In the European job market today, technical skills are not enough to get work. On the contrary, personal relationships, recommendations from friends, and fitting smoothly into professional communities all weigh heavily in the mind of an employer. Thus, networking has become the cornerstone of career advancement. A good network can do more for you than being smart will. This is just as true for new graduates as it is for seasoned pros, and people starting afresh in new industries. Visit Jobijoba.co.uk to explore opportunities and leverage your network effectively.

The Power of Networking in Career Development

Networking means creating and nurturing professional relationships. It is not just going to events; it also involves giving out business cards but not finding a way to connect with someone. Networking is making friends with people who can advise or help you solve problems or find opportunities.

In the European job market, industries are interconnected across borders. Therefore, even networking becomes important. For example, someone in Germany might introduce you to someone else involved with French or Spanish fieldwork opportunities. These relationships could impact the entire continent. Europe’s collaborative nature and interconnected business environment, where in Europe many people feel free to cross borders just as easily as those who have made friends in another part of their own region tend not to mind being shown around yours for an hour too!

Access to the Hidden Job Market

Like it or not, today getting rich is mostly about networking, a high percentage of job openings are never really open at all. For example, a person in a company along with the CEO as well who says to his colleagues that they need to hire someone for every role. It turns out people who work on general projects often work in consultancies. Nonetheless, the future president does not select staff members. He states publicly that old party members are in charge now and urges other institutions not to interfere with their decisions.

By actively participating in a network (like Facebook), you increase your chances of hearing about these opportunities. There is a greater likelihood that an old colleague or friend will tell you about a vacancy in their company. They may also nab you for some of the hardest people to bypass in recruitment: heads of hiring departments.

Establishing Trust and Building Credibility

Networking provides the opportunity to establish yourself and your reputation with colleagues, whether actively participating in an avant-garde art convention, joining discussion forums on the Internet, or using LinkedIn to display your expertise and passion.

In Europe, cultural differences form business distinctions. Thus, very often trust is the key. In countries such as Switzerland and the Netherlands, hiring is actually based on long-term relationships, rather than just one-off contacts or recommendations from your honor guard alumni association or mother’s old neighborhood chair of the women’s club. Born again. To make yourself a trustworthy candidate, be a participant in your field.

Gaining Industry Insights

Networking isn’t only about finding job opportunities. It’s a great way to stay updated on industry trends as well. Peers and mentors offer valuable insights. They know about market demands, new technologies, and regulatory changes.

In technology, for example, networking with industry leaders can uncover new, essential tools or languages. Finance professionals may learn of new regulations that will affect their jobs in much the same way. Forewarned is forearmed. Keeping abreast of such changes can make you a more attractive candidate.

This can also cultivate essential soft skills like communication, empathy, and active listening. These abilities leave their mark in today’s Western labor market. Working with professionals from different backgrounds helps you to modulate your communication style for specific cultural contexts.

In Southern European countries like Italy and Spain, for example, people tend to prefer informal, relationship-driven interactions. On the other hand, Northern European countries such as Germany and Denmark may prefer a more structured, businesslike communication style. You can only develop this skill by practicing.

Tricks of Effective Networking

1. Go to Industry Events: Conferences, trade fairs, and seminars are great places to meet people within your profession. Try and make the effort to introduce yourself, ask insightful questions, and get your business card. A wide network of contacts.
2. Users of Online Platforms: Maintain contacts with Professionals in Europe Via online platforms such as LinkedIn; you can anticipate Professional Forums or even within the confines of certain social media groups for a particular industry. You should post often, post stuff you would want to be associated with yourself, and comment regularly on other people’s posts on these platforms. Like this, you are as visible as possible in the information exchange network.
3. Join Professional Organizations: There are many industry organizations or clubs that hold networking events as well as offering resources for career development. Joining forums or these associations can put you in touch with expert professionals and allied people who may become mentors.
4. Seeking Informational Interviews: Get in touch with professionals who hold jobs you would like to do, or are working in industries where you would like a career. Ask them to meet with you for a short conversation about their experiences. This might give you a lot of helpful tips about your career and put you in touch with people who can really help.

Be Real and Sweet Don’t do all the talking. Just as important as giving is taking. Pass on your expertise, offer job leads, or introduce people in the network to each other. If you take a sincere approach, you’ll form far more durable and reciprocal relationships.

Most people aren’t natural networkers.

Some are afraid or simply don’t know where to start. Others confront real language barriers in the European labor market that is multicultural nowadays.

To take these challenges in stride. Start small. Connect with the people you know, like colleagues, classmates, or alumnae. Practice your elevator pitch —a brief version of who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for. If language is a barrier, improve your communication skills, And, bring in some of our global partners who speak your mother tongue or who have roots as migrants from your native country.

