Usually clients will be unsure about what jobs they should be applying for, so you would enter their skills and abilities into your computer which then returns a list of jobs that the client may want to consider. Alternatively you could use the computer to determine how compatible someone is for a job that they are considering. Advertising can be carried out in jobs and careers newspapers and professional journals.

There are already a variety of software programs available to use in this sort of business as well as a number of guide books available in bookshops. In addition, reading a book on obtaining a career may be useful as general reading. It is also possible to write the software yourself if you use career books as the background to creating a database of jobs.

Ideally a computer would be used that has word processing and/or database facilities, and a quality printer for newsletter publishing. Software is available for matching partners by computer, which is useful for large databases of clients. The field of operation can be local, national or international, and the business can be marketed in all sorts of magazines from health journals to adult magazines.

Marketing can be done by either selling the program to large software houses, approaching appropriate users directly or distributing in local computer shops. The latest trend is to create cut-down limited functionality software and make this version available for free over the Internet, providing the user with an opportunity to upgrade by sending payment in return for a full version of the software.

A reasonably modern computer (a system which is popular in the market), editing software and a language compiler are required.

You should have accurate typing skills and an eye for good design. You will need to have access to a word processing package or preferably a desk top publishing system, which will allow for a more professional design. Access to printing facilities with at least letter quality output is essential, but you should speak to your local printers about printing in top quality.

You will need a calculator, a quiet place to work and a secure place to store documents (you will be dealing with confidential information). Your clients will be mainly local small businesses, so you should charge the sort of fee a qualified secretary would charge. Work is regular, but at certain periods work can be overwhelming if you have a lot of clients.

You get a percentage of the rent or charge an annual fee. To do this sort of work, you will need a computer with database software, and printing equipment for letters, forms, tenancy agreements and contracts. You will need little experience and can advertise in newspapers, magazines, or by direct mail to property owners. Clients can also be found via estate agents, solicitors and building societies, using their clients.

You will really need a degree, professional qualification or other acceptable qualification for credibility. Teaching experience is useful, as is practical experience.

Necessary equipment are writing materials, access to a desk and a quiet room, and relevant books.

Other opportunities exist in advertising, greetings cards making, script writing and so on. In either case, you will need a decent word processor, which will help in all stages from getting ideas down to producing the final document, plus it will be useful for rewriting material for different viewpoints that may be taken by different journals!

Initial approaches to publishing companies can be carried out by sending in material about new topics or new perspectives on established topics.

A good resource for ideas can be found at Job Futures.