Unemployed but have experience. How do I?

Question

I have been unemployed for about 10 months and can't find a job with a livable wage for a middle aged homeowner. I'm almost ready to lose my home and my self esteem is plummeting.

I have approximately 15 years of experience in health claims administration and customer service. I have another 5+ years of experience in related administrative experience. Overall I have around 23 years of office administration experience. I am very computer literate and feel that I have outstanding people skills. For the past 5 years or so, I have been contemplating starting my own consulting business, from my home, that utilizes my experience. What steps do I take? How do I price my product? How can I create a client base? Is their a resource for start up capitol? What do I call myself? How do I market myself? Do I have competition? Can anyone help me? I live in Indianapolis, so there is a potentially large client base. I have also though of relocation to an area with more retirees.

Answer 1

Starting up your business is a daunting task, I started mine back in September and had $1500 to start. Put a lot of hours in, and I am starting to see the return, it is slow but I am forcasting that March or April should be the time when I get so busy that I have to hire more people.

I would start by looking in your yellow pages for HR type business, that is what you would be doing. There are plenty out there, and competition is steep. Then I would call around to those business and ask them what they charge per hour to do the things you would like to do, Handle Pay Roll, Health Insurance claims etc. You should get a rough estimate on what to charge based on that and they will help you with that info, especially if you tell them you are a small business looking for help in that department.

then after that, advertising is best. Go door to door sort a speak to all the business in your area. Small Business are the best to start with as they normally do not have that sort of department and might look to hire it outside the company. Then go to the larger ones with a nice prespective on how you can save them money if they go with your for their HR needs.

It is a big market and it should have room for another business. Just offer better service at the same rate and you will do fine. Remember it takes 3-5 years for your business to get off the ground and you will not see much in the ways of profit till then.

I wish you luck and drop by my site and let me know how it is going.

Answer 2

from the sounds of it, you should consider working online. i know on abcnews.com, under the good morning america tab, they have a link for a lot of customer-service jobs that are work from home online. you need internet and a home phone (not a cell phone). you can work your own hours, and you report to your "boss" (quotas, calls, etc) online to them whenever they request it.

if they ask for money upfront: DO NOT DO IT! a job does NOT require you to pay for anything upfront.

as for starting your own business, i would consider taking an online or a juco (community college) course in small business (a refresher, if you will) and it will teach you what you need to start your own business.

Good luck.

Answer 3

move to Florida buddy...you can't find a better state for retirees.......also sounds like you have all kinds of experience. put your best foot forward and pound the pavement until you find something..or start that dream business. good luck..

Answer 4

we are over 50. guess the only way to fight back, is to dye the gray out of our hair, update the resumes, and blow in those who use our age aginst us.