From working for yourself to working for someone else

[flutterbye]

Ok, I'm dropping my very very small candle business and taking it back to hobby and am looking for a full time job once again. For those of you that have done this or maybe any employers out there...How would you reccommend describing your business on a resume or application? Because I dont have an "employer" or typical "salary" or anything like that. Do employers kinda frown upon seeing self employed on a resume? Should I just leave it out and not mention it? But then how do I explain what I have been doing for the past year...Any input or suggestions would really help me out as come Monday, the resumes go out & I desperately need a job. :undecided

[coconut]

Definitely put it on your resume. You should be able to put yourself down as anything you want! Owner, operator, manager, bookkeeper, chief cook and bottle washer, etc. The library and internet has a ton of resources on how to write a good resume. Look at it this way- you now can claim the following skills: management, sales, accounting, purchasing, inventory control, manufacturing, quality control, research and development...you have a lot more skills than you realize. Remember, if you don't toot your own horn, who will? Good luck in the job search.

[KommonScents]

I have been self employed with 2 businesses now, a trucking company that is still in operation, and this candle company. With both businesses I still work out of the home for the medical benefits. I was just on the job hunt, and start a new position Monday. When I interviewed, (about 10 before I settled on my new job) they were very impressed that I not only know how to do most aspects of the company (it's an international security firm, so I'm obviously on a much smaller scale) but that I also know how hard it is to "Keep the roof over my head and the food on the table."

I emphasized the fact that small businesses have to have great customer service, efficient processes, and forward thinkers to exist. When I explained to them that I still need a steady income (weak economy for gift item purchases plus diesel prices) and benefits (not everybody realizes how expensive individual insurances are and what they don't cover, not to mention unpaid vacations) the feedback I received was very positive. I spoke about generating a customer base for a quality product by word of mouth alone, the trials and successes in the interview. I was candid about what I would have done differently if I would have had the resources, like their company, behind me to take my business to the next level.

On my resume, I briefly described my business, and put my daily skills - customer service, accounts payable and receivable, website development and maintenance, production, inventory control, research and development, identifying business trends, materials and cost management, and marketing.

I only had 1 person question if I would have time to devote to his business instead of my own, and I decided to pass on that position.

HTH,

Carlee

[sudsnwicks]

Flutterbye, I have kept my resume updated even though I have not actually submitted it to anywhere. I write the candle portion in the same format as the other jobs I've had. For the job title, I just put owner. For the employer/company name, I just put the name of my store. Then I put a brief description of my daily responsibilities, which Coconut and Carlee have already spelled out. As for salary information, I didn't usually give that out anyway, at least not on my resume.

[Chickie1st]

Great thread, thank you! I'm about to look for a job also. :undecided

[cindym]

I have been job hunting and put my biz on my resume as it has been my main income for 3 years now. What they will probably ask is for verification of you buiness. I just made copies of my business liscense for them for the past 3 years. I dont' think having my own business hurt me in anyway at all, but it was my prior work history that fit in with the job I was seeking. HTH and good luck.

[HeavenScentU]

I think it depends on how long you have not been in the workforce. I left to operate my candle business full-time in 2003. And I have been working for 1 month at a great position. I was very lucky to have gotten a position that works for me. I work 4 10's Monday thru Thursdays and have Friday's off, so I get 3 day weekends. I know when I was interviewing alot of employers want proof you were working. I had to have good references. My sales reps and the stores I supplied to were very good references. If you can put your business contacts on your resume that would help you alot to get a job more easily. I found some employers don't want their employees working because it might interfere with doing your best at your job. I have been hit hard with orders and am considering selling my business because I have been working as soon as I get home until 10. DH isn't happy that my orders have taken up all my time. I don't know how long I can keep working on orders and working before I collapse, plus I am going to school online part-time. I have to really think about what are my priorities at this time. I just hate to give up my candle business. It will be a sad day especially to give up that income.

[TraciS]

I would kill for a job with those hours, HeavenScentU! What kind of work do you do?

