Moving On - Entrepreneurs Entering the Job Market

Over the past few months I’ve had several interesting conversations with colleagues, and other small business owners, who are struggling to keep their businesses going in this down-turned economy.  Their fears were expressed as, “If I can’t make a go of it with my business, how do I position myself to get back into the job market?”  “I can’t imagine what it would be like working for someone else after all these years, but I’m not sure how much longer I can hang on.”  And then, I came across a short article by Amy Lindgren, Consultant, addressing some similar job search questions. 

So, I started to think about the challenges and the opportunities this type of situation can hold and I realized there isn’t much information on the topic out there.  My passion for the topic of transition is very strong and before I knew it, the blog had turned into a white paper.  I’ve condensed the points for this blog, and I’m offering the “White Paper” on Entrepreneurial Transitioning as a separate download.  Please feel free to share both this blog and the download with others you know who could benefit from this information.

For anyone in job search, there’s a lot of information available.  However, for the entrepreneur who has been running the show, and calling the shots, there are some unusual challenges the average job searcher would not have to deal with.  This blog, and the associated White Paper, attempt to begin the dialog on those issues.

Everyone needs a job search strategy, or what you may be familiar with as a business plan.  The plan will guide your thoughts and activities - What’s the mission and goal, who’s the audience and what’s going to make you successful in reaching your goal?  In addition to the information in my book, Position Your Next Move for a Successful Job Search, I offer the following to entrepreneurs considering transition:

Opportunities

I’m definitely a ‘glass three-quarters full’ type of woman, so let’s start with the opportunities.  These may not be as apparent at first, but as business owners think about the experiences they have dealt with, surprising skills and opportunities will appear from the shadows.  You probably have more options than you realize:

1. Project Management – you’ve been juggling a lot of balls in the air, perhaps a PMP is your ticket to a new career.
2. Office Management – you know how to run a business, perhaps assisting someone else with their business will open up more opportunities as they grow
3. Business Development – you’ve been involved with developing business, closing sales, writing contracts, perhaps this is an avenue to be pursued
4. Training – if you enjoy helping others learn new skills and processes, perhaps a career switch to training would be one to check out    
5. Supervisor – are you good at team building and motivating others to be the best they can be?  Perhaps the option of supervising a team is your next calling
6. Customer Service – all business owners know about pleasing the customer.  If we didn’t do that, we wouldn’t be in business very long.   So what about a position where you help another company build customer satisfaction and relationships?
7. Take on a partner – maybe it doesn’t have to be so black and white as keep the business open, or close it.  Maybe bringing on a partner to help with sales, or to do the work while you grow the sales, is the answer
8. Take a part-time job and keep the business on the side – perhaps your business can take a back seat with periodic nurturing while you work at a part-time job to assist with income and financial support  
9. Look for opportunities with suppliers and vendors – you know a lot of people, perhaps they know of opportunities or needs that they have that you can help with through your business

Challenges

Depending on how long you’ve had your own business and been in the job market, the challenges will vary.  However, one thing is certain; looking for a job in 2010 isn’t the same as even 5 years ago.   On top of the economic issues you’ll have to navigate, there are also new technologies being utilized that you’ll have to get comfortable with.  But don’t let these changes scare you off.  Identifying the challenge is the first step.  Once you know what you need to overcome, you can put a plan together and go for it.

1. Determine what’s best for you – as in all job search, taking the time to get clear about what you’d like to do next is important
2. Update your resume – clarify your key talents, skills, and experiences you have to offer.  Please check out my website for a free resume worksheet that will help guide you through the process
3. Clarify your message – make sure the messages you send - verbal, written, and non-verbal - are all positive, forward looking, and confident about reaching your goal
4. Prepare for networking and interviewing – you’ve been the interviewer, now you are going to be on the other side of the table.  This can be a very hard switch for some folks.   It takes a big dose of humility
5. Acknowledge your willingness to take a risk – entrepreneurship is not for everyone.  You really have to have a tolerance for risk and uncertainty.   Look at the experience through a positive lens and appreciate the opportunities you’ve been given for the learning.

Job Search Preparation Tips

Get Organized

As a result of doing ‘whatever it takes’ to start and run your business, there’s probably a good chance you don’t even know all the things you’ve been doing, since you’ve been on auto-pilot for so long.  Don’t panic.  Take the time to think about what you’re passionate about, and what makes you happy. 

Prepare a Resume

You probably haven’t written a resume in a while, so start out by writing down all of your accomplishments, and then group them into ‘skill buckets’ – what primary knowledge, skill or ability was responsible for helping you achieve that success?  Write about your skills, not so much from your ideas of what you did for your business, but what the position you are applying for will require.  There’s a big difference in how these messages will sound.

Learn New Technologies

An important tool for successful job searches in 2010 is social media.  Social media may seem a bit intimidating if you relied on an IT person in your business to take care of all the latest and greatest computer and internet connections.  Take it one step at a time.  Be sure you are utilizing LinkedIn and Twitter, at a minimum.  

Prepare Your References

Another point you will have to give some thought to; what references are appropriate? 

Take Care Of Yourself

There may be a lot of emotions associated with letting go or re-structuring your business.   This is your baby and you’re strongly connected.  Don’t take that lightly.  Look for the positive energy within yourself and around you. 

I’m passionate about helping individuals with their job search.   However, I’m sure there are other tips, ideas and pointers that should be shared with transitioning entrepreneurs.  What experiences have you had that you can share in this discussion?  This is a relatively new phenomenon and we have so much to learn from each other.  CLICK HERE to download full "White Paper".


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