I’ve Always Been Self-Employed; Can I Even Get A Job?

You might be surprised. Even if you can’t remember the last time you got a paycheck from someone else, you are liable to find you are easily employed.
Consider the skills you’ve learned by being on your own:

1. Management: Everyone who is self-employed learns to manage projects and those who have employees also learn to manage people.

2. Self-discipline: Bosses love self-starters. They love people who show up in the morning and start work without being told what to do. Not everyone is doing that, but everyone who’s been working independently has mastered the skill.

3. Tough work: Having danced back and forth between self-employment and working for others for my entire career, it is clear to me that I never work harder than I do when I’m working for myself. Employers simply don’t expect as much as you do when your livelihood is in balance.

4. Results: For the self-employed, you can’t make it from one month to the next—forget making it for years—without getting results. Whatever your field, if you’re accustomed to getting results, someone will be eager to hire you.
5. Determination: Persistence, doggedness, stick-to-it-iveness, whatever you call it is a skill learned through years of going it alone. That attitude is invaluable and employers will pay up for the privilege of having an employee who can demonstrate the talent.

Here are some tips for finding the right job:

1. Update your resume: It may be a long time since you’ve had to update a formal resume. If that’s the case, it is a big idea to get help. You probably have talent that you don’t see clearly; a professional resume coach can help you put it all on paper in a way that will represent you well.

2. Network: Your existing professional network is ready to work for you. If you’ve developed relationships over the past decades of being self-employed, no matter the reason you’re now looking to work for someone else, those relationships will be ready to serve you. Move closer to your clients and customers, your vendors and advisors and even your peers and competitors. Tell them what you’re doing and most will be pleased to help. In fact, many will think you are helping them to solve a problem. Your talents are valuable.

3. Social Network: If you’ve been going it alone for the last decade you certainly know all about social networks like Linkedin and Facebook. Be sure to let people know you 're available for a full-time opportunity. You’ll find people eager to help immediately.

Finally, a few tips for starting work as an employee (again):

1. The Boss: The hardest part about getting a job is having a boss. It’s generally not so bad. You were a decent boss, right? There are lots of nice bosses out there. Good bosses value your experience and wisdom; they won’t ride you like a newbie. Be patient with your boss. If you show her respect, she’ll respect you, too.

2. The Schedule:, Working on your own your time was your own to manage. There are different expectations in an office. Be sure you understand the cultural norms around the work schedule before you find yourself violating them. Some offices that post an 8:30 start time see everyone rolling into the office at 9:00. Others see everyone there at 8:00. Get a nice read on the situation before you find yourself getting chewed out.

3. Colleagues: Now that you have peers and colleagues again, make it a point to get to know them. Make friends. Offer to help. Show deference and respect. The more you do here this the more that will return to you.
Returning to the world of employment after years of self-employment or freelancing can be a tough transition, but you have a lot to offer. Your network can help you find a place quickly.