Career change cover letter template

Career change cover letter template by Michael Cheary Time for a change?There are many reasons you may wish to change your choice of career. However, no matter what the reason is, a key part of your success will be convincing employers you’re the right fit for your new role even if your previous experience in the industry is limited.We’ve already focussed on how to write the perfect CV after a career change, but your cover letter can be just as important at translating those all-important transferable skills.To help you go beyond the basics of how to write a cover letter, here’s our cover letter template specifically designed for people looking for a career change.Just here for the template? Click the link below: Career Change Cover Letter Template Email address: Please enter a valid email addressmessage here By clicking Submit, you accept our Terms & Conditions and consent to receive emails and career related topics. See our Privacy policy for details. Continue without submitting Download Career Change Cover Letter TemplateOpening the letterKeep your opening simple and straightforward.  State what job it is you’re applying for, and where you found the vacancy.Feel free to mention your source by name (e.g. as advertised on reed.co.uk) or, if someone referred you to the contact, you may also wish to mention them by name in the opening. Example: I wish to apply for the role of Events Manager, currently being advertised on reed.co.uk. Please find enclosed my CV for your consideration.Second paragraph Why are you suitable for the job?Briefly describe your most relevant professional and academic achievements to help sell your suitability.Generally this will be related your previous work experience, although you could also include any professional or academic achievements which could be a testament to your character. They may also d emonstrate skills that are relevant to the industry you’re looking to move into. For a career change, you can also use this paragraph to suggest why you see this opportunity as the right role to switch disciplines. Example:As you can see from my attached CV, I have over eight years’ experience in the sales industry. Having worked my way up to Regional Sales Manager, I’m ready for a new challenge in the Marketing industry, and see this position as the perfect role to help me achieve this.Third paragraph â€" Why you’re looking to make a change Once you reach this stage, it’s time to expand upon why you’re looking for a change of career.Above all else, the main thing you want to put across to an employer is why you see this industry, and to be more precise, this position, as the perfect role and change for you.Feel free to keep your reasons relatively concise, but make sure you can justify the change of direction before you decide to move on. If the recruiter can see that t he decision has been well thought out, they will have much more trust when it comes to reviewing the rest of your application. Example: I’m particularly interested in working in Marketing because of my passion for organising and managing events, something I’ve had extensive experience of during my time in Sales. Further, I feel that I have achieved all that I can in my current industry.Fourth/Fifth paragraph â€" What can you do for the company?Once you’ve briefly explained the reasons for your potential move, use practical examples to emphasise what you can do for the business and place prominence back on the positives.The key to success in this section is to major on your transferable skills. Think of any attributes you’ve built in your current role, and try and apply them to your new role.Although not everything will translate, you’ll be surprised how many of the same skills are applicable for a number of different roles. Problem solving, customer service, analytics and adaptability are all good examples. If you’re struggling for inspiration, the job description should be able to give you a little direction as to what they’re looking for.You could also choose some quantifiable examples to demonstrate your success. ‘Increased revenue by x%’, for instance, will be impressive to most hiring managers. Again, try and choose transferrable skills, wherever possible. Example: Throughout my previous positions I organised events ranging from small product launches for a select group of clients, through to end-of-year awards events for over 200 professionals within the sector. I believe that this experience, coupled with my excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, make me the perfect candidate for building a long-term career in this role.In my previous role as a Regional Sales Manager at Sales Company Ltd, I was responsible for managing relationships with big brands, such as X, Y and Z, and my account management resulted in an 18% increase in business renewals achieved. Despite being in a different industry, I am confident that I can bring this level of success with me to your organisation and help Marketing Company PLC build upon their reputation as one of the biggest names in the UK events industry.  Closing the letterThank the employer for their time, and sign off politely.In terms of terminology, use ‘Yours sincerely’ (if you know the name of the hiring manager)/’Yours faithfully’ (if you do not), and your name. Example: Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further. Yours sincerely, [Your name] Final thoughtsRemember: Just as with our standard free  cover letter template, this is a template, not a ready-made cover letter. As with any other part of your application, it requires a good level of research and your ability to tailor what you write to the role will dramatically improve your chances of success.The most important thing to remembe r here is to explain your reasons for wanting a change, and to convince employers you’re unlikely to change your mind if things don’t work out.Major on your transferable skills, and you’ll alleviate many of these fears. Follow your cover letter up with a well-written CV, and you’ll leave no doubt in a recruiter’s mind.Still searching for your perfect position? Have a look at all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Cover letter templates Cover Letters

