How should I explain closing my own business in a job interview?
by deniz
(turkey )
After working for international clothing brands as brand and marketing managers, I decided to open my own boutique. It's been 2.5 years that I have opened my shop though I didn't lose money, I am not satisfied with the money that I earn either.
Because I don't have sufficient capital, what I earn has to be spent on buying of the merchandising again, and thus leaving me not much... So I decided to work for a company again and this time I will pursue my career in a different country than mine but hesitant how to explain my situation.
Could you advise me on that? What reasons can I present other than my dissatisfaction of my income and at the same time I don't want them to think that I am not successful.
ANSWER: I always advocate honesty and transparency when looking for a job. However, I wouldn't volunteer any more information about this than necessary. In your cover letter, I'd say nothing more about it than something like, "I've decided that owning my own business is not a good fit for me at this time and would like to re-enter the job market."
If they specifically ask you for more info at the interview, you should not lie, but I think you can keep it simple. You could just talk about the fact that being responsible for all the aspects of running your own business was more stressful than you expected and that it also didn't produce enough profits to offset the stress. You could say that the security and career growth of working for a larger corporation appeals to you.
Good luck!