November 23, 2009
February 8, 2010
Your Dream Career For Dummies (Paperback)
From identifying your needs to exploring your options — make the right career move Changing careers by choice or due to circumstances beyond your control? Have no fear — this hands-on guide focuses on helping you find a new job, start a business, or return to school in a detailed, step-by-step manner. With concise, eye-opening self-assessments, you’ll understand how to assess your current situation, explore various career ideas, and identify ways to utilize your talents and skills in jobs that suit your lifestyle. You’ll see how to build a career that lets you express who you are, fulfill your needs and desires, and live the life you want! Discover * Detailed, to-the-point explanations on outlining your action plan * The inside scoop on transforming your passions into career options * A wealth of tips, tricks, and warnings * How to blend your ideal career with the realities of your life
From the Back Cover
From identifying your (more…)
Questions and Answers About Career Transitions
Q: Who is James O. Armstrong?I am an author of a book about career transitions for baby boomers which came out last spring. The name of the book is “Now What? Discovering Your New Life and Career After 50.” The book is being sold at retail bookstores and by virtually every online bookstore in the U.S. today and in Canada. In addition, I’m a website entrepreneur, where my focus is on job transitions for men and women over age 40, as well as on subjects like college and training options, relocating, volunteering and other subjects of interest to baby boomers and younger seniors as we transition into the next chapter of our lives. I am also the President of James Armstrong & Associates, Inc., which is a northwest suburban Chicago national and international media representation firm. Today I see my role as being one of speaking hope into my generation of fellow baby boomers that the best may be yet to come instead of past tense. Men and women today are visiting our website which is http://www.NowWhatJobs.net because they probably just lost a job or a loved one, friend or neighbor just lost a job. And, they are beginning to look for answers that make sense going forward into the next chapter of their lives.Q: What challenges have you faced that reflect what you just talked about –- in terms of speaking hope to your generation?During the 1990s, I personally went through three reorganization or downsizing exercises, which put me into the position of needing to find a new job. In each case, I emerged victorious from that search process. In addition to those personal experiences, I should also point out that over the past 30 years I have had an extensive amount of experience as a marketing consultant with all sorts of economic development organizations in the United States and Canada. Those organizations have included foreign countries, states and provinces, cities, regional chambers of commerce, economic development corporations and partnerships, ports and airports, real estate developers, commercial real estate companies, builders and engineering companies, among other companies in this market niche.Q: Have you reinvented yourself, and if so how?Early in my career in the media industry, I discovered that the sales career path was significantly different than the editorial or creative direction. Specifically, my sales and marketing direction led me to a 13 year employee status with BusinessWeek Magazine, where I was a national and international account manager. It also led me to an eight year career with Industry Week Magazine, where I served as Director of Economic Development among other responsibilities. And it resulted in recent years in an involvement with The Financial Times of London in the Midwest with selected accounts and working on special reports. Beyond those assignments, I have also functioned as the Director of Economic Development for a series of magazines, including my current assignment at Inbound Logistics, which is the leading logistics and global trade magazine in North America in editorial and advertising pages. This background has also allowed me to interact with people up to and including governors of states, lieutenant governors and directors of commerce or departments of economic development. These individuals tend to be cabinet level officers covering the economic development or commerce department area for states throughout the United States.Q: What would you say to someone who has career anxiety?I believe those anxieties are certainly justified, but perhaps magnified unnecessarily by the national media, which tends to provide an incomplete picture of what is happening in the jobs and career area in the United States. Specifically, the major TV networks and big city daily newspapers in the U.S. especially tend to focus on layoffs that occur in large companies. As a result, men and women get the misimpression that jobs are constantly decreasing, when in fact the small business sector is busy generating jobs in our economy. Government at all levels also has job opportunities. The healthcare sector, including dental health in such areas as dental hygienists, is also creating jobs for our society. And, so, we need to focus on where the jobs are available and not where some large company eliminated 3,000 jobs yesterday. Look at the total picture in regard to the job situation in America and elsewhere. The simple truth of the matter is there is a labor shortage in America and there is especially a skills shortage, which will become increasingly critical in the years to come. Q: Tell us about an obstacle that you faced in your career and how you overcame that.When my office closed at BusinessWeek Magazine in St. Louis, I wound up exploring other options in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Then, I wound up moving to Chicago because no similar jobs were available at that time in the St. Louis area. That was a successful transition, but I had to be willing to move physically and I had to be willing to explore options at another national magazine other than my