earn better pay than permanent employees doing similar work. Contractors earn more because they are temporary and the company isn't obliged to take on the burden of benefits, health/unemployment insurance, or paid vacations for them.
Another big draw for contractors is the flexibility of their schedules. Contractors can take on work when they wish and arrange breaks, vacation or travel as they please.
Hiring contractors is often seen as a more attractive option for employers, especially if they are not in a position to add to the head count of permanent staff.
Good contractors are always in job search mode, actively engaged in networking and armed with an updated CV. Contractors can stay a step ahead of permanent employees caught unawares by layoffs and facing the stress of having to quickly rework an antiquated CV template and rush into an unexpected job search.
Office politics and intrigues are less likely to affect contractors.
Contractors are exposed to varied settings and work personalities, honing their ability to adjust to diverse groups and cope with projects at different stages.
The Permanent Solution
A key shortcoming in contract work is the lack of job security compared to permanent employees. In cases of company restructuring, permanent employees may have more job security although there are cases where contractors outlast the regular staff.
Permanent workers receive company benefits and/or incentives unlike contractors. If contractors miss work, they're not paid and their absence is less likely to be excused. If they turn down a job, contractors risk being passed over the next time.
Permanent staff enjoy periodic pay rises, evaluations and promotions; this is far less common with contractors. Because they are temporary, contractors find it difficult to move into management roles. Companies are more likely to invest in training and retaining their permanent employees.
Permanent workers have a fixed place of employment while contractors must go where the jobs are. Contractors may need to commute on demand unless the project can be done off site.
Another negative aspect of being a hired hand is that contractors are not usually given much ownership of a project. Unlike permanent staff, their opinions may not count as much and they may not even be around to see the end result.
Contractors are less likely to be trusted with confidential projects and could lose out on more interesting work to permanent employees who get first pick.
What's Right For You?
As you update or create your CV and embark on your job search, take a long, honest look at your personality.
Those who prefer the security of an established job, benefits, and promotions may be more likely to thrive in a permanent position.
On the other hand, if you have the self-motivation and drive to handle a variety of projects and settings, the commitment to update your skills, and the fiscal discipline to manage a business, then you may enjoy contract work.
Other variables such as age, experience, family and financial commitments will help you decide how to focus your current job search.
Note that there are exceptions to the above list of pros and cons. There are contractors who outlast permanent staff, permanent employees trapped under the yoke of autocratic management, and layoffs that might axe a senior employee while retaining one or more contractors.
The Key to Your Job Search: Your Online CV
Even if you're not currently in job search mode, you should always maintain a current CV. While numerous CV templates are available, they all use a different format and recruiters often struggle to decode them in order to assess a candidate. By creating a great online CV, both contractors and traditional workers can leverage a format preferred by most leading UK recruiters.
Negotiating a Pay Rise
Author: Peter Whitehead
There are no shortcuts to effective negotiations and no amount of expert careers advice will guarantee you a raise. The most productive route is to simply construct the most solid case possible effectively reasoning why you should get a pay rise. The case is important because it is not only how you will convince your manager but it is the information they will use to convince the people above them. One surprising statistic is that 45% of bosses actually admire workers who fight for more money, and various managers explained that compared to employee unhappiness or bullying, pay is actually an easy problem to solve; so be brave, be prepared and make your case.
Stick to your company's policies
Most companies address the issue of pay negotiations as part of their appraisal procedures, with any pay rises linked to an annual performance review. Mastering your company's assessment process is vital to your chances of getting a pay rise. If you are set various objectives throughout the year, then make sure you not only meet and exceed these but that you get all the evidence required to prove it as well. If your company does have a set process for addressing pay then asking for a pay rise at another time can often be met with the response that you should wait until the dedicated time.
Benchmark your position
It is essential if you are going to negotiate a pay rise that you have evidence. One of the best ways of getting this information is by benchmarking your salary against others. This means that you should get information from a range of sources about what level of salary is paid for your type of job in other companies and other industries - general sites such as Paywizard can be useful for this but you can also talk to trade associations and recruitment agencies, or even just look for adverts for similar jobs. The other aspect of benchmarking is to compare your salary to others within your company. If you're paid less then you might have a case.