10 Guerrilla Job Search Tactics That Work

10 Guerrilla Job Search Tactics That Work In my opinion, there are two things most job seekers do wrong: they are too general and they are too boring. I frequently write about the #1 problem of entry-level candidates: lack of focus. If you want to get hired today, you have to be a perfect fit, and its OK to adjust your marketing materials (resume and/or cover letter) to show that. Why do I feel most candidates are boring? Most job seekers do what everyone else is doing:  they conduct their job search solely online. Just like everyone else. As I said in a post last week, 80% of job seekers are applying to 20% of open jobs. Career experts claim that only 20% of open positions are posted online. So if you want to get a job faster, become part of the 20% that is seeking 80% of the jobs (which arent posted online). Make sense? So, step 1 is to take your job search offline! But how?! Get Guerilla What does guerrilla mean in terms of a job search?   It means get creative and do things differently!   Engage your audience and surprise them.   Here are ten guerrilla marketing tactics you can use in your job search. 1. Pick up the phone. Isnt it lame that I have to include this tip in a list of creative and unique networking tactics?!  The truth is, I bet only 1% of people actually pick up the phone to introduce themselves, ask for a coffee meeting or start a conversation.   You arent cold calling for an interview or a job, you are simply starting a conversation.   Dont over think it! If you decide to pick up the phone, let the person know who referred you to them or how you know them.   Did you meet at a networking event?   Did you get his or her business card at the Cubs game?   Did you look her up in your sorority alumna directory? Chances are they wont answer or be interested in talking to you the first time you call.   Follow up again via email. Still no answer?  Make one last attempt by emailing them a week or two later.  Its VERY normal to contact busy people a few times before getting a response. In many cases, theyll thank you for your continued follow up! 2.   Stop job hunting and start company hunting. The beauty of a guerrilla-style job search is that your efforts will be very targeted.   Youve researched industries, companies and even people.   You know what you want and who you want to talk to.   This is not a reactive job search where you apply to 50 jobs online and sit by your phone and wait.   Find companies you like, then look into their competitors and their vendors.   Target companies, not jobs. 3. Send a coffee mug. I first heard about this idea on an awesome podcast series called Secrets of the Job Hunt and have since run into this idea many times.   Sending a coffee mug helped former job seeker Janet FritzHuspen land a job within two weeks. If you find out about an open position youd like to apply for, send a coffee mug along with your resume and cover letter in a box via FedEx/UPS ground so you can track the package. In your letter, state that youd like to set up a time to discuss how you can contribute and add value to ABC Company as their (title of position you are inquiring about). When the package arrives, give the person a call about 20 minutes later and say you just got my package and go from there. This tactic will not work every time, but word on the street is that it works almost every time.   This tactic is better suited for more creative industries and positions rather than for a legal or banking positions. 4. Send an article. In this tactic you are simply sending interesting articles about the company, industry, or competition.   You can put a sticky note on the printed article that says, I thought you might be interested in this.   Also, make sure to include a note that lets the hiring manager know you like their company, what you are interested in and how you could contribute to their firm.   Set up free Google alerts to stay on top of the newly published articles of interest. 5. Get in touch with ex-employers. Most people only look at the future when conducting a job search.   Therefore, you should look behind you.   Hopefully you left your previous positions on good terms and can send a short email saying hello and letting them know you are on the market.   Thats it.   All you have to do is let them know you are available.   They have tons of clients and contacts, and perhaps they even need you back. 6. Take advantage of temp jobs. Lets say you were offered a temp position at a company you like.   A lot of people would pass up this opportunity.   A smarter thing to do is to accept the temp position and start networking with those within the company.   