Are you an alien monster?
People who have been successfully self employed have a lot to be proud of. Operating a successful horse related business is no small accomplishment. Sometimes successful business people decide that they want to change direction, close their business, and work for someone else. It is only natural that these folks would want a prospective horse industry employer to know about their abilities and accomplishments in business. It is also true that their business experience is likely to be of great value to their employer. However, some employers are nervous about hiring people who have been self employed. They may think that previously self employed people will have a hard time letting someone else make the important decisions. Or, they may think that a previously self employed person will not be happy with being an employee. They may even wonder if the business was really successful if the owner is looking for a job. It pays to be aware of this way of seeing things. In general, we recommend that previously self employed people focus on their skills and abilities when first talking with a potential employer, and not talk about where those skills were acquired until the subject comes up. The change in approach could be as simple as saying “I managed a breeding farm for ten years” instead of saying “I owned and operated a breeding farm for ten years.” As justifiably proud as you may be of your business accomplishments, trying to impress a potential equine employer with them up front may backfire. We never recommend trying to hide anything about your background, but focusing on your skills first will help a potential employer see your value without being distracted by how you gained your experience.