Reasons for a raise
One of the main reasons that people ask for a raise is that they feel that they are currently underpaid - perhaps your benchmarking exercise found that you get a lot less than other people in your company for no perceivable reason. Another reason is being able to prove that you are working to a very high standard - in this instance, start with your job description or objectives and show how you are going above and beyond these. It might be that you feel that your role has changed and that you are now doing the job of colleagues who have left, or that you now need and have a different set of skills to do your job. Don't approach the meeting simply with a list of the things you do - the key is to show how you go beyond that which is expected of you.
An issue of equality
Although there has been much done in recent years to combat inequality with legislation such as the Equal Pay Act, there is no doubt that wage inequality still exists based on factors such as ethnicity, disability and gender. As an example, women currently earn 17% less than male counterparts (42% less based on part-time work). If you feel that you are being discriminated against then you need to collect evidence through benchmarking and then in the first instance informally approach HR - take a colleague or union representative if it makes you feel better. Don't forget that although the law forbids inequality, employers are still allowed to pay different rates based on a range of criteria, so establish the facts before contacting your lawyer.
A question of timing
Timing your negotiation is a political hot potato. If you pick the wrong time (when a company is experiencing financial difficulties, when you are in the middle of a big project, when your line manager is in a bad mood) then you can ruin your chances of a successful negotiation. Good times to broach the subject are when there are significant changes in your work - perhaps a colleague has just left (meaning you will have to take on a greater responsibility for their workload), you are embarking on a big new project, or if your job is changing in any way.
Making your pitch
Your negotiation should be undertaken as a formal process. Arrange a meeting with your line manager or someone from HR and give them an idea of what you want to talk about. If you knock on your boss' door on a Friday afternoon then your request might be received with less enthusiasm. Your negotiation should proceed with you presenting your case and backing it up with as much evidence as you have gained during your research. Although this is an important subject, don't let it become emotional or it may seem as if you're trying to use guilt to make your case. Equally, don't get angry: you might just have to go through with any threats you make.
Basic strategy for negotiating
Don't forget that in all negotiations you should start with a figure higher than you would actually be happy to settle for - with the expectation that a company might meet you halfway. You should also give yourself time to consider any offers that are made regarding your salary. Taking a night to consider your response shows you are thinking things through and acting professionally.
Tie your negotiation to future actions
A strong method of negotiating your pay rise is to explain that you would like to earn more and that you want to take on a greater range, or amount, of work. You might be able to offer to take on another project or the responsibility for looking after other staff members. If you are saving your manager a headache then this technique is even more effective. Explain how if the extra role goes well then it would be reasonable to increase your salary.
Dealing with a 'no'
Not all negotiations are successful and it could be that you end up faced with a no, rather than the few extra noughts on the pay check you were hoping for. If you find yourself in this situation all is not lost. Providing you have made your negotiation in a formal and professional manner then the company should give you reasons as to why they're saying no. If they don't, ask for them. This gives you the reasons that you can work to overcome when you negotiate again in the future. You might also have found that with your benchmarking information, you know that there are better companies to work for. It's important that in all of your negotiations you keep careful notes and copies of emails and letters sent because if you are still unsatisfied with the answers, you can turn your negotiation into a grievance which you would raise formally with HR.
Don't forget other benefits
Even if a company refuses you a pay rise you might still be able to improve your overall employment package without increasing your actual salary. Employers are often less protective about benefits and if they refuse to increase your salary then you still have company cars, travel loans, sabbaticals, pensions, health benefits and club memberships that you could negotiate for. These can be a useful loophole if an employer is worried about setting a precedent and having to increase other employees' salaries.
There are no shortcuts to effective negotiations and no amount of expert careers advice will guarantee you a raise. The most productive route is to simply construct the most solid case possible effectively reasoning why you should get a pay rise. The case is important because it is not only how you will convince your manager but it is the information they will use to convince the people above them. One surprising statistic is that 45% of bosses actually admire workers who fight for more money, and various managers explained that compared to employee unhappiness or bullying, pay is actually an easy problem to solve; so be brave, be prepared and make your case.