Since you are already working on site, its easy to send an email and grab coffee or lunch with those in your building.   Its likely that you will be offered a formal interview now that they know who you are. 7. Start work at the interview. Rather than being like every other candidate, consider getting a head start on getting hired.   If youre applying to a marketing position, bring a fresh marketing campaign idea into the interview.   If you are going into sales, come in with a list of leads.   If you are interviewing for an editing position, bring in a copy of one of the publications articles with your edits.   If you havent been granted an interview yet, you could also use this approach by proposing an improvement or new idea and sending it to someone within the company.   This is a very proactive approach which shows the employer that you are a hard worker who takes this position very seriously.   You are also adding value to the company before you even start, which is something most wouldnt bother doing. 8. Consider using a guerrilla resume.Authors David Perry and Kevin Donlin of Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters 2.0   recommend using a resume that includes endorsements of your work in the left hand column (these quotes can be pulled from your LinkedIn recommendations) and up to 5 logos of well-known companies or clients you have worked with.   Although most traditional HR folks would disagree with this approach, they feel color and visual appeal will help you land a job faster.   Perry and Donlins website also offers a free informational CDwith tons of guerilla job hunting tips. 9. Use Twitter. Ive personally seen the effects what Twitter can do for ones professional life.   So why not use it to help you find a job? The catch here is, you dont use Twitter to find a job.   You use it to build relationships. Authors Susan Britton Whitcomb, Chandlee Bryan and Deb Dibrecommend thinking of Twitter like a cocktail party that you use to achieve your job search goals.   They also suggest strategically using lists and hashtags.   For more great tips, check out their new book Twitter Job Search Guide. 10. Get smart and get out there. Read your local paper and dont hesitate to contact those featured in the articles. Read popular business books.   Doing so will provide you with tons of conversation and examples for an interview or when meeting new people. Volunteer doing something you love.   You never know who you will meet. Start a simple business while you are unemployed, you may be hired on full-time by one of your clients. Take a class at your local college, get more training, or obtain a certificate in something that will add value to you as a candidate. Will you go Guerrilla? Do you agree with using a non-traditional job search and networking approach? What guerrilla job search tactics have you used?   Did they work? What are other examples of guerrilla job search tactics? Which one of these tactics would you be most likely and least likely to utilize?

Spur Your Resume into Action!

Spur Your Resume into Action! Your resume should create a compelling argument for what sets you apart as a potential candidate for any given role. How can you ensure your resume sells instead of tells? To start, focus on the quality of resume content and not the quantity. Avoid densely packed content that buries key facts and rambles on too long. Recruiters are busy people, and research shows that the majority of recruiters  spend only 11 seconds  scanning each new resume. What are they looking for? A convincing argument from you the job seeker- to keep them reading. To help capture, and keep, the  attention of these hiring authorities, employ  clear and concise statements throughout your resume that start with varying action verbs. Action verbs are strong words that engage the reader and assist with showcasing skills and achievements. Many action verbs are capable of conveying a large amount of information all on their own, helping to keep things succinct. But choose these words wisely. Always ensure action verbs compliment the targeted jobs core skills sets, and ensure you back up each verb with proof of skill or ability (i.e: you cant just say you generated revenue increases.you need to also state  exactly how and by how much!). Finally, avoid  using the same verb more than once.  Offering a variety of action words throughout your resume (and cover letter!) will  illustrate unique abilities and accomplishments, and keep the reader hooked! Need some inspiration?  Here are my  Top 10  â€˜Action Packed’ Resume Words: • Architected • Achieved •  Generated • Pioneered • Delivered • Initiated • Championed • Leveraged • Orchestrated • Accelerated

UK vs America Work Culture

