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Tag: career change

  • When Looking for a Job, Know Your SMART Goals | Entrepreneur

    When Looking for a Job, Know Your SMART Goals | Entrepreneur

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Job seekers benefit from having a clear understanding of what they want out of their next job and what it will take to get there. But with so many career paths and opportunities available, it can take time to narrow your search. Setting SMART goals can focus your search and help you reach your desired career objectives.

    Never heard of SMART goals? SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals that can improve your chances of success. By setting SMART goals for your job search, you can ensure that you put your time and energy into finding the right job rather than just any job.

    Whether your job search leads you to a recruiter or online via sites like ZipRecruiter, here are some ideas for establishing SMART goals while searching for employment.

    Specific: Your goals should be specific and clearly defined. Instead of saying, “I want a job,” try something like, “I want a job as a project manager at a tech company.” This gives you a clear target to aim for and helps you narrow down your search.

    Measurable: To track your progress, your goals need to be measurable. For example, “I will apply to at least three jobs per week” is a measurable goal.

    Achievable: Keep your goals realistic and achievable. If you don’t have the necessary experience or education for a particular job, it may not currently be achievable.

    Relevant: Your goals should be relevant to your career goals and interests. If you’re not passionate about a particular industry or type of job, it’s unlikely that you’ll be motivated to put in the work to find it.

    Time-bound: Set a deadline for yourself to achieve your goals. This will keep you on track and give you a sense of urgency.

    By setting SMART goals for your job search, you can focus your efforts and increase your chances of finding the right position for you. Be bold, adjust your goals as you go along, and remember to celebrate your successes.

    Once you identify your SMART goals, you can find your next step on ZipRecruiter. This popular job search site matches motivated job seekers with top employers and makes hiring easy. ZipRecruiter allows users to set up job alerts and receive notifications when relevant job openings are posted. This feature can save job seekers a lot of time and effort in their job search by streamlining the process and presenting them with opportunities that match their skills and preferences. Best of all, it’s free to sign up.

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    Entrepreneur Deals

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  • 4 Steps to Making a Successful Career Change | Entrepreneur

    4 Steps to Making a Successful Career Change | Entrepreneur

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    Most of us dream of making changes in our lives, of reinventing ourselves and our careers. But financial considerations, the anxiety of the unknown, and fear of failure often prevent us from going for it.

    Change is hard—and it’s scary. But it’s also well within our grasp.

    Author Joanne Lipman spoke to hundreds of people who have made successful career pivots, and interviewed researchers and scientists who have studied big transitions and transformations. To her surprise, she discovered that most career changes follow a similar pattern that can be broken down into steps, which she maps out in her new book “Next! The Power of Reinvention in Life and Work.”

    Photo by: Gannett

    Lipman’s also walked the walk. In her own career, she transitioned from being editor-in-chief of USA Today and The Wall Street Journal Weekend Journal into a bestselling author and speaker.

    I spoke to her for the podcast Write About Now about the steps, what she calls the 4 S’s — search, struggle, stop, and solution.

    Related: Considering Entrepreneurship After a Successful Corporate Career? Here Are 3 Things You Need to Know.

    1. The search

    All career changes begin with a search to do something different.

    “This is when you start collecting information about where you’re actually going to end up,” Lipman says. “The cool thing about this search phase is that almost everybody I interviewed didn’t realize they were searching. It was totally unintentional.”

    She cites the example of a telephone repairman, Chris Donovan, who sketched pictures of women’s shoes in his spare time. He drew these designs for years (for fun) until his husband discovered them and encouraged Donovan to pursue his love of shoe design as a new career. The result was Chris Donovan Footwear, a successful woman’s luxury fashion shoe brand.

    When determining your career change, take stock of your interests and passions and try not to overthink them by weighing every pro and con. Instead, trust your gut, Lipman says.

    “People who successfully switch careers,” she says, “often cite the power of gut instinct.”

    And research backs that up. In one study, British and Turkish students were asked to predict the winner of a British soccer match. The Turks, who knew nothing about the teams, were just as accurate in their predictions as the Brits. Why? Because they didn’t overanalyze all the factors —such as injuries, previous scores, and player stats — they just went with their instincts.

    Lipman suggests shadowing someone who does what you’d like to do and take notes. Write down your goals and thoughts. Research shows that taking simple actions will help execute your vision.

    2. The struggle

    This is the toughest stage of any career change and can last an uncomfortably long time.

    “It’s when you’re disconnecting yourself from your previous identity, but you haven’t quite figured out the identity where you are going to land,” says Lipman.

    But this struggle is also the most critical phase of your transformation. You’ve made the transition but are not seeing success soon enough—maybe ever.

    Lipman says one way to manage the stress of the struggle phase is to remain nimble.

    “People who turn failure into success do it in increments. Instead of throwing up their hands and throwing it out, they actually iterate and iterate and iterate,” she says. “They tweak, adjust, and fiddle after every flameout.”

    3. The stop

    The struggle leads you to the third phase of change—the stop.

