6 Steps To Reinvent Your Career

This is a guest post by Kimberly Willis. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

What the “PRENEUR” is going on around here?   Every time I do a search on anything at all I seem to get that topic followed by “preneur” such as the actor-preneur, the happy-preneur, the info-preneur, the translation-preneur, the warrior-preneur???  One can only venture a guess at what these are all about.   It may have something to do with the following statistics.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there are approximately fourteen million people unemployed in the US.  There are 6 unemployed people for every job available.  A large group of the unemployed are those that are victims of corporate downsizing, but might not have a college degree.

How does one start over, or find a niche without having to go back to college for years to become competitive again?  Short of becoming your own “preneur”, there are plenty of opportunities to work for another “preneur” as a consultant, or freelancer.  Following are some tips in getting a fresh start:

1. Find It

• Just because you’ve been working in the finance industry for the last 15 years, doesn’t mean you have to stay there.  Embrace this time of uncertainty to really take a look at what curls your toenails.  What would EXCITE you each morning when embarking upon a new workday?  Maybe you’re creative, and should try your hand at graphic design? Write down all the things that come to mind.

2. Review It

• Perhaps it was in school that you discovered English was your easiest class, and it was art class you looked forward to.  Maybe throughout your life you’ve always had the inclination and propensity to help others in understanding things, whether it was homework or certain job skills. Think about different situations inside and outside the workplace wherein you excelled, were always selected for, or were naturally drawn to, and start there.

3. Learn It   

• So you’ve figured out that you are creative and artistic, for example.  Now you need to learn how to apply this to today’s job market.  One of the best ways to do this is by searching through job opportunities.  If you know you write speeches and articles with great ease, take a look at all the jobs that have popped up in that area.  Due to the advent of internet marketing and the consistent need for fresh content, article writers, bloggers, and ad posters are in constant demand.

• If you’re good with language, and have a foundation for strategic thinking, then try your hand at learning a simple computer language.  Start off with html.  By doing a simple browser search there are several free sites offering the basics.  Learn it in your spare time.

4. Polish It

• So you like art, and you’ve always been great at putting together Powerpoint presentations.  Check out the new add-ins, templates and presentation tools such as Presenter, Keynote, Prezi, and master them.

5. Package It

• Once you’ve brushed up on the latest technology, build a portfolio.  Put together a few presentations, write some articles, start a blog, create a template design.  When asked for an example of your work, you’ll have it ready to go.  That will leave you time to focus on going after and landing the gig you really want, instead of stressing about creating example works at the last minute.

6. Sell It

• Once you’ve decided on a new talent, brushed up on the latest technology, created an example or two, upload it to a place where employers will find you and can view your works.  Then start applying.  It’s as easy as that.

Following are a list of some of the freelancer websites:

Virtualassistantville.com, Hiremymom.com, elance.com, peopleperhour.com, guru.com, odesk.com, IFreelance.com, limeexchange.com, freelancefree.com, getafreelancer.com.

This guest post was written by Kimberly Willis, who writes about money-saving tips and is a www.coupon.org contributor.