I started this article with respect to identifying how one can pursue self-employment in a seemingly crowded niche, but this really is applicable to anyone. If you are looking for work and competing for a position, the tips in this post should help you with your job search. How are you different than those you are competing with? If you can't answer this question, how will you differentiate yourself from your competition?

Recently, I had the priviledge of talking to a guy about self-employment. I LOVE talking about work that fits. In this case, this guy is a military veteran who, after serving our country, joined a  line of work that seems to be what he needed to do, but conflicts with his inner drive.

Mike (fictitious name for protection) is working in law enforcement. However, his passion is fitness. He thinks he'd like to take advantage of his GI Bill benefits and pursue his degree in a discipline related to exercise science. At first glance, one might think that will be a tough field because of the competition. There are fitness trainers galore out there. You can walk into a gym and find half a dozen personal trainers. One guy told me he has watched how it took his brother 15 years to make a decent living as a personal trainer, but is that really necessary?

You're happily (sort of) working along when you get the news that your job is going to end in two weeks. What now? The man who receives this notice is actually thrilled (mostly) with this idea. The job has gotten to the point where it is sucking the life out of him. His passion is to start his own business, and this change will allow him to focus more time on that. Yes, finances may be tough for a bit, but the long-term goal is so close now!

His wife, not so much. She knew his job was going to end soon, but not this soon. Her husband brings in most of the family's income, so she is nervous. How does this get resolved?

If the wife isn't confident or supportive of her  husband's dreams, she's going to be pushing him to find another job. If she feels this way, then he apparently has not successfully communicated his dreams and plans as to how he will proceed. We can't leave those who depend on us in the dark. Their support should be a component in our plan for success.