From feeling undervalued at work to being paid way less than you deserve, there are several reasons you would want to quit your 9 to 5 for something as liberating as a consultant or a trainer. But how can you take that leap of faith in this economy?
Today, we will talk about how to go from being the corporate hero to becoming your own boss!
How to Transition from a Corporate Job to Coaching or Training
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Research Your Choice of Industry
The coaching and training industry is vast. What niche to choose depends on your goals and aspirations. Some of the popular ones being image consulting, soft skills training, corporate training, personal branding, leadership development, career coaching, health and wellness coaching, and many more.
The demand for consultants and trainers has grown over the past years as more workplaces evolve rapidly with more of them wanting professionals who can adapt to change quickly. Moreover, people are now concerned about their image, making image consultants the top-most demanded career among the coaches and trainers. From job seekers aiming to nail that interview to professionals who want to climb the corporate ladder, everyone is looking for an edge.
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Don’t Quit Right Away
While it may seem like a good decision to quit your day job right away to focus more on the transitioning career of coaching or training you choose, it is not wise to jump right away. The trick here is to keep your day job till your passion can bring you money to the point you can afford your own expenses and luxury.
Right now if all you have is your day job as your only source of income for running the household, it’s wiser to hold on to that stability till your passion in consulting can help you earn enough.
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Plan a Transition Roadmap
Success, especially when you begin something of your own from scratch, is not going to knock on your door. You will have to work hard to achieve the success you crave in the consulting or training field. It’s not an overnight joyride. It takes immense planning.
Begin with planning a roadmap for your transition. Start with smaller achievable goals where you state the income you will need to survive with the bare minimum in the beginning. You need to align your vision with your goals. If something is on your wishlist, you will need to plan your roadmap accordingly for desired outcomes. Set desired timeframes, but keep them real and achievable. This helps to avoid overstressing yourself over achieving something that is not even achievable in the first place.
While becoming a consultant or a trainer is liberating as you work at your own flexibility, most people fail to realise that it is a business that you have to run on your own to make it a success. Hence, take the time to plan out your vision, strengths, weaknesses, goals, and the road that would lead you to success.
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Be on the Hunt to Upskill Constantly
Since the demand to become a coach or a trainer is on the rise, the industry has become competitive. This demands for additional upskillment like the stamp of approval from certification courses.
Getting certified is a crucial step to establish your authority and attract clients. Whether you’re aspiring to become an Image Consultant Trainer or excel in any other niche, recognised certifications add credibility to your profile. They demonstrate that you have been trained professionally and have the skills to deliver real value.
Ready to transform your career? Start your journey into training and coaching today!
While certifications give your portfolio that credibility push, don’t forget to focus on developing your skills on personal level for your personal satisfaction in the field. Keep working on building your presentation skills, communication skills, and empathy. Update yourself with the latest trends in the industry. Attend workshops and webinars to keep your consulting game at the top.
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Face Your Fear of Failure
Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is the ultimate test of success. And when you get out of your comfort zone, facing failure is inevitable.
You have to get comfortable with the idea that your failures are going to shape you into a better professional in the industry. You will learn something new, try it out, and may not succeed the first time. But that is okay — this does not mean that you are not going to make it big in the industry. Have the patience to learn from your mistakes and come back stronger.
Keep Networking Your Way to Success!
Transitioning from the stability of a corporate job to the uncertainty of becoming your own boss comes with challenges. But see the bigger picture, that is a brighter future where you hold the control!
While the above pointers will help you take the leap of faith from a corporate employee to a full-time consultant, it also is necessary to build a network with the right people. You simply cannot leave the future on luck and hard work. Networking plays a crucial role in becoming a successful trainer or consultant, as it is a full-time business where you will have to expand your circle with the right kind to build your clientele. Hence, keep networking, upskilling, and working hard till you pave your path of success!
