Sohrab Vazir
Consultant | Founder | Global Citizen | Writer
Category Archives: Career Advice
The unemployable entrepreneur: why founders become unemployable?
The tail of the unemployable entrepreneur is less often discussed. Many business owners believe that they have the option of employment if their business fails or they simply decide to shift their careers. If you are considering starting a business or are already an entrepreneur, you should be aware that you may be or become an unemployable entrepreneur. There are multiple reasons behind why entrepreneurs become unemployable and I will highlight some of them in this article. Many entrepreneurs believe that starting and growing a business equips them with skills that will assist them in employment, should they choose to pursue it at a later stage. And this is true in principle, however, the reality is that as an entrepreneur you are likely to become unemployable. Let’s look at some of the reasons why. Your skills are not the only factor As an entrepreneur, you will develop a multi-dimensional set of skills. These may help you excel in employment. However, employers often consider other factors and do not exclusively focus on your abilities alone. Long-term commitment Being a former or current entrepreneur undermines the prospects of your long-term commitment to a company. Many employers will assume that you are seeking a role for the short-term and will not commit to the company on a long-term basis. This translates to further costs incurred to the employer to re-hire and replace you as an employee. Obedience Yes, I used the word “obedience”. And please do not get me wrong: there are many employers who are great and do not expect “obedient” people in the strict definition of the term. However, being an entrepreneur undermines your ability to take orders and not be the “one in charge”. In an employer’s view, this raises the possibility of workplace conflict and ultimately having to let you go. The latter also comes with financial and legal liabilities for the employer. Conflict of interest And lastly, an employer may believe that you are seeking to work for them for the sole purpose of accessing their trade secrets, client base and internal protocols to start a competing business at a later stage. I do not need to explain this any further as there is no single company that would willingly assist a potential future competitor. If you are considering entrepreneurship, you must understand and accept the reality that you may become an unemployable entrepreneur if you consider a career shift in the future. Therefore, you must balance all probabilities and accept that this path may be permanent. I have also made a YouTube video on this topic with reference to my own example, make sure to check it out. If you need help with either entrepreneurship or employment. Feel free to reach out to me to discover how I can help. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international graduate, I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business. Now I help aspiring business owners and job seekers fulfil their potential.
Remote jobs: 3 things to know
Remote jobs are the ultimate dream for many. And that means that they are harder to find and secure. I will share 3 things you must know about remote jobs to help you get on track. Remote jobs have become very popular in the post-COVID world. The perks speak for themselves: more autonomy, no time/money spent on transportation and sometimes the ability to travel the world while working. However, they are far harder to come by now that it’s been over four years since the global lockdowns. Let me share 3 key things that you must know about remote working. 1. Being a specialist in your field is helpful, and somewhat necessary The key principle with specialism is that you have more bargaining power and advantage, including the ability to work remotely. More specialisation in your field correlates with less competition, meaning that there are fewer people to fill that role. For instance, a software engineer is more specialised than a marketing manager. As long as it’s practically possible to perform your role remotely, more specialisation increases your chances of landing remote jobs. 2. Remote jobs are harder to come by now As I stated in the beginning, remote jobs are popular and desired by many. Thus, they are more competitive. Additionally, let me tell you something that you may already know: many employers are not so keen on remote workers. They’d much prefer to be able to observe you and your work. 3. You need to offer something that other candidates don’t Building on the previous points, remote jobs (and life in general) are about competition. If you are simply on par with a wide pool of other candidates, your chances of landing a remote job are minimal. Therefore, ask yourself: what can you offer an employer that other candidates do not? These tips should give you a head-start for searching (and hopefully securing) remote jobs. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business. Now I help aspiring business owners and job seekers fulfil their potential.
