Thursday, May 14, 2009

Make Your Experience Work for You

By Ina Hikmatullah

If you are thinking of earning extra income by working from home or starting up a new full time business, then there is a chance that you are looking in the wrong place.

Many people seem to think that the only way to take on a new project is by entering a completely new industry. This takes quite a lot of work on your part in the beginning as you research the industry, find your competitors, catch up on what's new, and learn basically everything there is to know before setting out.

What you may be surprised to learn is that you can make more money and get started faster and easier by looking for a business opportunity that takes into account your past experience. If you want to start a new business, use the skills that you have already learned to do so. You will be much more successful doing what you know instead of learning something entirely new.

Working Options

For those people who are looking to work from home or at least control their schedule, the world of freelancing, consulting, and contracting in their industry can be a good place to start. Even when the economy is slow, those who do freelance and contract work often have an advantage over those seeking steady employment. This is because normal employees require more overhead in the form of insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits than those who are hired on just to complete a job. And working offsite by working from home can help the company save resources. Most freelance workers, consultants, and contractors are paid by the project or by the hour, so the company hiring them will know exactly how much the job will cost. However, to be successful in this part of the industry, you must have the motivation and determination to sell yourself, even when the going gets rough.

Teaching Others

Whether you have been in the workforce for 3 years or 30, it is not unusual to want a change of pace. You may want a lighter workload, less hours or extra income without another full time job. Consider taking this opportunity to pass on your knowledge to others. If you are a seasoned professional, you may be in high demand to teach at local colleges or technical schools. It does not matter whether your background has been in white collar or blue collar industries; an instructor with the ability to pass on real world experience is valued at many institutions. Look around for openings or even stop by your local community college to talk to the head of the department in which you are interested. Let them know that you are available to pick up a night course or a course that is taught off campus. These courses are hard to staff as many staff professors are unwilling to teach outside of their normal schedule.

There are also other ways that you can pass on your experience. Check online job sites for job postings that will fit your career experience. You may be surprised at just what you do know and what you are qualified to do. You can also write articles and submit them to trade magazines and websites. Many of these will pay a premium for quality articles written by someone with real experience. If you are creative, then you can use your experience to work for you and help you to build a new career. - 16890

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