Q. I’ve been thinking about starting my own business.
I’m an independent person who sometimes has trouble taking direction,
particularly when I think there’s a better way of doing things. I also
have a lot of ideas for possible businesses. How can I figure out if
self-employment is right for me and which of my ideas would make the
best business?
A. A sense of independence and a desire to find
better ways of doing things are definitely entrepreneurial traits; look
at some other indicators to see if self-employment is truly right for
you. Several websites offer assessments of your entrepreneurial spirit,
mostly using yes-or-no questions to pit your description of yourself
against traits and practices of successful business owners. Check out
www.bdc.ca (under "Starting a Business") for one of the most extensive
quizzes of this type.
You are certainly not alone in considering owning
your own company. Independent people often relish the idea of owning a
business because then they wouldn’t have a boss. However, every client
will become your boss, as will any person or institution providing
funding or credit to your business. Another commonly cited plus to
running a business is flexible hours; however, you will be putting in
more than full-time hours as you get the business off the ground.
Remember, it takes more than enthusiasm and a
business concept to become self-employed: it takes a lot of research.
Market research can identify where your customers are, whether they are
open to your product or service, and what competition you may face.
Financial research can help you project cash flow and operating
expenses, as well as your capital costs (what you need to get started).
Crunching these numbers will help ensure you stay in business long
enough for it to catch on; studies show many businesses fail in the
first three years because of poor financial planning.
Organizations exist throughout the country to help
you get started on your business research and planning. In addition to
books, pamphlets and business plan templates, many offer consultation
services from the idea stage until well after your business is underway.
Start your search for help at www.communityfutures.ca, which provides
links to 268 Business Development offices, located in communities in
every province and territory except the Yukon.
There are also resources geared to specific
demographic groups. If you’re under the age of 34, check out the
Canadian Youth Business Foundation at www.cybf.ca for information about
funding and mentoring programs. Persons with Disabilities Online,
accessible at www.pwd-online.ca, has a section on starting a business
with links to several other relevant websites. Aboriginal people can use
the resources of Aboriginal Business Canada at abc-eac.ic.gc.ca, while
women entrepreneurs can visit the Canadian Women’s Business Network at
www.cdnbizwomen.com. There are also provincial and regional initiatives;
your regional business centre should have all the information you need.
Remember, even though you’re setting out to run your
own show, you can’t do it alone. Make use of as many resources as
possible to increase your chances of success.
Johanna Kristolaitis is a writer with the
DiversityCanada Foundation. Visit http://DiversityCanada.com for more
career tips and job postings.
Figuring out the best move: relocating for work
By Johanna Kristolaitis
December 2007
Q. I’ve been out of work for a while and can’t seem
to find jobs in my city that I’m suited for. I’m thinking of moving to a
bigger city where I may have more luck in my search, but I’m not sure
where to go. What can I do to help myself make this kind of decision?
A. There are a number of ways to learn about the job
market and other aspects of life in various locales before deciding to
move. The best strategy in most cases is to apply for jobs in cities
you’d consider moving to and wait for a job offer before you pack up and
ship out. You can also apply to companies with multiple business
locations, indicating you’re willing to relocate. However, moving
somewhere with a shortage of workers also has its advantages.
Let’s start with the geographic research. For
regulated trades and professions, Work Destinations (http://www.workdestinations.org)
can tell you about provincial differences. Labour Market Information
(http://lmi-imt.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca) can give you a range of job-related
information, including which employers have been hiring. You can also
get a sense of the job market by searching online postings. City
webpages are a good source and often list the top employers; they can
also give you a sense of the services and activities in the area. Be
sure to check out the cost of living in the area, as it can play a role
in your decision.
If your focus is on getting any job as soon as
possible, you could move somewhere where manual workers are in short
supply, such as the oil pipelines in Alberta. Some employers will even
reimburse your travel expenses or provide cheap room-and-board. Many
people move for guaranteed general labour work and subsequently find
more suitable positions in the same area. There are also many who work
the high-paying general labour positions for a while, and then return
home with their earnings to continue their previous search with a
new-found nest egg.
If you stay where you are and apply to jobs out of
your geographic area, think about how interviews can be conducted.
Sometimes a phone interview will substitute well, but unfortunately
employers may favour someone they can meet face to face. While the
company may cover some or all of the cost to bring you in, depending on
the position and how quickly they need it filled, you should know what
you can and cannot afford ahead of time. Similarly, you should factor in
how quickly you can relocate; if you can’t move for a few months because
you’d need to sell your house, don’t apply to jobs that indicate an
immediate start date. One strategy for out-of-town applicants is to have
a friend or relative in that city take messages for you, providing a
local address and phone number to employers. This is best if you are not
expecting any help from them in covering your moving expenses and can
easily make it back there for an interview.
Johanna Kristolaitis is a writer with the
DiversityCanada Foundation. Visit http://DiversityCanada.com for more
career tips and job postings.
The Interview is not the end: what to do next to boost
your chances
By Johanna Kristolaitis
November 2007
Q. I’ve been to several interviews over the last month, but am still out
of work. I’ve been through mock
interviews and told that I present myself well, so I don’t think it’s my
interview technique. An employment
counselor recently mentioned sending thank you notes to my interviewers.
Is this a common practice? What else might I be missing that can improve
my chances?
A. Given that your interview skills have been approved by professionals,
it is likely the fierce nature of competition for employment that is
keeping you out of work. Still, there may be some less obvious areas for
improvement, but more on that after addressing your first question.
Your
employment counselor is right to suggest you send thank-you notes to
your interviewers. Everyone ought to do this as a common courtesy to
those who met with you in your employment search. However, it is not a
common practice, and your doing so is sure to make you stand out from
the other candidates. The note should be brief and sent to each
interviewer, thanking them for their time and for considering you for
the position. While there is no need for more, this is the perfect place
to add whatever may have slipped your mind during the interview itself.
Write the
note immediately after your interview, while the experience is still
fresh in your mind, and mail
it later that day. While dropping it off or sending an e-mail note is
also possible, sending it through the mail
best combines the personal and business nature of the document. Unless
your hand-writing is difficult to read (as is the case for many of us in
this technological age), consider writing out your note in a blank card
rather than typing it and printing on ordinary paper.
There are a
couple other things you can do after the interview to improve your
chances. If a particular project or accomplishment was discussed in the
interview, consider sending a copy as an alternative or accompaniment to
the thank-you note. However, some employers will resent anything that
isn’t brief being added to their pile of papers; ask at the end of the
interview to be sure. Bringing a portfolio with these types of documents
(reference letters, recognitions you’ve received, samples of your work)
to your interview is even better. Even if the employer doesn’t look at
it, putting a portfolio together will
help you recognize and speak articulately about your abilities.
Another tactic is making follow-up calls, after the time specified in
the interview (this time frame should
be one of your questions for the employer). If you’re not the successful
candidate, ask the employer for a few minutes of feedback on your
interview. This way, you’re learning ways to improve straight from the
horse’s mouth and showing how interested you were, which may help if
another position opens up. You can also ask if they know other companies
that could use your skills; use these references to access the hidden
job market.
Johanna
Kristolaitis is a writer with the DiversityCanada Foundation. Visit
http://DiversityCanada.com for
more career tips and job postings.
