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Tradesman Insurance: Career Change: Ten Steps to Becoming a Tradesman
 

If you're thinking of taking the brave move of changing career, opting instead for the world of the tradesman then you're probably wondering how to go about making that transition between the old you and the new you actually happen. Your mind's probably racing with excited thoughts, fears and ideas. You may be raring to go. But where to start and what to do can at times feel a little daunting. No major life change is seamless but we've put together 10 questions you'll need to consider before setting off on your new adventure.

  • What skills, training and qualifications do you already have? Can any of these be transferred to your new trade?
  • What additional skills, training and qualifications do you need? How are you going to go about getting them? Will you need to enrol on a course? Can you gain experience elsewhere?
  • Are you planning to focus on a specific area within your chosen trade? If so, what additional knowledge and resources will you need to give you the edge?
  • Which tools, equipment and resources will be essential to your new line of work? What do you already have? What do you need to buy? Can anything be borrowed or hired?
  • How much money will you need to get yourself up and running and stay on track? Where will you find the finances? What's your budget? Can you realistically afford to make the change?
  • Who do you already know who can help you achieve your goals? Do any of your friends, family or colleagues have experience in your trade which they can share with you or do they have any general business expertise you can learn from? Do any of these people need the services you intend to offer? If so, perhaps they could become your initial customer base.
  • Is this the right time for you to be changing your career? Think about your personal circumstances, your financial situation and the general economic climate.
  • Is your personality suited to the type of work and working environment you're planning on going into? Are you leaving behind a world of colleagues to go it alone and how will you cope with the lack of people contact? Do you have the drive and determination to see it through?
  • What are your fitness levels like? Skilled and manual labour can be physically demanding. Do you have any health issues that may affect your productivity and efficiency?
  • Have you put together a detailed business plan to guide you through your thought processes and identify the strengths and weaknesses of all aspects of your tradesman business? Whatever stage of planning you're at, take a look at some tips on how to write a business plan.

By giving some thought to these questions before you make any career change decisions, you'll hopefully be able to work out the pros and cons of overhauling your career and discover any potential obstacles and pitfalls that may lie in your way. It's an exciting time to become a tradesman. We hope you'll enjoy your new life. Good luck on your journey ahead.

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