UK vs America Work Culture It is common knowledge that we share a number of similarities with America, whether it be history, love of the same pop culture or even the colours in our flags, however when it comes to working culture, you might be surprised at how many differences there are. American  expansion experts;  Foothold  America, have put together an infographic which details some of the main similarities and differences between UK American work culture. It is no secret that Americans work very much in the fast lane, and in some ways so do the UK, but in many ways we are worlds apart when it comes to the benefits, pay and the way we work. For example, did you know The average salary for a Senior Manager in the UK is   £52,000, compared to  $104,940 ( £79,544.59)in the US The minimum amount of paid holiday leave British workers are entitled to by law is  6 weeks. In the US, workers are entitled to  0 weeksby law. Women in the UK are entitled to take  52 weeksfor maternity leave by law, whereas women in the US are only entitled to take  12 weeks  off work, this is without guaranteed pay It is almost quite shocking how stark some of the differences are. They do however open up a number of questions.  Do the amount of working benefits received in the UK increase motivation to work? Would Americans rather have the benefits over a higher wage? Are either country actually aware of the differences and would they challenge their employers if they did? Take a look at the infographic below, to see for yourself what other similarities and more so, differences there are between the two working cultures.  If you thought it was only the use of the English language that was different, youre in for a few surprises! UK vs America Work Culture

Interview Series - Career Experts - Cali Williams Yost from Flex+Strategy Group CareerMetis.com

Interview Series - Career Experts - Cali Williams Yost from Flex+Strategy Groupâ€" CareerMetis.com In this interview series, we caught up with Cali Williams Yost from Flex Strategy Groupwho shares her expertise and insights about job search, career change, etc. in today’s marketplace.Tell us a little bit about your companyevalWe prepare people and business to succeed in the flexible future of work.How did you get started in this path?In the early 1990’s I saw that flexibility in the way work is done would ultimately transform the workplace.It would change the way businesses operated and how individuals would have to take control of their work+life fit day-to-day and at major life transitions.Is this something you decided early on in your career?In my early 30’s after being a banker for 7 years.What is the Best Career Advice You’ve ever received?Trust yourself.evalWhat is the most exciting part of working in thisindustry?Giving people information, guidance and tools that allows them to perform their best, on and off the job.How do to stay abreast of the industry as an exper t?If I’m not in the trenches helping shift corporate cultures and helping people master the skills of high performance flexibility and work+life fit, I am voracious reader and student.What are some of the things that you see job seekers struggle with the most?Defining what it is they want in a corporate culture and for their flexible work+life fit.What are the common mistakes that you see them do?Expecting and wanting a degree of flexibility in the way they can work, not clarifying the cultural norms related to flexibility and then being disappointed and frustrated.How should job seekers approach job search today?Flexibility in the way you work is often a top priority for job seekers.If you are able to be discerning about the job you take, be upfront and ask how, when and where people with similar jobs are able to work so that your expectations match the reality of that particular culture.What is the biggest trend(s) you see that job seekers will face in the next 2-3 years?Technol ogy will continue to advance.You must be open to adopting the latest applications in your field.What is one advice you would give someone just out of college today?Do the work.Even the grunt work because it’s where you learn the nuts and bolts of the business. Go the extra mile. Be on time. Take the initiative.Ask questions. Be coachable.Respect the knowledge and experience of more senior colleagues and listen. You’ll begin to see the path.What is one advice you would give someone who is switching careers?When you switch, do it because you see a path, have a passion and love it. That will get you through the inevitable early-stage learning curve.How should job seekers get the most out of LinkedIn?Take the time to look at what the people you are networking with or interviewing with are “liking” and posting.It will give you a sense of the trends they are following and the issue they think are important.Unemployment is at the lowest levels, why do you think that is?I think ther e’s untapped talent sitting on the sidelines not working that would get back in the game if there was greater flexibility and support that would allow them to handle personal responsibilities (eg. child care, eldercare) or to allow for semi-retirement.What is the biggest trend(s) you see that hiring managers will face in the next 2-3 years?Being open to hiring non-traditional flexible talent to fill flexible roles â€" e.g. seasonal, on demand talent either as consultants or as employees, retaining and redeploying pre-retirees.Cali, what are you currently working on?Scaling the reach of the high performance flexibility culture shift process and work+life fit skill-set.What are the best resources you recommend to job seekers?If there is a skill, especially tech-related, you need to strengthen YouTube, LinkedIn are invaluable resources.What is the best way for our audience to reach you?Email â€" [emailprotected]Connect with or Follow Cali Williams Yost on Social Media:LinkedInTwitter FacebookCali Williams Yost and Flex Strategy Group have also been featured in our recent compilation of the most resourceful career experts and career blogs â€" Top Career Advice Websites.

