Business Building Corner

Explore your career options
In the past few decades, job security has become a thing of the past. Many employees have seen the promise of retirement from the companies they have been loyal to for their entire careers, disappear. Young graduates entering the work force for the first time now approach employment in an entirely different way. Few stay at their initial positions for more than two years, which means they are constantly searching for another job.

Now more than ever, people are faced with making career decisions in an erratic job market: the mature worker who is jobless but cannot afford to retire, the first-time job seeker, mothers who want part-time work when their children are old enough to fend for themselves, chronic students who must begin paying off huge education loans—the list goes on. So, what’s the plan?

Assess your personality. Match it to the job requirements. For example, will you be able to work a regular 9 to 5 schedule over the long term? Are you good at taking orders? Can you delegate? Do you enjoy collaborating? Do you need to be moving around or can you sit still? Do you prefer being outdoors? Do you have a hard time talking to people or are you rarely quiet? Are you a good listener?

Determine if your goals require additional education, job change, relocation or other life adjustments. Creating and conducting a well thought out action plan will enable you to reach your ultimate goal.

To make a solid decision when choosing a career or when targeting the most appropriate jobs, there are three basic steps to take:

1. Get to Know Yourself
   Choosing an appropriate career or job, creating a good resume, and conducting a good interview all depend having a clear self-profile. Compile a list of your interests, personality type, work style, skills, capabilities, past experiences and accomplishments. Make a second list that contains accurate information about the potential career or job. When the two lists fit well with each other, you will have clear direction and the confidence to make good decisions as you pursue your career or job goals.
2. Research Potential Careers or Jobs
   Potential careers or jobs that match you will surface during your exploration. Gather as much information as you can about each potential career or job. Keep an open mind about what you read and hear. Ask yourself:
   • In which fields can I best utilize the strongest skills and personal traits that I possess and most enjoy using?
   • What are the outlook, salary, and expectations of these occupations?
   • Are there other related occupations that I can consider?
3. Make Decisions and Plan for Action to Pursue the Career or Job
   Integrate all the occupational information that you have gathered to make appropriate and rational career decisions. Apply basic, realistic, decision-making techniques to sort through the options, the facts and your priorities. Remember to use your gut instincts.
   
   Each career decision is limited by what you are capable of now or in the future, by your ability to identify alternatives, and by what you are willing to do. Skillful career decision-making requires you to be focused, flexible and open to new learning.

The Network Marketing Option
Many people simply do not function well when they have to be accountable to a supervisor or a boss. In network marketing circles, this type of person is usually considered an entrepreneur. Not all entrepreneurs can afford to build and operate their own companies, but companies such as LifePharm Global Network allow the entrepreneurial personality to become an Independent Business Owner.

Some LPGN Independent Business Owners work a traditional job in addition to network marketing. Others dive in and go full time network marketing. Regardless of how you choose to work your LPGN business, to become a hit in the network marketing industry requires a few specific characteristics. The good thing is that if they aren’t part of your nature, you can adopt them! Here are five to consider:

1. A positive attitude towards challenges and obstacles
   The initial stages of network marketing may involve a lot of hard work along with trial and error, especially if you are a novice in the industry. This is when the majority of network marketers decide to quit or give up. To make the journey to success, you will need to have a positive attitude towards different types of challenges and obstacles.
2. Inherent interest in meeting and dealing with people
   Networking is often described by experts as relationship marketing. When you are networking, you are meeting people, talking with them and building relationships. By being interested in different people, their needs and concerns, you create rapport and a reciprocal interest in you, the company, products and opportunity you present.
3. Integrity and authenticity
   The people who boast a lot of false information end up failing in network marketing because integrity and authenticity are personality traits that are crucial for success in the industry. Sponsoring prospects through false information would only result in them dropping out later and not creating their own organizations. That is why personal endorsements are so powerful: you are talking about yourself and what you know to be true based on experience. That is also why LPGN focuses on innovation while never copying the current fad or trend.
4. Willingness to learn for life
   Network marketing is one of the most dynamic fields in business today. Successful network marketers have an undying need to learn about new things, concepts, research and opportunities. If you have the willingness to learn new things for life, then there is no reason why you will not succeed in network marketing.