Summary

Networking is essential to getting around in Europe’s job markets. It is an opportunity to make visible what is hidden, build trusted partnerships, keep up with industry news, and present oneself. Curate professional relationships to grow your career and personhood.

Networking involves continuity. It takes time, authenticity, and an open heart that wants to help others. Job opportunities or even collaborations wait like magic at the end of these conversations. It may be one chat online, but they all get you closer in some measure to your dream job. Whether discussing things with your client in person or utilizing a telephone as a substitute, every discussion is conducive to pursuing career objectives.

What is the CRM implementation process?  

CRM implementation is a comprehensive process that involves deploying relevant CRM software to manage customer communication effectively. This can be done by starting from the ground up or integrating the software into existing systems. Successful CRM implementation can result in establishing a centralized management system, allowing for seamless access to customer information. This centralized approach facilitates efficient data management, enhances customer relationship maintenance, and provides valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences.

How to implement a CRM system?  

When implementing a CRM system, it is essential to know that the process can be demanding in terms of resources and time. Proper resource allocation, meticulous planning, and implementing a robust management system are crucial in ensuring successful outcomes.

During the planning stages of CRM implementation, key individuals from the Marketing, Customer Service, Sales, and Support teams must be involved. This collaborative approach has been proven to be an effective strategy for ensuring a smooth and efficient CRM implementation with significant long-term benefits.

Assess the CRM needs and set goals.

The initial and crucial step in implementing a CRM system is thoroughly evaluating the organization’s requirements for a CRM. As reported by an article in CIO magazine, approximately one-third (33%) of all CRM projects fail. This underlines the need to be cautious and attentive in our approach to prevent such failures.

Therefore, investing ample time in selecting the most suitable CRM application can prevent significant financial losses for a company. Identifying and aligning diverse departmental needs is also imperative to establish a well-defined objective for the CRM implementation process. Before proceeding with CRM implementation, it’s essential to consider the following questions:

– How long will the CRM implementation process take?

– What resources are required for successful implementation?

– Will the CRM system enhance productivity and deliver a positive return on investment (ROI)?

Choose the correct CRM application.

When considering a CRM solution for your enterprise, it is crucial to weigh your options carefully. The first important step is to set clear goals by defining your company’s needs and objectives. This focused approach will help you navigate the broad range of features that CRM options often offer and determine which specific features are essential for your CRM system.

In addition to evaluating features, it’s essential to thoroughly assess the level of support and service offered by different CRM vendors. This includes understanding the vendor’s commitment to addressing any issues that may arise post-implementation.

Furthermore, it’s vital to consider how easily the CRM solution can be integrated with other departments within your organization. Seamless integration ensures that different teams can effectively collaborate and share critical information. For example, the sales team should be able to share its reports and data seamlessly with other relevant teams.

Before purchasing, it’s crucial to conduct comprehensive research and consider all factors. This thorough preparation will ensure that the CRM solution you choose aligns with your enterprise’s needs and provides the necessary support for your business operations, making you feel well-informed and prepared.

Plan your CRM implementation budget.

When planning the budget for CRM implementation, it’s essential to take a detailed approach to ensure that no potential costs are overlooked. Before finalizing the budget, it’s crucial to comprehensively account for all expenses that may arise during the implementation process. This includes the direct software and hardware costs and expenses related to training, data migration, customization, and potential unforeseen challenges.

Furthermore, it’s highly recommended that a 10% buffer be incorporated into the budget to accommodate any unexpected or additional expenses that may arise during the implementation phase. This buffer can help prevent disruptions and ensure a smoother transition to the new system.

Additionally, conducting a thorough cost-benefit analysis is paramount. It’s essential to assess the potential return on investment and weigh it against the projected costs. A comprehensive report detailing the expected benefits and costs associated with the CRM implementation will enable informed decision-making and provide a clear understanding of the potential outcomes. 

By taking these detailed steps in budget planning, organizations can mitigate the risk of overspending and align the CRM implementation with their strategic goals and financial capabilities.

Post-implementation Assessments

Upon the successful launch of the CRM system within your organization, it is imperative to conduct ongoing monitoring, measurement, and tracking of its performance. This continuous evaluation enables businesses to gauge their CRM effectiveness over time and address any shortcomings in specific areas. It’s essential to understand that this process is not a one-time event; companies should establish a system for continuous assessment and record-keeping as long as the CRM system is in operation.

In pursuing successful CRM implementation, navigating potential challenges such as ineffective training, low user adoption rates, and a surge in IT requests is crucial. Developing strategies to address these obstacles is vital. However, managing these challenges can indeed be overwhelming. Nonetheless, solutions are available to help you tackle these hurdles with confidence.

