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Key Takeaways Tailor your job application to reflect relevant experience and expertise, targeting realistic roles based on your entrepreneurial history.
Differentiate yourself in a crowded job market by showcasing unique entrepreneurial accomplishments and relating them to potential job roles.
Update LinkedIn profiles with relevant titles and keywords, leverage your network and adapt your job search strategy as an entrepreneur.
If you’re thinking about quitting your business to return to a 9 to 5 gig, you’re far from alone. Over the last year, I’ve heard from a ton of entrepreneurs reaching out for advice on how to find a role in corporate, tech, and beyond. Between economic uncertainty, burnout and isolation, many founders are ready for stability, structure and a steady paycheck.
As an entrepreneur, positioning yourself for an in-house role is a unique challenge, since your experience is anything but ordinary. Additionally, it’s likely been several years (or decades) since you last looked for a role. The job market has changed rapidly, meaning old practices no longer work. Lastly, there’s more competition for fewer roles, meaning traditional job search advice is out of date.
Let’s explore how to best position yourself for an in-house role as an entrepreneur.
Be realistic about your target
It’s critical to pursue roles that align with both your experience and the company size you’re targeting. For example, if you founded a 10-person company, it might seem to make sense to target a VP or C-suite role at a Series A startup, but it’s more realistic to target a manager-level role at a global tech company. Many companies level roles based, in part, on team size, so let the job posting guide the roles you target.
Also, keep in mind that most employers are looking to hire specialists, not generalists. Unless you’re applying for a C-suite role, you want to avoid simply listing “CEO” on your resume. Instead, tailor your title to reflect the function of the role you’re pursuing, such as “Head of Engineering” or “Director of Product.”
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