Successful Founders – Did you/do you ever feel unemployable?

8 points by Southworth 3 years ago | 3 comments

Hi all,

I’m finding myself at the crossroads of my life, I never really had a plan in life, but somehow stumbled into computers, then programming, then somehow managed to exit a business. I spent a few years “giving back” to the startup communities in the UK, NO & NL then a few years doing Government advisory work.

I’m now finding myself with a CV that makes for interesting reading but is clearly utterly insane for anyone trying to understand “what do you do?”.

I feel like I’ve spent so long solving any and all problems that I have to, that I really don’t know what it is people would pay me for.

Have any of you found yourself in this situation, and have you any tips for me to help me get back in to the world of work?

I don’t need much money, I want to get in to more climate/ethical work, but would take anything to have any structure and to not to be constantly dipping in the savings.

Thank you in advance! Also, HN, remains one of the last happy places of the internet.

I’m UK based, so no longer eligible for EU work as easily, I could potentially relocate, but location matters less than the work I’d be doing.

TIA.

rgbrenner 3 years ago |

Serial start up founder here...

If you're trying to find a job, you're not applying for "anything and everything". You're applying for a specific role. What you want to do with your life is a question you need to ask yourself.

Once you've answered that question, you can then tailor your resume to that role. Remember a resume is just an advertisement that highlights related work experience. You can leave off stuff that's unrelated, and bring more attention to stuff that shows you can deliver value in the type of role you're looking for.

And then I would suggest crafting a (true) story about why you're looking for a job and how your experience has led you to working on the specific problem the role addresses.

Archipelagia 3 years ago | |

> If you're trying to find a job, you're not applying for "anything and everything". You're applying for a specific role.

Strong agree.

I'd only add that you might have way better chances reaching to people personally rather than using traditional channels. It might sound obvious, but it's easy to forget that you can use the same skills you've built as a founder to find a job. Just messaging a few people working in the industry you care about and scheduling some calls can go a long way.

wonderingyogi 3 years ago |

Most founders I know are unemployable because their resumes are extraordinary. I am not a successful founder, but more than a few recruiters have mentioned during phone interview that my resume is unusual. You are suppose follow the standard path of graduating, working at a company, and switching every few years. You will find a job sooner or later though.