3 Red Flags in Job Applications
Job applications these days are not for the faint-hearted. An oversupply of job applicants, shady recruitment practices and hostile immigration policies in the case of immigrant jobseekers are some examples of the challenges that applicants have to navigate. There are certain red flags that you should never ignore in job applications. Job searching can be tricky, overwhelming and exhausting. The current job market dynamics, at least in the UK, are also not in the jobseeker’s favour. Securing a role can be difficult, and it takes time, and effort as well as facing rejections. However, there are certain times that a job applicant should not ignore certain red flags and potentially consider an alternative employer. It’s important to understand that your career and time are integral to how your life turns out in the future. Additionally, you must also be aware of your rights as a job seeker and potential employee. I have had the painful experience of the job market myself. Moreover, I hired a team of four for my startup, StudyFlats, back in 2019. To put it simply: I have reviewed thousands of CVs, as well as job postings. During my days of browsing job applications, I was less experienced and therefore was not aware of these red flags. In this article, I’ll highlight 3 which are relatively common but sadly many applicants tend to ignore these which only indicates further problems down the line. 1. Asking for free work through assessments/tasks I truly detest this practice of getting free work out of job applicants. Yes, there may be certain careers where practical tasks are essential to candidate selection. However, in many roles such as digital marketing jobs, these are not only unnecessary but a potential misuse by employers. Let’s consider this example: you apply for a copywriting job. The job asks you to write an article for them on a selected topic. The employer then rejects you after this task. However, now they have a free sample of work from you that they can use themselves for their gain. Instead, this employer could have looked at your previous work/writing portfolio, as well as qualifications. Some suggest that you put a copyright notice on the work. Maybe, but what sort of impression and atmosphere does this create? In the case of other roles, it could be your ideas that the employer is after. Thus, in reality, there is no way for you to legally protect your work. These are realities that you will only realise once you navigate the professional world for years. 2. Unclear selection process This is another red flag to look out for in job applications. Having a clear candidate selection process, and clarifying this to job applicants early on is a good sign. On the other hand, if the selection process is vague, or changes on short notice, be wary. 3. Negative employer reviews Check out sites such as Glassdoor or Indeed to look for reviews by former job applicants or employees of the company that you are applying to. Of course, take negative reviews with a pinch of salt, especially if there are not too many. However, a large number of negative reviews, especially if they highlight a specific problem is a red flag. These are 3 common red flags in job applications to be aware of when searching for roles. If you need help with your job search, check out my services for job seekers, students and graduates. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four internally.
5 reasons why you are getting job rejections
Do you keep getting job rejections? You’re not alone. It’s a tough market out there & sometimes it simply isn’t your fault. However, it could also be you and something that you need to fix or improve. In this post, I will highlight 5 common reasons why people get job rejections. I remember the painful feeling of getting rejected after job interviews. It was even worse when I assumed that the interview had gone extremely well and the “professional chemistry” was there. However, rejection is a normal part of life, whether it’s job interviews, entrepreneurship, close relationships and so on. In fact, rejection can, to some extent, be used as constructive feedback and a tool for improvement. Hence, it’s important to be modest and have an open mind about how you’re performing in job interviews. Personally, I have applied to a lot of jobs in my early days when I just graduated. Plus, when I did grow a team for my startup, StudyFlats, I went through 1000s of CVs. Therefore, I can hopefully offer a double-sided perspective on the issue of job rejection. Here are 5 common reasons why you keep getting job rejections. The job did not exist Yes, sometimes there are fake jobs being advertised. The motives behind these could vary, and include (but are not limited to): You were simply not good enough Harsh truth, but it must be said. Sometimes, you are simply not good enough for something at a certain time of your life. And that’s okay! Take it as a sign that it was not meant to be and there are better options laid down for you down the road. So long as you make an active effort to improve yourself at all times. You were “too” good for the job The opposite of the previous scenario can be applicable too. And I am sure that most readers have heard the term “overqualified”. Believe me, it’s a real issue (speaking from personal experience). This is a truth that many do not speak about: employers do not always prioritise “competency” in candidate selection. There are other factors that an employer considers when hiring a new candidate, such as: Being overly skilled for a role goes directly against the spirit of the two points mentioned above. You have poor communication skills You may have the skills and qualifications for the job. However, job applications are inherently centred around rapport and personal impressions. Therefore, having poor communication skills is a high-risk factor for job rejection. Poor CV and/or cover letter And lastly, a poorly written or formatted CV/cover letter can be detrimental to a job application. Your CV and cover letter are the first impressions that you give to a potential employer. Therefore, any negative attributes may result in a job rejection. These are some common reasons why you may be getting job rejections. If you need help with your CV or cover letter, check out my services for job seekers. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. As a solo founder, I grew my business to 30+ UK cities, with a global client base across 100+ countries. Following the Pandemic killing my precious work/business, I now work as business and vocational consultant.
