Work-life after business

[Bay]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could relay experience of entering the work place after running a business. Obviously its going to depend a great deal on the business and type of work. I work in construction and the business has been hovering around £500k turnover. We've completed some impressive jobs but it's not working commercially at the moment so a change of tack might be on the cards.

Im wondering how employable I would be and what sort of strengths (or weakness) I might bring to an organisation (other than the obvious). I worked my way up from being a tradesman so a bit daunting to go into a management position although Id like to think I would bring real value.

Any advise appreciated,

 

[Mr D]

Good and bad I'm afraid - your experience will stand you in good stead, your running a business will count against you with some employers - perhaps feeling you won't take orders so well and you may recognise the male cow waste product ....
Seriously if you can get an interview you have the chance to shine. Examples you can use, things you can talk about in the interview can be tailored to what the interviewers are looking for.

 

[Bay]

Good and bad I'm afraid - your experience will stand you in good stead, your running a business will count against you with some employers - perhaps feeling you won't take orders so well and you may recognise the male cow waste product ....
Seriously if you can get an interview you have the chance to shine. Examples you can use, things you can talk about in the interview can be tailored to what the interviewers are looking for.

Hi,

Thanks for this - good points.

 

[RobSwan]

My personal experience (from similar situation, only I'm 50+) is that I was effectively unemployable. I also live in North East England where getting a job isn't always that easy. Problem resolved itself when I had (quite literally) to take any job I could get. Had to start at the very bottom - skills and experience counted for nothing - but I was soon appreciated and managers were fighting to get me in their team.
Most obvious problem was three-fold:
1. Returnning to work after self emplyment is seen by too many people as 'failure'. Of course it isn't, but try explainning that to someone who thinks it is!
2. You may be seen as a threat (to the interviewer) because your experience is far superior (hence threatening).
3. An employer may think you only want to get back on your feet and you'll be off to start your next business - try convincing someone you won't.

Long story short, I'm running my own business again

 

[crackerjackcommerce]

Good topic! My brother did the same thing when he emigrated. Good news now is that he is settled and working for a corporate company and things appear to be going well.

The hardest part he found was adjusting to a routine and work schedule which he could not fully control. I remember him telling me how he missed the simple things he had taken for granted such as going to get his hair cut during "work hours" or popping home for lunch.

Like it has been said above, over time his natural true personality, work ethic and capabilities have come out and he is recongnised as a valuable employee with room to grow.

Good luck with your future whatever path it may be on!

Rik

 

[adam thompson1981]

I don't know the answer but I don't think I could go back to being told what to do after years of running my own ship.

Being told when to eat and piss no thanks.

Yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir

Lol

Start another business.

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

^Yup, self unemployable here too.

 

[Mr D]

I don't know the answer but I don't think I could go back to being told what to do after years of running my own ship.

Being told when to eat and piss no thanks.

Yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir

Lol

Start another business.

Not into being told when to piss.

Luckily most places recognise that different people have different needs.