The next time someone asks you “Why should I hire you for your dream career?” or “What are your credentials?” imagine being able to say: “I am a trained professional with a certificate from the International Association of Professions Career College.”

The International Association of Professions Career College (a Division of FabJob Inc.), also known as IAP Career College, aims to offer the finest in online career education, career training, and certificate programs for non-traditional careers from Interior Decorating to Image Consulting, Personal Shopping to Professional Organizing, Boutique Management to Business Consulting, Matchmaking to Motivational Speaking, and many more.

IAP Career College offers online certificate courses at a very affordable price. The beauty of our part-time courses is that you can schedule your learning around your life! Our part-time courses run for 6 weeks, however, you may choose to complete a course in as little as 4 weeks or as long as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.

You can work at your own pace and at the best times for you from the comfort of your own home. Additionally, each week you will have access to a Faculty Member to help answer your questions about the course and career to help you achieve success.

If you want to earn a certificate and are seeking education or training in a non-traditional career, we invite you to learn more about our career certificate programs by clicking on the “Programs” link above.

And, if you haven’t already, make sure to sign up by creating an account with us so you don’t miss out on any upcoming announcements, offers, or opportunities.

P.S. If you have questions, check out our FAQ page at www.iapcollege.com/faq. You can also contact an Academic Advisor by email at iapcollege@fabjob.com or by phone at 1-888-322-5621 in North America or 1-403-873-1018 from anywhere else in the world.

The post IAP Career College Is Online! appeared first on Welcome To IAP Career College.

Do you want to break into a dream career?

If so, chances are you’ve found a tremendous amount of competition from people who want to get hired for your dream career – whether it’s business consulting, event planning, interior decorating, image consulting, professional organizing or any other career that offers benefits like financial rewards, fun, flexibility, and freedom.

That’s why having something that can help you stand out from other applicants can give you a competitive edge whether you’re applying for a job or starting your own business.

A certificate can give you that competitive advantage.

There are many benefits to earning a certificate from a program with high educational standards. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publication Certificates: A fast track to careers says certificates “give people career-related skills and might help them get a job. In addition, data show that workers who have a certificate often enjoy earnings premiums.”

An IAP Career College certificate may give you:

A June 2012 report by the Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) found that “people who have a certificate as their highest level of education earned, on average, 20 percent more than those whose highest education level is a high school diploma.”

If you want to earn a certificate for a non-traditional career, consider the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). With IAP Career College you can earn a certificate much more quickly and affordably than many other educational options.

Certificate courses at IAP Career College are flexible part-time courses offered online. You can complete a 6 week course and earn a certificate for your dream career in as little as 4 weeks or as much as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.

To learn more about how you can earn a certificate in your dream career from IAP Career College, visit www.iapcollege.com/program-category/courses.

The post Competing for Your Dream Career appeared first on Welcome To IAP Career College.

With our first Book Editor Certificate Course starting next week, we thought it would be fun to share some of the benefits of a book editing career. This post is an excerpt from the course textbook, FabJob Guide to Become a Book Editor, by Jodi L. Brandon.

Personal Satisfaction

For many people who become professional editors, there is a priceless sense of personal satisfaction that comes from working in this career. There is nothing more satisfying than doing a job you love. Not to mention that you’ll be surrounded by books and other book lovers every day.

Free Books

One of the great perks of being a book editor is that you’ll get lots of free books. After all, you’re working in a publishing house. Even the lowliest of editorial assistants get free copies of the books it publishes. Even as a freelancer you’ll get to read many new books every year.

Helping Others

One major benefit of working as a book editor is helping others. You’ll be the person that deals directly with authors and helps to make their books to be the best they can be. Sometimes, you’ll even be a shoulder to cry on for them.

As you progress in your career, you’ll have the opportunity to help the next generation of book editors find their way into the career. You’ll be a mentor and counselor for them. Maybe you’ll even be the one doing the hiring.

Recognition for Your Work

Okay, this one’s not really true. In fact, book editors are the unsung heroes in the book publishing industry. As an editor, you can help an author turn their book into a work of genius, and, yet, nobody but you, the author, and perhaps your boss might even know about it. But that’s part of the beauty of this job. You get the personal satisfaction of really enjoying what you do every day, you’ll help others create the book they dreamed of writing, and you won’t even care if your work is recognized. (That aside, some book editors do become quite well known and respected in the industry.)

Working with Celebrities

There’s no doubt about it. Authors are celebrities. Just think of working with authors like John Grisham, Stephen King, or Danielle Steele. As a book editor, you’ll get to work with celebrities like these. Maybe you’ll be the first to discover a brilliant new author and help to create a brand new celebrity.

Opportunities for Advancement

There are numerous opportunities for advancement in the book publishing industry. Advancement is almost a given, in fact. You can start out as an intern, move on to being an editorial assistant, and work your way up to managing editor. (We’ll show you how all that works later in this book.)

Income Potential

As you’ll read later in this guide, there is great potential for income in this profession. While you won’t be making the big bucks early on, especially if you’re starting out as an editorial assistant, once you move up the corporate ladder at your publishing house (or move to another so that you can advance), you’ll start to see a nice increase in your remuneration.

Many senior editors make $60,000 or more annually. As a managing editor, you’ll make more than that. Throw in the perks, stock options, and incentive bonuses, and you could very well be earning in excess of $100,000 a year. As a freelance editor, your income is limited only by the amount of work you choose to do .

Jodi L. Brandon, author of the FabJob Guide to Become a Book Editor, is a professional writer and editor who has worked in the editorial departments of several publishers including Hearst Books (an imprint of international publisher William Morrow & Co., Inc.). Jodi has edited and/or contributed to a number of high-profile books, including The Barnes & Noble Guide to Children’s Books, The Buzz on Beer anthology, Frommer’s travel guides, and Copyright Plain & Simple.

For information and to register for the Book Editor Certificate Course, which is based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Book Editor, visit www.iapcollege.com/program/book-editor-course.

The post Benefits of Being a Book Editor appeared first on Welcome To IAP Career College.

It seems like only recently that employees who worked in office administration were most commonly known as “secretaries.” But it is no longer the days of the TV series “Mad Men.” While some workers still hold the title of secretary, there are now more popular alternative titles, including administrative assistant and executive assistant.

In addition to full-time jobs for administrative workers, an increasing number of people with administrative skills start their own businesses. This article looks at two such careers.

Virtual Assistant

With the rise of the Internet, there have been growing opportunities for those who want to provide “virtual assistant” services for busy people and companies.

Instead of going into an employer’s office to work, virtual assistants work “virtually” from the comfort of their own home office or another location of their choice.

Some virtual assistants work with corporate clients who have downsized or outsourced jobs that were previously done by employees. Other virtual assistants do work for busy professionals such as authors, entrepreneurs, real estate agents, doctors, or lawyers. Often, these clients don;t have enough work to employ an administrative assistant full-time, so a virtual assistant provides services to multiple clients on an as needed basis.

The work that virtual assistants do depends on their personal interests as well as the clients they do business with. Virtual assistants may specialize in a particular office task, or they may offer a variety of services such: appointment setting, bookkeeping, customer service, data entry, editing, event planning, human resources, legal assistance, medical transcription, proofreading, project management, public relations, research, web design, word processing, writing, or anything else clients need help with.

Many students attending our virtual assistant course are attracted to the career because they want to have a flexible, financially rewarding business that gives them the freedom to work on a variety of projects they enjoy.

For information and to register for the Virtual Assistant Certificate Course, visit www.iapcollege.com/program/virtual-assistant-course.

Personal Concierge

Another career that attracts people with administrative skills is “personal concierge”.

A personal concierge is someone who has a business providing services for busy people. While most of a virtual assistant’s work involves office tasks, a personal concierge may also run errands and do work outside of an office.

Personal concierge services are more in demand than ever before. In our busy society an increasing number of people need help getting their personal errands handled. It’s no wonder many corporations now provide personal concierge services as a benefit to their employees.

Someone who owns a personal concierge business might decide to work hands-on providing personal services, or they might decide to manage other service providers. Like virtual assistant work, personal concierge work offers a wide variety of choices.

Following are some of the services a personal concierge might choose to provide:

Personal concierges usually work from home, scheduling errands and services around their family life or other commitments.

One benefit of the job, according to IAP Career College students, is feeling needed and appreciated, hearing “you saved the day again!” Plus, a personal concierge career is often fun and interesting as well as financially rewarding.

Whether self-employed or working in an office, administrative professionals provide valuable services that successful people and companies depend on. The recognition they receive during Administrative Professionals Week is well deserved.

For information and to register for the Personal Concierge Certificate Course, visit www.iapcollege.com/program/personal-concierge-course.

The post From Secretary to Virtual Assistant and Personal Concierge appeared first on Welcome To IAP Career College.

Would you like to get paid to help people achieve success? Learn how to get started and succeed as a life coach in the 6 week part-time online Life Coach Certificate Course from International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College).

Check out our latest video to learn a little about the Life Coach Certificate Course online. Then visit Life Coach Certificate Course page to learn more about how you can get a life coaching certificate from IAP Career College and become a life coach.

The post See the new Life Coach Certificate Course video appeared first on Career Certificate Courses Online | IAP Career College.

If you would like a rewarding position with a leader in career certificate courses online, helping people achieve their dream career, we invite you to apply to work with us.

International Association of Professions Career College aims to offer the finest in online certificate programs for dream careers. IAP Career College is a division of FabJob Inc. the leading publisher of career guide books on how to get started in a dream career, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Established online in 1999, the parent of International Association of Professions Career College is an award-winning organization named “the #1 place to get published online” by Writer’s Digest. Our company and career guides have been featured in media ranging from ABC to Oprah’s newsletter and major news sites ranging from CNN to the Wall Street Journal online.

Now, the founders of FabJob, along with a team of respected academics, have created online career certificate programs, allowing people worldwide to study and earn a career certificate from the comfort of home.