8 skills that will help you succeed in business and employment
The business and employment skills landscape is constantly evolving. Therefore, it’s crucial to keep on top of your game and ensure you develop the right skills to succeed in business or employment, regardless of being an entrepreneur or employee. You have probably wondered what skills makes people successful in business and employment. And there is never a straight forward answer as it is a combination of multiple factors. However, it is indisputable that you need to have the right skills to succeed in either business or employment. In this article, I will highlight 8 skills that will contribute to your self-development and ultimately succeeding in business and employment. Articulation & communication Almost every aspect of business and employment boils down to communication and the “people” factor. Whether it’s sales, leading a team or a job interview, communication is a core element. Success in business and employment is highly dependent on fostering mutually beneficial relationships. Therefore, it’s a skill that you must actively develop. Now you notice that I used the verb “articulation” here, and it’s because you may be a good communicator, yet lack articulation. Being articulate is an evolving progression that will come with time, and it encompasses both verbal and written communication. Moreover, being articulate is subjective. For instance, the use of the correct words is fundamentally important to being articulate. Your choice of words will significantly differ if you are presenting at a sustainability conference, in contrast to presenting to a team of junior salesmen. Articulation boils down to identifying the correct language for your audience and applying it with confidence. Cultural awareness We live in a globalised world, whether you like it or not. Being culturally aware not only opens doors to new opportunities, but it is also important in being a good communicator (refer to the first point above). If you live in a multi-cultural society, which applies to most developed countries, cross-cultural awareness is a vital skill to master in both business and employment. Critical thinking Success in business and employment is, in many instances, reliant on problem-solving. Unfortunately, one shortcoming of educational systems is not enabling pupils to develop this skill, and encouraging a one-dimensional perspective. Critical thinking skills enable you to see the bigger picture, identify problems and solutions and subsequently influence others, whether in business or employment. Confidence Ever heard of the phrase “nice guys finish last”? Well let me elaborate: niceness is not bad in itself. However, in many scenarios, niceness derives from a lack of confidence. Sadly, I had to learn this one the hard way, as I was a “nice” person before and it only allowed others to cross my (non-existent) boundaries and take advantage of my “niceness”. Again, I am not telling you to be a jerk. However, it is important to understand your strengths and weaknesses as an individual and build relationships based on mutual value. Remember: today’s world is extremely competitive and there are many not-so-nice people out there. By mastering confidence as a skill, you will set better boundaries and form better relationships. Financial literacy Financial literacy is a skill that is mostly relevant to business and entrepreneurship in a professional context. And it really does not need to be explained in detail as any venture’s success will ultimately depend on its financial health. However, this does not mean that it is not applicable to your personal life. Being financially literate will enable you to avoid stress, create more opportunities and achieve better health. Legal competency Okay, now I am not asking you to do a law degree or read every single legislation that exists. However, both business and employment operate within legal frameworks, and it’s a skill that will get you far. The key principle here is awareness of the existing legislations, your rights, obligations and applying critical thinking to them (see above) Sales I have run two businesses over the last seven years. One lesson that I have learned is that “cash is king”. The purpose, or one of the primary purposes, of business and employment is making money. Nevertheless, allow me to be clear that “sales” skills is not just limited to selling products/services. I am also referring to sales in an interpersonal context. I’ll break it down by asking and answering these two simple questions: How do you make money? By selling How do you land your dream job? By selling yourself and your competencies Writing Writing skills are, in most cases, crucial for succeeding in business and employment. Writing competencies are vital in becoming a better communicator, and communicating your thoughts, values and skills. Whether it’s writing your resume, cover letter, a blog article on your website or an email to a client, writing skills will help you a lot. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats which I scaled to over 30 UK cities. I currently help other entrepreneurs and businesses of all size with the digital marketing strategy around SEO, copywriting and content.
How to Come Up with a Business Idea
Starting your own business can be an exciting but daunting prospect, and many would-be entrepreneurs never make it past the idea stage. If you’re stuck in this rut, you’re not alone—this happens to plenty of people who have great ideas but don’t know how to turn them into profitable businesses. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get past this hurdle so you can start actually taking steps toward turning your business idea into the next big thing on the business scene. Avoid the Biggest Pitfalls There are many pitfalls that entrepreneurs encounter when they start out. One is not having adequate funding. It’s difficult to get financing if you don’t have customers, and it’s almost impossible to pay for overhead when your business isn’t generating revenue. Understand What You Like Doing If you’re having trouble coming up with business ideas, try sitting down and really thinking about what you enjoy doing. Don’t worry about whether or not it will be profitable—just think about what is enjoyable. Know What You Don’t Like Doing If you’re searching for business ideas, look around your life and see what you do that you don’t like doing. This can be both professional and personal. Make an Effort Not to Get Stuck in The Middle If you try to please everyone, you won’t end up pleasing anyone. Make sure your idea falls in line with your passions and skills. Can I Do it As A Side Hustle? Don’t worry If you’re interested in turning your passion into a business but aren’t sure if it’s feasible to do as a side hustle. Build A List A great way to come up with business ideas is by thinking about problems you encounter regularly and brainstorming solutions. What’s something you hate doing? What takes too long? What could be easier or more efficient? Narrow It Down To One Idea (or Two) This is an important step, because having too many ideas can lead you down too many paths and you’ll never complete anything. Instead, try focusing on one idea that has promise and see where it takes you. If another good idea comes along later, you can always come back to it or pursue multiple projects at once. But don’t let yourself get bogged down in too many options. The less time you spend trying to decide what to do next, the more time you have for doing something. If you need help coming up with a business idea, get in touch today. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. As a solo founder, I grew my business to 30+ UK cities, with a global client base across 100+ countries. Following the Pandemic killing my precious work/business, I now transfer my knowledge to other entrepreneurs.