New industries are emerging while others are fading into obscurity, given factors such as remote work and artificial intelligence (AI). The prospect of small business ownership is appealing, and many individuals continue considering this entrepreneurial path. Transitioning into small business ownership can be an overwhelming prospect, but the secret to a successful shift often lies in leveraging your existing soft skills. Here’s how to harness these skills for a smooth transition into the world of small business ownership.
Conduct a strengths assessment
You may not have entrepreneurial experience when deciding to become a small business owner. Start by taking a strengths assessment, which evaluates the skills you excel at, even if you take them for granted.
The online VIA Character Strengths survey analyzes 24 different character strengths using well-established methods and can be a valuable resource. The VIA assessment may highlight conventional skills like social intelligence, teamwork, leadership, and creativity. However, it might also reveal less apparent strengths like a love of learning, patience, and hope. Sometimes, our most valuable soft skills are hiding in plain sight.
If online quizzes aren’t your style, seek feedback from former and current colleagues, friends, or family members. Reflect on your daily work routines to pinpoint the soft skills you consistently employ.
Elevate your soft skills
Once you’ve identified your hidden strengths, it’s time to take them to the next level. If social intelligence is one of your standout abilities, consider investing more in its development. You could offer to mentor colleagues at your current workplace or seek additional learning opportunities through local workshops or books. You can use your social intelligence to acquire related skills for successful small business ownership.
Showcase your skills
After defining and refining your soft skills, the final step is ensuring that others recognize your expertise. The most prominent platforms for displaying your soft skills are your resume and interviews. When updating your resume, highlight your soft skills using quantifiable examples. For instance, illustrate how your creativity resulted in significant achievements, such as boosting sales or enhancing customer engagement. Be prepared with additional examples for common interview questions that emphasize your soft skills.
Becoming a small business owner is an exciting endeavor, but it comes with its unique challenges. By showcasing your soft skills, you not only signal your readiness for small business ownership but also demonstrate the thought and effort you’ve invested in preparing for this entrepreneurial journey. Your soft skills can be the secret ingredient that sets you apart to help you successfully transition into the world of small business ownership.
