How can I get a corporate job after not working for the past 5 years?

Question

The last job I had was in 2002 and I have been self-employed for the past 5 years. I am seeking to enter back into the corporate setting, but I am not sure how to market myself. I have always been under the impression that hiring managers usually like people with steady employment, but this is a pretty big gap. Furthermore, my previous experience is clerical, which is what I am seeking again.

Answer 1

Well, if you were self-employed, just include that (and the name of the business) on your resume/CV. Let's say the business was doing lawn care and your name is Pat; put down Pat's Lawn Care, and mark down the number of years and describe the work. That way you don't have a blank space on the record.
Thats the best thing you can do.

But, big business people are often still skeptical of hiring someone who has been self-employed for any length of time. I spent a long time running my own business, and it's often difficult to go back working for someone else. The HR people know this, and they know that a lot of us entrepreneurial types often quit soon after we get hired because we don't love working for someone else. So, in your interview, that's what you need to convince them of.

Also, a good method is to go to work for another entrepreneur. Instead of avoiding you, they will be thrilled to hire someone who understands what they're going thru.

Answer 2

5 years is quite a large unemployment gap. But you've been self-employed during that time, so it really isn't an unemployment gap. You should put your business of the last 5 years on any job application. Employers often do ask about unemployment gaps. I think you'll be OK as long as any potential employers knows what you've been doing the last 5 years.

Answer 3

>How can I get a corporate job after not working for the past 5 years?

Unless you hit the lotto and we're relaxing on an island somewhere, I think you were working. So clearly, you need to work on your thinking. Those words imply a lack of self-confidence and fuzzy thinking.

You can use Execunet to find a coach to help you with your thinking. You can use JibberJobber to organize your networking activities. You can visit my "turkey farm" for jobseekers to "steal" some of my thinking.

You have to find your Unique Value Proposition. What can you do, that is unique to you , that will unlock value for someone else. Put that on a piece of paper and half your search is done. (It's not that easy to express. I'm still developing mine after all these years. It's like playdough.

Hope this helps, let's us know how you do,
fjohn

Ferdinand J. Reinke
Kendall Park, NJ 08824

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Answer 4

Self-employed would be a major plus. It shows you have the courage and integity employers look for. Put yourself out there and good luck.

Answer 5

Corporate is all about image, packaging. If you have been self employed, you are obviously a self-starter. Don't make apologies for your record, and don't see it as a gap.

Answer 6

Whoa!
You have not , "Not" been working for the past 5 years,you were self employed.
That is working, believe me, that's working.

Get a better value on yourself.

Answer 7

Log In : http://www.jobsup.com

Get lots of openings. Show your skills and face the interview.

your Exposure will be your Plus point !

Do not loose courage !

abhishek

Answer 8

Just apply.

Put your resume on monster.com it's the most popular job search site in the U.S.

Most corporate companies in the U.S. are equal opportunity employers.

Answer 9

If you have some high education it will be easier to find a good position.

I wish you good luck!