If we’re a fit for you and you’re a fit for us, you will join an organization that good workers want to keep working with (the first two people we hired 15 years ago are still with us and our best contractors typically return to work with us again and again). If IAP/FabJob sound like the kind of “place” you might like to work (actually, you’ll be working from the comfort of your own home, whether that’s in Colorado or Cork, Ireland like others who work for us), please scroll down for information:

Faculty Members

Could you be a faculty member for IAP Career College?

We are seeking dynamic, supportive people who have experience working in one or more of the careers for which we offer certificate courses. Full-time paid experience working in a specific career, or as a career or business advisor is a requirement for this position.

The textbooks for all courses are from FabJob Inc., the leading publisher of career guide books on how to get started in a dream career. FabJob guides have been used as textbooks for more than a decade, and you can find them in the career centers and library collections of many famed colleges and universities – from the University of Texas to the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The part-time position involves responding to student questions by email and Skyping with students who want to communicate by video call, voice call, or instant message. We ask that faculty members respond to students within 24 hours. Faculty members may also be asked to make videos for their courses.

We expect faculty members to give advice from their own experience working in the career, however, information provided to students must also be consistent with the course textbook.

If this sounds like a potential fit for you, please submit an application to careers@iapcollege.com. In your application please indicate which specific course topic you are qualified to teach and include both your experience working in that career (especially if you started a business in that field) and any past teaching, tutoring, or coaching experience.

All applicants will receive an automated reply, and we will contact selected applicants when a position is available.

Writer

If you would like a rewarding writing position with a career college we invite you to apply to the International Association of Professions Career College. IAP Career College is a division of the leading publisher of career guide books on how to get started in a dream career, established online in 1999, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and named “the #1 place to get published online” by Writer’s Digest.

As a writer for IAP Career College, you will write interesting articles about dream careers and career certificates for the International Association of Professions Career College. Hours of work are flexible and you may work part-time or full-time. This is a work-at-home position, so we accept applications from anywhere in Canada or the United States. Pay is $20 per hour.

Traits we look for in IAP Career College editorial staff include:

If this sounds like a potential fit for you, please submit an application to careers@iapcollege.com. In your submission, include specific information about your relevant writing experience.

The post Careers with IAP Career College | Certificate Courses Online appeared first on Career Certificate Courses Online | IAP Career College.

By Tag Goulet

If you have ever made a class presentation, spoken up at a meeting, or given a toast at a wedding reception, you have spoken in public.

Since public speaking is many people’s greatest fear, if you enjoyed the experience, you might have what it takes to become a motivational speaker.

From the storyteller around the campfire to great spiritual and political leaders, speakers have motivated people throughout history. Today’s motivational speakers inspire students to stay in school, say no to drugs and gangs, and prepare for life after graduation. Adults are motivated by speakers to follow their dreams and achieve greater success in business and in life.

Here are 10 steps to breaking into this dream career, based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Motivational Speaker, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Motivational Speaker Certificate Course.

1. Do an inventory of your life experience

The first place to look for what to speak about is your own life. Make a list of the goals you have achieved, such as: graduating from college, landing your first job, finding someone to love, overcoming a bad habit, starting a business, raising children, or achieving a lifelong dream.

Of course, it’s even better if you have achieved something extraordinary, such as winning an Olympic medal, publishing a bestselling book, or giving birth to septuplets! But even accomplishments that seem “ordinary” can provide material for speeches.

People find it inspiring to hear about how others have overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. If you have ever had to deal with fear, rejection, financial hardship, or loss along the way to achieving your goals, chances are you have the basic material to give a motivational speech.

2. Identify what you have to offer

Unfortunately, unless you’re already famous, audiences won’t pay just to hear about your life. (Many people are happy to talk about themselves for free!) To be successful, you should identify how your speeches can help people solve their problems, achieve their goals, or otherwise improve their lives.

3. Choose a “niche”

People are unlikely to take you seriously if you promise that your speeches will solve all their problems and help them: get rich, lose weight, find the love of their life, become great leaders, get healthy, make more sales, be happy, etc., etc. Instead, pick one specialty or “niche” such as leadership. It’s important to have a niche because people like to hire experts. After all, if you needed surgery, wouldn’t you want your doctor to be “an expert”?

4. Know your target audience

It can be tempting to say “I want everyone to hear what I have to say!” The reality is that if you develop a speech bank executives love, chances are it won’t go over as well at the local elementary school.

Depending on your niche, you could define your audience by characteristics such as: age, gender, geographic location, industry, interests, or any other traits that distinguish one group from another. Once you have identified your audience, you can target your efforts directly to that group.

5. Write your speech

If this is the part of becoming a speaker you fear most, the good news is there are people who can write a speech for you. You could check the Yellow Pages and hire a speechwriter, public relations firm, or speech coach. Prices can vary widely, so ask for a flat fee quote.

If you want to write it yourself you can find numerous online resources to help you. There are numerous excellent speechwriting websites including sites offered by communication departments of several universities.

6. Polish your speaking skills

It’s fine to feel nervous when you first start speaking. But as a professional speaker, it’s your job not to let it show. Among the traits that can help you succeed as a speaker are confidence, credibility (a combination of likeability and expertise), and enthusiasm. Most colleges and universities offer evening classes in public speaking to help you develop these traits.

Another idea is to join Toastmasters, an international non-profit organization that helps people to practice speaking skills at weekly meetings.

7. Prepare promotional materials

Once you have written your speech and are confident in your speaking skills, you’re ready to start marketing yourself to the people who can hire you. Your promotional materials include a “demo” video and an information package.

While professional speakers spend thousands of dollars on a demo tape, as a beginner, your demo tape can be as simple as a video recording of one of your speeches.

Your information package can be a two pocket folder available from any stationery store. It includes such items as: a letter of introduction, a business card, your resume, a color photograph, a page summarizing your experience and the benefits of your speech, and testimonial (reference) letters from people who have heard you speak. To make my package stand out, I also like to include a small gift related to my speech, such as a postcard with an inspiring message.

8. Approach potential employers

Potential employers of speakers include: seminar companies, conventions, conferences, trade shows, corporations, non-profit associations, government agencies, continuing education departments, schools, colleges, and cruise ships.

One of the best ways to approach potential employers is by phoning or emailing them an invitation to see you speak. If they can’t come to see you in person, the next best thing is to send them your materials so they can see you on tape.

9. Get employers to approach you

Imagine if employers approached you, instead of the other way around. You can make it happen by becoming well known in your community.

The most effective ways to become well known as a speaker include: get interviewed on radio and TV, write articles for publication in local newspapers and magazines, put up a website, attend networking events, give free speeches to community groups, and present your own seminars.

10. Get represented by speakers’ bureaus

Speakers bureaus are companies that can find work for you. Once you have some experience as a speaker, you can start approaching bureaus in your community to represent you.

To learn how you can get started in a career as a motivational speaker, check out the Motivational Speaker Certificate Course offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For information, visit www.iapcollege.com/program/motivational-speaker-course.

The post 10 Steps to a Dream Career as a Motivational Speaker appeared first on Career Certificate Courses Online | IAP Career College.

Tips and Tools for Your Dream Career FabJob News
January 2008

In this issue

10 Reasons You’re Not Getting Your Work Done
7 Steps to a New Career in 2008
Negotiating for the Salary You Want at a New Job
How to Start a Personal Concierge Business
Introducing the 2008 Indie Book Awards
Ask the Dream Career Experts
Meet a FabJob Author
Workplace Cartoon
What’s Your Fab Job Story?
New and Coming Soon
Special Discount Offers

10 Reasons You’re Not Getting Your Work Done

Are you having trouble getting all your work done? Is there a project you can’t seem to find time to finish, or something you haven’t been able to get started?

If it doesn’t seem you’ll ever be able to cross everything off your “to do” list, see if any of the following are keeping you from getting your work done.

1. You have too many distractions

A 2007 survey by the research firm NFI Research found that 66% of senior executive and managers say email is one of the biggest distractions in the workplace, followed by the crisis of the day, and personal interruptions.

According to the bosses surveyed, other workplace distractions include unexpected meetings, phone calls, web surfing, socializing, instant messages, and noise.

2. You don’t have the resources you need

A carpenter needs a hammer, an accountant needs an adding machine, and most office workers need a computer. But new employees don’t always have the supplies or equipment they need to hit the ground running. (Tag was once hired by an employer that took a month to supply the software she needed to do the job.)

Likewise, if your co-workers aren’t providing you with the data or assistance you need, your work may suffer. But before you blame your co-workers for not helping, consider if they are facing challenges getting their own work done.

3. You don’t know what you’re doing

Clayton Warholm, an expert on workplace miscommunication, says there are two main reasons employees may not know enough to do the job. Either the assignment wasn’t clearly stated by your employer (you don’t know what to do) or you haven’t been trained properly (you don’t know how to do it).

Training will only help if you have the talent needed to do the job. In their book First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently, Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman reported findings of interviews conducted by the Gallup Organization of more than 80,000 managers in over 400 companies.

The research found “the right talents, more than experience, more than brainpower, and more than willpower alone, are the prerequisites for excellence in all roles.” However, unlike skills and knowledge, “you cannot teach talent.”

Read the complete article to learn about 7 other reasons you may not be getting your work done:

You have too much work
You have poor time management skills
You’re procrastinating
You feel undervalued
Your company’s priorities keep changing
You’re burned out
Your “reward” for completing the job will be more work

More reasons you’re not getting your work done
7 Steps to a New Career in 2008

Do you want to change your life in 2008?

Considering how many people make New Year’s resolutions, it’s a good bet that most people want to make at least one life change.

While most people who make resolutions at this time of year have a long-term goal of improving something (whether it’s their health, relationships, finances, career, or another life area), achieving that goal usually means giving something up in the short term.

For example, if you have a resolution to improve your health in 2008, you will likely have to cut back on something you enjoy (whether your idea of fun is partying into the wee hours of the morning or reclining in front of the TV with your favorite junk food).

