Six Essential Tips for a New Career in Business

If you’re thinking about making a change to a new career in business, there are many things you should consider before taking that step. Almost anyone can succeed in a career in business if they have the right skill set, a good attitude, plenty of ambition, and a generous sprinkling of luck! Here are six practical tips to help you start a new career in business:

1. Learn the Basics

Practically anybody can get a job in business or even start their own business, and plenty of people with no expertise or experience have done exactly that. However, the best way to ensure that you’re preparing for success is to learn a few business basics before you take the plunge.

At the very least, you’ll want to teach yourself:

• Business jargon and terminology
• How to write (or understand) a business plan
• Marketing basics
• How to budget
• A few sales techniques

Get these basic skills under your belt, and you’ll be well on your way to a career in business.

2. Get Qualified

Depending on your specific goals (i.e., whether you want to start a business, join an existing business, go for entry-level roles, or apply for more senior positions), you may also want to consider getting an MBA.

An MBA is a great option if you’re looking to solidify your learning outcomes and boost your resume with an impressive qualification. There are plenty of options available. Carroll University offers great programs, including an MBA for veterans.

3. Hone Your Communication Skills

No matter what area of business you want to work in—marketing, sales, finance, human resources, PR, consulting—communication is key. If you can communicate effectively, you’ll be able to work well with other teams, with potential clients or customers, with your boss or the people you manage, and with pretty much anybody else.

Effective communication in the workplace is made up of two types of communication: written and verbal. Written communication involves anything with the written word, whether that’s an email, a flyer, a slideshow presentation, a report, a whitepaper, or a contract. Verbal communication is how you speak to people in person or over the phone.

If you can’t communicate your ideas clearly to those around you, you will not be successful in business, so learn to be direct and open with your peers.

4. Network, Network, Network!

Once you’ve perfected the art of clear communication, you can put the skill to good use by learning how to network. Networking is a crucial part of business success, as you never know when you’ll find a new client, a new star employee, or a new role.

Attend regular networking events, either in person or online, and always follow up on any leads. You can also use social media sites like LinkedIn to network with people further afield.

Even if you think you have a solid network of like-minded professionals and potential clients, your network can always be expanded. Put regular time into networking to make sure you’re staying in touch with contacts and forging new relationships.

5. Find a Mentor

If you’re new to the world of business or are looking to advance your business career, it’s a good idea to find a mentor to help you along your way. This might be somebody you’ve met at a networking event who has had a career that you’d like to emulate. Alternatively, it could be someone you’ve approached online; there are many virtual mentorship schemes available to facilitate finding a mentor.

Once you’ve found somebody to mentor you, make sure you’re on the same page. Set clear expectations of how often you want to catch up and what you specifically want help with.

6. Develop New Skills

The world of business is changing constantly, and technology is rapidly evolving. Try to stay abreast of these developments to make sure you’re up to date with business trends, stock market news, and advancements in tech.

It’s easy to get left behind in the world of business, so make sure your skills are polished and relevant. Read business news sites to see if advancements in tech are likely to affect your job or your business. Take online classes to refine your existing skills or learn new ones, such as new accounting software or how to code.

People who have successful business careers put their hearts and souls into their work. If you follow these tips, you can emulate that success and have a career you can be proud of.