Jobs for Former Small Business Owners

If you are no longer running a small business and you are looking for a way into working for someone else, you have plenty of options. Jobs for former small business owners aren’t just for those whose business has failed or stopped trading, it could be that you have sold your former business or you just want a change of career.

Skills of Former Business Owners

Of course, every business owner has their own set of unique attributes, but there are certain skills that people who run businesses tend to share.

• Resilience. You’re likely to get a lot of setbacks in business and you need to be able to cope.
• Analytical skills. Being able to look at data and figure out what it means is key to making good decisions.
• Marketing and sales skills. Knowing how to sell your product or service is essential, whether you’re doing this face-to-face, over the phone or online.
• Adaptability. You may have had to chip in working on multiple aspects of your business and had to be adaptable.

So, if you are looking for a job after running a business, consider all the skills you have to offer.

Examples of Jobs for Former Small Business Owners

You always have the option to retrain and go into whichever field you are passionate about, but your experience running a business may have made you a good candidate for certain roles such as:

• Business consultancy. Sharing your knowledge of a particular industry or the business world with others.
• Finance and accounting positions. You may have had to keep an eye on the company’s finances, so roles such as bookkeeping or accounts payable could be a good fit.
• Sales positions. If you’re confident in your sales abilities, there are always companies looking for reliable sales staff.
• Management roles. The skills you’ve gained from running your own business may make you suited to managing a team in another company, especially if you had employees.
• Customer service jobs. Your experience dealing with customers could come in handy in a customer-facing role.

Of course, this is just a small selection of the jobs that may be suitable for former small business owners. Do your research and see what other positions match the skills you have to offer and your own passions.

Applying for Jobs After Being Self-Employed

If you’ve been self-employed for a while, it can feel daunting applying for jobs after a break.

Update your CV and make sure it includes all your recent experience, even if it’s running your own business. Putting a job title such as “founder” or “CEO” might not be best for the job application, so consider what you actually did in the position and try to communicate this on an application.

Highlight your skills. As well as the business skills you’ve picked up, running a business has probably also taught you how to be independent, how to manage your time and how to work under pressure.

Finding a Job After Running a Small Business

You can start your search for a job role here on our career change jobs board, with regular positions available with employers open to working with those who want to make a change later in life, and after running their own small enterprise.