Likewise, if your goal is to change your career in 2008, you’ll need to take some actions to make it happen, and chances are those actions won’t always be easy or comfortable. But few great things in life are achieved without a little discomfort. That’s why life coaches encourage people to “break out of your comfort zone” to have what you want in life.

If a career change is on your list of goals for 2008, here are 7 steps to help you make it happen…

Read the complete article
Negotiating for the Salary You Want at a New Job

Salary negotiation can be like a game of chicken. Both you and your potential employers know that you want lots of zeros on your paycheck; they’re just waiting to see if you’re brave enough to ask for it. But that doesn’t mean that you should march into your interview with a loosened tie and cocksure grin, demanding a CEO salary — even if you deserve it.

The most important thing is to be calm, collected and confident while discussing your salary. Remember that you are still being evaluated at this stage, and so confidence and professionalism are key. The employer is watching carefully to see how you handle this part of the hiring process.

While negotiation may be a game, it is not a fight. The last thing you want to do is turn your employer into an adversary. Instead, consider the negotiation process to be an extension of your interview, and another opportunity to sell yourself. If it all works out, your employer will see you as a valuable addition to the team — one that’s worth the investment.

Learn how to get the salary and benefits you want
How to Start a Personal Concierge Business

Imagine having an exciting, high-paying career that lets you use your creativity to provide services for busy people. Welcome to the personal concierge business!

In our busy society an increasing number of people need help getting their personal errands handled. It’s no wonder many corporations now provide personal concierge services as a benefit to their employees. As a result, personal concierge services are more in demand than ever before.

As a personal concierge, you will have a job that is fun, interesting, and rewarding. You will feel needed and appreciated, hearing that “you saved the day” again.

As a personal concierge business owner, you might decide to work hands-on, providing personal services yourself, or you might decide to manage other service providers to offer personal services through your concierge business.

When you start a personal concierge service business you can choose to offer a variety of personal services, including the following:

Errand Service
Child Care Service
Dining and Activities
Executive and Corporate Assistance
Housesitting Service
Pet Care Service
Planning Dinner Parties and Other Events
Relocation Service
Repair and Maintenance Service
Shopping Service
Travel Service
Writing/Proofreading Service
Other Services

If you would like to be paid to provide personal concierge services, the FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Concierge Business Owner is for you! In this guide you will discover how you can get started and succeed in the exciting personal concierge service business. See the gift certificate at the bottom of this newsletter to get a discount on this FabJob guide.

More information
Introducing the 2008 Indie Book Awards

Have you written a book that deserves to be recognized? The Next Generation Indie Book Awards™ is the most exciting and rewarding book awards program open to independent publishers and authors worldwide.

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards was established by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group to recognize and honor the best independently published books in 70 categories.

In an article at CNN.com titled “If it’s cool, creative, and different, it’s indie,” journalist Catherine Andrews wrote:

“The term ‘indie’ traditionally refers to independent art — music, film, literature or anything that fits under the broad banner of culture — created outside of the mainstream and without corporate financing.”

Although many independent book publishing companies are incorporated, they are independent of the major conglomerates that dominate the book publishing industry. The Indie Book Awards aims to recognize these independents, and is open to all types of indie authors and publishers – including small and mid-size independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.

If you are an author or publisher, enter the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards to have your book considered for cash prizes of $1,000, medals, award certificates, exposure, and recognition as one of the top independently published books of the year. More information about prizes, categories, and how to enter can be found at www.IndieBookAwards.com.

To help indie authors and publishers make important connections, the top 70 books will be reviewed by New York literary agent Marilyn Allen or her co-agents for possible representation or in areas such as distribution, foreign rights, and film rights.

Marilyn Allen has served as Senior Vice President of Harper Collins, directed sales and marketing teams for Simon & Schuster and Penguin Books, and worked with many well-known authors including Stephen King, Ken Follett (author of a recent Oprah book club pick), Barbara Kingsolver, John Gray, Mary Higgins Clark, and many more.

The early bird deadline is February 4, 2008 so enter the Indie Book Awards now if you have a published book that deserves to be recognized.

Visit the Indie Book Awards website
Meet a FabJob Author

This month’s featured author is Rachel Gurevich, author of the FabJob Guide to Become a Doula.

Rachel is a stay-at-home mother who specializes in empowering mothers and parents through her books and magazine articles. The birth of her first son jump-started her interest in doulas and the needs of new parents.

What is a Doula? A doula serves women from pregnancy through childbirth and the early stages of motherhood. A birth doula is a non-medical labor assistant whose role is to comfort and support the mother and father during birth. A postpartum doula cares for the mother and infant after the birth.

After writing the FabJob Guide to Become a Doula, Rachel was contacted by Prima Publishing, a division of Random House, one of the world’s leading book publishers, to write a book for parents. The Doula Advantage: Your Complete Guide to Having an Empowering and Positive Childbirth with the Help of a Professional Labor Assistant, has received endorsements from experts such as Dr. William Sears, known as America’s pediatrician and author of over 30 books.

Rachel’s articles had appeared in over 20 different publications including Pregnancy Magazine, The Jewish Homemaker, Big Apple Parent, North West Baby and Child, and others. Rachel also worked as an editor for FabJob on a variety of career guides and currently teaches writing. More information about Rachel’s impressive credentials is included in the FabJob guide.

For the FabJob Guide to Become a Doula, Rachel Gurevich interviewed close to sixty doulas, childbirth educators and mothers. The advice and wisdom contained in this guide was compiled from hundreds of interview questions and answers from some of the most successful and compassionate doulas in the business. Their anecdotes and advice will inspire both aspiring and veteran doulas alike.

See the gift certificate at the bottom of this newsletter to get a discount on the FabJob guide written by Rachel Gurevich.

Workplace Cartoon
What’s Your Fab Job Story?

In past newsletters we’ve featured stories from readers about their worst jobs. Now we want to hear from those who feel their job is fabulous!

Specifically, we want to hear how a FabJob guide helped you get started in a career you love). Tell us your story in 200-300 words and make it as entertaining as possible. We’ll publish the best ones in our newsletter and/or on our website.

In return for publishing your story, we’ll give you a complimentary FabJob guide of your choice to help you achieve even more career success, and pay you $25.

Submit your story

New and Coming Soon

New E-Books

Considering a new career? These new FabJob guides may have the information you’re looking for:

FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator

FabJob Guide to Become a Life Coach (new edition)

FabJob Guide to Become a Pet Business Owner

New Print Books

The following books have recently been published in print or are coming soon (*indicates 2008 revised edition).

FabJob Guide to Become a Caterer or Personal Chef
FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner*
FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner*
FabJob Guide to Become a Makeup Artist*
FabJob Guide to Become a Motivational Speaker*
FabJob Guide to Become a Party Planner*
FabJob Guide to Become a Secondhand Store Owner
FabJob Guide to Become a Wedding Planner*

If you have already purchased the e-book or CD-ROM, you can purchase the print version for only $5 plus shipping. Contact us using the form at the bottom of our contact page to order the print version.

When you order the print version of any FabJob books except Dream Careers you will also receive a CD-ROM that includes sample forms, checklists and contracts for the specific career plus an e-book version that you can download immediately.

Coming Soon

The following FabJob guides are scheduled for publication in the near future. Click here to be notified as soon as they are published. When we notify you about a new FabJob guide you will receive a gift certificate worth up to 50% off the purchase price of that guide.

FabJob Guide to Become an Art Gallery Owner
FabJob Guide to Become a Bakery Owner
FabJob Guide to Become a Brewery Owner
FabJob Guide to Become a Career Coach
FabJob Guide to Become a Chocolate Shop Owner
FabJob Guide to Become a Hair Salon Owner
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Tag and Catherine Goulet
The Dream Career Experts
With the start of a new year it’s the ideal time to set a goal to have your dream career in 2008.

In this issue of the newsletter you’ll find 7 steps to help you prepare for a new career this year as well as advice to help you make the most of your current career.

We hope you have a fabulous 2008 and achieve all your dreams this year.

Ask The Dream Career Experts

Dear Tag and Catherine,
I have worked as a secretary for 30 years, returned to college and still migrate toward clerical jobs. Employment agencies try and classify me as a secretary or as an administrative assistant. With my degree, I’m so excited at other prospects, but my background keeps pointing to “secretary.” How can I break into another field that interests me, when I don’t have experience, or lack certain skills. I love diversity on a job, and like taking on responsibility, but can’t seem to convince people that I’m a dedicated worker willing to learn new skills.
– Irma

Dear Irma,
The reason employment agencies haven’t found you the job you want is because they’re working for the employers and not for you.

You want to break into a new career and develop skills and experience on the job. However, that’s not the type of employee that companies usually pay agencies to find for them. For most positions, the goal of an employment agency is to find someone who already has skills and experience directly related to the job. Because you have years of secretarial experience, agencies know you are the type of worker that companies want for secretarial or administrative work.

As long as the agencies have plenty of skilled and experienced applicants for the jobs you would prefer to be considered for, they’re unlikely to give you a chance. So we recommend you stop looking to employment agencies for your dream job (although they can help you find a job to pay the bills while you’re looking for your dream job). Instead, you should start using different tactics.

For example, depending on the career you want to enter, you may be able to start developing skills and get experience by taking courses, creating an internship with a local business, finding a mentor who is currently working in the career, starting your own part-time business, or doing volunteer work for family, friends, or non-profit organizations. While you’re getting experience, you can start to develop your network, attend events where you can make professional contacts, and go on information interviews.

When you feel you’re ready to apply for a job without an agency, try focusing your efforts on applying to growing businesses that could benefit from what you have to offer. (Keep in mind that smaller businesses tend to be approached by fewer job-seekers so there’s usually less competition for jobs.)

Don’t wait for a job to be advertised. Instead, get to know business owners through your volunteer work and networking, learn about their businesses and what they need, then explain how you can help them achieve what they want.

