Dear Jobs Guru: ‘I don’t really feel courageous sufficient to begin my very own plumbing enterprise’

Reader Bob is a plumber with a conundrum – he wants to go it alone at work, but he’s scared to miss out on a regular wage. Our Jobs Guru James Innes is here with some advice

View 3 Images

Question:

Dear James,

I’m a plumber working for a big company. But I’m wondering if it’s time to set up my own business and work for myself. I know it would give me the chance to earn more money, but I’m concerned about the risks.

I know everything could go wrong so easily! And while I’m confident about my skill as a tradesman, I’m worried I might struggle with the paperwork and the running of a business.

What are the pros and cons of setting up on your own – and what is the biggest risk for someone starting out?

Bob, Chelmsford

Answer:

So Bob, you want to free yourself from the obvious constraints of working for someone else and to be your own boss instead.

There are clearly lots of advantages to staying put and continuing where you are – not least the financial security that comes with it. The other side of the coin, of course, is that no job is ever 100% secure.

Maybe there is the possibility with your current employer of promotion to a supervisory position? You might want to explore that option first. Come clean with your boss and tell them you’re thinking of going it alone, but you would first appreciate discussing what your options might be to remain with them.

You’ve hit the nail on the head that the main advantage of working for yourself is the potential to earn more. The main disadvantage is the risk, of course, including the possibility that you might actually earn less…

You ask me what the biggest risk is and I would say that it’s definitely that possibility that you end up struggling to find enough work to make ends meet. The competition is fierce.

I personally wouldn’t let any worries about paperwork put you off, though. I’m sure you’ll take that in your stride. There’s certainly plenty of help available for free.

In fact, don’t let anything put you off! The advantages are obvious – the flexibility, the variety and, hopefully, the potential to earn quite a bit more. Just remember that this is evidently a major life decision and you must be very careful in weighing up the pros and cons.

Top Tip:

One of the biggest changes with going freelance is losing your security of income. Make sure that you – and your family if you have one – are ready to adapt to having an ever-changing monthly wage. It can be challenging…

Spotlight On: Freelancing

Thinking of freelancing? It’s not an option in many lines of work, of course – but if it’s an option for you then it’ll definitely be something which has crossed your mind from time to time. So what is holding you back?

I find that far too many people see freelancing in ‘all or nothing’ terms, thinking that the only way to go is to bite the bullet, quit the day job and then hope and pray that things work out. But there’s really no need for it to be like that.

I strongly recommend a little ‘toe-dipping’. Keep your day job but simultaneously start to build up a little client base and undertake some work for them, even if it means using up some of your holiday allowance. Go for it!

Get a head start in your job hunt with James’ new book, The Job You’ve Always Wanted – out now from Pearson at £16.99.

Our Jobs Guru, James Innes, is a best-selling careers author and founder of the world’s leading group of professional CV and resume writers .