I am a 52 year old qualified woman, i left my well paid illustrious job after doing it for 15 years in 2009 to run my own business but due to some unforeseen and unfortunate personal and professional circumstances, I couldn't be successful in business due to lack of funding and no partners with me and remained a trader only in last 15 years. Although as a sole proprietor of the business, I handled all aspects of business my self like sales, marketing, finance, new clients generation etc, Got lot of experience as a sole proprietor but couldn't generate much revenue. I am a single woman industry. Now if I leave my business and go for a job with my total 28 years of job and business experience, how would I explain to interviewer the reason of leaving my business? How will i explain my business income which is much lesser than the current job salary of a person with 28 years experience in my field of business? I tried to go back in job several times in the last 15 years but couldn't because of these 2 reasons so please help. Thanks

Ans: I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing a downturn in your business and struggling with your mental well-being. It can be challenging to navigate such situations, but there are steps you can take to address both issues:

Seek professional help: Consider reaching out to a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor, who can provide guidance and support for your feelings of depression. They can help you develop coping strategies and explore any underlying factors contributing to your current state of mind.

Evaluate your business: Take some time to analyze the factors that might be impacting your business negatively. Consider the current market conditions, changes in client needs, and any potential competition. It might be beneficial to consult with a business advisor or mentor who can provide an objective perspective and offer insights on how to adapt and improve your business strategies.

Identify areas for improvement: Assess your business operations and identify areas where you can make improvements. This could involve refining your marketing strategies, expanding your client base, diversifying your services, or exploring new market opportunities. Consider seeking feedback from your clients to gain insights into their needs and how you can better serve them.

Seek support from your network: Reach out to your professional network or industry associations for support and advice. Engaging with others in your field can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to new opportunities or collaborations.

Take care of your mental well-being: Alongside seeking professional help, prioritize self-care activities that can help improve your mental health. This may include regular exercise, practicing mindfulness or meditation, maintaining a balanced diet, getting sufficient sleep, and engaging in activities you enjoy. Prioritizing self-care will help you manage stress and maintain a more positive mindset.

Explore new opportunities: If your current business is struggling significantly, you might consider exploring alternative avenues or adapting your services to meet changing market demands. Look for potential partnerships, collaborations, or even new business ideas that align with your skills and interests.

Remember, it's important to be patient with yourself during challenging times. Building a successful business takes time, and setbacks are a part of the entrepreneurial journey. Prioritizing your mental well-being will help you navigate these challenges more effectively. If you continue to feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out for professional help and support.

Ans: Duplicate question. Answered already.

Ans: Hi Sir/ Madam,

This is an commendable experience. Kudos.

Here are the few aspects you may consider- When explaining your decision to leave your business and seeking a job, honesty and framing your experiences in a positive light are key.

Highlight your entrepreneurial journey- mention on the various roles you have performed- sales, marketing, finance etc. This will show your versatility and multiple other aspects of the business.

Be honest and tell the interviewer'

Focus on the learning and growth-highlight the new skills you have learnt during your entrepreneurial journey and link it to the jobs you have/ will be applying.

Express your desire to have stability

Be honest on your financial conditions and explain how these are important

Get active on networking and referrals

Tailor your resume as per the industry, jobs you are applying

Prepare for the interviews. Practice, practice and practice

Employers value candidates who are honest and transparent. They value the diverse experience you bring on the table. Be effectively communicating your experience you can position yourself as a valuable asset to any organization.

All the best



Thanks
Ashwini Dasgupta
Author of Confidence Decoded. Is it a skill or attitude?

Ans: Hi,
I appreciate that you have worked for 15 years in a job.
In spite of having a successful professional career, you bravely ventured into business.
It is only 2 out of 10 that are successful in business starting from a startup. So, you are not alone in this sort of situation.
You need to be very frank and honest to the interviewer highlighting the positive points of your career. I am sure that there would be some companies who would be attracted by it and you will eventually get a good job.

Ans: Dear

There are two parts.

Emotional...how you feel attached to your business.

Rational: your financial needs and the revenue that your business is generating.

Any advise us a function of both the above aspects. Unless one knows the current revenue numbers, growth potential of the business, competition and several such factors it's not possible to share any guidance.

Hence may I suggest you talk to your CA and other colleagues of yours, look at the numbers in hard way and then take a call.

Emotional aspect can be both strength and liability... strength because it will inspire you to make business grow... liability because you may be overtly attached to your business without looking at the financial realities.

All the best.