Owning a business is tough. Not everyone can cope with that, and even the best business ideas may not work out. This recession has been cruel to many business owners. After years of being your own boss, the hardest part is to persuade a potential recruiter that you are able to make a transition. How can you make that? Here is our top advice.
Reasons People Go Back to Corporate World
Many people dream of being their own boss but few can actually boast of having a business that is constantly growing and is successful even through the years. The common mistake is to believe that it’s much better to work for your own company rather than for someone else.
In reality, many people admit that it is easier to execute on somebody else’s strategy than having to come up with your own strategy, sell the work, do the marketing and deliver the work. Being a business owner is just not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with it. Sometimes different life situations can also force people to consider full-time employment.
Sell Your Experience
Since you’ve been your own boss and didn’t obtain a corporate position, you will have to try harder to market your relevant work experience to prospective employers.
Read the job description carefully and figure out all the necessary responsibilities for this particular position. Most of the time, online job posts provide a list of responsibilities and competencies on every vacant position. This will help you recognize if you’re fit for the job and guide you on the skills you need to develop as well.Then describe your background with all the relevant accomplishments and skills in your resume and cover letter. Obviously, you had to wear a lot of hats while being an entrepreneur, so concentrate on the “hats” necessary for a certain position.
Catherine Morgan, a career-transition coach who works with business owners, mentions that former entrepreneurs shouldn’t try to hide their past thinking that it would scare off prospective recruiters.
“I encourage business owners to be proud of their professional achievements and describe exactly what they accomplished for their customers or in their business,” says Catherine.
Be a Thinker and Doer
Being a job seeker your main goal is to land a decent job. The results of ERE Survey in 2013 show that on average, 250 resumes are attracted by every corporate job opening. Only four to six candidates will later be called for a job interview and just one will be offered the position.
Therefore, it’s your duty to showcase your relevant skills and abilities so that you attract the HR manager and win the job in your dream company.
Demonstrate a combination of thinking and doing in your cover letter. For instance, describe how resolving client problems together with understanding client needs can translate to the job opening and bring value to the company.
You Are Not the Boss Anymore
Finally, let the hiring manager know that you feel good about this transition and that you are looking forward to it. Let them understand that you are completely OK with not being the chief anymore because you know you can have other ways to career advancement. Explain your long-term career goals and how your previous experience can help you achieve them.
Remember that becoming a part of a larger company can allow you to achieve more and do things you like.
So pay attention to these tips before you start your job searching process and you will land your dream job faster.