current employer, whether I wanted to do so or not, for the sake of the financial needs of my family. In other words, by being willing to move to Chicago, I was able to take care of the needs of my family. The follow through in this process meant that I had to demonstrate flexibility plus a willingness to do whatever it would take to get the job done.Q: Someone says to you, “What can I do right now to help my career?”More education is always an option even if that means going to a truck driver training school for six weeks to become a truck driver. The income levels you’re talking about there range from perhaps $35,000 to $75,000 a year as a truck driver, depending on how many hours you’re driving each year and several other factors. But, the opportunities are there in that area just as they exist in warehousing and some types of manufacturing jobs. It’s all about being willing to explore options that perhaps you haven’t considered in the past. You may even conclude that today is the day to begin exploring those options.Q: Tell us a little about your book, “Now What?”My book profiles 19 men and women from all over the U.S. in all sorts of different jobs and career paths, at all different ages ranging from early 50s to 85 years old and with the fullest possible range of educational levels. Each of the transitions for these men and women were successful. As a result, the stories are inspiring to other men and women, especially those in difficult circumstances. For someone who has been feeling a little down in the mouth lately or might be anticipating a transition in careers coming up soon, the book would make an ideal purchase.Q: Someone tells you, “I see a transition coming up on the horizon. What would you say to me?”You need to start planning now for what your strategy will be. The biggest point is not to simply send a resume out once or twice a week, but to work hard in the job transition process just like you have worked full-time in the past. To land a new job, make sure to interact with friends of yours from the industry, with vendors that you’ve known over a period of time, while developing a database program in your computer, and keeping track of people you’ve contacted, including what they had to say, and then getting back to them with appropriate follow-up correspondence. That effort includes your resume and letters of endorsement of you as a person. By the way, your resume needs to cite specific accomplishments in terms of what you actually achieved in the job while you were there, because everyone wants to hire someone who is outstanding. If 10 people have the very same experience and the same education, the one that actually accomplished something while he or she was in the position will be selected. Q: Someone says to you, “Jim, I cannot do it. I want to give up.”Well, if you do give up, then that becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy where the end conclusion is failure. So, if you want to fail, then simply don’t make any effort. If that’s your disposition, then there’s nothing I can say or do to make you think or act differently. But, if you’re willing to make an effort, the more effort you make, the better will be the outcome. If you choose to contact 20 different prospects every day and follow through with the appropriate correspondence, that’s the kind of aggressive approach you need to take as compared to a passive effort, which might only include contacting perhaps one or two people per week. More contact is the better approach and interacting with people who you know, including friends and neighbors, and men and women in the same company or industry, plus vendors to your former company will all be part of a winning process. Q: Someone says to you, “I know there aren’t any jobs in this town, but all my family and friends are here. And I’m even taking care of an aging parent here.”Everything has to be taken into consideration. If you can afford not to work in the future, then the aging parent consideration might become foremost. But if you have to continue to receive a paycheck, then you may want to consider moving to where jobs are more plentiful, such as the Rocky Mountain states. The unemployment rate there typically falls into the two to three percent range. Q: “But my kids are in high school here.”That’s unfortunate. But having a job is more important than where your kids are in high school. Flexibility in terms of pursuing all your options is very important to your ultimate success.Q: Why did you decide to devote so much of your life to helping your fellow baby boomers?I believe it’s a calling which the Lord has given to me.
January 17, 2010
Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams (Paperback)
From Publishers Weekly
Journalist Skillings aims to rescue Americans from corporate tedium in this entertaining and informative guide to walking away from an established—albeit stultifying—job and forging a more rewarding career. With insight and humor, Skillings enumerates the stages of Corporate Disillusionment and the features of the toxic workplace—the bullying bosses, moronic co-workers, terminal boredom and rampant racism and sexism. A multitude of questionnaires, exercises and worksheets helps readers determine their dream job, assess expenses and assets, and plot an escape plan to break free of corporate life without going bankrupt. Skillings also provides pointers to those readers who simply want to be happier in their current jobs—including negotiating for more flexible hours, telecommuting and taking sabbaticals. Vignettes of successful fugitives from the corporate world populate the book and an extremely useful Escape Tool Kit supplies information on (more…)
January 16, 2010
How To Strengthen Your Resume
A resume is a condensed format of personal achievements and qualifications. It is the initial communication with a potential employer. A good resume is the first step in identifying and pursuing a career opportunity. The most important consideration when drafting a resume is to determine whether it will create the desired impression on a recruiter, enough for him to schedule an interview.
