What do employers think of self-employment?

Hi everyone. New here...really like this board.

I'm just wondering if there is anyone here who can tell me how self-employment is looked upon in job experience on a resume. (Tony?...)

I haven't worked for anyone else since 1991, when I quit to get my BA. I ran our own property management biz during that time and beyond, ran a successful eBay business and a few minor things.

I don't know if I will be perceived negatively because I have been out of the work force for so long (even though I have taken course work to get my skills current.)

Thanks! :)

domino in Virginia said: Hi everyone. New here...really like this board.

I'm just wondering if there is anyone here who can tell me how self-employment is looked upon in job experience on a resume. (Tony?...)

I haven't worked for anyone else since 1991, when I quit to get my BA. I ran our own property management biz during that time and beyond, ran a successful eBay business and a few minor things.

I don't know if I will be perceived negatively because I have been out of the work force for so long (even though I have taken course work to get my skills current.)

Thanks! :)

I have had recruiters tell me in confidence that a client (employer) would not even consider an entrepreneur for a position. As a caveat, I am in accounting/finance, so that might not be true in a field like sales. But I have had past clients who ran substantial companies who had a tough time becoming an employee.

What don't they like about self-employed?

First, I think the fact that it's very difficult to verify anything about it independently: duties, accomplishments, compensation. I could have been in prison for 5 years and say I was a consultant to the state government.

There is also a perception or misconception by employers that the self-employed are mavericks who don't like to be told what to do, and won't follow instructions. No one who has ever run a business would think that's true: if you are dealing directly with your customers to earn a living, each and every one of them is your boss, and they have no problem telling you what to do!

I would restate the jobs as the company names you used, and list a more functional title, like "sales manager" or "property manager" on your resume. Since you refer to it as "our...biz" you can explain in person that it was a partnership. That should soften the impact and get better results.

I have more articles along this line at career-hunter.blogspot.com/search/label/liabilities

domino in Virginia said: Hi everyone. New here...really like this board.

I'm just wondering if there is anyone here who can tell me how self-employment is looked upon in job experience on a resume. (Tony?...)

I haven't worked for anyone else since 1991, when I quit to get my BA. I ran our own property management biz during that time and beyond, ran a successful eBay business and a few minor things.
You have to emphasize all of the strenghts that you used during self employment...I am also seeking work after 14 years of self employment. What I find so far is that employers want to be sure they don't make a mistake..so focus on how you skills can translate into what they are looking for.
I don't know if I will be perceived negatively because I have been out of the work force for so long (even though I have taken course work to get my skills current.)

Thanks! :)

Be sure you let them know how your skills will transfer to the job...pick one or two skills to emphasize.

Good points Career Hunter. I didn't think about the verification problem.

I think since I haven't worked for anyone for years, my self-employment at least shows that I haven't been just sitting around.

I have a lot of skills that would be valuable to an employer, but my situation is just tricky to get down on a resume so that I convey that clearly. That's my main hurdle.

Besides being out of the work force, I'm also trying to enter a different field than I have worked in before.

All sorts of challenges... :)

domino in Virginia said: Good points Career Hunter. I didn't think about the verification problem.

I think since I haven't worked for anyone for years, my self-employment at least shows that I haven't been just sitting around.

I have a lot of skills that would be valuable to an employer, but my situation is just tricky to get down on a resume so that I convey that clearly. That's my main hurdle.

Besides being out of the work force, I'm also trying to enter a different field than I have worked in before.

All sorts of challenges... :)

Indeed there are, but that's not too unusual. I put a file online for you at career-hunter.home.comcast.net/files/CHI_Client_History.pdf

It's the same profile I created for my resume clients to complete, but I think if you download it and use it to inventory your skills and experience, you should be able to tell a compelling story within your resume. Key words are important, but for any person reading the resume, they really need to be INTERESTED in you.

Thank you Career Hunter. This looks very helpful.

I realize more and more just how important it is for your resume to really jump out at an employer. I'm taking time to craft it well and paying attention to not just listing skills and achievements, but putting them in a context of how I can be a great asset to the employer.

domino in Virginia said: Thank you Career Hunter. This looks very helpful.

I realize more and more just how important it is for your resume to really jump out at an employer. I'm taking time to craft it well and paying attention to not just listing skills and achievements, but putting them in a context of how I can be a great asset to the employer.

When I was first writing resumes, my editor's most common comment was "FOR"... which I learned meant frame of reference.

If you list a company, but don't explain what they do (e.g., "XYZ Co., $55M manufacturer of automotive transmission parts" or how you did things (e.g. "Faced with new competition from a large manufacturer, I surveyed customers and discovered custom products and earned the company an additional $5M"), it doesn't have relevancy.

If you can get the reader to see and feel what you went through, your communications will have much more impact, above and beyond the key words aspect.

Exactly Career Hunter.

You've got to make it relevant. Otherwise, who cares?

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domino in Virginia said: Hi everyone. New here...really like this board.

I'm just wondering if there is anyone here who can tell me how self-employment is looked upon in job experience on a resume. (Tony?...)

I haven't worked for anyone else since 1991, when I quit to get my BA. I ran our own property management biz during that time and beyond, ran a successful eBay business and a few minor things.

I don't know if I will be perceived negatively because I have been out of the work force for so long (even though I have taken course work to get my skills current.)

Thanks! :)

I am self employed and moving into the outside workforce for insurance purposes. I don't even know which field to go into, I could do anything...with regards to owning and managing a family owned sign business.

I love hiring prior business owners as they tend to have a strong desire to get things done. That said, I do spend a good bit of the interview process trying to determine if they'll stick around.

If you're able to clearly demonstrate through your resume that you have the required skills and provide a reasonable answer as to why you're considering working for someone else (insurance is a pretty good one) then you will likely get some positive response.

Just be sure to do your research and make sure you'll be a good fit for the company you're trying. You won't be able to change that company the way you could change your own. That can make for a very frustrating environment.

baldeagle
bestaccountingresume.com

domino in Virginia said: Hi everyone. New here...really like this board.

I'm just wondering if there is anyone here who can tell me how self-employment is looked upon in job experience on a resume. (Tony?...)

I haven't worked for anyone else since 1991, when I quit to get my BA. I ran our own property management biz during that time and beyond, ran a successful eBay business and a few minor things.

I don't know if I will be perceived negatively because I have been out of the work force for so long (even though I have taken course work to get my skills current.)

Thanks! :)

Hi,

You know I had a similiar experience. I worked my own real estate business for about 2 years & then things went down hill. I entered back into the job market afterwards, I was formerly in the IT industry.

Well I found it extremely difficult get a decent job. The interviewers wanted to know what happened with the business? I told them & later I found out something amazing.

Being an entrepreneur, recruiters look at that situation as someone who is looking to give orders and not take them. So one who be more of a leader of the pack opposed to the tradition followers.

It is doable, just takes a lot more effort, especially if you're in the middle age bracket.

Best Regards

Jackie Anderson
"Who else wants their phone ringing
off the hook with dozens of quality
job interview requests next week?"
Click here: tinyurl.com/6dnsxw

Resume Killers:

Temp Agencies
Self Employment
Working for a Family Business

Those all equal "Unemployed" to the people whose job it is to round file as many resumes as possible.

Couple that with a Introverted personality (not a happy-shiny-smily-"people" person) and you are essentially unemployable.