self employed to regular job cv cover letter help

Lexxx

I have been self employed for a few years and I am now trying to return to the regular world of work.

Stumped as to how to present this on cv, and add it to cover letter.

I have 20 years office work experience and looking to get back into it.

Any advice?

Snakey

They'll want to know why you went self-employed (do you have a problem with being told what to do or with the office environment which is just going to happen again once the novelty has worn off), why you want to come back, and - if it's relevant - what you have been doing to keep up to date on the changes in the office work environment in the meantime.

Most of that is for the interview though.

CV: Make sure your current expertise (software systems or whatever) is clear to see in order to head the "out of date skills?" question off at the pass, and include your self-employment with dates in just the same way as if it was a job - skills, responsibilities, achievements etc.

Cover letter: add a sentence about why you're applying, just as you would if you were in employment - keep it short and simple and all about wanting the new job rather than no longer wanting the old one - and be prepared to explain further at interview. Don't forget everyone who applies for a job is doing so because they want to leave the old one behind and/or improve their pay/prospects, so you're not some sort of freak.

How long were you self-employed for?

Lexxx

Hey snakey,
Self employed for two and half years.
I started to work for myself because I did not want to be on jsa and stuck in the signing on spiral. I wanted to keep working and have something on cv.

I have still been applying for jobs sporadically and have had a handful of interviews though they were early 2013 and 2012, I dont feel I have a problem explaining in interviews, its the cover letter that I am not sure about.

I am not applying for highly skill office work