5 Reasons Its Never Too Late To Study - CareerAlley

5 Reasons Its Never Too Late To Study - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. When people think of the career theyre going to do for the rest of their lives, they immediately think of the metaphorical missed boat at the age of 18, right out of high school. We are conditioned to believe that our one shot at a life with a higher educationis when we are fresh and young. Its a common misconception that if you miss applying for colleges when you are in high school, you are going to miss a life-changing experience full of parties and friendships fused in the dead of night. This misconception can make those who have bypassed that age feel wistful and sad that they missed out on a coming-of-age experience. This feeling can leave people feeling that not only is it too late to apply to study something new but that they cannot study anything new ever again. Its good to know now, that that is a misconception that you do not have to live up to. If you look at the career and the life you have now, you have to ask yourself whether this is the one you wanted, or if you are just settling. If you are secure in your job and your role, then you dont have any need to go back and try again when it comes to studying. Tweet This If you didnt go down any of these higher education routes when you were out of high school, it doesnt mean you cannot choose to go down it now. Its far more common now for younger people to head straight to college when theyve graduated high school, continuing the thread of education while they still have the head for academic study. This wasnt always the case. It used to be common that once those grad boards were walked for a high school diploma, people would head straight into the workforce, or even marriage. People have previously taken the option to sacrifice studying in the pursuit of a different dream, and this then leaves that nostalgic feeling that a chance has been missed. Looking back after a few years and being a position of wishing you had headed off to college and studied when you had the chance can feel like something is missing. The thing is, what if its time to stop wondering about what you missed and start doing something about it? If you look at the career and the life you have now, you have to ask yourself whether this is the one you wanted, or if you are just settling. If you are secure in your job and your role, then you dont have any need to go back and try again when it comes to studying. Then again, if you werent searching for what to do, you wouldnt be reading this article. There are plenty of people who feel perfectly fine about the decisions you have made post-high school. But if you are not one of those people and you wish you had done more and given yourself the chance to have a higher education, then you need to read on. Weve put together five reasons you have not left it too late to get back to school and study further: Image Source 1. Life experience changes the student experience As a mature student, you have had time to live life and be in the real world. The time you spend in the working world can change everything, as it can help you realize a dream you didnt know you had. Being a mature student means that you are choosing to study to actually learn something, rather than attend drinks parties and festivals that surround spending more time with a sore head than attending classes. Thats not to say thatyounger students take advantage of the party culture of college, but it does mean that a mature student is rather more dedicated to the studying they are a part of. The life experience that you have had whether thats in the working world or raising children is often smiled upon by colleges as there is something new that you bring to the task. You can act as a mentor for the younger students and feel like youve found your purpose all at the same time. Image Source 2. Financial stability is ahead Those who decide to embark on studying in later life are far more likely to be financially stable when they start out. That doesnt necessarily mean youre going to start college completely flushed or anything, but it does mean youll have a better understanding of how far your money can get you in the real world. You will already know that you can hit a ceiling in the job you are in and what a degree could mean for your finances. Ideally, you would be able to pay for some of your degree up front because of the job youve had since high school, and you would be able to alleviate some of the financial pressure of studying. Image Source 3. Studying is flexible When you apply for college while in high school, you have a straightforward option of going away with your friends and starting a new adventure. Most students dont actually know that there are flexible study options. Education has adapted to the rise in the digital world, meaning distance learning is now something that is available to all without having to attend a physical class. Perhaps you went into the workforce in a caring capacity and its this that helped you realize that if you did a degree in nursing, followed by an online MSN, you could make a difference even more than you already do without leaving your job. This keeps your income current and means you are getting the education you have always dreamed of getting. Its not easy to balance working and studying alongside a home life, but you do have to have an ambition to do it and better your life, and most mature students have that drive. Image Source 4. Studying makes you a role model If you took the route out of high school to have a family while you were young, you may have decided that you want more from life