Businesses often turn to Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs) to surmount CRM implementation and user adoption obstacles. Apty DAP, for instance, seamlessly integrates into existing CRM systems and offers in-app guidance to help employees complete their daily tasks. Apty’s analytics capabilities enable companies to identify areas where employees encounter difficulties and require assistance.

With the ability to create tailor-made walkthrough solutions, Apty empowers organizations to overcome obstacles and enhance employee productivity. Through Apty, businesses can achieve remarkable improvements, including a 200% faster CRM adoption rate, a 300% increase in employee productivity and performance, and an 80% reduction in training and support costs.

Most MBA candidates gravitate toward consulting jobs eventually. It’s a high-paying, fast-paced career path that needs a degree. Even the leading recruiters today are absorbing B-school graduates from the best MBA programs globally.

Interestingly, the demand and supply of MBA graduates at leading consulting companies is aggressive. The same applies to the interview process. It’s not a cakewalk for candidates to get recruited by famous consulting firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers or McKinsey & Company.

Most MBA candidates will face written tests, group discussions, and personal interviews with senior managers. All these procedures aim to test the potential candidate’s business skills, analytical abilities, intelligence, and interpersonal skills.

The process is highly challenging, but candidates get a job with a lucrative pay package once they pass these tests. For instance, salaries at companies like McKinsey, Bain & Company, and Accenture can be approximately $135,000 for MBA graduates.

This article will discuss how an online degree helps candidates get an excellent job in consulting.

Is an MBA Crucial to Get a Lucrative Consulting Job?

Victor Anzaldo, who worked in the sales and consulting domain and for brands like Cisco Systems Ltd. and SAP AG, considers MBA relevant for a consulting career. He opted for his MBA degree at Manchester to decipher the European market. He agrees that an MBA degree helps him venture into a consulting career. The network he had access to in his B-school enabled him to plan his consulting career well.

He also asserts that most MBAs opt for a consulting job because they have experience working in several industries. However, the reasons can vary from one person to the other. He wanted to attain industry experience and exposure and later make the most of it by working as a consultant.

Other reasons that prove the relevance of online MBA degrees for landing a consulting job are:

MBA Seals the Gap Between Your Job Experience and Consulting

Do you have a non-conventional background to apply for a consulting job? Or do you need to gain the skills that a consulting job profile requires? In both cases, an MBA degree offers you a consulting toolkit. It helps the candidates develop excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. You will also have an in-depth idea about the modern-day business environment and the relevance of teamwork.

These are highly important for consulting firms; if you have these skills, they will choose you over other candidates. The recruiters will know all that you’ve learned in the MBA program and will offer you a chance to execute the theories into practice by working for their brand. It will help you to fine-tune your learning beyond MBA classrooms.

You Develop Connections That Ensure Career Success

The moment you opt for an online MBA program, you have access to several people who might help you get a consulting job later. It could be the admissions employee assisting you in preparing for interviews. Even candidates with a consulting background are eager to help you by sharing a few relevant contacts.

Additionally, most MBA programs come with a consulting club that provides various resources to you. Here, you can study case interviews that can help you prepare better. Once you belong to a specific network, you will be surprised by how eager people are to assist you.

Some firms will provide stipends to sponsored candidates to socialize with classmates who apply to their firms. Even though the recruitment process is challenging, things become increasingly easy when you have access to a supportive network.

How Does MBA Help Transition to Management Consulting?

One of the best ways for this is to opt for on-and off-campus recruitments. Leading consulting firms value an MBA degree and are even willing to absorb candidates who need to gain prior work experience.

MBA candidates usually engage in multiple domains, including finance, strategy, human resources, operations, information technology, marketing, and organizational development. However, the tasks involved in this role comprise the following:

• Optimizing business processes
• Developing and formulating strategic plans
• Carrying out market research
• Recognizing cost-saving initiatives
• Planning marketing strategies
• Improving employee engagement and performance
• Enhancing Supply Chain management
• Promoting organizational change

Creating the base for such a wide range of responsibilities is challenging. And it needs several years of experience in the industry. However, when you enroll in an MBA program, you will receive thorough training in business principles and skills required to work and excel as a management consultant.

It can be accomplished within two years, and you can also add to your professional network bandwidth with the school’s alums. Spring Arbor University states that leading institutions that offer online MBA degrees ensure that the course has been designed to cater to the needs of the candidates. Also, it trains them based on the industry standards set by leading consulting firms. Candidates can opt for this course without a GRE or GMAT.

Furthermore, since it’s 100% online, it offers candidates the ease of participating in the program while addressing other tasks they have.

