Reasons for ending self employment for cover letters and interviews

axer

Hi,

I was self employed as an IT consultant for the past 4 years mainly because there were always people contacting me looking for someone to help them with their computer\network etc without me even looking for work - so I kinda got pulled into it.

I already decided within the last 12 months that I don't want to stay self-employed mainly since it would take over my life if I were to go into it more seriously (which is what I would have to do if I were to do it long term) and also I am not very good at charging properly for the work I do which makes me a bad business person thus not suitable. I have gotten more IT certs in the past 12 months to prepare myself for looking for work.

I am applying for work now in the Network admin \ IT support field but I feel I should explain on the cover letters (and may have to in the interviews anyway) why I chose to close down my business.

What is the best\easiest way to put it in both my CV and in an interview without them possibly thinking I failed with my business? Ideally I want a short simple reason that I can use.

Thanks for any help\advice.

AARRRGH

I think you should be honest.

I set up a recruitment website a few years ago and gave up work so I could focus on it completely and try to make a business out of it. After 9 months I realised it wasn't going to work (at least, not full-time) so I went back into the IT industry.

In interviews I'm always honest about what happened - "I gave it a try, it didn't really work, so I'm happy to return to a normal 9 - 5 job. I still run the site as a hobby."

Interviewers have always responded positively to this.

There is no shame in trying and failing.

Dont be at yourself

Perhaps mention that you're looking for a little more security, or that you enjoy being part of a team or something along those lines.

mikemac

axer wrote: »

What is the best\easiest way to put it in both my CV and in an interview without them possibly thinking I failed with my business?

I can't remember the exact quote but in America it's expected that you'll fail a few times in your own business. No shame at all, it's almost a badge of honour!
Sure Amazon take pride in telling everyone they started in a garage.
I think Apple do the same.

By doing what you did you showed more initative and business sense then someone who would be terrified to leave a 9-5 job.
No shame at all what you did, you should turn it into a positive when you're asked about in your interview

axer

I was gonna put in that I wanted to work in a corporate environment but then I wouldnt mind working for a smaller business too so I cant really use that.

I want to keep it short and positive. My business didn't fail really i just didnt want it to become my life whereby i couldn't take a break without thinking about my business but I can't really say that on a cover letter and I dont know about saying it at an interview. I kinda also want them to know that I won't be quitting the job to start up a business again as I don't want to work for myself again.

I basically want to sum that up in a line or two for my cover letter and short for any interviews I get.

asdasd

My business didn't fail really i just didnt want it to become my life whereby i couldn't take a break without thinking about my business but I can't really say that on a cover letter and I dont know about saying it at an interview. I kinda also want them to know that I won't be quitting the job to start up a business as I don't want to work for myself again.

So keep it out of the cover letter and say that at the interview.

Look most employers understand why people dont always want to be contractors even if there is better money, full time employers want guys like you who are cmmitted to being in one place for a decent amount of time.

axer

asdasd wrote: »

So keep it out of the cover letter and say that at the interview.

Look most employers understand why people dont always want to be contractors even if there is better money, full time employers want guys like you who are cmmitted to being in one place for a decent amount of time.

Thats what I'll do I think. Thanks guys.

flash harry

if you end up joining a company doing support, you may be able to keep the clients and give them to new company = making you very popular in the current economy

axer

flash harry wrote: »

if you end up joining a company doing support, you may be able to keep the clients and give them to new company = making you very popular in the current economy

They are in a different part of the country so that is unlikely.

mountainyman

That's why then moved for personal reasons.

ROCKMAN

How about (on cover letter at least)

Something along the lines

............... self-employed for the last four years . However with the current global markets and economic environments I feel a return to the general workforce (and company like yours can be add for lick-ass effect ) offers me a more secure and brighter future , And will provide me with a new and exciting challenge..............

Hagar

Just tell them that the administrative end of running a business was becoming a full time job and was stopping you from doing what you enjoy most and are best at, namely IT Network Admin.

axer

Hagar wrote: »

Just tell them that the administrative end of running a business was becoming a full time job and was stopping you from doing what you enjoy most and are best at, namely IT Network Admin.

I like that.