I am seriously considering leaving my full time job and working part time, perhaps about 29 hours a week, to give me more time to focus on my business.
I am worried that if I start going to interviews, should I tell them I also have my own business?.
Would this go against me, or should I not mention it at all, but then one of the most used interview question is So why do you wish to leave your current job? and quite honestly I have no other answer to give apart from the truth.
I can 't think of anything else to say to the question, and am worried that because my boss has said no to shortening my hours, I feel stuck in a catch 22 situation, where I feel that I can't donate enough time to my business, so not giving it my best and also feel I won't get another job elsewhere if I mention my business, as I don't know how to otherwise answer that question, arrrggghh!
Or perhaps I am completely wrong and someone on this forum has been through this and came out the other side fine, or are there understanding employers out there??.
This has been doing my head in now for about 2 years, I'll try not to think about it to much!.
I look forward to any responses
-- Edited by lor on Saturday 6th of October 2012 09:43:05 AM
I recently had a job interview where I used my business and what I'm doing as an advantage. I'm really proud of what I'm doing with my business and my enthusiasm must have showed through, because I got the job.
Of course it depends on the job, but I'd say that telling your prospective employers at interview that you have a business is a must for several reasons: 1) Trust. Why start a new relationship with a lie? (and keeping it a secret could be classed as a lie - check the employment contract) 2) Experience. Running a part-time business will "show" employers that you are confident with your own knowledge and are happy to risk running a business. 3) Positivity. You're passionate about your business, right? Get excited about it in the interview - employers would rather have a positive "can do" attitude in their midst than someone who, well, isn't...
However - in my interview there were the ever present obstacles (they have to throw these at you apparently). mine was "Conflict of interest" and "Do you have enough time for both"
their concerns were justified. Why should they employ me when I might steal business or put myself in a position where my position wasn't exactly clear (I have before been best friend, employee, client, lodger and service provider to 1 person - I ended up cutting all ties with them) or I might only be using said company for a short burst of income while my business takes off!
I assured the interview panel that in the first instance, "I would never allow myself to be put in a situation where there was a conflict of interest. The day job is regular and guaranteed income. It'll be paying my rent, so why would I want to risk the roof over my head?" - they seemed very happy with this. For the second objection i had to scrabble around a bit on the fly (of course I WANT my business to grow to a point where I don't have to take on a job) so I decided on the truth from a specific angle, "The intention is for my business to grow to a point where it can pay for a deposit on a house and the mortgage repayments." - that seemed to asuage their doubts somewhat.
Hell - I got the job.
pDm
-- Edited by pDm on Saturday 6th of October 2012 02:41:49 PM
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my blog "the bookkeeper's in town - learning the hard way"
One downside of telling the truth is that prospective employers may think that you won't be around for long if your business takes off - but I think they would (should) at least be impressed that you told the truth.
Ok, thanks for your answers, I would feel like I was living a lie if I didn't mention it. Do you put your business on your CV?. I'm not sure whether to include it.
You have made me feel a bit more positive, haven't looked at it from that angle before, and I can easily be enthusiastic about my business.
I recently had a job interview where I used my business and what I'm doing as an advantage. I'm really proud of what I'm doing with my business and my enthusiasm must have showed through, because I got the job.
Of course it depends on the job, but I'd say that telling your prospective employers at interview that you have a business is a must for several reasons: 1) Trust. Why start a new relationship with a lie? (and keeping it a secret could be classed as a lie - check the employment contract) 2) Experience. Running a part-time business will "show" employers that you are confident with your own knowledge and are happy to risk running a business. 3) Positivity. You're passionate about your business, right? Get excited about it in the interview - employers would rather have a positive "can do" attitude in their midst than someone who, well, isn't...