Is MBA Coursework Helpful for Consulting?

You can access rigorous coursework and practical learning scopes when you opt for an MBA degree. It will enable you to develop the necessary skills for a successful consulting career, which includes:

• Collaboration
• Creative problem solving
• Communication
• Digital literacy
• Adaptability

In conclusion, opting for an MBA course from a leading institution is a good idea if you intend to break into a consulting career. It will help you develop the skills needed to communicate with global clients, understand their business objectives and requirements, develop strategies, and share the same with them.

Furthermore, the candidates are also trained by industry leaders and expert trainers. They help them fine-tune their existing skills and learn a few new ones that will allow them to advance their consulting careers.

Businesses that specialize in recruiting top talent can help find the best and top-performing sales representatives in various industries. They can grow a company’s revenue, spot a talent when they see one, are professional at interviews, and are target-driven so clients can get their returns the fastest way possible.

Some of the responsibilities you can ask them are to build and maintain a massive database of clientele, do reports for their clients, make sure that what they do is effective, and change some of their procedures according to what is working nowadays. They will also follow up with potential candidates and present the best ones to the managers.

What are Required of Them?

They should be experts in sales themselves with reasonable skills to sell products and services to consumers. The best technical sales recruiters will connect with qualified candidates and give them great opportunities so that they will work for you.

In sales, it’s pretty challenging to measure one’s success because soft skills can drive it. It’s different from engineering, where the applicant needs specific complex skill sets to qualify. What candidates should have should include being well-versed in the products, explaining in detail how they can benefit the customers, knowing the features, and having the ability to market the business and see it by the right people.

Recruiters’ Primary Roles:

Learn More About the Needs of the Business

Roles in sales are challenging, and they need a combination of soft and hard skills to succeed. Depending on the organization that’s hiring, they might want to source candidates with a specific function and background to fit a particular role.

A thorough analysis is done, and the cultural environment is also checked. This way, they can highlight the company’s values, such as being family-oriented, flexible schedules, bonuses, travel incentives, friendly teammates, and others, to attract the top talents in the industry. They can also tailor their offers depending on who they are talking to. It’s a process that helps the recruiters know more about the training required and what kind of knowledge a candidate has.

Calling the Best Applicants

Expect them to have a pool of talents ready to be called, and if they have someone specific for your vacancy, they will discuss the candidate’s options with an offer. They will simultaneously target their preferred individual for the job while running a recruitment ad. Confidentiality and discretion are two of their priorities, so the compensation offered to others will stay between the parties. See more about handling confidentiality on this page here.

Creating the Right Ads and Postings

The best recruitment firms will write compelling job ads without misleading readers. They will be specific on what they are looking for, utilize the proper channels, and monitor the success of their posts through a given metric. In other cases, they will look outside of the industry for budding technical sales representatives so they can generate a large volume of resume submissions.

Fortunately, you can also expect them to shortlist every candidate, so only the cream of the crop will be interviewed by the manager.

Running the Assessment and Selection Process

Those applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be invited for an interview. They will see if these candidates meet the soft skills they require. Depending on your goals, you might need someone to develop long-term relationships with clients or be assertive in quickly closing more leads. They can adapt to your goals accordingly and ensure they’ll deliver results.

Briefing with the Management

After shortlisting the candidates, they will brief the management about the applicants who have a good chance of getting hired. They’re going to submit a summary of the interviews, why the applicant will be a success in technical sales, and the background checks they’ve done. Personal recommendations from a top-tier recruitment firm can help save a business a lot of time and money so that they will be worth it. More about recruitment can be found at this link: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/recruitment. 

Communicating with the Applicants

Those who didn’t cut can receive an email or a text about the recruiters’ decision, and those who can proceed with the next steps of the hiring process will be notified. They are going to keep the relationship between the company and the candidates strong by successfully placing the right people in the best vacancies so they can perform in the most optimal manner possible. 

Sales recruiters will also help attract the right prospects and ensure they get the best deals and stay with the company. It’s going to result in lower attrition rates and a better experience.

In today’s fast-paced world, digital marketing has become an essential component of any successful business. With the growing number of online users, businesses that don’t have an online presence are missing out on a significant portion of their target audience. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a well-planned digital marketing strategy to help you reach your target audience and boost your business growth in 2023.

Here are some simple digital marketing tips to help you boost your business in 2023:

Social Media Marketing

Social media has become an essential part of our daily lives. It’s not just a place to connect with friends and family but also a powerful tool for businesses to promote products and services. According to recent statistics, there are 4.33 billion active social media users globally, with the average person spending 2 hours and 25 minutes per day on social media platforms. This presents a massive opportunity for businesses to reach their target audience through social media.

