Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mark Berkowitz, Owner of Career Development Resources, LLC, located in Yorktown Heights, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Career Development Resources is a full-service career management firm offering career counseling/career assessment, résumé and cover letter writing, job search coaching, interview strategy training, salary and negotiation strategies, and LinkedIn profile writing for professionals on all levels: entry to executive. We help people who:

  • Can't figure out what they want to be when they grow up or are forced to change careers and don't know how to do about it.
  • People who want to get ahead and are trapped due to an ineffective résumé or dismal interview skills.
  • Folks who want or need to find a better job.

Tell us about yourself

Being forced into a career change via a "Reduction In Force" at age 30. I discovered a number of things about getting career assistance. There are firms that claim that they do it all but charge $multi-thousands for their 'packages' there were nice career counselors who would help identify potential career paths but stopped there ... the rest was up to you. And there were resume services that cranked out resumes. Seeking to offer a more 'holistic' approach, having gone through all that stress, I took a 2nd Master's degree in Career Counseling / Career Development. I earned 4 specialized certifications in the field: National Certified Career Counselor, Certified Professional Résumé Writer, International Certified Job, and Career Transition Coach, and Certified Employment Interview Professional. This comprehensive field of expertise provides me with a broad overview of a prospective client's situation. I encourage people seeking a change in their work life to "benefit from our expertise instead of suffering through your mistakes!"

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping clients discover and find their dream job. Helping increase client earnings commensurate with their true value: i.e., the Executive Chef who doubled his salary and the Inventory control manager who tripled her salary and, as she relates, " I had three managers fighting over me!" One of the things I'm most proud of is that samples of my résumés, cover letters, and interviewing strategies have been published in nearly two dozen major books on those topics. In PROFESSIONAL RÉSUMÉS FOR MANAGERS, EXECUTIVES, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATORS, the author recognized me as being one of the best in the USA.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

As a 'solo practitioner' trying to be "chief cook and bottle washer" is a tough act to follow, delivering the highest quality of service and expertise to my clients.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Ensure that there is a need (in your particular locale) for your service. Find out what the lacks are in terms of meeting customer/client needs and fill that need. I.E., become "just what the doctor ordered!"

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://careerdevelopmentresource.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/careerdevelopmentresourcesllc/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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