Question: I am extremely well organized and have been complimented for my ability to get things organized on every job I have had. Recently, someone told me that being a professional organizer is actually a job. Can you tell me more about this occupation?

Response: Professional organizers are independent consultants who provide information, products, and assistance to help clients get organized. Products and services may include: behavior modification, closet design/organizing, computer consulting, errands/personal shopping, events/meeting planning, filing systems, financial/bookkeeping, health insurance claims, memorabilia organizing, office organizing, packing/moving/relocating, paper management, project management, residential organizing, seminars/workshops/training space planning, and time management.

Employment Outlook:
As in any small business, it can take a professional organizer from three to five years to build a profitable consulting business.

Success depends largely on the marketing ability of the consultant. On the average consultants spend 13 days a month or 52% of their time working on client projects and business followed by 23% of their time spent on marketing and selling their services.

Earnings:
Members of the National Association of Professional Organizers charge from $50 to $200 per hour to organize an office.

Professional Association:
The National Association of Professional Organizers
Los Angeles Chapter
10573 Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(213) 486-4477
www.napo.net
This is a nonprofit national association whose members include organizing consultants, speakers, trainers, and authors. The benefits of membership include networking opportunities at monthly chapter meetings, referrals to potential clients seeking the assistance of a professional organizer, and receipt of a bimonthly newsletter with industry updates. The annual membership dues of regular membership are $200.

The following is a list of professional organizers' job descriptions that NAPO listed on its website:
   
 1. Dealing with ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder
 2. Filing Systems - Designs filing systems
 3. Paper Management - Provides solutions for improving paper flow
 4. Time Management - Provides improved methods for managing time
 5. Space Planning - Designs, plans and assists with the use of space
 6. Event/Meeting Planning - Coordinates all of the details of putting on an event or meeting
 7. Records Management - Provides solutions and information about proper records management
 8. Project Management - Provides the leadership needed to coordinate a project from beginning to end
 9. Garage Org/Sales - Garage cleaning and organization, including garage sales
10. Closet Design/Organize - Organize closets and provide solutions for the best use of space and storage
11. Errands/Personal Shopper - A second right hand - a person to run errands and do your shopping
12. Financial/Bookkeeping - Assist with bookkeeping, checkbook management, check writing and organizing associated files
13. Health Insurance Claims - Puts the paperwork together in order to submit medical claims
14. Seminars/Training/Speaking - Presents workshops, seminars, training and speeches
15. Author/Writer - Has books and articles published
16. Photos/Memorabilia - Provides solutions for photo and memorabilia storage
17. Coach - Works one-on-one or in limited groups to help clients achieve their life and organizational goals
18. Manufacturer/Supplier - Represents one or more manufacturers to provide organization solution tools
19. Packing/Relocation - Does packing/unpacking for moves and coordinates activities crucial to a successful move
20. Behavior Modification - Provides the support and exercises necessary to change habits and establish new ones to maintain the new order a professional organizer has designed
21. Computer Consulting - Organizes your computer, trains on basic programs, recommends software and hardware which can make your office and your life more organized
22. Residential Organizing - Can organize every nook, cranny, closet, cupboard and room in your house. Some organizers also provide household management services: interview and supervise household help
23. Office Org/Home - Organizes home offices from space to paper
24. Office Org/Small Business - Organizes small businesses from management to staff, individuals and departments. Proposes solutions for file management, procedures and workflow throughout the organization
25. Office Org/Corporate - Works with large organizations to solve their paper, workflow, productivity problems. Provides solutions for executives, staff and departments
 
Some local organizers and companies who hire organizers:
Center for Organization & Goal Planning
21500 Califa Street, Suite 156
Woodland Hills, CA 91376-4957
(818) 710-8923
Fax (818) 884-8536
www.organize-goals.com
Contact: Dorothy Breininger
E-mail: dborganize@earthlink.net
The Center for Organization & Goal Planning, which services the Los Angeles area can accommodate all your requests: home & office organizing, corporate, too. The center hire interns for short and long-term positions.
Necessary Indulgence Professional Organizing
necindorg@aol.com
Bette Martin
11684 Ventura Blvd., Suite 656
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 753-2927
Office Overhaul
1223 Wilshire Blvd., #325
Santa Monica 90403
(310) 820-3353
Fax (310) 820-3034
E-mail: bevclover@aol.com
Contact: Beverly Clower, Owner
Office Overhaul provides professional organizing services that include office set-up/reorganization, paper management, the organization of inventory, archive records, art collections/valuables, the set up of user-friendly filing systems, and any other unusual projects in need of an organizational touch. These services can be provided in either a home (private individuals) or business setting (corporations/small business).
Get Organized, Get Rich
7777 West 91st Street, Suite 1154B
Playa Del Rey, CA 90291
(310) 823-2153
Contact: Susan Rich
California Closet Co.
3385 Robertson Pl.
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 559-8251
www.calclosets.com
Contact: Rhonda Eden - Branch Manager
Neil Ovsey - Sales and Design Manager
This company builds customized solutions for storage needs. The site provides an online listing of career opportunities with them.
The Closet Factory
12800 South Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90061
(310) 715-1000
www.closetfactory.com
Contact: Rhonda Eden - Branch Manager
Neil Ovsey - Sales and Design Manager
This company builds customized solutions for storage needs. The site provides an online listing of career opportunities with them.
Closets by Design
13151 S. Western Avenue
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 965-2000
Fax (310) 515-1028
www.closets-by-design.com
Closets by Design and Closet Factory pay straight commissions to their sales representatives. Closets by Design, says they want people with sales background, and they train the design aspect. They provide "hardware" to organize closets, entertainment units, garage units, etc. The sales representative goes to the job, pitches their products and services and then does a drawing/design.

— • —  
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

You may e-mail questions to swmcareer@aol.com.