When applying for a job, would it be a good idea to tell them you were doing IM when unemployed?

10 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
  • |
If you've been laid off from a job and you've been doing IM full time when unemployed, would it be a good idea to reveal that when you're interviewing for a job? Would you be better off leaving a gap in your employment history or "filling" it by telling them you're doing IM? Assume that some of the skills you've gained from IM (like research, writing, marketing, data analysis) are transferrable to the job you're interviewing for and you're perfectly qualified to do that job (aside from being unemployed.)
  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    Simple answer, NO. Your going for a job and should be totally focused on getting it. Any mention of a spare time income would make them think you would have less of a commitment to a full time job. You won't get it.

    Wait till your ready to walk out and do full time IM before you tell them
    Signature

    Feel The Power Of The Mark Side

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10828917].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

      Simple answer, NO. Your going for a job and should be totally focused on getting it. Any mention of a spare time income would make them think you would have less of a commitment to a full time job. You won't get it.

      Wait till your ready to walk out and do full time IM before you tell them


      How is full time spare time?

      OP word it different, instead of saying IM (interviewer = say what?) say small business. You can still use the experience for things like computer skills, time management, organization, etc...

      Odds are an interviewer will ask what you've done for the last year or however long.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10829175].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author StSignal
    Why not,every expirience is good.
    Signature
    "Starting is always hard!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10829177].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    I'm with lanfear on this one (it pained me to type that believe me). A prospective employer is going to hear you telling them that you did IM as A) He's only applying for this job as a short term exercise; B) He's not very good at IM otherwise he wouldn't be applying for this job C) A combination of the first two.

    You're best off describing it as self-education. You taught your self data analysis, how to research topics, website design, etc. These skills can be used in a formal job, you just have to convince them that you learnt them in order to do the job they have on offer better than your competitors.
    Signature
    Why do garden gnomes smell so bad?
    So that blind people can hate them as well.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10829187].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Froggys
    Well it can't be a bad thing for sure,at least in my opinion.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10829212].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author George Schwab
    dont scare them!

    IM also does spell: independence + nerdy guy

    they might not hire you, you seem to be too smart to some companies to stay for long,
    for others its the opposite, if they themselves are active on the Interwebs - then YEAH!
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10829283].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    You folks need to grow some balls.

    Stand up for yourself, be proud of what you do. Relate whatever you've learned while working online to the potential offline job.

    If they don't like what you've been doing for the last year or so, phuckem. Move on. There's more than one job in this world.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10829790].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nadine cathleen
    Would mention it.

    You can always make it a good story that you want a new challenge and that working from home is not the right thing for you as you want to meet people blabla..

    All else equal, I'd go for the one that gained extra skills and were able to organise his day self-sufficiently, pro-actively while being 'self-employed'
    Signature

    Visit My Lifestyle and Travel Blog Karate and Caviar

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10830985].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
    ? Does an employer want to hear what you like doing in your spare time or would they prefer you to talk about and have the skills and attributes to suit his role that is on offer.

    Don't bore the employer with anything but what he wants to hear, so unless part of your offline work is what he requires I would not mention it other than maybe in your hobbies or interests at best.
    Signature
    | > Choosing to go off the grid for a while to focus on family, work and life in general. Have a great 2020 < |
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10831036].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ragnarkar
      Thanks for the responses guys! I guess I'll probably stick with freelancing to pay the bills and fund my IM. Uber and Upwork could care less that I'll be quitting the instant my IM business takes off, unlike a traditional employer. Then again, it seems IM experience might only be beneficial if I'm applying to, say, a tech startup (which is probably the only type of full time job I'm qualified for and can tolerate for long.)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10835073].message }}

Trending Topics