Stick to your company's policies
Most companies address the issue of pay negotiations as part of their appraisal procedures, with any pay rises linked to an annual performance review. Mastering your company's assessment process is vital to your chances of getting a pay rise. If you are set various objectives throughout the year, then make sure you not only meet and exceed these but that you get all the evidence required to prove it as well. If your company does have a set process for addressing pay then asking for a pay rise at another time can often be met with the response that you should wait until the dedicated time.
Benchmark your position
It is essential if you are going to negotiate a pay rise that you have evidence. One of the best ways of getting this information is by benchmarking your salary against others. This means that you should get information from a range of sources about what level of salary is paid for your type of job in other companies and other industries - general sites such as Paywizard can be useful for this but you can also talk to trade associations and recruitment agencies, or even just look for adverts for similar jobs. The other aspect of benchmarking is to compare your salary to others within your company. If you're paid less then you might have a case.
Reasons for a raise
One of the main reasons that people ask for a raise is that they feel that they are currently underpaid - perhaps your benchmarking exercise found that you get a lot less than other people in your company for no perceivable reason. Another reason is being able to prove that you are working to a very high standard - in this instance, start with your job description or objectives and show how you are going above and beyond these. It might be that you feel that your role has changed and that you are now doing the job of colleagues who have left, or that you now need and have a different set of skills to do your job. Don't approach the meeting simply with a list of the things you do - the key is to show how you go beyond that which is expected of you.
An issue of equality
Although there has been much done in recent years to combat inequality with legislation such as the Equal Pay Act, there is no doubt that wage inequality still exists based on factors such as ethnicity, disability and gender. As an example, women currently earn 17% less than male counterparts (42% less based on part-time work). If you feel that you are being discriminated against then you need to collect evidence through benchmarking and then in the first instance informally approach HR - take a colleague or union representative if it makes you feel better. Don't forget that although the law forbids inequality, employers are still allowed to pay different rates based on a range of criteria, so establish the facts before contacting your lawyer.
A question of timing
Timing your negotiation is a political hot potato. If you pick the wrong time (when a company is experiencing financial difficulties, when you are in the middle of a big project, when your line manager is in a bad mood) then you can ruin your chances of a successful negotiation. Good times to broach the subject are when there are significant changes in your work - perhaps a colleague has just left (meaning you will have to take on a greater responsibility for their workload), you are embarking on a big new project, or if your job is changing in any way.
Making your pitch
Your negotiation should be undertaken as a formal process. Arrange a meeting with your line manager or someone from HR and give them an idea of what you want to talk about. If you knock on your boss' door on a Friday afternoon then your request might be received with less enthusiasm. Your negotiation should proceed with you presenting your case and backing it up with as much evidence as you have gained during your research. Although this is an important subject, don't let it become emotional or it may seem as if you're trying to use guilt to make your case. Equally, don't get angry: you might just have to go through with any threats you make.
Basic strategy for negotiating
Don't forget that in all negotiations you should start with a figure higher than you would actually be happy to settle for - with the expectation that a company might meet you halfway. You should also give yourself time to consider any offers that are made regarding your salary. Taking a night to consider your response shows you are thinking things through and acting professionally.
Tie your negotiation to future actions
A strong method of negotiating your pay rise is to explain that you would like to earn more and that you want to take on a greater range, or amount, of work. You might be able to offer to take on another project or the responsibility for looking after other staff members. If you are saving your manager a headache then this technique is even more effective. Explain how if the extra role goes well then it would be reasonable to increase your salary.
Dealing with a 'no'
Not all negotiations are successful and it could be that you end up faced with a no, rather than the few extra noughts on the pay check you were hoping for. If you find yourself in this situation all is not lost. Providing you have made your negotiation in a formal and professional manner then the company should give you reasons as to why they're saying no. If they don't, ask for them. This gives you the reasons that you can work to overcome when you negotiate again in the future. You might also have found that with your benchmarking information, you know that there are better companies to work for. It's important that in all of your negotiations you keep careful notes and copies of emails and letters sent because if you are still unsatisfied with the answers, you can turn your negotiation into a grievance which you would raise formally with HR.
Don't forget other benefits
Even if a company refuses you a pay rise you might still be able to improve your overall employment package without increasing your actual salary. Employers are often less protective about benefits and if they refuse to increase your salary then you still have company cars, travel loans, sabbaticals, pensions, health benefits and club memberships that you could negotiate for. These can be a useful loophole if an employer is worried about setting a precedent and having to increase other employees' salaries.
