How to Open Doors to Any Career

 

Pexels - CCO License

For many people, their career path can look a lot more like a maze than it does a straight path and that’s perfectly okay. We don’t all know what we want to do for the rest of our lives, and you know, some of us just like a little variety. Whatever the case may be, it is fair to say that there are a few things you can do to unlock those career doors, whatever industry they may be in, very effectively. So, let’s take a look at a few of them right now.

1. Learn as Many Skills as You Can

The first step in your locksmith training? Actual training. Whether it's getting your food handler certification, taking CPR classes, or learning how to speak publicly more effectively, acquiring new skills is like forging your own career key. And in today’s world, where you can learn anything from underwater basket weaving to quantum physics online, there’s no excuse not to buff up that resume. Just remember, the goal is to stand out, so tailor your learning to where you want your key to fit.

2. Gain Experience

So, you’ve got the skills and know people on the other side of the door (networking). Now, it’s time to start picking some locks (gaining experience). Internships, volunteer work, or side projects related to your desired field are all great ways to get hands-on experience. It’s like saying, “Hey, not only do I have a shiny key, but I also know how to use it.”

If that is not something you think you can do, then you could always experiment with offering your services as a freelancer. This will give you the opportunity to test the waters in your chosen new career, while also building a portfolio of work that you can show to potential employers, while also gaining references too. Obviously, you should only do this if you are confident you can succeed in your chosen new field because bad reviews will do the opposite of help, but if you think you can do that, then go ahead.

3. Personal Branding

In the digital age, your online presence is your keychain, displaying all the shiny keys (skills, experiences, and personality) you bring to the table. Platforms like LinkedIn, personal blogs, or even Instagram can showcase your professional journey. Keep it polished, consistent, and authentic. You want potential employers to see your key and think, “This is the one we’ve been looking for!”

If you have a not so good reputation online for whatever reason, or you have posted a lot of silly stuff in your younger years online, then using a reputation management company to clean up anything you might not want people to see is often a good idea that will improve your personal branding more than you might think possible, so consider it seriously. After all, most employers will Google your name before they decide to hire you or not.

4. Stay Flexible

Here’s a secret: The most successful people often have a set of master keys – a mix of transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability that can unlock multiple doors. Cultivate these skills, and you’ll find that even if one door slams shut, you’ve got the tools to open another.

What kind of skills will you need? As well as having professional qualifications for any given role, soft skills like being able to work as a team, speak publicly, conflict resolution and creativity are always highly sought after and can be transferable to a range of roles, so they are definitely good things to cultivate if you can, and will see you succeed in whatever career you choose, for sure.

5. The Follow-Up

Last but certainly not least, don’t ever be afraid to knock on those doors (or, in today’s terms, send a follow-up email). Whether it’s after an interview, networking event, or even a casual chat, a thoughtful follow-up can be the nudge that opens the door wide. Just remember, there’s a fine line between persistent and pestering – tread carefully.

Opening doors to any career you might be interested in means being flexible, learning as much as you can and making an effort to meet the right people along the way, so it will certainly take some time and dedication, but it will be worth it when you can open doors to just about any job you can think of, even if you may need to do some additional training to get there!

Building Your Transportation Company From The Ground Up

Transportation companies are some of the most popular types of company to run, and with good reason. They are generally relatively straightforward to look after, even if they do require a certain logistical ability, and they are often going to be successful because of the need that every corner of every supply chain has for them to be there. So if you are thinking of trying to build a transportation company from the ground up, there are a few things that you may want to bear in mind to make it more successful. Let’s take a look at that right now.

Pic Credit - CCO License

 

Decide On Your Niche

First up you will need to think about what kind of transportation business you are actually going to run, and what customers you will be working for. It might be that you want to run an inner-city taxi service, or that you are interested in the idea of moving goods around for a particular industry, or a range of industries. There are many other options besides too, so you will definitely want to spend some time thinking about it to decide on what your niche and your customer base is going to be all about.

Purchase The Vehicles

When it comes to the actual purchasing of the vehicles that you are going to use, you need to make sure that you are doing it right and being careful about it. After all, you want to know that the vehicles in question will be as fully working as possible and that you are going to get a lot out of them, so that is something that you will certainly want to think about. Purchasing the vehicles is done best by contacting professionals in whatever you are looking for, whether it’s owner operator trucks for sale or cars to turn into taxi cabs.

Think About Logistics

At this point you are probably going to start thinking about the logistics of running this kind of company. This includes how it actually works in terms of how you are going to be able to deliver the goods on time and efficiently, as well as trying to do all you can to keep your expenses low and so on as well. Thinking about logistics in this way, you are going to find that it’s a really important thing that you need to get right, and it can actually take quite a lot of practice to do so. However, it’s well worth it.