    Lipman describes this as “either something that you may choose, like, “I’m quitting my job.” Or it might be something thrust on you, like, “I got laid off from my job,” or there was an illness or a divorce in my family.”

    Lipman tells the story of Marla Ginsburg, a former TV producer whose career and investments were wiped out after the 2007 television writer’s strike and the 2008 recession. She began a second career as a fashion designer, which was going fine until her son was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. This was her stop.

    “She was in Amsterdam, only focused on her son and his treatments,” Lipman explains. “It was the weirdest thing she said because of the change in scenery plus the absolute stopping in her tracks. She suddenly had this creative spurt. She came up with this idea for her brand, which is called MarlaWynne.”

    It’s one of the top brands on QVC and HSN, with revenues topping $60 million, according to Forbes.

    4. The solution

    The final chapter of your career change journey marks the beginning of a whole new chapter in your life.

    The solution is when everything leading up to this point—the search, the struggle, the stop— coalesces, and you know what you have to do.

    The solution is the answer.

    Lipman talks about mega-writer James Patterson (Along Came a Spider), who worked in the advertising industry until he was 50. But Patterson always harbored fantasies of being a full-time novelist (the search). He published a few books and mostly got terrible reviews (the struggle), but he was honing his craft and hesitant to quit his day job.

    Then he had an “aha moment.” He was stopped (literally) in terrible traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike, returning home from his beach house on a Sunday night.

    “He’s looking on the other side of the road, and it’s “whoosh, whoosh”— all these other cars going back to the beach,” Lipman explains. And he said, ‘I’m on the wrong side of the road. I gotta get to the other side.’ He returned to New York, quit his job, and that was when he said, “I’m a writer.”

    That solution earns him $60 million a year.

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    Jonathan Small

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  • Entrepreneur | How to Transition From Corporate Career to Entrepreneurship

    Entrepreneur | How to Transition From Corporate Career to Entrepreneurship

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    The age-old question: Are entrepreneurs born or made? At Brand of a Leader, we work with GenX entrepreneurs, those in their 40s and 50s, and have had the privilege of witnessing both types of founders. On one hand, there are the natural-born entrepreneurs who were running lemonade stands and selling anything and everything to their classmates at a young age. On the other hand, there are those who discover their entrepreneurial spirit later in life, after building a successful corporate career. In fact, did you know that the average age of a new entrepreneur in North America is 40 years old? That’s right, the next big entrepreneur might just be a GenX’er, not a GenZ’er or even a millennial!

    So, if a lot of people are taking the leap into entrepreneurship after hitting the big 4-0, what has their journey been like before then? For many, it is all about climbing the corporate ladder and reaching the executive level, only to then ask themselves, “what’s next?” According to a Gallup study, a mere 13% of people find happiness in their jobs, and the pursuit of happiness may be the spark that ignites a desire for freedom, autonomy and fulfillment through entrepreneurship.

    For some, a corporate career can be draining, with long hours, limited time with family and a struggle to prioritize health, both physically and mentally. But for those who decide to strike out on their own, the pursuit of a better work-life balance is often a key factor. In fact, a study by MBO Partners found that 60% of independent workers cite a desire for a better balance as their reason for self-employment.

    Others may be driven by the desire to make a greater impact. For example, a CHRO leader passionate about DEIB may choose to start a consultancy that implements inclusivity programs for leadership across multiple organizations instead of within their current employer’s organization alone. The decision to become an entrepreneur after a rich and successful corporate career can be fueled by a desire to make a difference on a larger scale.

    At Brand of a Leader, we’ve had the privilege of guiding many entrepreneurs as they make the leap from the corporate world to owning their own businesses. They come to us seeking advice on building a personal brand that sets them apart from the competition. And as you can imagine, we get asked a lot of similar questions. Here are three of the most frequent ones:

    Related: The Step-by-Step Timeline for Going From Corporate Life to Self-Employed Life

    1. Should I use my own name or create a separate brand name for the business?

    The secret to launching a successful business is having a clear vision. If you are looking to sell the business down the road, having a separate brand name may be a good idea. But if you are looking to create a legacy or are pursuing solopreneurship, having two distinct brands — one for the business and one for your personal brand — can give you double the equity (but also double the time investment). Our clients who choose to build their business on the backs of their personal brand, however, enjoy a singular focus and the ability to grow a following without excessive ad spend.

    And here’s the thing — there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. But we do recommend one thing: Don’t neglect your personal brand. People follow people, and a strong personal brand provides visibility, portability and a platform that can help your business while allowing you to pivot if necessary.

    2. Should I wait to work on my personal brand after I make the transition to entrepreneurship?

    Many of you may be concerned that a transition could alienate your audience and force you to wait before making a move. But this is a common misconception rooted in the idea that your personal brand reflects what you do professionally. At Brand of a Leader, we help our clients shift their thinking by showing them that their personal brand is who they are, not what they do. The goal of personal brand discovery is to understand your essence and package it in a way that appeals to others. Your vocation is only one of your key talking points, and when you pivot, you simply shift those points while maintaining the essence of your brand.

