Home Based Business Career Counselor

The home based business career counselor helps individuals with career decisions. When professionals decide to search for another job or change careers, decide to retire or recreates the work force, a career counselor assists them.

You assist your clients by determining their interests, evaluating their education and skills. You arrange for them to take tests which assess these areas. You create career plans for them, write résumés, and assist them in their job search.

When corporations are downsizing, as home based business, you can offer career counseling to employees who will be laid off. You can conduct seminars on résumé writing and may be asked to assist in searching for a job.

Some states require certification. Check your local and state laws.

As a home based business you can provide your service via the Intenet, email, telephone, fax or in person. You can gather pertinent information with a form on your Web site.

What does it take for this business?

Check with your local and state certification boards to see if you need to be certified before opening your home based business.

• You must be able to handle the emotional stress that accompanies this type of service.
• You must be able to deal with different types of people. The people you work with as clients will be frustrated and composed about the steps they must take.
• You need excellent oral and written communication skills.

What do I need to operate this business?

You should set up a separate space for your home based business office. If clients will visit your office, you should have a separate entry.

Basic Equipment and Supplies:

• Computer
• Printer
• Fax machine
• Business phone line
• Assessment Software
• TV/VCR/DVD player
• Educational videos
• Contact Management software
• Cellular Phone/Pager

You can review resources for this home based business here.

What services do I provide?

• Evaluation of client's interest, education and skills
• Assessment and personality testing
• Creation of a career plan that matches the client's interest and goals
• Write résumé
• Assist in job search
• Counsel clients facing impending lay-offs
• Present seminars on topics regarding career changes
• Prepare clients for interviews

What are my potential earnings?

$30,000 to $65,000 annually

How much do I charge for my services?

You can charge per hour or per month depending on the services provided. Typical charges may be from $50 to $75 per hour.

How do I bill for my services?

You bill your clients directly. Individual clients can be billed and payment collected at the time the service is provided. For corporate clients you may want to submit an invoice for services. Seminars can be paid for in advance or invoiced for later payment. You should clearly state your billing requirements in your literature.

If you are providing service via the Internet, you may consider being able to take payments over a secure site.

How do I market my business?

Offline

• List your home based business service in the Yellow Pages.
• Issue a press release to your local/community newspapers.
• Purchase a classified ad in your local/community newspapers.
• Contact your vocational/college placement offices.
• Contact local employment agencies for referral exchanges.
• Contact local businesses and offer seminars on career-related topics.
• Volunteer to give seminars at local high schools.
• Send direct mail to local businesses.
• Attend job fairs in your community.

Online

• Create an information Web site with helpful tips on careers and job search.
• List your home based business Web site in online directories.
• Issue an online press release.
• Link your Web site to related services.
• Link your Web site to local Web sites in your community.
• Publish testimonials on your Web site.
• Publish an online newsletter.

This is a good home based business opportunity if you like people and want to help them. You can review resources for this home based business here.