I have been thinking about giving up the biz but it sure is a hard decision. I would definitely include my self employment on my resume. Even if they discount that in their minds at least it fills the gap from job to job so they don't have to wonder where you were

[sudsnwicks]

HeavenScentU, it seems contradictory, and resulting in a no-win situation for us, if the employer wants proof that you have been working, and yet doesn't like that you are working as they're afraid it'll interfere with your job with them. Oh well, at least knowing this, it'll prepare us for what kind of questions to expect in an interview.

[flutterbye]

Wow, thanks for all your great responses! I've redone my resume with my candle business in the same format as my other past employment. It looks good. I'm just having trouble on the applications (I am needing a full time & then a part time job) I cant really answer many questions all that clearly on it. I guess the place will just have to take my word for it until I can show them proof of my business. Thanks cindym! I didnt even think of making copies of my license. I dont really have references for the business. I do all my sales online and at shows...so I hope that isnt an issue...

It just really stinks that it has come to this, but a steady income is required for me now and lately candle sales have been just awful for me...Maybe one day I'll give it another go

[Ring of Fire]

Wow, more and more people are looking for other jobs. Very scary times indeed.

I would definitely put your candle business on your resume. Being able to run a business yourself should be a very good selling point to a potential employer.

[HeavenScentU]

Traci, I work at a hospital, but I work in the Patient financial service area as a refund and billing specialist. Mostly women work there and have families and need to work hours that work for them. There are all kinds of shifts that women can work. We can start as early as 7 a.m. and work as late as 6 p.m. So most women work modified hours I am working 4-10s w/Friday's off which is what most people work. Others work 4-9's and work 4 hrs on Friday. Others work 32 hrs. or whatever they need. I have never worked at a place that caters to your needs. It is really incredible. It works for me because it is only 10 from where I live.

[Tereasa]

agreed, ROF... scary times indeed...

[Karen M]

I agree very scary times with gas and groceries sky high. I was actually babysitting part time, and selling Tupperware (Boring), and just getting into candles when my old job approached me about coming back to work part time. I told them I could only do it if they let me do my own schedule, because the crafting/candles was very important to me (hopeless addict).

They did and it has been great, I usually work Mon, Tues, Thurs. and occassionally Wed.

This leaves me with time for candles, and more $ to play!!

I gave up the Tupperware and babysitting, oh and I was cleaning houses for cash too, but I quit that too.

Good luck on your job hunt, Flutterbye!!

Karen M:highfive:

[Sara]

I think it looks better than a huge gap in time. And I wouldn't talk it down, either if I were you. Like:

Oh, I had a little business, or I tried and it didn't work out well. I made some candles, I know... kinda silly. But it was fun, for a while, but then I needed money and so here I am.

Be like:

I was self-employed for a few years. I ran a candle-making business. I learned a lot from the experience...

Yadda yadda. Think of all the things running your own business incorperates. Normally 10 people would be doing what 1 person does

Finances

Promotion

Inventory

Cash-handling

Customer Service

Office Work (copying, filing, typing, spreadsheets, etc. -- think of all the things you do)

Purchasing

Packing, Shipping, Receiving

Order Processing

Crafts Shows (and all that entails.. can't think of a better word for it right now)

I'm not saying to completely blow things out of proportion, but there is a lot involved in the process of going from craft to business, being self-employed, etc..

[diamondk]

I think it looks better than a huge gap in time. And I wouldn't talk it down, either if I were you. Like:

Oh, I had a little business, or I tried and it didn't work out well. I made some candles, I know... kinda silly. But it was fun, for a while, but then I needed money and so here I am.

Be like:

I was self-employed for a few years. I ran a candle-making business. I learned a lot from the experience...

Yadda yadda. Think of all the things running your own business incorperates. Normally 10 people would be doing what 1 person does

Finances

Promotion

Inventory

Cash-handling

Customer Service

Office Work (copying, filing, typing, spreadsheets, etc. -- think of all the things you do)

Purchasing

Packing, Shipping, Receiving

Order Processing

Crafts Shows (and all that entails.. can't think of a better word for it right now)

I'm not saying to completely blow things out of proportion, but there is a lot involved in the process of going from craft to business, being self-employed, etc..

Ok Sara, you can write this portion of my resume for me. I am having a hard time putting all of this into words.