    So, when should you start building your personal brand? The answer is simple: the sooner, the better. Building a brand takes time — time to build an audience, create visibility and establish associations between your name and consistent perceptions in people’s minds. Starting sooner means you’ll start seeing results faster. And if there is one thing our post-corporate-career clients regret, it is not starting to work on their personal brand sooner.

    Related: What I Learned Moving from Corporate America to Entrepreneur

    3. What is the difference between the brand of my business and my personal brand?

    As entrepreneurs, it is natural to view our businesses as a reflection of ourselves. But as we work with post-corporate clients to develop their personal brands, we often find that they blur the lines between their personal values and those of their business. When asked about their core values, they may default to listing the values of the company, rather than their own personal beliefs. The same goes for target audience — they may see their business’s target audience as their own.

    This is where we encourage our clients to challenge their thinking and explore the nuances of their personal brand. While it may seem convenient to align your personal brand with that of your business, it is important to consider whether there are values and audiences that are unique to you as an individual. For example, as the Founder of the business “Brand of a Leader,” my target audience is GenX entrepreneurs and CEOs. However, my personal brand also has a secondary audience of immigrants, which may not align with the business’s focus.

    As we encourage our clients to examine the differences between their personal brand and that of their business, we remind them that it is perfectly okay to have a personal brand that is distinct from the company brand. Personal brands can have different values, target audiences and even a distinct brand voice. Embracing these differences can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling personal brand-building experience.

    Related: How to Transition From a Corporate Job to Being an Entrepreneur

    The entrepreneurial journey is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It can be the natural next step for some, a way to escape unhappiness in your current career or a means to make a larger impact in the world. In the words of Mark Zuckerberg: “The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”

    If you are considering entrepreneurship after a successful corporate career, now may be the time to take that leap of faith. Building your personal brand will provide you with the visibility, portability and platform necessary to succeed in your new venture. So, go ahead, take that risk, and turn your entrepreneurial dream into a reality, powered with an inspiring personal brand!

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    Marina Byezhanova

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  • These Are the World’s Dream Jobs—No. 1 Soars Above the Rest

    These Are the World’s Dream Jobs—No. 1 Soars Above the Rest

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    Although the youngest generation in the workforce might not dream of labor, most people want some say over how they spend their 9-to-5.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • How to Find (or Create) a Job You Love

    How to Find (or Create) a Job You Love

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    A lot has been written about employee relations: how to lead and inspire effectively, how to ask for a raise, how to find work-life balance through self-care, how to establish and retain great employees, etc. These are all important topics, and there are many ways to approach the subject matter. But at the heart of almost all employee-related topics, it comes down to one thing: Is the employee happy?

    Professional happiness is one of the most subjective topics because it means different things to different people. Some people simply do not care about how much money they make if they have the freedom to live their life without the confines of a typical job. Some people are very focused on how much they can earn and save towards financially-driven goals. Some people love to travel for work while others want to work from home. And others want to do things they enjoy and want to feel like they are contributing to something greater, regardless of the compensation. There are an infinite number of other examples of how people define professional happiness. So, no one definition can be applied to all people.

    The key is not trying to come up with a universal definition for professional happiness, but rather the questions to ask in order to create your own personal definition. Here are five questions to get you started:

    Related: 7 Secrets to Employee Happiness

    1. What do you actually like to do?

    Think about this question in general professional terms. Do you like regularly engaging with people? Do you like being creative? Do you like having a set schedule? Do you like working in a team environment? Do you like networking? Do you prefer having oversight or autonomy? Would you prefer to work around other people or from home? Make a list of at least 20 things you actually like to do professionally.

    2. What are your strengths?

    Are you great at creating reports? Do you excel at project management? Do you lead and inspire naturally? Do you love working with numbers? Are you self-motivated and directed, or do you work better with direction? Are you a great presenter? Again, think broadly and make a list of at least 20 things.

    Related: 10 Secrets to Finding a Job You Love

    3. Where do your strengths and what you like to do intersect professionally?

    As you make the first two lists, you will start to notice some overlaps in your strengths and what you like to do. This is where you begin to define what makes you happy. The intersection of what you like to do and what you can do well is a win-win for any professional situation. Employers get more out of employees who are doing what they enjoy and are good at, and employees work harder and more efficiently when they are doing things they enjoy and things for which they show a strong aptitude.

    4. Does your current work environment afford you the opportunity to merge your strengths and pleasures?

    A lot of people like where they work. They enjoy the people around them. And they enjoy the company as a whole. They just don’t find joy and fulfillment in what they do every day. It is perfectly normal to want a change of scenery, new challenges and new responsibilities. Odds are, you know what you do, the value of it and what your company needs as much or more within your capacity as the key decision-makers above you. And it is equally likely that your employer would prefer to have you contributing at your best. So, consider defining and pitching a new role for yourself that reflects your strength and preferences. It will show dedication and initiative, and it can potentially move you into a role that brings you better professional happiness.

