g materials to editing papers, documents and manuscripts.
6. Teaching the technophobes - offering personalized one-on-one computer tutoring to clients in their own homes.
7. Party and special occasion planning - many professionals and businesses need to organize events but sometimes lack the time or the imagination to make it successful.
8. Facilitating workshops - people are seeking education in topics such as health, relationships, time management, and professional development, just to name a few.

What kind of peopl

According to economist Charles Handy, less than 55% of all employees work full-time for one employer. Yet how many job seekers have the image seared into their brains of doing one job, for one employer, for the rest of their lives? By keeping such an unrealistic picture of what today's employment world looks like, many job seekers miss out on opportunities. You can have a very successful and rewarding career without being somebody's permanent employee. Have you ever considered taking what you know into the marketplace and selling it to individuals and organizations that need it?

Research indicates that to feel happy, fulfilled and healthy, we need to feel a sense of control over our work life. Marketing what you know to people who can utilize your knowledge may give you that sense of control. Some of you will be asking yourself "What do I have to sell that people would pay me for?" The answer is simple. Everything you know! There is a book called the Directory of Consultants. It went from one medium-sized book to a three-volume set. The majority of people listed in the books came from backgrounds where their former employers outsourced their functions. Some of the people now selling their skills, expertise and knowledge simply got tired of being paid a fraction of what their employer was charging clients for their services. They decided to eliminate the middleman and work directly for the clients on a free-lance basis. Here are some areas of expertise that have been converted into consulting or contracted out services:

1. The ability to organize others - helping scattered people organize their work and personal environment.
2. Being a good presenter or coach -guiding those who are afraid of speaking in public to mastering presentations or speeches.
3. Knowing people who are excellent in their fields - becoming a professional services broker and connecting people with other professionals.
4. A public relations specialist - creating connections and getting exposure for artists and professional clients who can't afford a full-time representative.
5. The ability to write well - this can range from creating articles or marketing materials to editing papers, documents and manuscripts.
6. Teaching the technophobes - offering personalized one-on-one computer tutoring to clients in their own homes.
7. Party and special occasion planning - many professionals and businesses need to organize events but sometimes lack the time or the imagination to make it successful.
8. Facilitating workshops - people are seeking education in topics such as health, relationships, time management, and professional development, just to name a few.

What kind of people

duals and organizations that need it?

Research indicates that to feel happy, fulfilled and healthy, we need to feel a sense of control over our work life. Marketing what you know to people who can utilize your knowledge may give you that sense of control. Some of you will be asking yourself "What do I have to sell that people would pay me for?" The answer is simple. Everything you know! There is a book called the Directory of Consultants. It went from one medium-sized book to a three-volume set. The majority of people listed in the books came from backgrounds where their former employers outsourced their functions. Some of the people now selling their skills, expertise and knowledge simply got tired of being paid a fraction of what their employer was charging clients for their services. They decided to eliminate the middleman and work directly for the clients on a free-lance basis. Here are some areas of expertise that have been converted into consulting or contracted out services:

1. The ability to organize others - helping scattered people organize their work and personal environment.
2. Being a good presenter or coach -guiding those who are afraid of speaking in public to mastering presentations or speeches.
3. Knowing people who are excellent in their fields - becoming a professional services broker and connecting people with other professionals.
4. A public relations specialist - creating connections and getting exposure for artists and professional clients who can't afford a full-time representative.
5. The ability to write well - this can range from creating articles or marketing materials to editing papers, documents and manuscripts.
6. Teaching the technophobes - offering personalized one-on-one computer tutoring to clients in their own homes.
7. Party and special occasion planning - many professionals and businesses need to organize events but sometimes lack the time or the imagination to make it successful.
8. Facilitating workshops - people are seeking education in topics such as health, relationships, time management, and professional development, just to name a few.

What kind of peopl

s came from backgrounds where their former employers outsourced their functions. Some of the people now selling their skills, expertise and knowledge simply got tired of being paid a fraction of what their employer was charging clients for their services. They decided to eliminate the middleman and work directly for the clients on a free-lance basis. Here are some areas of expertise that have been converted into consulting or contracted out services:

1. The ability to organize others - helping scattered people organize their work and personal environment.
2. Being a good presenter or coach -guiding those who are afraid of speaking in public to mastering presentations or speeches.
3. Knowing people who are excellent in their fields - becoming a professional services broker and connecting people with other professionals.
4. A public relations specialist - creating connections and getting exposure for artists and professional clients who can't afford a full-time representative.
5. The ability to write well - this can range from creating articles or marketing materials to editing papers, documents and manuscripts.
6. Teaching the technophobes - offering personalized one-on-one computer tutoring to clients in their own homes.
7. Party and special occasion planning - many professionals and businesses need to organize events but sometimes lack the time or the imagination to make it successful.
8. Facilitating workshops - people are seeking education in topics such as health, relationships, time management, and professional development, just to name a few.

What kind of peopl

rsonal environment.
2. Being a good presenter or coach -guiding those who are afraid of speaking in public to mastering presentations or speeches.
3. Knowing people who are excellent in their fields - becoming a professional services broker and connecting people with other professionals.
4. A public relations specialist - creating connections and getting exposure for artists and professional clients who can't afford a full-time representative.
5. The ability to write well - this can range from creating articles or marketing materials to editing papers, documents and manuscripts.
6. Teaching the technophobes - offering personalized one-on-one computer tutoring to clients in their own homes.
7. Party and special occasion planning - many professionals and businesses need to organize events but sometimes lack the time or the imagination to make it successful.
8. Facilitating workshops - people are seeking education in topics such as health, relationships, time management, and professional development, just to name a few.

What kind of peopl

g materials to editing papers, documents and manuscripts.
6. Teaching the technophobes - offering personalized one-on-one computer tutoring to clients in their own homes.
7. Party and special occasion planning - many professionals and businesses need to organize events but sometimes lack the time or the imagination to make it successful.
8. Facilitating workshops - people are seeking education in topics such as health, relationships, time management, and professional development, just to name a few.

What kind of people would be looking for your services? The customers range from mega-corporations to busy individuals. Keep in mind that just because a company or organization downsizes, it doesn't mean the need for what you did goes away too.

For some, the idea of going out on your own can be very scary but it can also be very rewarding. For example, a benefit of becoming your own contracting or consulting service is that it will be you that decides when you will retire. This is especially appealing to those 45 or older.

In the book "Finding Your Perfect Work" by Sarah & Paul Edwards, they list about 1600 possible occupations that could be done on a self-employed basis. You will be very surprised at the myriad of ways people took what they knew and loved doing and turned them into rewarding and wise career moves.