Applying for a job, should I tell them I have my own business?

andygb

colino wrote: »

Don't mention it. Any decent recruiter will wonder if you are just available due to a lull in income from your own business and they'll have to go through the expensive recruiting business again if your business picks up and you leave.

I totally agree with this Colino. Sometimes, even if you are going for part time work, the employer will want you to show total commitment to that job - and that means not having to share/compromise your time with anyone else.
You have to look after your own interest nowadays, and sometimes that means not revealing too much about yourself at the start. Get to know someone before you trust them.

amiehall

I would say that, when I was recruiting for part time roles, I was always quite wary of people who couldn't explain why they WANTED part time work. I'm always a lot more comfortable if people can explain why part time work actually suits them better. I find that, once people have got a job that really fits in with their life, they're much less likely to leave.

If someone does nothing else other than the part time role I've given them, I've had a lot of people leave once they've been offered full time work (understandable!) or cause friction with my full time members of staff about who should get any overtime available. Either way, it's best for me to find someone who wants to work part time long term in the role, rather than viewing it as a stopgap.

If I were the OP, I would explain that I walked dogs but that I was hoping to move into the vet assistant role long-term and that this role was perfect as it complements what you're already doing and allows you to move towards your long term goals.

getmore4less

As above highlight the experience, expereinced dog walker maybe with a time period, for the last 2 years.

Whats the chances you allready walk a dog that goes to this vet.

How do you advertise?
common for a recruiter to google these days and checkout the social media sites, local business do not want the local tramp or thug working with customers

purple.sarah

getmore4less wrote: »

As above highlight the experience, expereinced dog walker maybe with a time period, for the last 2 years.

Whats the chances you allready walk a dog that goes to this vet.

How do you advertise?
common for a recruiter to google these days and checkout the social media sites, local business do not want the local tramp or thug working with customers

Good point. The business is in it's infancy but I do advertise on social media, local pet sites etc. As employers do a lot of background research nowadays it could come out anyway and the last thing I want is to look dishonest!

purple.sarah

amiehall wrote: »

I would say that, when I was recruiting for part time roles, I was always quite wary of people who couldn't explain why they WANTED part time work. I'm always a lot more comfortable if people can explain why part time work actually suits them better. I find that, once people have got a job that really fits in with their life, they're much less likely to leave.

If someone does nothing else other than the part time role I've given them, I've had a lot of people leave once they've been offered full time work (understandable!) or cause friction with my full time members of staff about who should get any overtime available. Either way, it's best for me to find someone who wants to work part time long term in the role, rather than viewing it as a stopgap.

If I were the OP, I would explain that I walked dogs but that I was hoping to move into the vet assistant role long-term and that this role was perfect as it complements what you're already doing and allows you to move towards your long term goals.

Thank you, that explains what I want perfectly and will really help me to explain it to an employer.

esalad

Hi OP,
I am in a similar boat to you- three years ago I started a small pet visiting/dog walking business alongside my main job. After one year I decided to take the plunge and go full time self employed. It was quite succesful and building nicely then I got ill and was unable to cope with the dogs
I then eventually got some other work and just mentioned I had my own business too but by this time I had decided to specialize in cat visiting as its a bit more time flexible.
I think it shows initiative, ability to work hard and if your clients are willing to referee for you all the better!

Best of luck xx