A resume is essentially a mode of communication between the candidate and the employer. It is expected to effectively communicate the candidate’s achievements and strengths. The resume should be planned and documented in such a way that it highlights every important detail that is relevant to the job at hand. It should make available, at a glance, a complete picture of the candidate and the special skills and abilities he has to offer the organization.
Differentiate Yourself
There is a difference between a resume for a sales job and one for a management position. In order to make the resume effective, the candidate should highlight his areas of interest, achievements, skills and abilities, in line with the job being applied for. While a salesperson should emphasize sales volume and targets achieved, an academic should emphasize his academic achievements and special honors received. The abilities and special achievements should be highlighted in a way that the candidate’s profile and the job requirements match perfectly.
Making An Impression
The most significant part of a resume is the top quarter. This part offers details on the identity of the candidate and his professional qualifications at a glance. A powerful headline helps in defining and distinguishing a candidate from others. The headline should be followed by information on special skills and expertise that makes him suitable for that particular position. The headline and details should be job specific and easily modified. The personal details furnished should be complete, leaving no room for a lapse in communication if you are chosen for the job.
Market Yourself
Marketing yourself and selling your ability to execute the duties assigned to the best of your ability is very important and should be kept in mind while drafting the resume. A candidate should be able to promote himself. After highlighting the academic and other achievements, you should sell personal achievements that distinguish you from the other contenders. Your efforts that highlight the leadership qualities in you should be mentioned. Knowledge of regional or foreign languages adds value, especially if the job involves national or overseas travel.
The Last Opportunity
The cover letter is an opportunity to impress the employer with your writing skills. The cover letter should be drafted in a way that it markets your abilities and suitability for the position. It should be a sincere effort to offer your services to the organization and should provide a brief snapshot of what you have to offer.
Your resume provides you with an opportunity for an interview with the employer. You should address your resume, complete with a cover letter, to a particular person rather than just a department. This ensures that the resume reaches the person in charge of recruiting, rather than in the in-box of a department. It is also the safest way of making sure that the resume and enclosed photocopies, if any, are not misplaced.
Ten Quick Steps To A Great Resume
Depending on how your resume looks, hiring managers will either be turned off or want to meet you. A resume is usually their first contact with you. A great resume will give a strong first impression.
1. Having a three to five sentence summary at the top of your resume is much more effective than having an objective. You can use the career summary to sum up your skills and experiences. For example: “Supply chain manager with global experience in leadership, implementation, and project management. Skilled in…” Let them know up front who you are and what position you’re seeking.
2. Do you have several years of work experience? Move the Education section to the end (after the Experience section) so that you can showcase your work experience. (If you are preparing a resume for academia or research, then follow the resume formatting rules for your profession.)
3. Create a text version of your resume for posting online. That way if you post your MS Word resume and the formatting is lost, you won’t have to waste time reformatting your resume.
4. Check job ads for the types of jobs you’re applying for. See what keywords they use in their job descriptions and include those keywords in your resume. If the company uses software to scan resumes for keywords, you’ll ensure your resume won’t be screened out before it gets to a hiring manager. This is where the summary really comes in handy. You can add those keywords to the summary and increase your chances of having your resume selected.
5. When preparing your resume, use action words such as “leveraged,” “led,” “coordinated,” “managed,” etc. Words like, “participated” give the impression that you were on the sidelines, and not actively involved in the project. Don’t just say you were responsible, show the results. Were there any cost savings for the company? Mention them. Was your project completed ahead of schedule? Say so. Did your project lead to increased efficiency? Show the percentages.
6. When describing your current and past positions, only list the strongest accomplishments – the ones that will make a prospective employer contact you for an interview. Don’t include every function you performed on the job. Consider what accomplishments you would be looking for if you were the hiring manager, and what responsibilities show that you can handle the duties of the position you’re seeking.
7. Your resume should not include positions you held more than 10 years ago, unless they are relevant to the position you’re looking for now.
8. Keep it simple. Three pages maximum for management or executive resumes; two pages for all other resumes for corporate positions.
9. Don’t forget to check spelling and grammar. Saying you were the “lead” on a project is different than saying that you “led” the project. For grammar and word choices, do a search to find sites on the web that will answer your questions about grammar and punctuation.
