Q TIPS:
Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
Job-hunting tips from the July 5, 2005 issue of
QuintZine.
While mentoring is common in large corporations, many entrepreneurs don't
have a source of advice. Successful small business owners are often ones who
have learned from those who have experience in their industry or who have
previously dealt with similar business issues.
SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business," offers several steps for choosing a mentor who will
best fit your business goals and give you helpful answers to your business questions. For example,
what do you do if a competitor opens up across the street? How do you deal with an unreliable
employee? And, how can you take advantage of a promising, new business opportunity?
Think About Why You Seek Advice. Establish the goals you expect to achieve
by talking to a mentor. Pick the top 3-5 challenges or opportunities that your business
faces and prioritize them in order.
Make Time to Meet with a Business Mentor. To get help, though, you will need to
commit some of your time and energy to meeting with your mentor.
Find the Right Mentor for You. Look for someone who has accomplished
goals that might be similar to your own. Your mentor should be someone
who can provide the time and energy to help you achieve your
objectives.
Build Your Success Team. Be sure to seek guidance from
multiple sources.
Ask SCORE for Help. Get real-world advice and know-how
from SCORE's expert business counselors. Confidential advice at no cost
is available face-to-face at SCORE chapters nationwide,
through online counseling,
or by calling 1-800/634-0245.
Nick Corcodilos of Ask The Headhunter
was recently asked how to handle in job interviews the fact that one has
a small business on the side. How can the candidate/entrepreneur
make the most of the situation? Corcodilos advised the job-seeker to
say something like this:
"I get the sense you're concerned that I have a business on the side.
The only way it affects my current job is positively -- what I've learned on
my own has been a benefit to my employer. In the job we're discussing, I believe
the skills I've acquired would apply in these ways. [Be ready to list them.] If
you're still worried about it, I encourage you to discuss it with me. If I can't show
you how I can handle both this job and a part-time, non-competing business, then
you shouldn't hire me."
Blogs are hot. Here's a quick list of some blogs for entrepreneurs:
flyte blog: "What Works Online", focusing on
what small businesses and entrepreneurs need to know about building a more
effective Web site, Internet, and email marketing, search-engine optimization
While mentoring is common in large corporations, many entrepreneurs don't
have a source of advice. Successful small business owners are often ones who
have learned from those who have experience in their industry or who have
previously dealt with similar business issues.
