Question
I would love to have your opinions on this. I took a career break sometime in 2014 for my MBA, upon finishing I tried to find a job but nothing was coming up so I decided to start a growing online retailing business while at it in 2015. I was at the same time volunteering for a non profit organisation to help coach SME's which I am still doing on the side for free. I now have a 17 month old baby with no support so I'm having to look after my child alone and cannot afford full-time day care for her nor afford to hire a nanny as hubby has taken time off work for study abroad so financially things are down. I'm looking to get back into work, but numerous applications have failed, my side business is not generating profit yet enough to take care of needs, part of it is because I'm not promoting it as I should due to fear of potential employers finding out as I still want to go back to paid employment. I'm considering starting a coaching service to sme's & startups to earn some money.
My question is how will recruiters and employers view this? Should I continue to wait to get a job which I don't know when? Hopefully by the end of next year when hubby is done we can get a nanny or have baby go to full time nursery. The coaching service will still require me to go online since most businesses success now depends on the internet to grow.
Recruiters ask me about the gap in my CV and I explain but some are not willing to go forward due to this - I never mention my side business, I talk about my voluntary service to the non-profit organisation.
Please I need advice from anyone who has run a business and went back to work or from HR managers, hiring managers and recruiters. Will my side business and coaching service hinder me from getting the job I want? Should I promote my business online that will require my personal brand to be active to support the business as well.
Answer
This is a situation that is hard to see over when you are knee deep in it. I have been in a similar situation. There are 3 separate questions you seem to have.
Situation 1: Updating your CV
1. Take a step back and look at what you have been up to.
2. Re-look at what you have been up to from the lens of what you want to do next (your next position) including running your own own business.
3. Translate that to work experience / skills. Experience and adding value to someone / an organization even when done at no cost is valuable experience.
4. Craft your CV from that point of view.
Situation 2: Starting your own business.
1. Apart from the usual you will need to do to get the business up and running like your list of services and fees, request key person you helped to write you a testimonial. If Linkedin is big where you are, get it uploaded on Linkedin.
2. Ask each and everyone for a referral
3. Jump in 1000%
There is a possible 3rd area you may wish to explore. Starting your own business while looking for full-time employment.
Call me if you think I can be of service to you.
