Career Surgery

I would be looking for a clear picture of what you have been upto, alongside older career history. As ever, target specifics which tally with the role you are applying for, and more general information which might be pertinent.

I would suggest you research on how to fill out Application forms and complete a CV because your question suggests it would benefit you. Ultimately you are trying draw a picture of the perfect applicant based on what they are asking for.

Good luck

Ade - December 14, 2007 4:22 PM

Say:

- self motivated
- organised
- reliable
- good skillset - expand

Rob - December 17, 2007 12:07 PM

Be honest.

Put down what you have been doing and the industries (and companies if appropriate) in which you have been working along with any "achievements" and you should be fine.

As a recruiter I have placed several self employed people who are returning to work using the above information on CVs.

Steve - December 17, 2007 4:30 PM

Bullet point all your skills, transferable skills and experiences, past and more recent. You will certainly know how to 'manage' and prioritise your time and workload. If these are not your best skills, then don't mention them. If you are asked about one of your weaknesses at interview, you could say something like "I would really like to have managed my workload better. Perhaps working for someone else could help me to achieve this." All the best in 2008! Patricia

Patricia - December 24, 2007 2:21 PM

If you've had two years of successful self employment then why change? I wish I had the courage and motivation to be self employed!

gary - January 2, 2008 10:44 AM

I am in a similar position. Suggest you treat the self-employment as you would another role i.e. focus on the deliverables and skills. Also never forget, you have been operating as an MD of an SME for the last 2 years, so try and use that thinking in projecting what you have to offer e.g. business development

mark - January 4, 2008 9:55 AM

I'd agree. Most of your CV should be taken up showing your role and duties, not your employer. As long as there was a nice continuous stream of jobs in the self employment, you should list those exactly as if you'd been doing project work instead. Show your responsibilities, achievements and any outstanding points. I'd also include a section in your overview to explain why you're looking to re-enter the employed arena.

Chris - January 7, 2008 9:22 AM

Returning to full-time employment as you put it, is not so much different from you still being self employed for the last 2 years.

If I can suggest the best way to approach it would be to just continue in the same way and spirit as you've been doing for the last 2 years and just write down exactly what you have been doing in the last 2 years.

Any company looking to employ you will pick up on the fact that you're more than likely to be very well suited for the roll your applying for...It's whether or not you can get used to being paid a lower rate. At the end of the day if there's enough contract work out there for you in your industry, why go back to working for someone else?

Good luck

Tap - January 30, 2008 10:52 AM

I have been running my own business for the past 3 years but am now planning to go back into employment. I am struggling with a good answer to give prospective employers when they ask why I want to go back to being an employee, having been my own boss for 3 years.

I want to send the message that I am competent, without sounding threatening or unmanageable. I also wonder if they'll think I must have not been very good at running my business - I mean, how many successful business owners would want to go back to working for someone?

Doreen Peters - March 5, 2008 11:47 AM