One of the toughest career challenges is returning to
corporate life after being self-employed for a number of
years. If you are a self-employed job candidate, you are
probably facing misconceptions about your career that are
keeping you out of the "must interview" candidate list.
For example, employers may assume:
* Your experiences are too broad
* You are overqualified and too expensive
* You can't fit their corporate mold
No matter what the reason, the challenge remains universal:
getting back into the corporate workplace without taking a
step backward financially or professionally. To ease the
transition, there are three job search tips that can help
optimize your re-employment results:
* Prepare a resume based on targeted transferable skills
* Reconnect with your network
* Gain competitive advantage by increasing your interview
skills
1. Prepare a resume based on targeted transferable skills
As an entrepreneur, you've probably worn many hats:
operations, sales, accounting and finance, to name a few.
Chances are your resume reflects such a wide range of
management experience that your resume lacks focus. If
your resume is getting overlooked for positions you're
qualified for, employers are probably not making the match
because you've given them information overload. To match
your expertise with corporate hiring needs, the first step
is to identify the transferable skills required for your
targeted career objective.
Think selectively about what skills to include in your
resume. If you are looking to fill the role of accountant,
your resume doesn't need to include information about how
you marketed your own product or services. Additionally,
don't include any skills on your resume that you no longer
want to perform. Think of this time as the perfect
opportunity to finally ditch those unwanted tasks.
2. Reconnect with your network
Entrepreneurs tend to network with other entrepreneurs,
leaving them isolated from corporate contacts. Those on
the inside of corporate life have the advantage of learning
about jobs through their professional association peers and
company grapevines.
If you have been "out of the loop" with your old
professional network, it's time to reconnect. Start by
contacting former colleagues to let them know that you are
preparing to return to corporate life. This is no time to
be shy. Ask their advice about whom to contact within
their company that might be interested in your skills and
experiences.
Another source of employment leads are your current vendors
and professional services providers. Ask their advice on
who among their professional circle might be interested in
learning about your availability. If you ask for advice,
your request comes across as a compliment; most people are
flattered to be asked their suggestions, opinions and
advice.
3. Gain competitive advantage by improving your interview
skills
Many self-employed job seekers find that they are unable to
communicate their value to potential employers. Even if
you've been marketing your own business for years, don't be
surprised if you find yourself tongue-tied when trying to
promote yourself as the perfect candidate.
Worse still, if you aren't 100% sure what employers are
looking for, you could inadvertently turn them off by
coming off as "too entrepreneurial" or "not a team player"
in an interview. What the employer is looking for may not
be the same skills that made you a success in business.
You want to be seen as corporate material—their corporation.
Interview preparation that includes building a list of
accomplishments is one of the best ways to gain competitive
advantage. Accomplishments are developed by identifying
the major problems and challenges you have overcome, then
mapping those results to corporate bottom-line objectives:
revenue built, costs cut, and processes improved.
Don't let anxiety over re-entering corporate life lead to
less-than-satisfactory employment. With thoughtful
strategy, you can turn the next phase of your career into
the best professional years of your life.
----------------------------------------------------
Deborah Walker, CCMC is a career coach who works with
entrepreneurs returning to corporate life, preparing them
to compete in the toughest job markets. Her clients gain
top performing skills in resume writing, interview
preparation and salary negotiation. Learn more about
Deborah Walker, career coach, at:
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