    5. What would be a great vertical move?

    Even if you can’t redefine your role at your current job, taking the time to define a new role for yourself that combines your strengths and preferences helps define what other opportunities you might want to pursue. In business, when people switch jobs, a lateral move often refers to taking a similar job elsewhere with a similar role and pay. And a vertical move often refers to moving to a job with more responsibility and pay. I tend to think that if you move to a job that brings you more happiness, regardless of the role of pay, it is a vertical move. Knowing what you want to do and what value you can bring will help you identify other opportunities that might be a great fit.

    Related: Hate Your Job? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions to Find One With More Money and More Happiness

    The two things most people do most in this world are sleep and work. This is why you should always be willing to pay more for a perfect mattress and work in a way that brings you professional happiness. It is up to you to define what that means for you and then pursue it with passion and purpose. So, ask yourself these five critical questions, and you’ll be on your way to creating or finding the job you love.

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    John Peitzman

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  • New year, new job? Experts break down if January really is the right time for a new role

    New year, new job? Experts break down if January really is the right time for a new role

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    If the time off work over the holidays or your New Year’s resolutions made you think about getting a new job, then you’re not alone.

    “The beginning of a new year is typically a time for reflection and making resolutions. Many people consider their career goals for the year ahead and eagerly want to set off on the right foot,” Gaelle Blake, head of permanent appointments at recruitment company Hays, told CNBC’s Make It.

    Data backs this up. Forty-seven percent of U.K. employees said they were looking for a new role at the end of 2022, a survey by recruitment firm Robert Half found.

    Similarly, data provided to CNBC’s Make It by jobs platform Indeed showed that job searches are higher in January and the busiest day for them often falls in the first week of the month.

    At the same time, job listings tend to have a slower start to the year and increase as time goes on, Indeed’s data showed.

    “Recruiter activity lags behind in the earlier weeks, before reaching a high level in late January and into February,” Indeed’s U.K. Economist Jack Kennedy told CNBC’s Make It.

    But what does this mean for people trying to find a new job right now?

    More competition and looming layoffs

    Indeed’s data suggests that there tends to be fewer jobs available at the start of the year when more people are looking to make a professional switch.

    This could have consequences for job seekers like facing tighter competition or delayed responses from potential employers.

    Especially this year, there are also economic factors to consider. Over the past few months, layoffs have mounted — last week, Amazon said it would cut more than 18,000 jobs and Salesforce announced it would lay off at least 10% of its employees.

    With a recession being close, or already ongoing in some countries, many companies will also be experiencing hiring freezes or be forced to cut jobs. The idea of “first in, first out” is therefore also worrying to some prospective employees.

    Should job seekers hold off on their search?

    However, all of this does not necessarily mean you should give up on your job search, experts argue.

    “Those beginning their job search in January shouldn’t be disheartened by a slow start,” Kennedy says, adding that starting your job search early could even put you at an advantage.

    “Employers and recruiters who are able to move fast may therefore be able to steal a march on competitors,” he explained.

    Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty, the current situation is not entirely bleak for job seekers, Kris Harris, regional director at Robert Half believes.

    “While the recession will naturally be on everyone’s minds at the moment, I wouldn’t let it put you off exploring new opportunities. This is a recession like no other where employment levels are still relatively high and demand for good employees is still strong,” he told CNBC’s Make It.

    Additionally, the labor market is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, and therefore there are still more jobs than job seekers in many cases, he points out.

    But with the mix of the new year providing fresh motivation, a surge in job seekers and economic uncertainty, carefully considering your options and thinking about what lies ahead is key, Blake believes.

    “I would recommend brainstorming what you want to get out of the year ahead career wise, and the actions that will help you get there. Consider whether you can progress in your current role, or if a change is needed,” she says.

    “If the time off empowered you to change jobs, don’t ignore your intuition,” Blake concluded.  

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  • 5 Ways to Prepare and Thrive In the New Economy

    5 Ways to Prepare and Thrive In the New Economy

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Experts have been predicting a new economy for a few years now, and astute observers and analysts can already see that it is here. While several catalysts drive the acceleration, exponential technologies, the global debt bubble, changing demographics and the recent pandemic are a select few.

    Even those that are most change-resistant amongst us agree that the world will look very different by the time this decade ends. However, many folks are still in denial, succumbing to denial-led obsolescence. Several paradoxical changes in the new economy conflict with old-school thinking and need diametrically opposite approaches. The foundations for the new economy are built on the paradox, which makes it hard for old economy folks to transition out — unfortunately, many will not make it.

    Related: Shift Your Mindset and Actions to Embrace Change

    The shifting landscape

    The term “new economy mindset” refers to a way of thinking and approach to business focused on innovation, adaptability and modern technology to drive growth and success. This mindset often involves a willingness to take risks, embrace change, think outside the box to stay ahead of the competition and remain relevant in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape.

