Out of work, no job for year? Nothing should I start my own business?

Question

I have been looking for a job for about a year plus, been to hundreds of interviews, heard things like I am over qualified, under qualified. I have been to job finding clubs, job banks, job conventions, everything... thinking about going into business for myself but I am scared, any suggestions? Where to get help to start my own business in Toronto?

Answer 1

Boy, have I got an answer for you!  I was in exactly the same boat - moved from Toronto to a small town and could NOT get hired anywhere.  I found out about a government program called SEB - Self Employment Benefits - and they are amazing!  You have to have been on EI in the last three years (which I assume you have been), and once that is verified you will attend about two weeks of classes all about how to start and run your own business.

The best part?  $724 every two weeks for 8 months!  That works out to over $13,000 for you to get started with.  I'm not saying its easy - the couse is one of the most intense I've ever taken, and I've been to University.  But the information is priceless and they also offer "microloans" up to $5,000 for you to get started with.  In our class we had 2 computer experts, 2 daycare providers, a cattle feed yard operator, dog groomer, internet auction host, and backyard pond designer.  If you have an idea for a business this is your best bet, period.  I wish I had the website to give you but I"m sure you can find it if you look under government canada self employment benefits program.  My business is doing great - I'm the dog groomer!  

Go For It - it's hard work but worth it.  Cheers!

Answer 2

I think you should really consider going into business for yourself, since it sounds like you've tried to get every job in the entire city and NOBODY WANTS TO HIRE YOU!

Answer 3

Sounds good, but where do you get the start-up capital? Most people have to work at another job until their self-employment is bringing in enough money to support them. Is it that you can't find a job or that you just can't find a job you want? Most of us have worked at jobs we hated, but had to take them to make ends meet. Just remember that an employer will hire someone who already has a job before they'll hire someone who hasn't worked in months or years. They figure that if someone else has taken a chance with you, then you probably have something he's looking for. Would you buy a car that had been sitting in a junkyard for a year or would you buy one that you were able to test drive? Good luck.