Small business consulting may be an untapped resource for you if you are currently looking for work or have been recently laid off. Many small businesses need help but don’t have the cash flow to bring on a part-time or full-time employee. Many are willing to have you take on project work while you continue your job search.
Small business owners are usually looking for help in several areas including sales, finance, marketing, and technology (IT). But don’t underestimate an expertise you may be able to offer a small business even if it does not fit into these areas. A small business may need the technical expertise you bring in a different area.
In addition to project work, a small business may need someone to work on a commission only basis. This would apply to a sales area, but might also apply in other areas. For example, a restaurant owner needed to increase their catering business but had no one on staff who could focus on that area. They found a caterer, who had just moved to the area, and they were able to hire her to begin to build their catering side of the business on a commission only basis. She had the expertise and skills to build the foundation of a catering company and fill the owner’s prior gap.
As a small business grows, they need help with the technical part of their business so they can continue to market, sell, and bring in more business. Smart small business owners know that there is good talent in the market now because of recent layoffs. This present market gives them the opportunity to utilize that talent on an as needed basis or to replace an underperformer with a stronger candidate. This can mean temporary work for you while you are looking for that next position or even a permanent full-time position.
So you are probably wondering, “Where do I find small business owners?” Here are several ideas that my friend Melinda used:
Small Business Search #1 – Search the city you live in for applicable companies. Melinda checked the website of her local Chamber of Commerce for a listing of businesses in her immediate city. She also checked the Chamber member listing for surrounding areas. She found that the members were organized by industry so she focused her attention on those companies in her industry expertise. She started by sending out information detailing her expertise and made a note to follow-up the next week. She included in her letter that she was looking for temporary or contract work while she was in her job search. Many companies found the fact that she was just looking for temporary work a plus. They didn’t feel obligated to hire her full-time.
What a great way to let a small business see what you can do and how you work! They may find you a perfect fit for their organization and then consider you for a future opening or, better yet, they may create a job for you!
Small Business Search #2 – Use all of your networking resources. Melinda had notified her network that she was in a job search but forwarded additional information that she was looking for temporary work while in her search. She was connected via LinkedIn and Plaxo and had connected with previous employers and other industry contacts. She forwarded information to them about their potential need for project or temporary work and asked if they knew of anyone else who might need help.
Small Business Search #3 – Go where small business owners meet. Melinda had been a member of two professional organizations and she was attending their monthly luncheon, networking with her contacts there. She began looking for professional organizations in other areas that might need similar services to what she could offer. Her particular expertise is engineering, however, she began to visit the “design” and “architectural” associations for increased exposure and networking. In addition to attending professional association meetings, Melinda wanted to tap into the small business networking organizations in her city. Not only did they contain small business owners, but these members also supplied services to small business owners. She checked the organization’s website to find out what groups met in her city and attended them as a visitor. She was able to speak briefly about what she does and what services she could offer. This helped her get the word out to small businesses that she was available for temporary and contract work.
Small Business Search #4 – Barter with a small business. Although Melinda knew bartering would not bring in ready cash, she needed to take care of several home improvement projects that could not wait. She wanted to hold on to her available cash, so she approached a small business about bartering services. This became a win-win for Melinda. She offered and they were able to work out a bartering arrangement. When bartering, be sure you negotiate “dollar-for-dollar” services and work out the details up front. While no money will exchange, Melinda will have to claim the entire amount of her work as income even though she may not collect the entire amount in bartered services. So be sure you have negotiated the full amount of the services you will bring to match the amount of the services the small business will bring.
Keep thinking outside the box on where and how you can find work while looking for your next job. We’ve talked about taking another job to stop the financial hemorrhaging you might be experiencing while you look, but don’t discount the potential of small businesses and the resources they may hold for you! They can help you to bring in money while you further prepare and plan for the career you want!