Making a Hobby a Career
Author: Lily Morgan
A hobby is an activity that we do because we truly enjoy it. It can be anything at all from acting to painting and even teaching. For most people a hobby is simply a relaxing way to pass spare time by doing something enjoyable. However, for many a hobby may double as a job or additional line of income. It can be difficult to know when to turn a hobby into a profession. For some it may be quite the risk to give up a regular day job in order to pursue hobby interests as a career. Make no mistake, there is plenty of reward associated with risk when it's well thought out and developed.
Start out small. If you are still in the beginning stages of deciding to turn your hobby choice into a career, tread slowly. For example, if you are a musician perhaps you will begin by teaching lessons to students part time in order to see if you receive enough demand for full time opportunities. Most people do not start out in their hobbies with the intent to make money but if the opportunity presents itself, it may be worth looking into further. Even the artist who enjoys doodling or playing with computer graphics has many ways that they could offer services to others.
If you find that you spend more time in thought regarding your hobby ventures then perhaps you should consider turning it into your main source of income. Art, writing and decoration are hobby interests that many people also make a fine living at. Consider the ways your hobby skills could benefit others. It's just a matter of making yourself known to those who may be interested in what you can do for them. Most hobbies are based on creative interests. Since we all differ in our creative skills, chances are good that someone will be pleased to discover what you can do.
It can be difficult making the transition from a daily job where you answer to someone else to working for yourself. Start off with part time in order to develop a clientele while maintaining a steady income elsewhere. Build a promotional website and advertise it to those who will have the most use for your service. Chances are high of finding many options online for marketing your hobby talents and even landing a job performing just that. Search job listings too for there are many freelance opportunities available for those who wish to work with their hobby.
Marketing is essential for drawing in those who seek what you can do. By making yourself known and available you stand a better chance of turning your hobby into full time success. Run a website, print up newsletters and use hobby related groups and sites as a basis for networking. Often the best way to secure a job is through word of mouth or others that you share the hobby with. Making contacts with other hobby enthusiasts is absolutely necessary for furthering your career goals. Making a hobby into a career is a challenge but it is often more than worth the risk.
A hobby is an activity that we do because we truly enjoy it. It can be anything at all from acting to painting and even teaching. For most people a hobby is simply a relaxing way to pass spare time by doing something enjoyable. However, for many a hobby may double as a job or additional line of income. It can be difficult to know when to turn a hobby into a profession. For some it may be quite the risk to give up a regular day job in order to pursue hobby interests as a career. Make no mistake, there is plenty of reward associated with risk when it's well thought out and developed.
Start out small. If you are still in the beginning stages of deciding to turn your hobby choice into a career, tread slowly. For example, if you are a musician perhaps you will begin by teaching lessons to students part time in order to see if you receive enough demand for full time opportunities. Most people do not start out in their hobbies with the intent to make money but if the opportunity presents itself, it may be worth looking into further. Even the artist who enjoys doodling or playing with computer graphics has many ways that they could offer services to others.
If you find that you spend more time in thought regarding your hobby ventures then perhaps you should consider turning it into your main source of income. Art, writing and decoration are hobby interests that many people also make a fine living at. Consider the ways your hobby skills could benefit others. It's just a matter of making yourself known to those who may be interested in what you can do for them. Most hobbies are based on creative interests. Since we all differ in our creative skills, chances are good that someone will be pleased to discover what you can do.
It can be difficult making the transition from a daily job where you answer to someone else to working for yourself. Start off with part time in order to develop a clientele while maintaining a steady income elsewhere. Build a promotional website and advertise it to those who will have the most use for your service. Chances are high of finding many options online for marketing your hobby talents and even landing a job performing just that. Search job listings too for there are many freelance opportunities available for those who wish to work with their hobby.
Marketing is essential for drawing in those who seek what you can do. By making yourself known and available you stand a better chance of turning your hobby into full time success. Run a website, print up newsletters and use hobby related groups and sites as a basis for networking. Often the best way to secure a job is through word of mouth or others that you share the hobby with. Making contacts with other hobby enthusiasts is absolutely necessary for furthering your career goals. Making a hobby into a career is a challenge but it is often more than worth the risk.
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