Don’t Go Into Business Because You Need a Job

Don’t go into business because you need a job  – Go into business because you want to be in business. 

I often hear clients who are looking for a job say that they are thinking about starting a business.  This generally occurs after they have been searching for a job for a while and have not landed a job yet.  Seems like an option – right?  Wrong.  

1.  There is only one reason to go into business:  You want to be in business.
Starting, building, and running a small business is a life commitment in terms of time, energy, and resources.  Those who succeed do so because it is their burning desire to do so.  It becomes their life style.  Born of necessity, many if not most other things come in second!  It is interwoven into their daily existence, so that you can't tell where one starts and one lets off.  Being in business becomes a way of life.

2.  If you want a job, work at getting a job.
What playing around with starting a business does for someone who really only wants a job is deters them from the job of finding a job and delays their  search.  They waste their and others' time and energy. 

In doing some of the business start-up activities, a job seeker winds up NOT spending time on job search activities.  They also send a confusing message to those with whom they network and interview.  A prospective employer isn't sure what you want from them:  business or a job?

3.  So, decide.  Are you looking for a job or an account?
You can’t do both at the same time.  You water down your argument in either case as to why you will be the best employee or the best provider of your service or product in your business. 

Don’t mix up searching for a job with starting a business.  Focus on your search if you want a job, and on building a business if you want a business. 


For additional information on marketing yourself and your capabilities, please refer to the many articles found under the Articles tab of the AJC–Career Strategy website.
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