To leverage the power of social media, you need to create a strong presence by creating engaging content and posting it on your social media channels. You also need to engage with your audience by responding to their comments and messages promptly. Additionally, you can use paid advertising to target your audience based on their interests and demographics.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). According to recent statistics, 93% of all online experiences begin with a search engine, and 75% of people never scroll past the first page of search results. This highlights the importance of having a strong SEO strategy to boost your website’s visibility and attract more organic traffic.

To improve your website’s SEO, you need to ensure that your website is optimized for the right keywords, has high-quality content, is mobile-friendly, and has a fast loading speed. Additionally, you need to build high-quality backlinks to your website to improve its domain authority and credibility. Why not ask for a free quote from PromotionStep to learn more?

Content Marketing

Content marketing is creating and sharing valuable content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. According to recent statistics, businesses that publish 16 or more blog posts per month get 4.5 times more leads than those that publish 0-4 posts per month. This highlights the importance of having a robust content marketing strategy to attract more leads and customers.

To create a successful content marketing strategy, you need to identify your target audience and create content that resonates with them. You also need to optimize your content for SEO to improve its visibility in search engine results pages. Additionally, you can use social media and email marketing to promote your content and reach a wider audience.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is sending targeted emails to your subscribers to promote your products and services. According to recent statistics, email marketing has an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies.

To create a successful email marketing campaign, you need to segment your email list based on your subscribers’ interests and behavior. You also need to create engaging email content that provides value to your subscribers and prompts them to take action. Additionally, you can use automation to send targeted emails based on specific triggers, such as a subscriber’s birthday or anniversary.

Video Marketing

Video marketing is creating and sharing videos to promote your products and services. According to recent statistics, 54% of consumers want to see more video content from businesses they support, highlighting the importance of having a robust video marketing strategy.

To create successful video content, you need to identify your target audience and create videos that resonate with them.

Starting down any new career path is a thrilling prospect. That said, there are many things to account for, and preparing well will ease the transition.

Change is everywhere. As firms embrace the need to transform digitally, the need for IT personnel will grow stronger. They oversee many of these changes and bolster security and growth opportunities within them. If you’re starting this career path, know you’ll be valued as you develop your IT skills and garner the experience required for information technology roles.

To start a career in IT well, you’ll need to make a few essential preparations first. Read on for a quick list of things to consider.

Specialise Your Interest

Information technology encompasses many job roles, and each one will have different information technology responsibilities too. Start by accurately defining what you wish to achieve and which IT skills you want to develop.

The IT job descriptions by Hiring People will help you get started here. You can explore all the different job opportunities that come with the sector. Instead of endlessly searching ‘what does an information technology role involve?’, you’ll be able to understand everything about the IT skills you need in one place. Job description examples for information technology roles can also help you know how recruiters approach prospective candidates.

Specializing your interest will enable you to find your footing in the industry more confidently. It will also help you structure your learning more realistically, ensuring that you don’t overwhelm yourself and take on too much in your preparation. Though there are transferable IT skills, you’ll be able to hone your focus here.

Learn Independently

The most successful professionals in any field go the extra mile. You can constantly develop your IT skills, starting before you get a role and continuing long after.

More people signed up for Open University courses during the pandemic too. Follow that example and spend your downtime productively where you feel able to. Take classes in IT development, and learn more about all the knowledge and experience required for information technology roles.

There are many online course providers, too. Research them all and decide which is best for you. Some of them will have flexible hours or access to prolific industry figures. Others may also demand only 5-6 hours of your time weekly, ensuring you can schedule your learning alongside other obligations in your life.

Develop Communication Skills

There are many stereotypes about IT personnel. They’re often categorized as awkward nerds, and it’s a stigma that you should constantly resist.

One of the essential IT skills is communication. While online messaging is increasingly common, your verbal and interpersonal skills require constant refinement. Expand your vocabulary, endeavor to be sociable, and focus on your body language to ensure that you always represent yourself as open and personable.

IT worries many people today too. Your colleagues may need help understanding all the experience required for information technology roles or have a complete comprehension of your IT skills. Nevertheless, you should break down IT problems in a way they can interpret. You may also need to develop their rudimentary IT skills so they can follow company best practices more capably. Be a comforting presence and a leader.

It’s a tough world out there. But one good thing to come out of Covid is that it resulted in a lot of people rethinking their current roles. That means there is a lot out there, but there are also a lot of people looking. If you’re thinking of moving on, take a look at our guide to see how you can stand out – the right way!

