Returning to work after a 10 year absence - Advice Please.
Discussion
I find myself in a position where I am looking to return to full time employment after 10 years of being self employed.
10 years ago I set up a small shop (home interiors) and although this has been OK and growth has been good even in tricky trading conditions, now, due to various reasons, I feel the time is right to return to full time employment.
I am now 41 and based in Hertfordshire. I have a Buying / Procurement / Project Management background, and would like to return to a buying role if at all possible, as this is the part of my previous employment which I got the most enjoyment and satisfaction from.
However, I am fully aware that many things have changed in the 10 years since I was last office based, and, I guess, if I am honest, I am a little nervous at prospect.
My fear is that potential employers will view a 10 year absence in the negative, that I have been out of the corporate world too long...... even though I have probably learnt many different aspects of many different things whilst running my own business.
My CV has been completely re-worked, and I have a comprehensive covering letter that I can adapt to each individual role which I will apply for.
Has anybody else been in a similar situation?
If so, how did you approach it?
Any tips, advice or suggestions would be hugely appreciated.
10 years ago I set up a small shop (home interiors) and although this has been OK and growth has been good even in tricky trading conditions, now, due to various reasons, I feel the time is right to return to full time employment.
I am now 41 and based in Hertfordshire. I have a Buying / Procurement / Project Management background, and would like to return to a buying role if at all possible, as this is the part of my previous employment which I got the most enjoyment and satisfaction from.
However, I am fully aware that many things have changed in the 10 years since I was last office based, and, I guess, if I am honest, I am a little nervous at prospect.
My fear is that potential employers will view a 10 year absence in the negative, that I have been out of the corporate world too long...... even though I have probably learnt many different aspects of many different things whilst running my own business.
My CV has been completely re-worked, and I have a comprehensive covering letter that I can adapt to each individual role which I will apply for.
Has anybody else been in a similar situation?
If so, how did you approach it?
Any tips, advice or suggestions would be hugely appreciated.
You have not been absent from work.
I was self employed for a couple of years, importing and selling evening wear, nothing to do with my current line of work or related to what I had done previously. Before that I had a variety of short-term paid and unpaid ecology/research jobs.
It's been an asset in job applications due to the range of duties I had to perform as a sole trader. The only issue is references. One place wanted a reference from my accountant, but I did my own so never had one. I still got the job.
I was self employed for a couple of years, importing and selling evening wear, nothing to do with my current line of work or related to what I had done previously. Before that I had a variety of short-term paid and unpaid ecology/research jobs.
It's been an asset in job applications due to the range of duties I had to perform as a sole trader. The only issue is references. One place wanted a reference from my accountant, but I did my own so never had one. I still got the job.
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