10. Create different versions of your resume if you’re searching for more than one type of position. For example, you may want to apply for Business Analyst and Technical Writer positions. In one version of your resume you can include accomplishments and skills that relate more to being a B.A. In another version you can include accomplishments (and publications) relating to your experiences as a Technical Writer.
Copyright © 2007 Deborah A. Bailey, Writing Services Central, LLC
Career Change to Lasers!
Entering the medical field is one of the surest ways of finding a secure career. Society will always need medical help. The medical field is constantly changing, with new spurts of job growth every day. What is one of the hottest career trends? Lasers, Nurse Skywalker.
Maybe attending laser school won’t be as exciting as watching Star Wars, but with the career income you’ll be able to afford endless sci-fi movies…
Laser Schools are popping up everywhere. The training is relatively short compared to other medical training, and the resultant career choices offer some nice pay. Laser Certifications are awarded to students who successfully complete the laser program. Then comes the bevy of career choices: Use lasers to sculpt bodies, remove acne, veins, and more.
Do you like to make people beautiful? If you are already in the beauty field, but would like to earn more money, laser training could be a wise choice. It could be a second career for hairdressers or spa specialists. Laser training is another way of helping people.
Does the thought of using a laser on someone scare you? A friend of mine went through a brief bout of fear with laser use. After several years working as a masseuse and hairdresser, she decided to increase her income through laser certification. But after learning how powerful the lasers are, she started to get nervous. The thought of accidentally harming anyone terrified her.
Thank goodness her laser school trained her so thoroughly, that her fear disappeared. She became a confident and skilled laser specialist, able to help people with many procedures.
Today she holds a well-paid position in a spa. She actually has one of the best-paying jobs in a town with a depressed economy. Smart she is. She understood that to make herself competitive among other beauticians, she would need something special. Laser certification did that for her.
What about using lasers on yourself? One payoff to laser training is the ability to give yourself laser treatment. Cellulite? You’ll know how to zap it. Don’t like your body shape? Just laser it away. The expensive price of laser treatment is a non-issue if you are able to do it yourself. Think of all the money you’ll save. Just don’t go crazy and laser your face away.
Of course you can’t laser your own face. Acne treatment would best be left to another professional, unless you are really good at handling mirrors… But with the connections you’ll make at your laser school, you are sure to find a friend who will laser you at a discounted price, or for trade. You laser my face, I’ll laser yours. Sounds like a nice exchange, doesn’t it?
If you are still laser-shy, think of the miracle that laser eye surgery is. People who have had it are amazed. Just amazed. It’s like their life starts over. Some of them could barely see before surgery. Lasers can do wonderful things for people.
But what about the moral quandary of lasering someone’s face to look drastically different? Are you just aiding their low self-esteem? Only you can decide if you want to be a part of that. However, many jobs within the medical field involve moral compromises. Consider the good you can do.
January 15, 2010
A Guide To Posting Your Resume Online
Useful Ways Of Resume Posting
Resume Posting Service
This is a service that allows job seekers to post their resumes to an online job search site, which is used by employers and recruiters. Using a resume database of an online job site makes it easier for employers and recruiters to identify you. When posting your resume, always use key words, as this increases the chances of your resume being found easily by an employer for an interview. This service is usually free for job seekers.
Advanced Word Processing Programs
Use MS word as it includes both, basic and advanced tools that help you to create and format your resume. Don’t forget to keep a back up of your Ms Word-based resume in some other application like Notepad or Wordpad. These applications convert your resume into ASCII text that allows your resume to be read properly in email format.
Mention keywords that are closely associated with the job for that you are applying for.
Advantage Of Posting Online
As soon as you post your resume online, your resume and skills are made available to numerous employers and recruiters. Ultimately, you gain access to a huge number of opportunities. The same cannot be achieved by viewing employment advertisements, company web sites, employment web sites or newspapers.
Disadvantage
As every coin has two sides, so does posting online. The biggest advantage of posting a resume online is that it also makes all your personal information visible to everyone. You may be troubled by a number of phone calls from various agencies, employment consultants, headhunters and even telemarketers. In order to avoid this, don’t provide too much personal information and be careful with what you chose to disclose.
Resume Bank
You need to be very alert when choosing to use a resume bank, as some offer free service, while others may charge a monthly fee. Besides the service cost, what is more important is the scope of the service. A few offer national exposure and at the same time, some are attached to professional associations or a network of businesses. Rather then regretting it later, be careful before when submitting your resume. Always weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Key Reminders
It is always useful to post your resume online as it provides a wide network of job opportunities. For a specific job, you need to go to the best resume bank available, create a strong resume and post your electronic resume. Be confident when you meet an employer and make every possible effort to present yourself professionally.