However - in my interview there were the ever present obstacles (they have to throw these at you apparently). mine was "Conflict of interest" and "Do you have enough time for both"
their concerns were justified. Why should they employ me when I might steal business or put myself in a position where my position wasn't exactly clear (I have before been best friend, employee, client, lodger and service provider to 1 person - I ended up cutting all ties with them) or I might only be using said company for a short burst of income while my business takes off!
I assured the interview panel that in the first instance, "I would never allow myself to be put in a situation where there was a conflict of interest. The day job is regular and guaranteed income. It'll be paying my rent, so why would I want to risk the roof over my head?" - they seemed very happy with this. For the second objection i had to scrabble around a bit on the fly (of course I WANT my business to grow to a point where I don't have to take on a job) so I decided on the truth from a specific angle, "The intention is for my business to grow to a point where it can pay for a deposit on a house and the mortgage repayments." - that seemed to asuage their doubts somewhat.
Hell - I got the job.
pDm
-- Edited by pDm on Saturday 6th of October 2012 02:41:49 PM
Congrats on getting the job! is it a part time job and I take your still trying to build your own business?.
@ Lor - No, it's a full time job (a bit more than full time at the moment, but hopefully that will calm down soon). And yes, still building the business. Although the two situations aren't exactly the same (full time/part time etc) I think there's a lot to be said for being open and honest in all of your professional dealings. I treat my full time job like a client (although its PAYE and not bookkeeping related at all) so everyone's kept informed if its relevant. Also my bookkeeping clients are aware that I have a regular commitment that keeps me busy for most of the week - they know that if they call, I might not be able to answer straight away, but I will call them back as soon as I can. My day-job boss is also very understanding that I check my business emails regularly - I do my job well and efficiently so he has no qualms if I need to take 5 minutes now and then. It's working so far - just less time to build a strong client base. Good luck (and yes definatly put you business on your CV - it's a vital part of presenting you and your skills) pDm
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my blog "the bookkeeper's in town - learning the hard way"
thanks, PdM, sounds you have a great boss, my boss won't let me check emails or have a spare 5 mins out, he trying to stop me improving my business as much as he can. Your very lucky or my boss is mean, probably the latter :), all he seems to think about is himself, and we all know that, that work there. OMG don't get me started lol, put it this way, he doesn't care about the warehouse workers health, there's machine chucking out fumes! - he say's oh I need to sort that out today, but never does!, and it is dangerous too much stuff there and health and safety would have a field day.
Wish I had an understanding boss, I believe you need to care about other people to some degree, otherwise what does that make you, a selfish XXXXX, and alienates everyone against you.
Yes, you should care about other people and the boss should care about his employees. Can you measure or photograph this and anonymously let him know that it's as easy to file an H&S complaint as it is to leave a photo on his desk. Obviously pristine factories are no good if its too expensive to staff them, but there's a balance and if it's serious enough, hard evidence will help the agency give it priority.
Also might be worth noting that the veil of incorporation does not shield an employer from negligence leading to personal injury (that includes health issues as well as thngs such as losing limbs).
Too many people think that they can safely hide behind the veil without realising how easily it may be lifted by a court of law.
If you (I'm talking you now, not the employer) know of the issue and do nothing resulting in injuries or health issues being susptained you may find that you too are responsible for what you should have but failed to do.
In this instance unless something is done about this immediately I would consult with the legal department of your professional body, and / or citizens advice.
The downside is that the laws protecting whistle blowers are not as strong as they should be and reporting such could cost you your job even if later compensated and reinstated through the courts. (can't imagine anybody acually wanting a job that their employer was forced to take them back into).
You also have to be incredibly careful due to your obligation of confidentiality to your client / employer imposed by your professional membership.
Note that if this were though your business rather than employment your PII will not cover us for this but your PLI might.
Regardless of whether this was knowledge through employment or self employment though your professional membership dictates that you are responsible for what you knew, what you ought to have known and what you ought to have done about it.
Sorry to sound negative but would hate for anything like this to bite you on the bum lorraine.
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
is it a part time job and I take your still trying to build your own business?.
