•Taking part in a community project where you can teach your skills to those who
are not as privileged. This way you will also benefit as you will gain valuable trainer
experience. Additionally, you will improve in your abilities to problem solve and also
enhance your communisation skills.

• Going abroad to complete a language course which also offers you the chance to
immerse yourself in a whole new culture.

• Doing some seasonal work, temping or paid work abroad. Aside of showing you are
flexible, your job interview skills will also improve and you will have new elements to
add onto your CV template once you have finished.

• Volunteering to work in an orphanage and develop your ability to deal with
challenges face-to-face.

When you have reached a decision about the type of career break that will suit your future
career, you can take time to consider how you could spend your free time. If you opt
for a career break which will further explore your interests and hobbies, aside of being
interesting, you will also enhance your professional development:

•If you thrive in learning about new cultures, then perhaps take a tour in a country
and go away from the beaten track which allows you to discover and learn what a
country really has to offer.

Firstly, Let’s Look at the Negatives:
1. Working for yourself means that if you don’t work you don’t get paid, so sickies will be over forever
2. Organisation of your own tax can be a bit of a headache if you struggle with financial things.
3. Many new businesses fail within the first year so hard work and effort is required.
4. Staff management is the final negative. Managing staff is not difficult but you have to remember even the best decisions you make will not suit everyone, so being thick skinned is a must.

Secondly, the Positives:
1. The first and most obvious positive to being self employed is that you are your own boss so in a nut shell you make all the decisions yourself.
2. You can work at something you enjoy and take breaks when they suit you.
3. Money is a key positive as we have all heard the saying that you won’t get rich if you work for someone else.
Being self employed is never easy but along as you set realistic goals and do something you enjoy, working for yourself really will be the best decision you will ever make.

1. Spot a Niche: Concentrate on a small market niche and stick to what you know best and aim to become an expert in this field.

2. You may only be small – but remember to think big: Although many small businesses will begin questioning whether they can compete against the big boys, it is clear they have many advantages. For instance; they are able to respond quicker, provide a personalised approach/ service and be more flexible. Make sure you exploit these areas.

3. Reputation: It is crucial that you build a first class reputation for the services and products which you supply. There are 2 factors which guarantee success: excellent service and an exceptional quality of goods.

4. Continual Improvement: You will be left behind if you do not keep on top of improving and furthering your services. You must think of new ideas and solutions constantly.

5. Be Different: Copycatting products will not work, you need present the advantages of your unique products and how they will benefit and impact your client.

6. First Impressions are Vital: Quality and accuracy from the onset are essential as you are not given a second opportunity to make that all important first impression.

7. Pay Attention to your Customers: By focusing on your customers, you will find you are recommended to others and your customers remain loyal to you. At the end of the day recommendations are the cheapest form of marketing.

8. Plan to Succeed: Planning helps you to succeed and work out your business concepts, predict future sales, estimate costs and take a control of risks. Planning shows you where you are heading and how you will get there.