than being a homemaker. Theres nothing wrong with taking time to raise and be there for your children, but children learn from their parents and theres something amazing about knowing they are watching you achieve. If your children see you learning and pushing yourself to be better and do better in your life, theyll aspire to do well in theirs. Returning to the world of education can make you feel like youre going to neglect the children in pursuit of your own goals. With the fact that we mentioned earlier that online study is now a possibility, you can choose to study around the needs of the kids, freeing your time with them. Understanding that taking time to do something other than being a parent can change the lives of your children should be what drives you on. 5. Something for you to make you happy Realizing a dream of an education is something that no one can take away from you. Your entire life, you could have spent too much time wishing that you had studied and got the degree youve always wanted. The sense of achievement that comes with it is something that cannot be replaced. People who go into work or a family after high school can often feel left behind if their group of friends has gone on to study. Having something thats just yours that makes you happy is something to be cherished and if that thing is education then you should grab it with both hands. Graduating takes a lot of effort and is a long and difficult road for some, and embarking on that path means that you have the ambition to steer your life in that direction. When you first start out in the working world, it can seem like you want to go in a certain direction with your life and career. For many people, after working in a certain field for a period of time, it becomes apparent that this is not the career for them. There is no reason to be scared about switching your career path. As long as you are certain that this is the right decision for you, its something which you should go ahead with. How To Successfully Switch Your Career You may have a career that you have settled into and you may be enjoying that, but you have to ask yourself if you feel like a piece of your life has been unfulfilled. We only get one chance to live life and you cant live one of regrets. You may not know if you are going to enjoy studying again, you may not even know if the course you choose is the right one for you. But how will you know if you dont try? Being the oldest person studying in the room also shouldnt be a factor that puts you off. So what if you are among people ten or even twenty years younger than you? You all are there with the same goal of achieving an education that no one else can take off your hands. Sure, you may miss out on the social side of going to college, but usually, thats not the reason that people are studying in later life. Anyway, you likely already have a solid social life that you can embark on outside of college! Your education is going to shape your life, whether you have started early or embarking on it late and whether you attend classes or do it online. There will be challenges ahead, but ones that will help you to reap new rewards, so why not go for it now? What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to launch your career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Will you be an entrepreneur 12 questions to ask yourself that have nothing to do with risk. - When I Grow Up

Will you be an entrepreneur 12 questions to ask yourself that have nothing to do with risk. - When I Grow Up “Do you like risk?” I staked my claim for my entrepreneurial dream years ago, and y’know what? That question was the only one I was told to ponder when I was struggling to make the decision to become a business owner (or not).   And y’know what else? That question is bullhonkey. I’ve never ridden a roller coaster, or wanted to jump from a plane, or felt psyched to not have a predictable salary coming in. Risk isn’t something I’ve wanted, asked for, or enjoyed. I also don’t believe that being an entrepreneur has to feel like taking a great big leap off a great big cliff. Instead, I know it can feel like   walking directly on a safety net that’s lying on the ground, and after a while you realize that the net is behind you and you’ve been using your own two feet to move forward. Forget “Do you like risk?”. Here are 12 better questions to ask yourself to determine whether you should be an entrepreneur: 1. Have you bounced from job to job, but have yet to find an environment that allows you to thrive? While it’s true that the companies you’ve worked for might have been terrible â€" either with the culture, the people, or both â€" you are the common denominator in what didn’t work. Just like failed relationships, you can take a look at the jobs that haven’t been good fits and see what contributed to that. If there has been constant frustration with the work process, management style, human resources department, company culture, etc. then you’ll probably need to create your own work environment in order to find the people you want to work with on the projects you wanna work on during the time you want to be working. Full stop. 2. Do you place a priority on freedom, authenticity and flexibility? Although there are lots of great company cultures in start-up-ish businesses (including “crafternoons“, a vertical lounge wall complete with dogs, and nap rooms), there are very few where you can actually have a completely flexible and/or virtual schedule. If your lifestyle goals for the next few years include lots of travel, spending more time with your family, or just sleeping in more often, it’ll be tough to make it work on someone else’s schedule. 