Our book, Dream Careers: How to Quickly Break Into a Fab Job! gives more information about how you can quickly get the skills, experience, and contacts you need to break into your dream career. We are happy to send it to you, along with another FabJob guide of your choice, as your gift for having your question answered in this issue of the newsletter.

Dear Tag and Catherine,
I am 26 years old, have a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies and work full-time as an Adult Education Instructor. I know that my calling is not teaching adults or children. This is just a job to me. I crave change and interest in my job, and neither are available in my current position.

I have tried my hand at a few different small business opportunities including business networking, resume writing, web site design, recording live will’s and last statements, as well as recently starting to coordinate and publish a small magazine. I have so many things that I want to do and love to do. Plus, on a daily basis, so many ideas pop into my head about new business adventures and things that I think are lacking in society or services that I believe people are needing that are not currently available.

The only problem is that I have never had the desire to push ahead with any of these ideas. I could come up with some excuses to explain my procrastination but I truly believe that I just haven’t found my niche yet.I have a strong pull towards magazine design and writing – I always have. I got my first edition online in October 2007 but have not designed another issue since.

I love to do so many things but get bored so easily. I need something that keeps me on my toes. Do you have suggestions as to what I should do to find my dream career?
– Jodi

Dear Jodi,
People look to their jobs to fulfill a variety of needs. To give just a few examples, some people need to do meaningful work that makes a contribution to society. Others need to do work that allows them to express their creativity, while some simply need financial security. In your case, you need work that “keeps you on your toes” so you avoid getting bored. In other words, you need a job that’s interesting, challenging, fun, exciting, or all of the above.

So how do you find the career or job that will give you what you need to feel fulfilled in your work? One way is to continue trying out a variety of jobs and businesses that interest you. Even when something doesn’t work out, it still gives you valuable information that can help you identify what you do want.

You can get insight into the type of work that will meet your needs by examining what you liked and didn’t like about each of your past jobs. For each of your past jobs, consider the following questions:
What did you enjoy most about this job?

What did you dislike about this job?

If you could have changed anything about this job what would it be?

Are there any parts of this job that you want to have in your next job?

Are there any parts of this job that you want to avoid in your next job?

It may also be worthwhile for you to spend a few sessions with a coach who can give you some career assessments and explore some of your attitudes and behaviors that may be holding you back.

We explore these issues, and provide information about more than 101 dream careers you might want to consider, in our book Dream Careers: How to Quickly Break Into a Fab Job! We’re happy to send you that book and another FabJob guide of your choice as your gift for having your question answered in this issue of the newsletter.

Send Tag and Catherine your career questions for publication. If your question is selected for publication you will receive a FabJob guide of your choice.

The Dream Career Experts are sisters Tag Goulet and Catherine Goulet. In 1999 they founded FabJob.com, which has been visited by more than 50 million people. They have been featured giving career advice in media from ABC to Oprah.com and Woman’s Day to the Wall Street Journal online, and their career advice appears on the career pages at other leading sites including AOL, CNN, and MSN. They are co-authors of the book Dream Careers: How to Quickly Break Into a Fab Job!

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Recommended Reading

Do you want to increase your business income by offering additional services? Here are some recommended FabJob Guides to help you boost your business.

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FabJob Guide to Become a Wedding Planner

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FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner

FabJob Guide to Become a Party Planner

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FabJob Guide to Become an Interior Decorator

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FabJob Guide to Become a Home Stager or Redesigner

FabJob Guide to Become a Professional Organizer

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FabJob Guide to Become an Image Consultant

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FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Shopper

FabJob Guide to Become an Etiquette Consultant

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FabJob Guide to Become a Motivational Speaker

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FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant

FabJob Guide to Become a Life Coach

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FabJob Guide to Become a Coffee House Owner

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FabJob Guide to Become a Restaurant Owner

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FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Shopper

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FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Concierge Business Owner

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These are only a few of the career guides available. Find a guide to your dream career at www.FabJob.com.
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This Month’s Discount Offers SPECIAL OFFER: As a recipient of the FabJob.com monthly newsletter, we are happy to provide you with discounts on different guides each month. Until February 5, 2008, you can receive a 33% discount on any new purchase of the following featured guides:

FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant
FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator
FabJob Guide to Become a Doula
FabJob Guide to Become a Life Coach
FabJob Guide to Become a Non-Profit Business Owner
FabJob Guide to Become a Party Planner
FabJob Guide to Become a Personal Concierge Business Owner
FabJob Guide to Become a Published Writer

To receive your discount, you must include the promotional discount code FJ2008 in the gift certificate field on the order form (use zeros in the number).

Click here for FabJob guides
Special offer expires at 11:59 p.m. February 5, 2008. Special offers apply to new orders only and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer does not apply to shipping and handling charges.
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The post FabJob News January 2008 appeared first on Career Certificate Courses Online | IAP Career College.

By Tag Goulet

Imagine having a career that lets you use your creativity to make homes and businesses more beautiful and comfortable. Welcome to the world of interior decorating!

There are few careers that offer so many benefits. As an interior decorator you will have the satisfaction of making your vision a reality. You will meet interesting people, and because many people who hire interior decorators are wealthy, you will likely spend time in many beautiful homes and businesses.

If you start your own decorating business you can enjoy the freedom of being your own boss. And perhaps most importantly, your “work” will be fun, interesting, and rewarding.

As long as you have the desire, you can become an interior decorator. No special education or experience is necessary to break into this career and succeed. (Unlike becoming a certified interior designer which has strict requirements including two to five years of post-secondary education in interior design.) You can become an interior decorator immediately.

If interior decorating sounds like the career of your dreams, here are 10 steps to breaking into this fabulous job, based on the FabJob Guide to Become an Interior Decorator, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Interior Decorator Certificate Course.

1. Train your eye

Since you are interested in a career as a interior decorator, chances are you already have a “good eye” for design. In other words, when you look at a room you can see what looks good, and what could be improved. But no matter how naturally talented you are, you can continually “train your eye” by studying what people consider to be good design.

Seek out beautifully decorated interiors to look at. You can find numerous examples of beautiful interiors in design magazines or in your own community by visiting show homes, open houses for sale in wealthy neighborhoods, furniture showrooms, historic homes, art galleries, and offices of professionals such as interior decorators and corporate lawyers.

2. Educate yourself

Interior decorators are expected to know about the various elements involved in decorating such as: space planning (how to arrange furniture and other items within a particular space), use of color and light, furniture and decorating styles (for example, Colonial or Southwestern), floorings, wall coverings, window treatments, and use of accessories such as pillows and art. You can learn decorating basics through courses, books, web sites, and even by speaking with retailers of products used in home decorating (paint, carpet, lighting, hardware stores, etc.)

3. Practice at home

Most interior decorators get their first decorating experience working on their own homes. Even if you have just one small room to experiment with, you can get “hands-on” experience with a variety of decorating techniques. For example, you can make a dramatic change to any room, quickly and inexpensively, simply by rearranging the furniture or painting the walls a new color. Give it a try! Experiment with techniques you wouldn’t ordinarily use. Consider this room your “research lab” where you can try things out before recommending them to a client.

4. Volunteer your services

Your friends and family members may already have asked for your advice about decorating, but if they haven’t yet asked you to actually decorate their homes or businesses, why not offer?

Some occasions your family or friends may want to redecorate are when they experiencing transitions in life, such as: marriage or co-habitation (help them merge two households into one), moving into a new home, childbirth (offer to decorate the baby’s room), hosting a special event such as a wedding or dinner party, starting a home business (you could decorate their new office), and selling a home (explain how a well decorated home can attract buyers).

5. Prepare a portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of samples of your work, plus any other documents that can help show why someone should hire you. The most important part of an interior decorator’s portfolio is photographs of interiors you have decorated, so make sure you take “before” and “after” photos of every space you decorate. Choose 15-20 photographs of work you are proud of, and arrange them in a photo album or portfolio case.

Your portfolio can also include letters of recommendation and “design boards” (poster boards onto which you have pasted pictures and samples of materials such as fabrics, flooring, wallpaper, etc.) to show clients what you recommend to decorate a particular room.

6. Get a job

Even if you plan to start your own interior decorating business, you can learn about the business and meet potential clients by starting with a job in the industry. Companies that hire people with decorating talent include home builders, manufacturers of furniture and housewares, hotel and restaurant chains, retailers (furniture stores, home improvement stores, antiques dealers, housewares stores, etc.), plus interior design and decorating firms.

To get a job, you will need to prepare a resume that emphasizes your experience with decorating plus any other skills the employer is looking for, such as customer service or organizational ability.

7. Start your own business

Many interior decorators dream of being their own boss. If that’s your goal, you’ll need to decide on business matters such as your company’s name and whether to incorporate or not. Free basic business advice is available from organizations such as SCORE and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Many interior decorators choose to work from home when they start their businesses because it saves on the cost of an office and, unlike many other types of businesses, you won’t be expecting clients to come to you – you will usually be going to their homes or offices.

8. Establish relationships with suppliers

Suppliers are companies that supply the products and services you need to decorate. They include manufacturers of furniture, wall coverings, flooring, fabrics, etc. as well as contractors who do painting, carpentry, installation, etc. When you go shopping as a professional interior decorator, you are entitled to “designer discounts” of up to 50% off the regular retail price which you can pass on to clients.

While some decorators charge an hourly rate or a flat fee, others charge “cost-plus.” For example, if your cost for a product is 40% percent below the regular retail price, you could charge the client your cost plus 20%, thereby saving the client the other 20% they would pay to buy the same item at a retail store. This opportunity to save money on decorating may convince clients to hire you.

9. Get clients

Your potential clients could include home builders, new home buyers, wealthy home owners, professional couples, advertising agencies, art galleries, bed and breakfasts, boutique stores, corporate head offices, hotels, law firms, restaurants, spas, and many other types of businesses.