Posture: A Career Changing Lesson
When I first started my networking career, I was a pretty shy person. The thought of picking up a phone and calling a stranger horrified me.
I used to literally sit at my desk staring at the phone for hours trying to sum up the courage to call my leads. It was ridiculous, but my mind found a way to justify my inaction with one excuse or another.
The problem stemmed from my lack of posture, leadership, and authority, due to a lack of confidence. When I would call my leads, I came from a place of weakness, need, and desperation.
I was spending every spare cent I had on leads and tools, and I had to sponsor a new rep soon or I would be out of money and a failure.
That desperation, need, and lack of confidence came though on the phone and people took advantage of it in order to give themselves power. I came from a position of servitude, doing anything I could to please the prospect and keep them in the pipeline.
This is a MAJOR problem with people new to this industry. You will never build an organization or sponsor the right people until you move out from a Beta mindset to an Alpha mindset.
It is impossible because people only join Alpha leaders. The good news is that your Beta status can be conquered with a little education.
So what does it mean to prospect with posture? Simple. To be blunt: The person on the other end of the phone is a nobody, that must qualify for and justify your attention and time. Until they prove themselves worthy, they are just a voice and a phone number.
I do not care if it is a doctor, lawyer, business owner, etc. They can waste my time just as
easily as anyone else. They have to earn it.
Here is a pretty basic concept that I am adding to this article based on several phone calls I have gotten this week. It is about 800 numbers and whether or not you should use one as a distributor.
I was setting up their websites for them, and they insisted that their 800 number be included because it is easier for the prospect to contact them, and because some people do not want to call long distance.
I have to admit that years ago when I got into this industry, getting my first 800 number was like some cool “right of passage” that meant “now I’m a business owner!”
Ya it was fun to experience that, but I soon learned that an 800 number has no real benefit and can actually be counter-productive.
The only time you should ever use an 800 number is in a direct response advertisement. That is it. I hope by now that YOU can recognize how flawed that above kind of thinking is. (”It makes it easier for my prospects to call me.” or “Some of my prospects don’t want to call long distance”).
First and foremost, why would you even send information to either of those types of people, let alone cater to them? Think of an expert in any field.
Not only do they not have an 800 number, but they usually have a few hoops people have to jump through just to reach them! Receptionist, call screening, etc… forget 800 numbers. They have no benefit to you or your business, and they weaken your positioning.
The best way to build posture if you are lacking it, is to first and foremost, sit up straight or stand while on the phone. Have energy in your voice, and know in your head they you have the keys to the vault. You have already found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
If that is not your normal personality, then change it. This is what it means to become the person you need to be to succeed.
I honestly like to think of Donald Trump, sitting there in the boardroom on The Apprentice. It is an honor for his contestants to have the opportunity to work with him, and they all know it.
It should be no different with you and your prospects. You are the Donald. Act like it. The best way to assert your posture on a call is to keep control of it. Once a prospect asks a question and you answer it, you have lost control.
They are now in charge of the entire call and its outcome. You must take back control immediately! You do not have a choice if you want the call to be successful, not only for your sake, but for your prospects as well. (They just do not know it yet).
The best way to do this is to defer their question and ask them one. Asking your prospect questions keeps you in control of the conversation.
Example Prospect says, “so what kind of business is this? What is the name of your company? You say, “_____, that is a great question, but we are not to that point yet. This is an interview, and I am trying to qualify you for my time. If you would like to continue that is fine, or we can end the call right now. What would you like to do?” (Did you see the reverse question?) Now you have control again.
What does having a strong posture do for your business? First, it positions you as an Alpha leader. If you are not a leader, how can you expect people to follow you? Second, it positions you as an expert instead of a peddler.
Prospects and customers seek out experts because they have the answers they are looking for and because they gain power by associating themselves with that person. Third, it allows you to guide them though your information system on your terms for
maximum effectiveness.
IMPORTANT: People do not partner with you in business because of your product. They do not partner with you because of your compensation plan. They partner with you because of YOU and/or your system.
They partner with you because they see you as an Alpha Networker and someone who can help them achieve success they want. Everything else is secondary.
A great way to help you develop your posture is to just say no to your next five prospects. Do it. Tell them you are sorry, but they are not who you are looking for right now.
