Is professional reorientation for you?
Although in North America this concept is not very well-know, in Europe it has spawned an entire industry of coaching and consulting firms. The programs are quite expensive and take a long time to complete. But in order to find something you love to do and make it lucrative, I have no doubt it is worth it.
The process involves aptitude and interest tests, personal self-assessment, developing a strategy to apply the reorientation, gaining access to new companies, dealing with recruitment companies, utilizing and leveraging your personal network, evaluating market perspectives, and many other tools and resources.
Just off the top of my head, I can think of at least ten specific groups of people that would be perfect candidates for professional reorientation. So if this ideology is so developed in Europe, why is North America not following? I think the answer might be that North Americans simply use a different method to attain the same result. And here it is.
The ten groups that, in my humble opinion, would find themselves in a perfect position to reorient their career are:
1. Is recently graduated
2. Will be downsized soon
3. Has been unemployed for a long time
4. Is dissatisfied with current job
5. Will retire soon or is already retired
6. Is on sick leave
7. Is on parental leave
8. Has adult kids who left the house
9. Is dreaming of starting a business
10. Is immigrating to a new country
It seems to me that the European method of professional reorientation is more methodical, organized and objective. Whereas the North American method is more trial-and-error, go-with-the-flow and emotional. I don’t think one is better than the other, but I do think there is one best suited to you, based on your personality.
If you feel more comfortable with the «European method», I suggest you look up career firms that will offer you the full range of services to accompany you through your reorientation. But if you think the «North American method» is more your style, I would strongly suggest you figure out a way to start your own business in something you are passionate about. The fact that being an entrepreneur is made quite easy in North America is probably why people just «go for it». There are an almost infinite number of businesses to choose from.
First, define the field; sciences, arts, trade, management, services, retail, hospitality and so many more.
Second decide on the type of business; public, private, traditional, franchise, chain, mom-and-pop, home-based franchise, online, etc.
Third, decide on the size of business; from tiny to huge.
Fourth, choose your specific concept: clothing store, restaurant, web design, school, jewellery making, daycare, specialty-items, pet store, just to name a few.
Fifth, decide on the type of financing; government, banks, private lenders, crowd funding or self-financing.
Sixth, create your business plan including all the concrete details necessary to bring your dream to life; legal form, market research, employees, location, partners, marketing, and so on.
Finally … Go For It !
I would like to share with you the inspiring story of an entrepreneur I know whom I respect and admire; Frédéric Mac Guire.
He was a lawyer, practicing in his home country of France. His brother is a baker, and one day Frédéric made the life-changing decision to close his law firm and attend a baking school in Paris. Following his internship, he immigrated to Canada with his wife and worked as a baker for about a year, while he was preparing to bring his dream to life.
On August 7th, 2012, he launched his open-concept bakery, where his clients can be sitting at their table, working on their laptop, while observing Frédéric and his staff creating the delicious croissants, baguettes, pastries and other tasty dishes. The «Salon Gourmand Chez Fred» is a perfect example of someone taking advantage of one of the ten situations listed above to reorient his career and follow his passion.
I invite you to visit this page of our website to find out how, with 1% of the cost of immigrating to Canada as an entrepreneur, you can own a business that will be your «guinea pig» and your «cash cow» to help you efficiently reorient your career in any direction you can dream of.
For more in depth and detailed information, Phoenix Alliance offers a FREE specialized «How to use a home-based franchise to successfully reorient your career» seminar to its registered members.
Interesting outside link: « Free career test: gives you insight into your career personality »