One way to market your services is by networking with professionals who can refer business to you, such as real estate agents, architects, antiques dealers, art dealers, home renovators, and owners of businesses that sell home furnishings. Other marketing techniques include putting up a web page with photos of interiors you have decorated and getting publicity in the homes section of your local newspaper.

10. Grow as a professional

Successful interior decorators continue to learn new decorating techniques. Once you have started a business you can continue to develop your skills by attending trade shows, reading decorating magazines and books, and joining professional associations. You can also impress clients and have an advantage over your competition by becoming certified as a professional interior decorator.

To learn how you can get started in a dream career as an interior decorator, check out the Interior Decorator Certificate Course offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For information, visit http://www.iapcollege.com/program/interior-decorator-course.

The post 10 Steps to a Dream Career as an Interior Decorator appeared first on Dream Career Certificate Courses Online | IAP Career College.

By Catherine Goulet, Jan Riddell and Tag Goulet

If you are like most people, you have probably attended at least a few weddings. As the excitement of the wedding day approaches, many brides-to-be, along with their family and friends start thinking, “I wonder if I could be a professional wedding planner?”

If you have been wondering the same thing, the answer is almost certainly “yes.” That’s because today there are more opportunities for wedding planners than ever before. In our busy society many couples turn to a professional wedding planner to ensure their wedding is as stress free as possible.

As a wedding planner you can have a rewarding career that lets you use your creativity to organize the happiest day of people’s lives.

As long as you have the desire, you can become a wedding planner since no special education or experience is necessary. Here are 10 steps to breaking into this dream career, based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Wedding Planner, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Wedding Planner Certificate Course.

1. Learn about weddings

There are numerous details involved in planning a wedding — from selecting the date to choosing the reception menu. To teach yourself wedding planning, help out with as many weddings as possible, visit bridal shows, read wedding magazines and books, and conduct informational interviews. Talk with clergy of various faiths, recently married brides and others connected to the wedding business such as florists and caterers.

2. Develop your skills

Successful wedding planners have a number of traits in common. They are usually creative people with excellent interpersonal skills who love to plan events. While most of these traits come naturally to many wedding planners, an important skill that some need to develop is organizational ability. To help you stay organized, you can create timeline schedules and checklists, and use organizational tools such as a day planner or binder to keep track of all the wedding details and paperwork.

3. Create a portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of photographs that show people your skill at planning weddings. Offer your services to friends and family who are getting married in exchange for pictures for your portfolio. To show your creativity, you can also include photographs of table settings or room decorations you have created in your home, or pictures from your own wedding if you planned it yourself.

4. Find a job in the wedding industry

Even if you plan to start your own business, consider getting a job in the industry first. These positions can be used as a stepping-stone to gain valuable experience and contacts. Wedding coordinators are hired by hotels, country clubs, and churches across the country. Some exciting options include working as a wedding coordinator at an attraction such as Disneyland or at a resort in a location such as Banff, Hawaii, Las Vegas, or the Caribbean.

Many job opportunities for bridal consultants are available with companies that supply products and services for weddings including bridal shops, department stores with gift registries, florists, and caterers.

5. Set up your own business

Setting up a wedding planning business is similar to starting any home business. You’ll need to handle matters such as deciding whether to incorporate, setting up your office, and developing systems for getting paid.

There are many excellent resources available to help you start your business including the U.S. Small Business Administration in the United States and the Government of Canada’s Canada Business.

6. Decide what services you want to offer

Wedding planners offer a variety of services and packages based on their specific skills and interests. You might offer complete wedding planning services, wedding day co-ordination only, or consult with brides and grooms who want to plan their own weddings. Some wedding planners specialize in arranging “destination weddings” at resorts or on cruise ships.

7. Develop relationships with vendors

Vendors are suppliers of any product or service related to weddings, such as limousine companies, musicians, photographers, party supply companies, invitation printers, etc. Vendors can be a valued partner in planning a successful wedding.

8. Get clients

Supply business cards and brochures to the vendors you work with, and ask them to recommend your services to their customers who are getting married. Other ways to market your services include advertising, networking, and participating in bridal shows.

9. Consult with clients

Once you start getting calls from brides and grooms, arrange a client consultation meeting. Ask questions to find out what type of wedding they want, their budget, number of guests, etc. At this meeting you will discuss your fees, which might be an hourly rate such as $50 per hour or a flat fee. Explain how you can help the couple have the worry-free wedding of their dreams.

10. Be recognized as a professional

Successful wedding planners are always interested in learning new ideas to use with their clients. Consider joining a professional association for wedding planners to keep up with new developments in the industry. Clients will be impressed, especially if the organization certifies you as a professional wedding planner.

To learn how you can get started in a dream career as a wedding planner, check out the Wedding Planner Certificate Course Online offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/wedding-planner-course.

The post 10 Steps to a Dream Career as a Wedding Planner appeared first on Dream Career Certificate Courses Online | IAP Career College.

by Lynne Bliss, MA

If you’ve always been fascinated with the ‘real story’ behind how corporations, government agencies, institutions and media inform and persuade the public, a career in public relations can put you behind the scenes, making the decisions that influence the masses. This exciting, high-paying job lets you use your creativity and communication skills on a variety of interesting and important projects.

Public relations consultants focus on building relationships with all the ‘publics’ of an organization. They are effective communicators who are adept at problem solving, able to see multiple points-of-view, and are calm even in the most hectic situations.

A career in public relations can be glamorous, as you often work with interesting and influential people such as celebrities or politicians. As an added benefit, according to the Council of Public Relations Firms freelance public relations can earn up to $85,000 or more per year. Finally, there is a huge sense of personal satisfaction in planning a public relations project, implementing that plan, and seeing the results.

If you think you have what it takes to influence, inform and persuade, follow these 10 steps to breaking into this dream career, based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Public Relations Consultant, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Public Relations Consultant Certificate Course.

1. Learn about the job

One of the reasons this career is so interesting is that it includes many different activities and roles under the umbrella term “public relations,” including publicity, promotion, advertising, lobbying, fund-raising, and media relations. Many PR consultants specialize in one of these areas, so use the Internet and other resources to explore these areas of expertise to find out where your strengths and interests lie.

2. Develop your skills

Most PR consultants have a broad range of knowledge and skills, many of which can be self-taught. Writing is the most basic function of a public relations professional – you need to be clear and persuasive in your written communication. Desirable employees are computer-savvy, polished individuals who are comfortable speaking with groups of two or 200. You also will want to demonstrate that you are empathetic, appreciate diversity and work well under stress.

3. Education and alternatives

A college degree is desirable in the field of public relations. A degree in public relations, journalism, marketing and communications is especially attractive to employers. Even if you have a degree in an entirely different area, volunteering for PR projects or taking PR certificate courses will give you a competitive edge. Even without a degree, some individuals have become successful by opening their own PR agencies or freelancing.

4. Get some experience

Experience, a good mentor, and lots of practice can turn a highly motivated individual into an effective consultant. The best plan of attack is to start building your experience base while you’re still in school, and get an internship before or shortly after graduation. Volunteering to do public relations for civic groups or the like also offers valuable experience. You may want to try your hand at freelance writing, or see if your current employer has any PR projects you can take on. If you can swing it, working with trained PR professionals is a great way to learn and make contacts in the industry.

5. Your portfolio

In addition to a cover letter, resume, and references, you will need to have a portfolio available for review. It will include your published press releases, articles you have written, communication plans you developed, brochures you designed, information about special events you coordinated, and any awards you have received for your work. A nice looking multi-ring binder should keep all these contained for employers to glance through. A digital portfolio hosted online or in a PDF file can easily be sent to potential clients or employers.

6. Job hunting

Your potential employers include corporations, non-profits, government, education, and PR agencies. You should check newspaper classifieds, trade publications, and online job boards, and attend job fairs and trade shows. You can even “cold call” potential employers – send a cover letter and resume, then follow up with a phone call in a few days to set up a meeting.

7. Ace the interview

You’ll want to dress in business attire for this one, and prepare yourself by researching the company thoroughly. Try to come across as self-confident and focus on how your skills meet their needs. Use the research you’ve done to ask intelligent, timely questions about the company. Really showcase your social know-how by following up with a letter thanking the interviewers for their time, and reminding them that you are eager to start.

8. Launching your own agency

When you have the skills and experience to meet clients’ needs fully, self-employment is a logical next step. Develop a business plan to help you plan and execute the start-up, including consideration of financial and legal matters, market research, and the impression you want to convey to your clients. There are many print and online resources that contain invaluable advice on these and other topics for would-be entrepreneurs.

9. Finding clients

You’ll want to start by identifying who in your area uses public relations consultants, and why. Look at corporations, non-profit groups, the public sector, trade associations, politics, and even individuals who are in the public eye. Networking remains the best way to meet and retain clients for your business – have plenty of business cards available and be prepared to briefly but accurately describe what you do.

10. Self-promotion

You will also need to actively promote yourself in order to keep your business inundated with new clients. A media kit containing a personalized cover letter, biography, samples of your work and references is an effective promotional tool that can be sent out to prospective clients. By publishing articles, putting up a personal web page, and taking on speaking engagements, you will further establish yourself as the public relations consultant people choose when they want the job done right.

To learn how you can get started in a dream career as a public relations consultant, check out the Public Relations Consultant Certificate Course offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/public-relations-certificate-course-online

The post 10 Steps to a Dream Career as a Public Relations Consultant appeared first on Dream Career Certificate Courses Online | IAP Career College.

by Jan L. Riddell

A village feast to welcome home hunters in the wilds of Borneo and a glittering fundraiser soiree at a swanky New York hotel may not sound like they have much in common, but they do have at least one similarity.

Someone, somewhere, got the ball rolling and using a little resourcefulness, creativity and sheer determination successfully pulled off a spectacular event. (Well, someone had to figure out how much food and drink was required at the feast and where the chief would sit!) That person is an event planner.