CV/Portfolio

A lot of people say, and might even think, they know what they’re doing when it comes to CVs, but if you were to talk to a recruitment agency or your HR department, you’d probably get some bizarre stories about gimmick resumes, people handing in rejection letters written in “You’re too good for us” as a good review and even things like printed photos of a CV. Don’t be those people.

A resume has a very simple and restrictive format. Stick to it. You want to stand out for your accomplishments, not a reason to make your employer laugh.

Save the gimmicks for the portfolio. If you want to showcase your skills and talents more practically, that’s where you can do it.

Set up either a professional social media account or website. Website builders are quite simple and if your skills have any visual element to them whatsoever, you’ve got a great place to showcase all your work.

Business attire

Depending on the industry, you’re going to want to dress smart for your interview. This needs a degree of judgment. There is no point in showing up in covering up tattoos for a role as a tattoo artist, for example. But more conservative industries and general companies take “professionalism” seriously.

Business professional attire is the go-to in these conditions. It’s a little more subjective for women. You have options that range from pencil skirts, at different lengths, blazers or cardigans, blouses, or…well any number of top variations. Business professional attire in men is easier to narrow down. It’s quite limiting, but that means less space for interpretation. The best thing to go with here is a dark suit, either in blue, black, or grey, add a tie, professional shoes and if you’ve got a decent haircut, you’re done.

If you’re a woman, keep makeup simple with any boldness going into the lips, and if you’re not, again, unless the industry welcomes such things, keep the makeup at home. Progress is made slowly.

Answering questions

If you manage to get an interview for your dream job, make sure to do your research. You will need to study the company you are applying for and the questions around the role you are applying for.

For the company, you want to know more than what the About Us page on their company websites. Take a look at the company’s purpose, usually found in a white paper. Note down what drives them, what the “mission” is, what makes them stand out from others, and what challenges they are facing.

Start by typing their name into Google under the News tab. You might get a mixed bag but mentioning a bad news story from a “that seems like a challenge I can help with” perspective will show that you’re in the know and willing to help. If it’s good news, mention that you were impressed by it.

Take a look at competitors, too. You can point out what you think they are doing differently that works and how you might navigate that in this role. Expand into the industry as a whole and ask yourself (or Google) what the industry provides, what is highest in demand, what are the latest developments, etc.

All of this goes for networking opportunities too. Go in there knowing what you want to say, and it’ll show that you know what you’re talking about.

Networking

So now you know how to stand out, you need somewhere to stand out. Networking seems like a fading concept, or exclusively left to Wall Street and politicians gabbing in the nearest bar, but you’d be surprised at the number of opportunities there are.

First, there is the online opportunity. Fix up your LinkedIn account to get networking online. Another overlooked platform is Meetup, which typically markets itself as a way to make friends, but it also hosts business meetups. There are also virtual networking events, where you can take part without even leaving your home. They’ve gained momentum since lockdown, so take advantage and look up web conferencing near you.

Take a look at job fairs, professional associations, public speaking events, and professional conferences to find people to network with. Don’t go in talking about how you need work, however. Don’t even mention the idea of a job. Instead, engage on other topics, and impress with your discussion. When you’re done, you can follow up with a letter that forwards the article you mentioned, the concept you were talking about in more detail, etc.

Even if you don’t get a job out of it, networking can help you get advice from industry peers and higher-ups, and you can gain a chance to develop your career or move out of entry-level spaces, or even change careers entirely.

Moving to another country can be an anxiety-fuelled time. However, it’s also a moment of fun and adventure. Choosing to live and work in Canada is a phenomenal choice for those searching for an exciting new environment with plenty of opportunities, both for work and leisure. However, while this can be an amazing new chapter in your life as a freelancer, there are still plenty of things you’re going to have to do to ensure that you have a successful time after moving here. We’ve listed some of the most important things you’ll need to consider to ensure that everything goes according to plan and that you have the best experience possible in Canada.

The Benefits Of Being A Freelancer

It’s worthwhile talking about the benefits of this decision to freelance in Canada, as it’s important to strengthen your resolve and reassure yourself that it’s a perfectly acceptable choice, even if at times it can feel tough. Flexibility is one of the best things about being a freelancer, and while it’s important to manage this flexibility properly by remaining as professional as possible, which we’ll discuss later, it can be a great benefit to you as a professional and a personal level. Freelancing also allows you to pursue your dreams much more than you may be able to when being in full-time employment. This is partly due to the flexibility, but being your boss allows you to choose what to focus on in your professional life. Of course, freelancing also opens the door to full-time career opportunities if you decide that you want to change pace in the future. Working with businesses as a freelancer will allow you to demonstrate your value and skill without being beholden to them.