    “The pace of change has never been this fast, yet it will never be this slow again.” – Justin Trudeau

    Related: Why You Need to Think Outside the Box

    Old economy: baggage patterns

    I have seen a few different patterns of baggage which hamper progress and block the transition or success in the new economy.

    1. Resisting truth

    Understand yourself, watch your reactions and analyze if you resist every new technological change like artificial intelligence, metaverse, cryptocurrencies, autonomous driving, etc. Missing out on the first wave of success in the new world makes people upset, and you either play victim or adversary — neither is helpful in your transition into the new world. But if you take positive action, understand the opportunity and dimension the risks, you set the foundation for growth.

    It is also important to remind yourself that these shifts are fundamental whether you like them or not. If these changes cannot be bent to your thought process, you change your thinking and adapt or get left behind. People who have built nothing and have opinions about sticking to the old economy are already obsolete and often subject to ridicule.

    2. Living in the past

    Many of us have had very successful careers in the past decade or two; this success hinged on skills, background and ability to do things in a certain way. However, as the turf changes around us and the new realities of the new economy unfold, many people hold on to security from the past to masquerade their insecurity. While nostalgia is a great feeling, it blinds people to the progress around them.

    “Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” — George Bernard Shaw

    3. Sense of entitlement

    Holding some title in an old economy enterprise neither makes you current, relevant or sought after. There is a high probability that your skills have not developed outside the realms of your responsibility. Spending many years in large archaic companies disconnects people from ground realities and turns them into administrators.

    To succeed in the new economy, one must get hands-on, play with the dirt, make mistakes, look stupid and even be mocked. The definitions of scale have changed; complexity is now defined as doing more with less headcount and more innovative technologies. If your company’s T-shirt gives you a sense of handling a complex job or a sense of entitlement, it might be time for some introspection.

    Related: Is That Your Title or Your Entitlement?

    New economy: skills and attributes

    There are multiple skills required to succeed and thrive in a new economy. When playbooks from the past don’t apply, one needs to upgrade their mindset. A mosaic of skills and attributes must be imbibed and cultivated.

    1. Navigate uncertainty and ambiguity

    We are no longer in a linear era and do not have a well-charted course to follow as a professional or a business. Unpredictability, lack of clarity and disruption are rampant, creating the need to navigate uncharted territory.

    The new economy, by definition, is volatile, disruptive and fast-changing. People used to predictability and practices which worked in the last decade must adapt to survive.

    2. Be a connector

    Mastering relationships and building networks are the currency of the new economy. Social capital must be built, acquired, and grown to drive effectiveness. True connectors understand this well and have ingrained this into their operating model inside and outside their company, i.e., they are a mini ecosystem in themselves. Being a connector creates opportunities and a sense of community and provides a platform to thrive in today’s fast-paced, breakneck-speed world where it’s easy to lose the human touch.

    3. Develop a personal brand

    Many people network or even get visible when they want something. In the new economy, your brand must be managed daily as the volume and velocity of opportunities not even on your radar move fast without you. If your brand is strong, visible and recognizable, then it attracts opportunities, and you drive your goals. If this is not something you do, it might be time for a mindset change and attitude upgrade.

    Many old economy companies cripple the personal brand narrative by throwing obsolete reasons like self-promotion or lacking humility. These cultures cripple ecosystem enrichment and limit innovation, and it eventually reflects on their financials.

    Related: 8 Reasons a Powerful Personal Brand Will Make You Successful

    4. Abandon comfort zones

    The days of lifelong employment or even milking your skillset for a decade are long gone. Jobs, companies and industries all get disrupted and replaced. Sometimes your skills, as relevant as they may seem, become obsolete within a company or industry without even coming to your notice. One should constantly be learning (and unlearning) and adapting to market shifts.

    A personal brand and your network help stay on the cutting edge. Be firm on principles but flexible on methods — it can help individuals and organizations avoid becoming rigid and inflexible, making it difficult for them to adapt to changing circumstances and stay competitive.

    “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” — Wayne Dyer

    5. Let go of your experience

    There is never a guarantee that experience gained in one organization will make you successful in another — there are too many variables like structure, culture and incentives which influence behaviors.

    Many playbooks, practices, mindsets and beliefs from the past have taken a toll on companies and industries themselves. Expertise is valuable, and experience is baggage in the new economy. People with mindsets rooted in past success and proven and established strategies must look at things afresh and analyze where they stand.

    Often, old economy beliefs may be characterized by a lack of innovation, a reluctance to embrace new technologies, and a focus on short-term gains rather than long-term success. Unlearning is as important as learning to make the transition.

    Concluding thoughts

    Overall, the key to overcoming these barriers is recognizing the need for change, investing in resources, and embracing new ways of thinking and working. Individuals and organizations can adopt a new economy mindset and thrive in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape.

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    Nitin Kumar

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  • 3 Ways You Can Pivot Your Business to Accelerate Your Growth

    3 Ways You Can Pivot Your Business to Accelerate Your Growth

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Most people think that once you “niche down,” you’re stuck. It’s not true. When you run a successful niche business, you can speak to an incredibly specific audience on topics they care deeply about. That kind of personalization is increasingly sought these days, as 71% of consumers say they crave individualization from their brand interactions.