This exercise will change your mindset and your posture instantly because it gives you all of the power and it will help you adopt a mindset of abundance which is a critical trait that all Alphas share. Your mind will finally understand that you are the leader, and that the success of your business is not dependent upon any one person or handful of leads.
In all honesty, you should be telling this to at least 50% of everyone you talk to each day if you are building your business correctly! The vast majority of people you meet will not have the characteristics you want in a business partner!
The Pitfalls of Unsolicited Resumes
Your mind is set on a company and a position that you want. This could be your dream job, but the company is not hiring. Before crossing your fingers and submitting your resume, consider the some of the risks that accompany your unsolicited resume. Your initiative in pursuing your dream job may actually sabotage your employment search.Unsolicited resumes are those received by a company when no employment openings are available. These resumes carry some baggage that will not benefit you in the job search. Despite your best intentions, an unsolicited resume has little chance of landing you an interview. Unsolicited resumes carry some stigma for a number of good reasons, but we limit this discussion to three.1. Unsolicited resumes are an irritant to Human Resource personnel when the company is not hiring. The HR staff has a multitude of duties aside from those related to hiring. They will not spend time examining resumes for positions when the company is not seeking employees.
2. These resumes are seldom read, but go straight into a file for a specified period of time before finding their way into the shredder and finally the recycle bin. When the company is hiring, H.R. will begin from a pool of current resumes rather than from a file of stale unsolicited documents. Unlike wine, your resume does not improve with age.
3. Calling the HR office to follow-up on your unsolicited resume may tag you as a “stalker.” This slang refers to unwanted calls from individuals seeking employment when the firm is not hiring. These people are in effect, “stalking” the company while waiting for an opportunity that does not exist. You may feel that you are showing tenacity in seeking employment. It is much more likely you are alienating yourself from those in the hiring process.If you have been searching for some time, you may begin to feel frustrated and perhaps a little desperate. It is natural to feel that way and many people have experienced those feelings. But, do not allow your feelings to provoke you into rashly submitting a batch of unsolicited resumes. This practice is unproductive and will set you up to feel worse when your “shotgun” approach fails to produce calls from excited hiring managers eager to schedule an interview.
Landing the right position requires strategy, timing, skill, and a little bit of luck never hurts. But, those who properly prepare often make their own luck and that is your goal. Map out an effective job search strategy that will work for you and your circumstances. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but there are effective job search strategies that will work for you. Develop your job search strategy and you are going in the right direction.
Is There a ‘back to School’ Career Change in Your Future?
Even though most of us hang on to as much summer as we can, as soon as the calendar changes from July to August the department stores want us in back-to-school’ mode. With school-aged children, besides dreading another year of packing lunches, you’ve probably already started to think about what they will need in the way of clothes, shoes and school supplies this year.Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll spend countless hours preparing your children for the new school year – but what are you doing this September? Are you yourself ready for a change? Do you find yourself paying extra close attention to those decorating shows you love as the summer winds down? Have you almost made up your mind that this could be the year you turn your love for decorating into a career?Because most people associate September with the start of a fresh new school year, it’s only natural for many of us feel the itch to do something new this time of year. September symbolizes change, the first page of a brand new scribbler, setting goals and learning something new. If you are one of those mothers who have been waiting until all of your children were in school to reenter the workforce, has that time finally come?It seems logical to wait until there are teachers looking after your children all day before you go searching for employment, but it can be difficult to go back to work for someone else after an extended time of being a stay-at-home-mom. You will probably find it tough to adjust to the inflexibility of a traditional job if you’ve been lucky enough to have had the freedom of staying home to raise children for five or six years.Many mothers looking for a temporary escape from domesticity and a way to contribute to the family income realize they still want the freedom to be home when their children need them. If this sounds like you, the perfect solution is to start a home-based business that will be profitable while allowing you the flexibility to set your own hours.If you spend your evenings curled up with HGTV and have friends and family members always coming to you for decorating advice, Home Staging is the ideal career for you.A home staging or ‘house fluffing’ business can be based from your home, and you can set your appointments around your family’s busy schedule. You don’t need any special certifications or a background in interior design to be a home stager. If you have a natural talent for arranging a room, you can stage homes to sell quickly and for top dollar.The Staging Diva Training Program will teach you everything you need to know to start and grow your own successful home staging business. As you think about preparing your children for the new school year, think about how great it would feel to do something for yourself this fall. You deserve it.