Forging A Strong Network

The first thing you’ll want to consider as a professional when moving to Canada, whether you’re looking for a permanent job or are planning to stick with freelancing, is building up your professional network. It’s a good idea to do this as early as possible, and preferably before you move, as you may find opportunities ready for you once you arrive. However, it’s never too late to start doing this. Use social media sites like Linkedin to connect with other professionals either within your industry or that could benefit from your abilities. There’s no shame in reaching out to people in this way to spark up a business relationship and enquire about potential work. It’s also a good idea to search for networking events where you could go along and speak to other like-minded individuals or business owners and managers who may need your talents.

Register Your Business

Once you’ve got your business into a functional state, you’re now going to have to register your company before you start doing work for people if you intend for it to become its entity. This must be done through the Canadian government and can be hugely beneficial for you. Of course, you could continue onwards simply as a freelancer without being attributed to your own business, but the benefits are worth considering. Registering under a business may significantly boost your reputation within your network and increase the chances that more companies will want to work with you. You’re also going to have access to tax benefits when operating as a registered business rather than as a self-employed individual, and you’ll also gain protection for your assets and possessions if there are ever any legal issues involving your company.

Know Your Value

Depending on how new you are to the world of freelancing, you’ll likely be unsure as to what exactly you should be charging people for your services. It may even be a source of great anxiety for you to negotiate a price, and you may end up doing work for next to nothing. But remember, if a business approaches you for work, they need your services. In many instances, a business owner will respect the price you put forward; however, this doesn’t go for everyone. Plenty of businesses out there will try to squeeze other professionals, especially younger and inexperienced ones, for everything they’ve got. Remember that if a business owner tries to claim that exposure and experience are more valuable than the payment you’re asking for, they really don’t have your best interests at heart and merely want you to work for free. If a business can’t afford to pay you, then they’re not worth working for.

Managing Your Taxes

Something that all of us need to think about is keeping our taxes in order. This is especially important for freelancers, as there’s no employer above you managing your paycheck and deducting your taxes. Instead, this is something you have to worry about yourself. However, doing your taxes is not as complicated as you may fear, especially if you keep on top of things. Using software like this 2021 tax calculator for Alberta, you can identify exactly how much you’ll have to deduct from your earnings to pay your taxes. Once you’ve done that, put aside that money each month and don’t touch it. Consider it to no longer be a part of your finances as it will be required once you have to pay your taxes. Keep a record of everything you make throughout the year so that it’s all at hand once the tax season comes around. As a freelancer, you’ll have to fill out a T2125 form specifically designed for those who are self-employed. Having all of your detailed logs together will allow you to fill this out much easier than searching around for every invoice and receipt.

Become An Invoice Wizard

An important aspect of working as a freelancer is keeping your invoices in order. It can be easy to forget to send an invoice, and while you can issue an invoice any time within two years of providing a service, forgotten and delayed invoices can lead to a loss of earnings. This can be disastrous for a freelancer. Don’t forget many companies will happily pay you on time and within the generally accepted 30-day time limit of when an invoice is issued. But in some cases, it may be necessary to chase up those invoices if the client is dragging their heels. Of course, many businesses will set out a day each month to which they pay all invoices together, and that 30-day time limit should cover this. To ensure you get paid for your services in a good timeframe, though, you should try to issue your invoices as soon as possible after completing the job. Try to aim to get that invoice to your client within 48 hours so that you reduce your risk of forgetting to issue it in the first place.

Remain Focused

The flexibility of being a freelancer can be both a blessing and a curse. The freedom to pursue your job as you see fit is great for creating a healthy work/life balance for yourself. Unfortunately, this also comes with the risk of getting distracted by the potential overlap of your personal life with your professional work. Try to stay as focused as possible on your workload and create a routine for you to follow to encourage you to stay on track. As well as this, try setting boundaries, wherever possible, for yourself and your friends and family. Let people know when you’re working and shouldn’t be disturbed, and try to treat that time as your professional time. Get into the mindset of being in the office during this time. If you’re working from home, get dressed, have something to eat, and start at the time you set for yourself without fail. This will remove the temptation to just do the work whenever you feel like it and will help you get into a positive and productive mindset.

Create A Business Plan

When working as a freelancer, it’s important to consider creating your business plan to follow, and this will allow you to identify goals and stick to a general guide during your work. Writing a business plan is fairly straightforward, and it’s worth remembering that your freelancer business plan doesn’t necessarily need to include everything that a larger company would include either. Your business plan should include your long-term targets as well as your budget. It should also contain your plans for managing unexpected issues such as a lack of work coming your way. The best way to handle this issue is to create an emergency fund within your budget and plan to set a portion of your income aside for it after each invoice is paid.

