Leaving self employment
Discussion
So... after 24 years of working in the family business I have got to the point where I cannot really see a way forward anymore 
A combination of constantly never having enough work to fully pay the bills and hence constantly being in the red and my personal life causing friction between myself and my parents means I have to start hunting for a new job.
I have a City and Guilds qualification in Cabinet making and antique restoration.
Having been "Self Employed" since leaving school I am totally out of touch with the world of work out there. I am getting my CV together but wondering how I go about References??
And the other thing that worries me is that I am putting myself "out there" at the worst possible time as regards the economy....
Any advice that you good people can offer would be gratefully received.
A combination of constantly never having enough work to fully pay the bills and hence constantly being in the red and my personal life causing friction between myself and my parents means I have to start hunting for a new job.
I have a City and Guilds qualification in Cabinet making and antique restoration.
Having been "Self Employed" since leaving school I am totally out of touch with the world of work out there. I am getting my CV together but wondering how I go about References??
And the other thing that worries me is that I am putting myself "out there" at the worst possible time as regards the economy....
Any advice that you good people can offer would be gratefully received.
Firstly, whilst it is an anxious time for you, have confidence in yourself and your own abilities; this will be really important as you take the next steps to finding employment.
My top tips would be to have a top drawer outcomes based CV produced that really reflects you (your values and standards) and your core competencies. You then need to market yourself with this new personal sales brochure at the same time as networking around the industries you're keen to enter (there will be a number of alternative options regardless of what you yourself think you're capable of doing (PM me if this is not obvious and I can share some ideas of where your skills may be transferable)). Persistence, spreading the net wider than you would initially be inclined to and undertaking some continuous development and maybe some voluntary work should all improve your chances of success. Very good luck! And do keep us posted.
Sorry, missed out response re references. You'll usually require 2, sometimes 3, with your most immediate past employer being one. The other 2 in your case could be either suppliers or customers. Obviously the higher their profile the better. Equally, someone who can vouch for your character, say your GP, your local vicar or even local councillor or MP if you know them well enough, could also be used as a referee. Hope that helps.
My top tips would be to have a top drawer outcomes based CV produced that really reflects you (your values and standards) and your core competencies. You then need to market yourself with this new personal sales brochure at the same time as networking around the industries you're keen to enter (there will be a number of alternative options regardless of what you yourself think you're capable of doing (PM me if this is not obvious and I can share some ideas of where your skills may be transferable)). Persistence, spreading the net wider than you would initially be inclined to and undertaking some continuous development and maybe some voluntary work should all improve your chances of success. Very good luck! And do keep us posted.
Sorry, missed out response re references. You'll usually require 2, sometimes 3, with your most immediate past employer being one. The other 2 in your case could be either suppliers or customers. Obviously the higher their profile the better. Equally, someone who can vouch for your character, say your GP, your local vicar or even local councillor or MP if you know them well enough, could also be used as a referee. Hope that helps.
Edited by rog007 on Friday 1st March 06:24
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