Author: Anthony

If you are self employed then you will probably know that it can be very rewarding and there are a lot of perks, but there is also a lot of responsibility too. For example, you need to be able to manage your time effectively and keep on top of your workload.

Some of the perks include allowing you to pick your own hours (to an extent), choosing to run your own business the way you want to and even choosing which clients you work with. All of these factors can make running your own business worthwhile and out weight many of the negative points, but you do need to have a high level of discipline to be able to do it successfully.

IF you struggle to be organised, get distracted easily and struggle to manage time effectively then self employment may not be the best route for you to take.

Time management is one of the most important factors when it comes to owning a business as you will need to make sure that you have time dedicated to working on client work as well as time for your day to day business admin.

Running your own business can be both rewarding and hard work. If you are thinking about going it alone then you will need to ensure that you have thought about a number of points before proceeding. There are often many risks involved in setting up a business and you may also have to invest a large sum of money to get it off the ground. You may have to take out a loan to cover the costs, borrow money off a family member or dig into sayings. If the business doesn’t work you may still need to find a way to pay this money back or recoup your savings.

Ideally you should create a business plan before proceeding with any business and if you are approaching banks etc for a loan, then they will want to see this. A business plan will allow you to go through step by step and think about each area, there will be sections for finance and forecasts, market research as well as marketing plans. Marketing and competitor analysis is vital to any business and therefore should not be done lightly. It is also important to check that you can be competitively priced whilst still making a profit.

If you are currently looking for employment then you need to ensure that you have a good CV that is up to date. Your CV is often the only insight a potential employer will have in to who you are, your experiences and qualifications.
Your CV needs to sell your skills and experience in the best possibly way so that the potential employer wants to ask you in for an interview. Many of us keep a copy of our CV but it is important to ensure that it is updated before you send it out to apply for a job. If you have completed further training, qualifications or had another job then be sure to get this all on your CV.

Always ensure that your grammar and punctuation is correct and that all of your contact details are right, as you would be surprised on how many people miss out on an interview because of an incorrect phone number.

You may want to have a good read through your CV and see if there are any anomalies that you may need to explain if you are called in to an interview.

Choosing to move from enjoying baking in your own kitchen for friends and family to setting up your own catering business is an enormous leap, but many enjoy the challenge and excitement that ensues. If you feel that you are up for the challenge here are a few pointers that just might make the process easier.

Firstly, do your market research. Ask around the locals or on social media to see whether there is a demand for your services. Try to be as broad as you can be in the services you can offer as this will generate the most business for example instead of just making celebration cakes could you offer catering for small groups of people or provide lunchtime sandwiches for local businesses the wider your remit the more business you will get.

At the same time as doing your research you can make sure that you gain any qualifications that are necessary. If in doubt contact your local council who will be able to guide you.

Any extra equipment needed will have to be purchased so it may be necessary to seek out a business loan from the bank. You will have to have a business plan in place and show projected figures if this is to be granted but many banks encourage start up businesses and can offer business advice.

The chances of finding a casual holiday job in the summer very much depends on where you live because if you live in an area with high tourist numbers there will inevitably be the call for waiting and bar staff to cater for the increased business in these areas. If, however you live in a more rural location finding a summer job can be trickier as there are fewer restaurants and hotels in the locality.

One idea is to post on social media community groups in your area that you are looking for summer work as someone may know of a vacancy that you could apply for. Make clear the type of work you are interested in if you have a preference and state the times you are available to work.

Enquiring in local shops and businesses as to any vacancies may be worthwhile and putting an advertisement in the local newsagents is also a valuable strategy. Fruit and vegetable picking are traditionally a job that is undertaken by casual summer staff and can be a tiring but pleasant way to spend the summer. Many people find that good friends are made when working in this way even though the pay is not substantial.