    But choosing a niche doesn’t mean you’re locked into your original choice forever. It’s not only possible but profitable to change lanes every once in a while — even if you’ve been driving on the same highway for a long time.

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    Drew McLellan

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  • Tips for Landing a Career in a New Field

    Tips for Landing a Career in a New Field

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    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Nobody’s career path is the same. Wanting to change to a new field is more common than you think, and it’s possible regardless of your current role or what you studied. Diverse backgrounds in certain fields can lead to innovations and process improvements.


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    While starting something new can be nerve-wracking, making the jump could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. No matter your background, your experience offers valuable contributions.

    Depending on how aligned your current field is with your next step, you may need to start over in an entry-level role to gain more experience. Searching online job boards like ZipRecruiter and setting realistic expectations when switching fields is essential. When creating your resume, you’ll want to showcase transferrable skills, qualities, and experiences that match your desired role. Highlight examples of how what you’re doing now aligns with the skills required in your new field.

    Whether it’s for a higher salary, career growth, looking for a new challenge or following your passion, these tips can help make your transition to a new career field that much easier.

    Know the expectations.

    This is arguably the most crucial step in the process because it sets the foundation for approaching your job search and determining the required skills. Understand the industry or job you’re considering and if what you have to offer is a match. Your research should inform you on how your current experience aligns with your desired field and the educational gap you’ll need to fill.

    Conduct informational interviews.

    Informational interviews are informal conversations with someone in a career you are considering. They provide insight into roles, companies, and industries you’re considering.

    They can also help build your network. You’ll have the opportunity to learn what it takes to be successful in their field, what the day-to-day might entail, and the paths to get there. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions like what they don’t like about their position and things they wish they knew before pursuing a career in their field.

    Apply on job search sites.

    Savvy job seekers commonly use job search sites to land their dream job. Popular job sites like ZipRecruiter are home to job openings in an array of industries.

    ZipRecruiter uses AI matching technology to find companies that match your skillset and keeps you in the loop, so you never miss an opportunity. It’s the #1 rated job site in the U.S.1, and it’s free to start.

    Take online courses.

    You will likely need to develop new skills when switching to a new field. Certifications are available for in-demand trades like computer programming, inbound marketing, UX fundamentals and more. Many companies encourage employees to acquire new skills, so if your current employer supports inward mobility, they may offer relevant trainings or subsidize your education to try something new.

    Freelance after work.

    Freelancing can be a great way to develop your craft, build a client base, get work for your portfolio, and even earn supplemental income. Typical freelance jobs include web development, copywriting, design, accounting, social media marketing and more. The flexibility of freelancing lends itself well to busy professionals with full-time jobs because it allows you to get relevant experience while maintaining employment in your current role.

    Apply for internships.

    Those who are earlier on in their career may have the flexibility to accept internship opportunities that are paid or unpaid. Companies also offer development programs to help you gain real-world experience and expand your network.

    While these opportunities may be short-term, they can be an effective way to receive the knowledge you need while getting your foot in the door.

    1 Based on G2 satisfaction ratings as of January 1, 2022

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    Entrepreneur Deals

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  • 3 Critical Lessons When Changing Your Business and Journey

    3 Critical Lessons When Changing Your Business and Journey

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Leadership isn’t easy, nor is entrepreneurship. Bringing a new idea or concept to market is a dream for many, but it can often feel daunting. When reflecting on my journey to CEO, I recently asked myself, what are the three important lessons I would tell my younger self?

    I came up with the following: Always listen to your customers, choose progress over perfection and get your employees involved. Keeping these lessons in mind will help your quest for entrepreneurial excellence and change in your business. Here’s why I think so.

    Related: Entrepreneurship is Risky. Follow This Less Risky Path For Entrepreneurial Success

    1. Listen to your customers

    When changing your business or product, customers will usually react in one of two ways. On the one hand, they may be receptive and open to change. Often, this occurs when the change doesn’t require a significant shift in customer behavior. Customers don’t want to be pushed too far outside their comfort zone (or their existing process), so if the change requires a substantial shift in attitude or perhaps a change in how they interact with your business, they might be more resistant.

    Knowing this, it is essential to listen to — and acknowledge — their concerns. As a leader, you probably won’t be able to solve all their problems, but by listening and acknowledging, you can move people down the path toward accepting changes. In addition, you’re supporting the notion that they are on the same team as you, which helps bolster change.

    Another effective way to reinforce a new belief is to focus on “peak moments” — i.e., specific parts of the consumer decision journey that have a disproportionate impact and that consumers tend to remember most.

    Peak moments often include first-time experiences with a product or service, touchpoints at critical milestones in the customer journey (such as the first renewal cycle), and other moments of intense consumer interaction (and reaction).