As long as you have the desire, you can become an event planner since no special education or experience is necessary. Here are 8 steps to breaking into this dream career, based on the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Event Planner Certificate Course.

1. Assess Your Skills

Before you quit your day job to become an event planner, take the time to honestly assess your current skills to ensure you have what it takes to succeed as an event planner.

Event planners must be creative and well organized, but they must also have excellent interpersonal skills. Events are about people, so successful event planners must be able to effectively listen to what clients want, develop relationships and negotiate with vendors (companies that supply products and services for events).

TIP: If you’re creative and have great people skills, but could use some help getting organized, event planning software is available to help you keep track of event details.

2. Learn How to Plan Events

Almost all events have common components such as some type of meal or refreshment, a form of entertainment or speaker, invitations or registrations, etc. The event planner is the person who pulls all of the components together.

There are excellent resources available to help you learn how to plan events and assist with each stage of event planning including how to: choose a date, decide who to invite, budget, create timeline schedules, work with vendors, and market events. If you want a formal education, many colleges offer degrees or certificates in event planning. If you would rather break into event planning without a formal education, you can quickly learn how to plan events with books such as the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner.

3. Get Hands-On Experience

The easiest way to learn about the steps involved is through personal experience (i.e. planning events for family and friends).

Non-profit groups are always looking for help with their fundraisers and galas, and you’ll get the double benefit of helping a worthy cause while you hone your skills. This is also an excellent way to make contacts in the community to help you land a paying job when you are ready.

You could also volunteer to organize events at your own workplace, if you have one. For example, if your company has a public relations department that is notoriously short-staffed, offer to help them out. The beauty of this plan is that you will be learning a new career while still being paid at your old job!

4. Create a Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of samples of your work, plus any other documents that can show people why they should hire you. A portfolio helps you stand out from other applicants, and prove that you have the skills to do the job. Your portfolio might include pictures, recommendation letters and anything else that shows prospective clients and/or employers what you have done or can do.

Material for your portfolio can come from any event you have organized (such as a family reunion, birthday bash, etc.) or from ideas and themes you have for future events. Show your best work and don’t worry about giving away your great ideas. People will believe you have many more brilliant ideas that you haven’t yet divulged.

5. Get Hired as an Event Planner

Getting hired as an event planner (even if you plan on opening your own event planning business) will give you invaluable contacts and referrals for the future. Meeting and convention planners are projected to have faster than average job growth in the coming years. This is good news for the industry and for you.

Companies that hire event planners include hotels or resorts, non-profit organizations, convention centers, country clubs, and even fun destinations like theme parks!

Some people work their way into a position as their company’s event planner just by volunteering to organize internal events such as company picnics and meetings.

6. Start Your Own Event Planning Business

If the idea of being your own boss and earning up to $100,000 or more per year as an event planner sound appealing, it may be time to take the plunge and set up an event planning business. Many event planners have home-based businesses, which makes this type of business inexpensive to start. With the wealth of information available on starting a business you should be able to get your own event planning business off the ground quite easily.

When starting your own business, you should consider what types of events you want to plan. If you have a flair for the spectacular you may want to tackle proms, charity events and galas. If you prefer planning corporate events, you may choose to plan meetings, conventions, and the like.

TIP: Unsure of what type of events you prefer to plan? Consider interning or working for a number of companies whose specialties are quite different.

7. Develop Relationships with Vendors

You’ve probably heard the adage “it’s not what you know but who you know”. The most important relationships you will build as an event planner are with the vendors for your events. These are companies that supply products and services for events, such as caterers, florists, equipment rental companies, hotels, photographers, etc.

Learn about each one’s business by conducting informational interviews and ask about discounts they can offer you. Be polite and courteous with the owners and their staff and always follow up afterwards with some sort of acknowledgement or thank you. You can also arrange to have vendors refer clients to your event planning business.

8. Further Your Career

You can continue to learn and grow after you have become an event planner. One of the best ways to succeed as an event planner is to look upon every social occasion or event you attend as an opportunity to learn. Make a mental note of what worked well and what bombed. Attend trade shows, read everything you can related to event planning, and watch for what’s hot. Seek out the advice of trendsetters and don’t be afraid to try something a little different. You may start a trend yourself!

To learn how you can get started in a dream career as an event planner, check out the Event Planner Certificate Course offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For information, visit www.iapcollege.com/program/event-planner-course

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Could You Become a Virtual Assistant?

If you ask any successful CEO or business owner how they got where they are, they’ll probably tell you that they could never have done it without a fantastic administrative assistant and support staff. With Administrative Professionals Week taking place April 24-30 this year, it’s an ideal time for managers to recognize their support staff. If you feel you are not getting the recognition you deserve at work, you might want to consider a new career as a virtual assistant.

Virtual assistants are self-employed administrative professionals who provide personal assistant or office assistant services. But instead of going into an employer’s office to work, you work “virtually” from the comfort of your own home or another location of your choice. The career is a good alternative for administrative professionals who aren’t getting what they want from an office job.

The Future of the Virtual Assistant Workforce

Clearly the way companies do business is changing, and workers are learning to adapt to the changing marketplace. A recent Money Magazine article on CNNMoney.com entitled “The Rise of Freelance Nation” states that, “about 30% of the U.S. job market – roughly 42 million workers – is made up of independent contractors, part-time or temporary staffers, and the self-employed.” Experts predict this number will grow to 40% by 2019.

Why Become a Virtual Assistant?

Jennifer Fishberg, author of the FabJob Guide to Become a Virtual Assistant, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Virtual Assistant Certificate Course, reports that “Unfortunately, there are many administrative assistants who work tirelessly for years in support of others, for little financial reward or appreciation.”

In addition to working long hours, some administrative workers spend countless hours commuting to an office, have to deal with office politics, and are never fairly recognized for their contributions. An assistant working in an office may even be thought of as “just a secretary”, which is usually far from reality, and may not be given the opportunity to grow in her career or to focus on those aspects of the job that she or he truly enjoys.

If any of this sounds familiar, or if you are just seeking interesting new challenges, higher pay, or more flexibility and freedom in your life (or if you are concerned about your company downsizing), becoming a virtual assistant could be your dream career.

What a Virtual Assistant Does

The type of virtual assistant work you might do depends on your personal interests and the clients you choose to do business with. For example, you might choose to work for corporate clients who have an increasing need for virtual assistants because of downsizing and outsourcing of jobs that were previously done by in-house employees.

Or you might choose to take interesting and creative virtual assistant jobs providing virtual office assistant or virtual personal assistant services for busy professionals such as authors, entrepreneurs, real estate agents, doctors, or lawyers. You might even become a virtual assistant for professional associations or nonprofit organizations.

“Virtual assistants have the satisfaction of doing what they love and contributing to the success of their clients while experiencing the financial rewards and freedom of entrepreneurship,” adds Jennifer.

When you start a virtual assistant business you can also choose to specialize or offer a variety of virtual assistant services. You can earn an hourly rate of $25 to $60 per hour or more providing services you enjoy doing which might include a range of skills such as customer service, project management, event planning, marketing, or research.

Choosing Your Virtual Assistant Niche

A virtual assistant’s specialization can fall into two general categories, though some may choose a sub-specialty within that niche: clients who work in a particular industry and/or a specific skill or area of expertise.

Some virtual assistants use a combination of these areas to create a unique specialization, such as social media and internet marketing (skill area) for coaches/counselors/therapists (industry-specific). Others may choose to become experts on a particular industry-specific type of software, such as fundraising databases (skill area) for nonprofits (industry-specific).

The more you can individualize your niche, the more you will stand out from the crowd and the better equipped you will be to connect with and help your clients.

To learn how you can become a virtual assistant, check out the Virtual Assistant Certificate Course Online offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For more information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/virtual-assistant-course.

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How to Become an Image Consultant

by Tag Goulet

Image Consultants have one of the hottest careers today. You might have seen them while watching Extreme Makeover, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, or What Not to Wear. Or you might have heard that Martha Stewart should have hired them to give her advice on how to look more sympathetic to a jury. Could you become an image consultant?

Also known by such titles as wardrobe consultant, fashion stylist, or makeover consultant, image consultants are paid to show people how to create a fabulous impression. They might recommend wearing different colors or new styles, go through closets to toss out clothing that isn’t working, shop for a new wardrobe, and put together incredible outfits. They might advise a change of hairstyle, makeup, or grooming.

What an Image Consultant Does

Image is also about more than physical appearance. In addition to how someone looks, we also form impressions based on how someone talks and behaves. So image consultants may also advise people on their vocal communication (voice, grammar, vocabulary, etc.), non-verbal communication (handshakes, posture, eye contact, etc.) and etiquette – from dining to cell phones.

Most image consultants also develop a network of strategic partners they can refer clients to, such as hair stylists, makeup artists, nutritionists, cosmetic dentists, personal trainers, plastic surgeons, and voice coaches.

Image consultants offer the kind of advice that can help people land a job, get a promotion, find someone to love, or just feel good about themselves.

It’s no wonder they are so well rewarded, typically earning at least $50 per hour advising individuals how to present a better image. A particularly lucrative avenue is presenting training programs for corporations. Image consultants can earn thousands of dollars a day teaching seminars on dressing professionally (including dos and don’ts for casual Fridays), telephone etiquette for customer service staff, communication skills for new supervisors, and other topics.

TIP: If you are one of the rare few who think image doesn’t matter, try shopping at a fine store dressed in what you would normally wear to clean your basement or move furniture. Then visit the same store looking well-groomed and wearing your best suit. Chances are the staff will treat you quite differently!

Become an Image Consultant

The first step to becoming an image consultant is to decide what kind of services you want to offer. You could specialize in wardrobe or fashion consulting, offer advice on communication skills and etiquette, or be a makeover consultant who gives feedback on “the whole package.”

The next step is to get some experience. While you can quickly learn the basics in a course like the Image Consultant Certificate Course from the International Association of Professions Career College, you should also get hands-on experience. Offer free makeovers for friends and family members who will agree to let you take “before and after” photos. You can then put the photos in a portfolio or on your web site to help you get paying clients.