Take Care Of Yourself

When working alone as a freelancer, it’s easy to lose sight of the reasons you’ve chosen to do it in the first place. The chances are, you were looking for a more forgiving work schedule and added flexibility, which should be helping you to remain motivated and positive while working. However, the stress of freelancing along with regular feelings of isolation can start to harm your mental and physical health. Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this time and allow some time to get away from work regularly. To help yourself with this, make use of the boundaries you set and stick to your routine. Make sure that you switch off from work entirely once you’re finished for the day.

It is always an exciting moment when you move to a new country for work. But you need to ensure that you have taken all the proper steps. If you are moving to the US for work, there are a lot of boxes to check.

Start Planning Early

Organize your move as soon as you know for certain that it is going to happen. Apply for employment in the US far in advance of any planned move date. Talk to your employer about what you need to do if you have a firm job offer. Remember that it can take a long time for visas to be approved by immigration.

Get Health Insurance

Look at health insurance policies in the United States. Remember that there is no free public healthcare system. Factor in the fact that medical procedures routinely cost thousands of dollars. Avoid surprise costs for medical treatment that seems routine. Include all relevant information to avoid having your health insurance claim rejected.

Find Out What Visa You Need

Visit the US government website to find out what visa you need. Ask your employer for help providing evidence if you are moving to the US because of a job offer. Look at an EB-5 investor visa if you can afford it. Demonstrate that you are going to invest more than $900,000 into a new American business. Prove that you are going to create at least 10 jobs for American citizens.

Get Your Documentation Ready

Prepare any necessary paperwork to obtain your visa. Check that your passport is valid. Avoid losing time because you have neglected to include a key piece of information. Talk to your doctor about medical certificates. Ask your accountant for documentation of your financial history.

Look At Property Now

Research the property market for the area where you will live. Look at recent property trends. Consider that there is currently a state of inflation in the US which may change. Find a property agent that has the local knowledge to get the best advice. Ask yourself whether you need to buy a home immediately or if you can rent for a while. Save time and money by offering remote work instead of leasing office space if you are launching a company.

Be Patient

Avoid traveling to the United States while you are waiting for your visa to be approved. Give yourself plenty of time in case your application is delayed. Establish contact with any potential business partners and suppliers remotely to avoid losing time when you arrive. Find out what other documentation you will need in the United States, such as a Social Security card and a driver’s license.

We guess you’ve probably stumbled upon LEI or the relevant terminology. It’s quite common to not know about certain terms irrespective of any age. So, you are looking to get a grasp of some brief info about LEI, right? Well, to say that you are on the right page would be an understatement. Because you’ll find all the brief details about LEI here – such as what is an LEI code, how is it structured, where is it used, how can you access it, etc. 

Getting yourself educated about LEI with the help of Google and the simple terminology is a piece of cake these days. Just as described in this article. Have a look!

What is an LEI Code?

An LEI code stands for LEGAL ENTITY IDENTIFIER. The term can be segregated into two, namely – Legal entity and Identifier or Identification code. 

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a prominent identifier for legal entities that participate in financial transactions globally. LEI is also sometimes known as an LEI code or LEI number. This identifier code is a formatted 20-character alpha-numeric code regulated by the ISO 17442 standard structured by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The Legal Entities are the organizations or firms that take part in the financial transactions. All financial firms, companies, and organizations must have an LEI code. 

A person may not be able to avail of an LEI. He/She has no access to it in particular.

In brief; 

● LEI code – stands for Legal entity identifier code.

● A unique identification code for legal entities trading in financial markets (for instance – stocks, bonds, futures, forex). 

● Every deal carried out in the markets will adhere to the other counterpart with an LEI.

● Used for regulators to supervise financial markets.

● LEI interlinks financial markets, organizations, and regulators.

● The issuance of a Legal Entity Identifier code is conducted under GLEIF-accredited Local Operating Units (LOUs). 

● GLEIF – stands for Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation. 

● Works on the principle of NO LEI, NO TRADE.

What is the Structure of an LEI Code?

A legal entity identifier code or an LEI code is assimilated by ISO certificate 17442 consisting of a combination of 20 numbers and letters.

Numbers 1-4 will show the ID of the LOU which issued the LEI.

Numbers 5-6 will have a value of 0.

Numbers/Letters 7-18 are unique for an entity. 

Numbers 19-20 mark the verification purposes.

Who Issues LEI Code?

GLEIF is the organization that governs the issuance of LEIs, but its issuance is accounted for by private or public firms called LOUs or Local Operating Units.

We had promised to not lengthen the subject and there it is; it reached its end. All information provided will be adequate for you to get started with allocating LEI services or availing LEI services for your respective entity. 

Good luck!