    Related: How to Quickly Adapt to Change and Future-Proof Your Business

    2. Progress over perfection

    In today’s competitive start-up landscape, it is tempting to strive for perfection when launching a new product, idea or solution — especially those of us with an engineering bent. No one wants to go to market with something that feels “less than.” However, grasping for the goal of perfection can be a barrier to real growth. Like the well-worn aphorism says, “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”

    Without making mistakes and allowing the chance to improve, we’d never know what success looks like — that’s the danger of letting perfection be the enemy of good. And honestly, it’s those ups and downs that make entrepreneurship life interesting.

    Related: Seek Progress, Not Perfection: Why Your Business Should Embrace the “Toothpick Rule”

    During my career, I have witnessed the transition in both thinking and execution from so-called waterfall to agile — essentially moving from sequential to iterative. It is a huge difference maker in quickly demonstrating (or not) progress. While it might sound scary to release something small and seemingly incomplete, realize that as consumers, we have grown accustomed to that approach of consuming new products and processes — think about the last mobile app you downloaded.

    Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and your teams to take high-risk and high-reward opportunities. Taking the time to experiment, learn from problems and discover new solutions is all part of the process. It not only allows you and your business to grow but encourages your team’s development as well.

    3. Get employees involved

    While the C-suite garners a lot of attention and credit when a company performs well, each employee is part of the beating heart of the organization and plays a vital role in enacting change. So, think holistically about change from the bottom to the top.

    To make this happen, as a leader, you should strive to cultivate an environment of trust, curiosity and learning. Leaders must build trust rather than undermine it to spark a sense of commitment and create a culture of motivation and professional development in their business. This helps encourage more discussions and synthesis about what is and isn’t working.

    Also, companies that make innovation, transparency and trust a core value of their culture often attract similar qualities in the employees they hire. There is no doubt that the next generation of talent is making waves in the workforce landscape. From the pandemic to the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting, there’s a shift in what employees look for in their employers.

    The needs of each employee and organization differ, but generally speaking, it’s not surprising that employees want to be valued and take responsibility for high-value initiatives. To be clear, success here starts with attracting talent that embodies your company’s values.

    Related: Entrepreneurs Are Struggling With Mental Illness. Here are 5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health As An Entrepreneur

    Moving forward

    All in all, change in your business, your products and the market can and should take time. Accomplishment doesn’t happen overnight. Be open and wise to this. Also, be prepared to learn as you go. There is a difference between reading about and experiencing these lessons firsthand.

    And perhaps most importantly, don’t underestimate what your team can accomplish when given a clear vision and the resources to execute — empowerment is the secret sauce of top-performing organizations.

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    Jim Contardi

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  • Feeling Stuck in Your Career? These 8 Tips Will Help You Move Forward.

    Feeling Stuck in Your Career? These 8 Tips Will Help You Move Forward.

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I know what it feels like to be stuck in a career and not have any room for growth or a fair evaluation of your efforts within the company. Although I had what many people would perceive as a successful career in public relations, I felt a prolonged progression in my promotions, a lack of opportunities to grow in other areas of the field and not a great work/life balance. I started to lose a sense of determination in my work. My personal story began when Covid-19 first hit; like many people, I lost my job, which left me in a whirlwind of confusion and heartbreak.

    Related: A Successful Career Path Doesn’t Have to Be Linear

    How I got unstuck

    I had a moment to sink in the fear of job security but then realized I was luckier than most. I was already working on my side hustle with freelancing which was making more than I was making at my full-time position, and I was able to keep that up while I tried to figure out what my next move would be. Would I continue to just freelance and maintain, or would I push myself to do more?

    My next move came sooner than I realized. After all, at the time of the pandemic, I possessed a skill many companies needed most — public relations. I realized that this skill allowed me to work from anywhere. In the past, my personal success was hindered in this area, thanks to a full-time job that ate up a lot of my time with commutes and late nights. I realized I had enough clients to get going, with eight customers that quickly grew to 15 in just a few weeks, ranging across a plethora of industries. Things went so well that in the time of a global pandemic, a young 29-year-old female was able to create a growing business.

    This is something I never contemplated and didn’t think was possible just three years ago, but now it is a reality with over 25 people on my team and counting. When opportunities come your way, and you realize people want what you offer, you simply don’t turn that down. You acknowledge this as a sign it’s time to grow, your time to live into your potential and to take that leap in creating a business. These opportunities are coming your way because people are gravitating to what you offer. You need to invest in your vision and potential to realize you found something unique and something that companies want. This all starts with believing in yourself.

    Related: 4 Tips To Overcome Career Transition Anxiety

    How you can do it, too

    Some of the most frequent questions I receive are: “how did you change your work situation?” “how did you start your side hustle?” or “how do I market my skills?” As someone whose primary mission is to make an impact on others, I am here to help. Now I realize that many people are feeling stuck in their careers, and in the time of the “Great Resignation,” I want to guide you to feel less trapped and put you on a path where you can recreate your career. Here are my eight tips for getting started:

    1. Remember we have more opportunities than ever: There are more avenues now than ever to pick up a side gig and work on it from the comfort of your home. This makes recreating your career and focusing on the work that makes you happy easier than it’s ever been.