Pic Credit - CCO License

Seek Customers

Finally, make sure that you are starting to actively seek a customer base. How you do this will of course depend on the nature of the business and what kind of customers you are hoping to bring in. Are you going to be looking for taxi customers, or are you doing a B2B style company where you need to get contracts with businesses? Be sure to seek out the most customers you can early on, and then to impress them as best as you can, as that will really help you out in a big way.

Eight Great Ways to Boost Your Earnings in 2021

Image: Pixabay CC0 License

 

Following the year of 2020, which was all about surviving, 2021 should be the year of thriving. This is especially true from a financial perspective as the last 12 months have shown the fragility of your financial health. Now is the time to regain control of your situation to open new opportunities and put your mind at ease.

Here are eight great ways to bolster your earnings in the months ahead. Start to embrace them right away, and you should notice the difference in next to no time.

#1. Work for a promotion

Perhaps the most obvious and logical way to increase your earnings is to focus on getting a better job. Your career is likely to be the primary source of income in 2021 and until you retire. Therefore, knowing how to ask for a pay rise and get it is essential. Before approaching your boss, though, you’ll want to ensure that you are the strongest possible candidate. This means investing in your resume, appearance, and relationships with hiring managers and bosses.

If you successfully land a promotion, internally or elsewhere, it won’t only boost your finances in 2021. The benefits can last a lifetime.

#2. Maximize your rental property earnings

Image: Pixabay CC0 License

Real estate is one of the best assets that anyone will ever have at their disposal. Therefore, squeezing every last dollar out of yours is essential. Traditional landlord duties are still a good option, but vacation rentals. Knowing the best way to advertise your VRBO property and get the recommendations to gain more bookings will take earnings to new heights. In truth, the short-term agreements are likely to outweigh monthly rentals, even if only full for 50% of the year.

Domestic vacations are likely to be more popular than overseas trips due to the pandemic. So, you may find that the earnings are even bigger than expected.

#3. Launch a side business

Starting a new business will require an investment of time and money. Nonetheless, the climate makes it more accessible than ever for home-based ventures and small local firms. Whether selling a service or creating products with the support of outsourced staff, you can run a business from your smartphone. It does not have to stop you from enjoying a successful career in traditional employment. And when things go well, you’ll be able to make the transition you crave.

There will be difficult moments ahead, though, which is why you should aim to work on something you love. When you do, the rewards are huge.

#4. Become an influencer

Image: Pixabay CC0 License

Shooting for increased earnings without any risk is a particularly popular solution right now. Affiliate marketing through CBD schemes or other products can be a great way to gain success without ever handling products. Whether you have a lot of friends with joint interests or know how to target a niche through social media marketing doesn’t matter. The potential of this highly versatile arena should not be ignored. As a small side hustle, the fact it can be done from home is amazing.

Aside from removing the need to risk your capital, it solves headaches linked to managing an inventory of products. The ceiling is limitless too.

#5. Utilize your knowledge

When you have skills or experience in a particular field, it’s likely that novices are looking to follow in your footsteps. With the best podcasting equipment or home video camera, you can monetize your knowledge. Creating courses to become a tutor or mentor can open the door to a new revenue stream without having to abandon your career. Moreover, the use of pre-recorded content means you can take on as many digital students as you can find. It’s an ideal solution to refresh your mind.

Even 100 students at $50 each would boost your annual earnings by $5k. If you do well, it could grow far bigger than that.

#6. Start gaming

If you’re looking for a fun way to earn a few extra dollars, gaming for money may be the ideal solution. It does come with a degree of loss if you’re using a platform where you pay to play with a chance to win cash. However, there are plenty of free competitions out there too. In fact, the best players are signed to esports teams and can turn their passion into a career. Even if you are just looking for a way to earn a little extra cash in your recreation time, it’s worth researching.

Besides, it will make the gaming activities feel far more engaging and exciting than playing against the computer. Just be sure to be responsible.

#7. Make investments 

Image: Pixabay CC0 License

Utilizing your savings in a successful way will have a telling impact on your future financial health. While Bitcoin has gained a lot of headlines, the whole crypto arena offers great opportunities. This is because the market is very volatile. So, when you trade at the right time, you can see stunning results. Another option is to support other businesses through funding in return for equity. There is a degree of risk, but calculated decisions should yield good results. Especially as most savings accounts pay low-interest rates.

You can combine this with a desire to go green by supporting eco-friendly schemes. After all, society’s desire to embrace them can only increase their hopes of success.

#8. Sell unwanted products

You probably feel that you are fairly good at removing clutter from your life. In reality, it’s likely that your home is packed with many unnecessary products. The good news is that they can be sold using the best online apps and websites. Whether it’s old electronics, collectibles, or clothes doesn’t matter. You could quickly generate a four-figure fee to boost your finances in 2021. It will simultaneously create space around the home. This is surely a match made in heaven.

There’s never been a better time to make the changes. After all, it’s a new year while the chances to socialize are limited due to the pandemic. Use the time while you can.