There are many types of clients who use the services of image consultants: those seeking a new look, job-seekers, corporate executives and their spouses, beauty pageant contestants, lawyers and their clients, cancer survivors, television personalities, transgender individuals, politicians, and singles seeking a partner.

“It is a great time to get into the field,” says celebrity image consultant Gloria Starr. A 20 year industry veteran who has helped shape the image of clients such as Destiny’s Child, 3M, and Celebrity Cruise Lines, she shares expert advice on how to get started in the FabJob Guide to Become an Image Consultant, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Image Consultant Certificate Course.

“This is the busiest time in my 20-plus years. People are looking for the edge in business,” says Starr. “Presenting themselves for success by dressing well and using appropriate business and dining skills opens the doors for greater recognition and success.”

Is a career as an image consultant right for you?

Skills that can help you succeed in this career are a strong visual sense as well as excellent communication skills. You must be able to diplomatically tell someone what they need to improve about their appearance and how to make those changes.

Image consulting is a service business so it doesn’t require a large investment to get started.
You can even start part-time while still working at another job. To be credible, you must have a professional image yourself.

To learn how you can become an image consultant, check out the Image Consultant Certificate Course Online offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For more information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/image-consultant-course.

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How to Become a Professional Organizer

Are you a highly organized individual with a knack for neatness? Do you agree with the statement: “A place for everything and everything in it’s place”? Then now is the perfect time of year to become a professional organizer.

That’s because spring is the season many people embark on the ritual known as “spring cleaning.” Once they do, they quickly realize how much work is involved in getting organized. That’s when a professional organizer can step in to help with tasks such as controlling clutter, space planning, and developing filing systems.

Here are tips to breaking into this dream career, based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Professional Organizer, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Professional Organizer Certificate Course.

What is a Professional Organizer?

A professional organizer is an individual who helps other people get organized for a living. They apply advanced understanding of organizational systems and processes to other people’s chaotic situations, and help them develop solutions that work in their lives.

So essentially, they are specialized troubleshooters and problem-solvers. Those who become a professional organizer can earn $35 to $50 per hour or more, giving people ideas to help them get organized, or doing hands-on organizing.

What to Expect When You Become a Professional Organizer

A typical day for a professional organizer can be many things since they are the ultimate organizational entrepreneurs. On the job, they are often working hands-on with clients who need their help to get their lives, their homes, and their businesses organized.

People hire organizers to help with things like choosing, purchasing, and installing organizing equipment (filing cabinets, storage containers, racks, etc.), designing time schedules that help them get things done, sorting out files on a computer that have gotten overwhelming, purging an overgrowth of knick-knacks, paper, and other clutter from room to room, or developing systems that maximize the use of time and resources on a personal or business level.

Skills of a Professional Organizer

Depending on the specialty, professional organizers might physically rearrange furniture and computer files, or might simply provide knowledge and give clients systems they can implement themselves. They offer guidance, support, and might even hold the garbage bag!

Professional organizers use their talents to teach others to get their lives in order. They help people live personal and professional lives full of peace, beauty, and most importantly, organization. To become a professional organizer, you will need to develop these skills:

There are so many different ways to be a professional organizer that you can easily refine your own skills to create the sort of business that fits you, your strengths, and your personality. If you have the desire to help people get organized in their homes and businesses, you can become a professional organizer.

To learn how you can get started in a dream career as a professional organizer, check out the Professional Organizer Certificate Course offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For more information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/professional-organizer-course.

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Set a Goal to Start a New Career

by Tag Goulet

We hear from many people who want to start a new career but are having difficulty deciding what they should go into. Usually, they are attracted to several different careers, and feel they can’t choose among them.

Does that sound like you? Are you hoping to “keep your options open” and make a career decision “later”? In fact, feeling like you are unable to choose among several careers can be a way to procrastinate and avoid pursuing any of them. You might think you can wait until you know “for certain” which career is best for you to go after, but the reality is that you might never be absolutely certain.

Some of the negative beliefs we discussed in another article (such as “I might choose the wrong career. I might not be good at it. It will probably turn out to be something I don’t like.”) could keep you from ever pursuing a new career, unless you take action in spite of your fears.

Steps to Start a New Career

So for now, just choose one career that you want to pursue — any one. Remember, you can change your mind later. The idea is to get in the habit of choosing, so you don’t get stuck in procrastination. Then follow the steps and answer the following questions from the “Goal-Setting Worksheet” in our book Dream Careers:

1. Target date: When do you want to start working in the new career?
2. Obstacles: What currently and potentially stands between you and this career? Include both tangible and intangible obstacles such as lack of money, time, support, or education, fear, etc.
3. Solutions: How will you overcome the obstacles? Include both tangible and intangible resources you can use to help you pursue your goal to start a new career, such as self-confidence, support from other people, education, time, money, etc.
4. Action steps to achieve it: Break your goal down into smaller tasks, such as reading a book about the career, talking to someone who works in the career, taking a training program, looking for job ads, etc. Remember to include steps for handling obstacles.
5. Target date for each step: It may help to work backwards from your starting target goal date.
6. Is it worth it to me? Are you really willing to do what it takes to achieve the goal of breaking into this career?

As you start identifying the steps you’ll need to take to break into that career, you will have an opportunity to decide whether this is the career you really want to go after right now.

What Does It Take to Start a New Career?

If you think that you’re not the type of person who can achieve a career goal, think again. You have set and achieved thousands of goals in your life. In fact, every day of your life you are setting and achieving goals. If you doubt this, just think about what you do during a typical day.

Do you sleep until sometime in the afternoon, then get up and wander around your home until it’s time to go back to sleep again? No, you have goals and you have plans. You decide what you’ll eat, where you’ll go, and what you’ll do — and you do it. All day long you make decisions and take actions. You envision a goal and you achieve it. If you change your mind, you are essentially setting a new goal to achieve.

Using the same basic techniques, you have probably also set and achieved some more important life goals as well such as completing a course or being hired for a job. Where you are right now in your life is a direct result of all the thousands of goals, both large and small, that you have set for yourself and achieved so far.

You know how to make things happen and achieve your goals. So if you are dreaming of a career change, set a goal to make it happen. Start a new career by researching certificate courses offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For more information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program-category/certificate-courses-online.

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Could You Be Your Own Boss?

by Tag Goulet

If you have been dreaming of a way to be your own boss, it’s crucial to take a close look at your skills and personality traits. Find out if you have what it takes to be your own personal head honcho by considering a few important factors described below.

Imagine you are at work late on a Friday afternoon. You are getting ready to leave for the weekend and looking forward to the activities you have planned for your time off. With only minutes to go before quitting time, you learn that a customer has placed a big order they need for first thing Monday morning. To get the order ready you would have to spend all day Saturday and Sunday working on it.

What would you do?

(a) Explain that you can’t do it.

(b) Call in your assistant and tell them that they have to do it.

(c) Work over-time and get it finished for Monday.

(d) Tell them your competition has no social life and would likely do it.

(e) Don’t know.

If you chose answer (c) you may have what it takes to be your own boss and start-up a business according to Canada Business, a Government of Canada website.

Statistics on Being Your Own Boss

If you want to launch your own venture, you are in good company. An opinion poll released by E-Myth Worldwide, a California-based company that provides education and coaching for entrepreneurs, found that at least 7.8% of employed and unemployed adults 18 years of age and older plan to start their own business within the next year.

Other major findings of this informative entrepreneurial poll about being your own boss:

• The most popular reasons people gave for wanting to start a business are: to make more money (30%), be their own boss (18%), and fulfill a dream or hobby (15%).
• The desire to start a new business spans all age groups and income levels, but is significantly higher for people age 45-54, who are getting serious about their retirement plans.
• While the statistics show that more men than women hope to start their own business, 45% of currently unemployed women see starting their own business as a way to achieve financial independence. By a margin of 50% to 34%, men are more confident of their potential business success than women.
• The biggest challenges people said they face in starting a business are lack of knowledge and confidence (44%), raising money (44%), and the economic and competitive climates (39%).

Learn How to Be Your Own Boss

According to William Schlegel, CEO of E-Myth Worldwide, “Some factors influencing the likelihood of success, such as the state of the economy, are beyond an individual’s control.”

“However, the good news is that the knowledge entrepreneurs need to be successful can be quickly gained by learning the skills essential to the success of small businesses. Increased knowledge builds confidence and greater confidence enhances the chances for success.”

Canada Business featured this question to help test whether a path to be your own boss is right for you:

Why would you want to start your own business?

(a) I want to make lots of money.

(b) I hate working for other people.

(c) To gain a sense of accomplishment.

(d) I have no skills and no one will hire me.

(e) Don’t know.

The survey says the correct answer is (c), however, we think almost any reason you want to start a business is a good one if it motivates you to take action to make it happen. In fact, launching your own business is one solution if there’s a job you want to do but you can’t currently find a company to hire you to do that job on a full-time basis.

If your dream career involves starting your own business to be your own boss, why not spend some time learning more about how to get started. While researching our book Dream Careers, we found that the hottest businesses right now include providing personal services (e.g. party planning, personal shopping, professional organizing, personal concierge services) or starting a retail business (e.g. boutique, bookstore, coffee house, secondhand store).

Discover your next career by researching certificate courses offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For more information, visit www.iapcollege.com.

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Life Experiences Can Help You Find Your Dream Career

by Tag Goulet

Most job-hunters know that it’s a good idea to have a record of their professional experience and education, but did you know that a record of your “life experiences” can be a valuable tool to find your dream career? By life experience we mean any significant experience that doesn’t fit into the categories of work skills or formal education.