    2. Take the time to create a list of what skills you possess, are great at and love doing: Often jobs have us doing numerous tasks. Some we are great at, and other ones we wish were better at or just don’t like doing at all. You may simply not have had the opportunity to hone in on certain talents. Now you have the luxury of getting to focus on what you are great at and monetizing that skill. If you don’t have a skill that you’d like to hone in on yet, no worries! Many sites offer courses that are free or at minimal cost so that you can gain critical knowledge to create your new side hustle!

    3. Register for freelance sites: Join freelance sites like UpWork, Fiverr, ThumbTack, Freelancer, etc. Take a scroll through the types of jobs on their sites, then finalize which area you would like to focus on.

    4. Create a pitch about yourself: Many of these freelance sites will ask you to write about your accomplishments, skills and share your job qualifications on your profile page. It can be awkward for some people to boast about themselves, but if you don’t share all the fantastic things you did, no one will know. Learn to be your own publicist. Be sure to include what you can do for prospective clients on your profile page and show previous success stories.

    5. Draft a template cover letter: You can quickly modify a cover letter for different proposals you want to apply for and make simple edits per job posting. This will save you a lot of time.

    6. Ask for reviews or referrals: On these sites, you can boost your chances of getting opportunities by asking peers, previous companies you’ve worked for or other side gigs you’ve had in relevant spaces to get their review of you on the platform. This builds your credibility and also builds potential clients’ confidence when deciding whether to talk and eventually hire you.

    7. Research price points: When putting yourself out there, there is always the question of how much you should charge for your skillset per hour or per project. On many of these sites, you can do some analysis of what others are charging for similar fields. Starting a little lower at first can help you break through to start building your freelance roster, and once you have a couple of reviews of current clients under your belt, that’s when you can move the needle up.

    8. Start applying and putting yourself out there: Once you find a side gig or two, you can really craft yourself, put your passions outside of your current career and start honing a path for yourself that will make you happy.

    Related: Do You Feel Unfulfilled in Your Work Life? Here’s How to Change That

    Whether you want to try this until you find your next job, need extra income or are considering freelancing as your new full-time job for more flexibility, these eight tips above will help you succeed. As Christopher Robbins says, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.”

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    Mary Elkordy

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  • FEAST Brands, LLC Accelerates Culinary Startups’ Path to Success

    FEAST Brands, LLC Accelerates Culinary Startups’ Path to Success

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    FEAST’s consulting focuses on providing clients meaningful advice, useful tools and helpful support during the critical first six months of operations.

    Press Release
    –

    Apr 21, 2022


    WESTMINSTER, Md., April 21, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    The events of the last two years have profoundly affected how we eat and obtain our food, with home meal delivery at the fore of these changes. Add to that the proliferation of “ghost” kitchens and you now have previously unavailable opportunities to create exciting new food ventures. FEAST Brands, LLC announces the launch of its new culinary consulting service, focused on providing entrepreneurs the tools, processes and support necessary to start and grow e-commerce, delivery-only food businesses faster than they otherwise could on their own, potentially saving them thousands of dollars in the process. 

    FEAST is the final ingredient in the fusion of entrepreneur, kitchen and e-commerce. It’s a fully-tooled company playbook based on a proven business model that helps startups navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, saving precious time and resources in the early stages of business development.

    “It’s all about momentum,” said owner and Executive Chef Camille Peeples. “Think of this as the rocket fuel that can help launch your culinary business into orbit faster and be better prepared than you otherwise could. It can potentially save you thousands of dollars in startup costs.”

    A fixed-cost, six-month consulting agreement between FEAST and clients includes a professionally developed brand, custom website and marketing content reflecting the client’s business objectives and values, print-ready marketing collateral, process tools for kitchen and business office, plus the mentoring and on-demand consultation to effectively use it all.

    The FEAST model is based on an e-commerce dinner delivery service founded and run by the two partners in 2011 called FEAST Specialty Foods™, which has been tested and is versatile, able to focus on a few or many food products at once, depending on the client’s business objectives. FEAST has no direct involvement with the client’s business, there are no recurring fees based on sales, and the client is not bound by any particular feature of the model.

    A discounted version of the agreement is offered to cottage foods businesses in the more than 35 states that permit cottage foods sales online.  

    About FEAST Brands, LLC

    FEAST Brands, LLC is a culinary consulting group with a singular aim in mind: helping entrepreneurs launch successful online, delivery-only food businesses based on a proven business model founded upon superior-quality food products, authenticity and extraordinary personal service. FEAST offers a fully-tooled company playbook and a lot of know-how, all wrapped in a successful brand that has delighted hundreds of loyal customers since 2011. Our focus is to provide our clients with meaningful advice, useful tools and helpful support as they start and grow their businesses during the critical first six months of operations. For more information, visit www.feast-brands.com.

    Contact

    Rob Peeples, Co-Owner

    713-858-4747

    Source: FEAST Brands, LLC

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