3. Do you enjoy taking ownership for your work? God bless those who are happy sitting behind a desk and doing what they’re told. My Executive Assistant job was like this, and it came along with little meaning, care or accolades for me. The performer side of my personality likes kudos and attention, so I yearn for the opportunity to stake a claim in what I do and make sure people know who was responsible for a certain process or good results. You don’t have to be an extrovert or a spotlight-seeker to be an entrepreneur per se, but when you’re running a business the results lie solely on your shoulders and can’t be pushed off anywhere else. 4. Do you want to be involved with the full cycle of a project? As an entrepreneur, you are the one responsible for coming up with the Big Idea(s), executing them to bring them to life, and delivering. You can either do this all externally (i.e. consulting), internally (i.e. selling products, writing books) or both (i.e. selling a program). For a multi-passionate creative woman, this is usually appealing â€" we love being part of the brainstorming, and find meaning from seeing the results. But, if you wanna focus more on the Big Idea piece or only be involved in the execution, then you might like more of a traditional work environment with more well-defined responsibilities. 5. Do you thrive wearing multiple hats? Because for serious,   you can wear something like 14 of them â€" and you will, as a new entrepreneur! Again, this is usually something great for us Renaissance Souls, and we need to create our businesses   as Ands instead of Ors to thrive. 6. Do you want a direct line to help people? Often, traditional jobs leave us with expected results that we could care less about. As a salesperson for a window card company, I was supposed to care about how many campaigns I booked. I didn’t. As an Executive Assistant for a finance company, I was supposed to care about my Partners getting reimbursed for their expense accounts in a timely manner. I didn’t. As a recruiter (for 3 weeks!), I was supposed to care about IT jobs getting filled by my candidates. I didn’t. But, being a business owner? That allows you a direct line to make the thing you care about become a tangible, helpful, meaningful thing. 7. Are you a self-starter? When I first quit my job and started working from home in 2010, my husband would be amazed when he’d turn the TV on at 7pm and it would be on the same channel it was on when he turned it off at 9:30am. “You didn’t watch TV all day?” Um, no. I was working. If you don’t trust yourself to not oversleep, eat bon bons and stream Fleabag all day (and it’s so good, you guys!), then entrepreneurship may not be right for you. 8. Will you say “No” to other commitments in order to make the time to say “Yes” to your dream biz? This is not to say you’re going to have to burn the candle at both ends, or give up your entire social life, or forsake your family time to have a successful business. You don’t. But if you think the free time you’ll need to launch your business is going to fall from the sky, it ain’t. Say buh-bye to multiple happy hours each week, or afternoon-long brunches every Sunday. You’re not gonna have so much time for that anymore. 9. Can you get comfy with being uncomfortable? This is not about liking risk or feeling good about not relying on the same salary month after month. I’ve been doing this for over a decade and I still wouldn’t say I like risk or the roller coaster ride my finances could take each year â€" not to mention learning sales and marketing techniques, being rejected, and cold pitching myself. But what I do know is that I won’t let any of that hold me back from working for myself and having a business that emotionally and financially supports me. This is one of those annoying things where the trust comes only with time and experience, but if you do not wanna ride that ride, then owning a business might not be for you. 10. Does being an entrepreneur just fit with who you are and what you see/want for yourself? Deciding in 2007 that my “grown-up” career was gonna be life coaching (for Pete’s sake!), I couldn’t deny the fact that being an entrepreneur simply just fit into how I saw myself and what I wanted in my life. Sometimes it doesn’t need to go any further than that. 11. Will you regret it if you don’t do it? Think about yourself 5, 10, 20, 30 years from now. Think of yourself staying on the track you’re on. Think of yourself with your business dream/idea continuing to be buried, not seeing the light of day. How does that make you feel? If you’re angry, saddened, or disappointed, then it’s probably time to get out of your head and into your hands. If you feel relieved or nonplussed, then maybe this dream doesn’t need to be brought to life. 12. Can you do anything else? I was told this over and over again as an actor: If you can pursue anything else, go do it. Seriously, it makes life so much easier to sit behind a desk, collect someone else’s paycheck, clock in at 9am and out at 5pm. But if you know you’ll get the most fulfillment and feel the most helpful and authentic from something you make from scratch, and that you want to set your own rules, schedule and offerings, then you can’t do anything else. Final question: Are you ready to feel the entrepreneurial fear and do it anyways? If the answer is “Yes!”, then it happens to be business time, both literally and figuratively. Now that you know you’re in, Discover Your Dream Business is ready and waiting to help you figure out *what* to offer, and 90 Day Business Launch is for you if you know what business you want but not the *how* of it all. Let’s get this show on the road â€" finally!