Turn Your Organization Skills into a Career

I’m a fairly organized person. My roommate actually gets frustrated with it sometimes, because I have a specific way I like to keep things in the house. Did you know that you could actually turn this into a career?

If the television show Hoarders gives you nightmares and the phrase “a place for everything and everything in its place” is something that goes through you mind often, becoming a professional organizer might be for you!

What does a professional organizer do?

Basically, you’ll help others who are not strong with organization skills learn to cut the clutter in their lives. This can have as much of an effect on their lives as a psychiatrist can have – living in an organized life is important to being happy. You’re like a personal trainer, but instead of helping someone get their body fit, you’ll help someone get their house fit!

Not every client you work with will be a horror story where you’ll dig through mound of trash and animal feces to get through the door. New parents often hire professional organizers to help them baby-proof and restructure their home for a child. Professional organizes can also help families who are moving, or even help businesses that are growing rapidly and haven’t planned for organization well.

How can you become a professional organizer? Start by checking out the National Association of Professional Organizers, which will help you learn more about getting certified. While you don’t need certification to legally work as a professional organization, going through the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers to get this document does a lot to raise your credibility.

In addition, you can build your resume by working for friends and family members or working for a professional organization business, on a team with other organizers. Gathering testimonials is a great way to help establish your credibility and – with the client’s permission of course – don’t forget to take before and after pictures!

Becoming a professional organizer is something you can do to change your career without much risk, since organization classes are often help during evenings. You can also begin working as an organizer on weekends only, allowing you to maintain your day job until you build your business enough to support your family with your new career.

Is organization for you? This career choice isn’t for every organized person. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I a people person, able to work with others who may be resistant to change?
• Do I enjoy challenging work, with new situations at every job?
• Am I willing to travel?
• Do I work will in situations where I have to compromise to find the best solution?
• Do I have the patience to work hard in the beginning, building a solid business over the course of a few years?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, professional organizing might be for you!