People interested in a business career may become entrepreneurs and launch a business. Those who want to pursue employment opportunities can turn to large national and multinational corporations. Human resources specialists, accountants, auditors, event planners, fundraisers, labor relations specialists, training and development specialists, and market research analysts are some of the experts working in business.
Pursuing a business career involves multiple steps, such as pursuing postsecondary education and acquiring essential skills needed to thrive in your chosen career. Let us look at how to prepare to get your dream job in business.
Skills
Aspiring business professionals benefit from honing the critical skills required for their careers. Accountants need excellent attention to detail. Human resources specialists need strong decision-making skills, and labor relations specialists need excellent interpersonal skills and exceptional listening skills. Potential employers will look for relevant experience demonstrating you have the foundational skills required for the job you are pursuing.
Demonstrating your technological skills is crucial when pursuing opportunities with a business intelligence company. Business intelligence refers to processing data sets to inform business decisions. Business intelligence software turns historical and unstructured data into meaningful information by identifying patterns and applying predictive analytics to project sales trends that could impact profits. Business intelligence software incorporates data visualization, presenting processed data through graphs, charts, and maps, making it easy to understand what the information means. Businesses rely on processed data to prevent financial losses and increase profits, which is why demonstrating you understand this software will set you apart from other applicants seeking opportunities in business.
Education
Identify the job requirements for your chosen career. Applicants usually need an associate degree or bachelor’s degree to pursue opportunities in business. You will need a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) to qualify for postsecondary programs. You will increase your chances of acceptance to your dream college by developing your leadership skills and acquiring real-world experience through internships or volunteer opportunities.
Aspiring business professionals can launch their careers by completing an online associate degree program. You will need to complete 60 credit hours to earn your business management associate degree. The coursework covers various business topics, including human resources, human relations, business finance, business law, marketing, management, macroeconomics, statistics, and sales management. Earning a business management technology associate degree prepares you for management opportunities. You can also use your degree to secure employment in the business industry and gain practical experience while studying to prepare for advancement opportunities.
Career Goals
Consider what tasks you would like to perform in your career. Human resources specialists and accountants need different skills and training, and their daily tasks differ. A human resources specialist working for a large energy company will determine what positions the company needs to fill to maintain or expand operations. They will establish the qualifications for each role and define the job responsibilities. These specialists review applications, check references, and interview applicants. Once applicants are hired, these business professionals provide employees with information about benefits and ensure they receive a new employee orientation when they start work.
In contrast, accountants working for software manufacturers will review financial documents and stay updated with applicable laws and regulations, ensuring their company complies with local laws. They perform calculations and prepare financial documents. This could involve preparing business tax returns, tax forms for employees, and financial reports.
You may be more interested in opportunities as a human resources specialist if you prefer interacting with people. In contrast, if you prefer working with figures and performing calculations, you may prefer an accounting career. If you enjoy both tasks, you may decide to prepare for a career as a market research analyst because you will spend part of your time gathering and analyzing data. Still, you will also present reports to managers.
Getting a job in business involves identifying your career goals and earning a degree. You will also benefit from honing relevant skills and demonstrating experience working with business intelligence software.