For example, if you did missionary work, joined an expedition, or ran away with the circus – but didn’t do it “officially” – that qualifies as a life experience. Your own life experiences might be related to:

• Family
• Hobbies
• Recreation
• Travel
• Self-study
• Social activities

Each of these broad categories have a countless number of possible life experiences you might have participated in. To give you some ideas, we’ll list a few to get you started. For example, your family life experiences might include:

• Child care
• Closet organizing
• Cooking
• Decorating
• Elder care
• Event organizing (e.g. a family reunion)
• Gardening and lawn care
• Hiring contractors
• Hosting guests
• Household finances
• Housekeeping
• Pet care
• Planning parties
• Selling your home
• Shopping
• Vacation planning

Your life experiences can provide you with a wealth of information about what you love doing. Tapping into this resource can help you identify your dream career. Once you know the activities you truly enjoy or have a natural knack for, you can pursue training or a certificate program to give you a head start in a new profession.

The first step is to start recording your life experiences so you can evaluate them and discover what they say about you. Instead of listing everything you have done, focus on the activities you found most impactful, either in a positive or negative way.

Ask these questions about your personal experiences to help you find your dream career:

• How do you feel when you do this activity? (anxious, bored, frustrated, joyful, peaceful, proud, etc.)
• Which activities do you care about doing well?
• Which activities are “want to” and which are “have to”?
• Which activities do you find most rewarding?
• Which activities do you wish you didn’t have to do?
• Which activities are you most passionate about?
• Which activities do you enjoy so much you would pay to do them?
• If money were no object, which activities would you prefer to pay someone to do for you?

As you work through this inventory and recall your experiences, you will probably start to notice patterns in the types of activities you have found most rewarding. For example, you may discover that the experiences you loved most have involved working with people, or let you express your creativity, or challenged your intellect. Likewise, you will probably find patterns in the activities you have found to be most frustrating.

By taking stock of your past experiences, you can lay the foundation for your future dream job. The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) offers certificate courses you can complete in 6 weeks part-time from the comfort of your home. For more information, visit www.iapcollege.com.

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How to Become a Cake Decorator

by Tag Goulet

If you love baking and decorating cakes, imagine getting paid to do what you love! You can when you start your own cake decorating business. Jennifer James, author of the FabJob Guide to Become a Cake Decorator, reports there are many benefits when you become a professional cake decorator and start a cake decorating business (also known as a cake design business).

“There’s never been a better time to start up a cake decorating business,” says Jennifer. “With the low-carb craze over with, there has been a return to the idea of eating for pleasure, thanks largely to the popular book French Women Don’t Get Fat. Single servings and the personal touch are in – cupcakes are very popular right now, as are gourmet mini-cakes.”

Trends in Cake Decorating

Cake decorators tap into the fact that people love to feel special, and are always looking for something new and unique. Clients who are tired of the supermarket’s tired-old sheet cake with a cartoon character are looking for handmade, out-of-the ordinary cakes that truly reflect the theme of the celebration. And when they do, they’ll come to you.

Cakes are getting more creative all the time, and the only limitation is your imagination. Three-dimensional designs are in vogue right now, resulting in cakes that look like pillows, animals, handbags, or whatever you can dream up. Contemporary cake towers rising up many feet in the air and can lean every which way, stabilized by mysterious forces known only to the cake decorator.

And it doesn’t stop there. How about a cake + cupcake combo, with each cupcake sporting a unique design, or personalized for each guest? Floral toppers or edible pearls just might complete an elegant look perfectly. The finishing materials (glazes and dusting powders) available on today’s market let you give your cake and decorations a look that is so real, your clients will hardly believe they are made of sugar.

Not only are people looking for custom, creative cakes, they are willing to pay for them too. The average amount spent on a wedding has nearly doubled in the last 20 years. Prices of artisan cakes for special occasions range from $3 to $10 or even more per slice, depending on the design.

If you’re wondering if cake decorating is the right business for you, here are some tips and strategies to become a cake decorator:

Be Creative

If you want to work with your hands and experience with all five senses, this is the career for you, from smelling the yummy baking, to tasting new flavors of icing or filling, to piping delicate beads or roses on your cakes. No wonder many cake decorators call themselves sugar artists!

“I was involved in early childhood education, but I wanted to switch careers to something that would challenge my creative outlets. I learned that I had this talent and discovered a passion for the art of designing cakes. Creative talent and passion are so important,” says acclaimed cake decorator Yvonne Zensner.

Be Your Own Boss

No more taking orders from anyone else – other than your many customers, of course! When you run your own business, you make the decisions. You can choose to specialize in anything from wedding cakes, to children’s birthday cakes, to cupcakes, to cakes shaped like fantasy castles. Whatever you most enjoy. As your own boss, you decide your policies, your prices, and when you’re going to take those well-deserved days off.

Let Them Eat Cake

By “them” we mean you, your friends, and your family. You’ll be able to practice your new ideas by making cakes for your own family celebrations, or liven up a mid-week meal with some cake “leftovers” you cut off while shaping and creating. You can even save some cash when you give your cakes as wedding and birthday presents. It’s great practice, and you’ll land additional clients whenever your cakes are seen and admired.

Become a Cake Decorator Right Now

A cake business can be started simply or part-time if you wish, in many cases right from your own home. If you already bake as a hobby, you may very well have much of the equipment on hand that you will need to get started. You don’t need a certificate to call yourself a professional cake decorator, either – you’re in business as soon as you are paid for your very first cake.

If you’re ready to tap into this lucrative and burgeoning market, don’t wait any longer. It’s time to turn your pipe dreams into piping bags, trade in your overtime for oven mitts, and create your own sweet success story when you become a cake decorator and start a cake decorating business.

To learn how you can start your dream career as a cake decorator, check out the Cake Decorator Certificate Course Online offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For more information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/cake-decorator-course.

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5 Steps to Start a Gift Basket Business

by Jennifer James

The holiday season is an ideal time to start a gift basket business. You’ve seen them in department stores, boutiques and gift shops, or possibly sent and received them yourself. They are beautiful and brimming with unique gifts and tasty treats. They are a more personalized gift than balloons, and more practical than sending flowers.

Of course we’re talking about gift baskets, a hot trend in gift-giving these days. And behind the scenes, another major trend is emerging—people who choose to start a gift basket business are launching one of the fastest-growing types of businesses today. Although Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day are very popular times for the gift basket business, people give gift baskets for all sorts of reasons, and not just at holidays, but all year long.

Why Start a Gift Basket Business?

Gift basket businesses are starting up all over the country, and with good reason. Not only is the work fun and creative, but you can also start a gift basket business easily from home, by setting up a small space where you design and build your gift baskets.

You also have unlimited potential to grow when you start a gift basket business. “I launched my [gift basket] business selling $20,000 in baskets that first holiday season. The business doubled year after year, and has continued to grow substantially,” says gift basket business owner Cherie Reagor, twice named Designer of the Year by the gift basket industry.

The process for starting a gift basket business is not complicated, but you do have some important steps to follow. Here’s some advice from the FabJob Guide to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner, the textbook for IAP Career College’s Gift Basket Business Owner Certificate Course, to help take your idea to start a gift basket business from concept to reality.

1. Plan and Prepare

To start a gift basket business, you first need to learn about the gift basket industry. Study other gift basket businesses, and see what they have to offer. How many types of gift baskets do they have for sale? What items are included in them? When you know what other gift basket businesses are offering, then you can plan how your business will be similar, and what you will do differently to be unique.

To build your gift basket making skills, you can take some classes at a local craft store, buy some good how-to books, and practice making as many baskets as you can for friends and family.

2. Buy Supplies and Equipment

You don’t need a large amount of supplies and equipment to start a gift basket business, but you will need some basics. A few pairs of sharp scissors will be essential, and you may also need a glue gun and wire cutters. You’ll also need to purchase some cello or shrink wrap, baskets or other containers, ribbon, bows, and some decorative shred, and you’ll be ready to start filling your gift baskets with goodies. Don’t forget to buy shipping supplies (i.e. boxes and tape) if you will be sending your gift baskets by courier.

3. Set up Your Work Space

Decide where you will create your gift baskets, and ensure that you have adequate lighting, as well as storage for the supplies and inventory required to start a gift basket business. You’ll also want to invest in a workbench or table when you can spread out supplies and make gift baskets at a comfortable height.

If you will include food items in your gift baskets, they should be stored in airtight containers with the expiration dates marked. Depending on where you live, local laws may also regulate how food items for your gift baskets must be handled and stored.

4. Buy Gift Basket Items

You’ll want to purchase a nice variety of gift items to start a gift basket business. Keep your purchases versatile if you can, meaning that they can be used in more than one style of gift basket. Here’s an insider tip: Most gift baskets can contain similar items with small decorative accents or unique containers making them more personal or specific to the occasion.

When you first start a gift basket business, stay away from buying too many gift items that won’t sell after a certain season (e.g., candy Santas), or whose shelf life may expire before you can use them up. You can order wholesale gift items at a deep discount. According to a survey by Gift Basket Review, the dominant trend in the market is increasing personalization of the contents of the basket, and even the basket and ribbon.

Gift basket business insiders know that there are reputable businesses that will make and ship gift baskets on your behalf. All you have to do is land the orders! If your time or start-up money is limited, this can help you start a gift basket business easily and economically.

5. Market Your Gift Basket Business

When you are ready to start selling gift baskets, you’ll want to let the public know. You can advertise your gift basket business, although ads may be too expensive when you first start a gift basket business. Instead, consider press releases and other low-cost marketing strategies such as referrals. Online directories and a website for your gift basket business will also help generate and increase sales. In fact, many gift basket businesses allow their clients to browse and buy gift baskets directly online.

Selling gift baskets to corporate clients has become big business for gift basket business owners who report that over half of their overall business comes from commercial customers. Corporate clients also tend to place large ($1,000 or more) orders, make repeat orders, and help keep business flowing at non-holiday times of the year.

To learn how you can get started in a dream career as a gift basket business owner, check out the Gift Basket Business Owner Certificate Course offered by the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College). For more information, visit https://www.iapcollege.com/program/gift-basket-business-course.

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