Employment Archives - Page 11 of 12 - The Voice of Job Seekers

5 Reasons Why Employers Should Hire Entrepreneurs

Editor’s note: Sandra Tedford (@WeTalkToday) offers an excellent post today on the value of hiring an entrepreneur. She is the CEO of WeTalkToday.com and is a regular contributor here.

Shanghai entrepreneur demonstrating their 2-way video conferencing + chat over current GPRS cell linksâ€¦. making this â€œBerry-Pieâ€ sweeter than my Blackberryâ€¦.I just realized that with the nested loops, I am in this photo ...

Every employer wants an employee who’s a motivated self-starter, and more employers should hire entrepreneurs. However, most employers spend way too much time looking for bodies to fill positions instead of assets that will add to the growth of their organization. Innovative leaders are needed to lead companies forward, yet few employers are willing to hire people that know more about their business than they do.

Why are employers reluctant to hire entrepreneurs? Because there’s an assumption that it’s difficult for entrepreneurs to relinquish control and allow another individual to take ownership. Most entrepreneurs are comfortable in taking the lead and being the boss. However, one virtue employers often overlook an entrepreneur’s ability to know when to lead and when to follow. To be a good leader, you must know when it’s appropriate to listen and when to give input.

Below are a few additional skills entrepreneurs hold that make them invaluable to employers

Understands the Big Picture: Entrepreneurs understand every aspect of business including raising capital, managing budgets, creating benchmarks and measurements, and marketing and promotions. They understand the difference between revenue and profit. They understand how their decisions regarding investments, capital expenditures, and cash flow affect the business short term and long term. Why? Because they’re accustomed to wearing many hats. Every role within the organization is often filled by the business owner. If they fail to produce results, they don’t have to look very far to figure out what needs to change.

Understands Victories Are Short-Lived: Entrepreneurs are constantly looking for ways to improve or top a previous success. Celebrating successes or milestones are important. Most entrepreneurs have a long term vision of where they want to go. Getting comfortable is not an option.

Takes Bold Risks: Employers want to hire someone who’s not afraid to take risks within reason to grow the business. More importantly, an entrepreneur that’s familiar with failure is typically more intuitive in their decision making concerning the business. Of course, this doesn’t apply to every entrepreneur. I know there’s some who never grasp what it takes to run a successful business. Those who’ve learned from their mistakes and are constantly learning how to improve are in a better position when opportunities come along.

Passionate about Their Business: Most entrepreneurs typically start businesses in an industry in which they’re passionate. This sets entrepreneurs apart from the average job seeker because they’re more likely to acquire knowledge that will add value to the company. Employees with an entrepreneurial mindset enjoy learning about various aspects of the business on their own time.

Understands the Value of Relationships: Entrepreneurs are more likely to engage in activities related to their industry outside of normal work hours including networking online and offline. Those that excel at networking have a valuable network and connections to other business owners in their industry. This is a bonus for employers especially if the entrepreneur has access to decision makers at companies they want to do business with in the future. Cultivating healthy business relationships is an asset and skill every employee should be required to develop.

Every employer desires a team of professionals that are resilient and armed with a strong entrepreneurial drive. If you look at hiring entrepreneurs as an investment rather than a challenge, the returns will pay off for your organization.

We’d love to get your input. If you’re an employer whose hired entrepreneurs in the past, what was your experience? Let us know?

About Sandra Tedford

WETALKtoday stands for "Web Entrepreneurs Talk" and provides a platform for business and tech savvy entrepreneurs with information and resources to grow their business in the new economy.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Are You Chasing Away Future Employers?

Job seekers must practices awareness of what they say about current or future employers while searching. Anyone despite looks, wardrobe, or how casual anyone can have a major influence in your career. Let me tell you two stories illustrating this point.

My theatre professor was quite eccentric. He was very much into taking risks, and liked students to call him “Marvin.” I liked him, and gave me opportunity to do my thing in class, although I was the least talented actor. His introduction to us was acting like us, while sitting among us while the rest of speculated.

“He’s fifteen minutes late!”

“Who is this guy?”

“What does he look like?”

One person was more concern about the waste of money he was paying for the class (after all, the semester was only 16 weeks long).

Fortunately, none of us slandered him or said anything inappropriate but to think that the opportunity was there. Marvin bearded, long thin build, and looked like Kenny Loggins (add round spectacles and 20 pounds less).

And although I was the least talented in the class, he offered me a semester scholarship 100% fully paid!

The next story demonstrates what could happen if he or she is publicly negative about an employer. Below is a story as it was told to me by a friend who is a CEO of a successful small business:

“…talking about your old boss especially with people you don’t know will kill your job chances. Went out with friends, woman joined us and talked trash about her current boss. That trash talker had filled out an application for an opening we currently have at our company. Her application was great. Had planned to meet with her to actually offer her the job today! Emailed her last night and canceled the interview. She still doesn’t know I was in that group of ladies at the lunch.”

The lessons are obvious, but just so that you have perspective:

If research was done by soon-to-be jilted job seeker, she would have found a Linked In profile picture and a profile.
Self-control is the best control of your career chances. Know your role, shut your mouth (shout out to The Rock!).
You gain nothing by publicly trash talking any employer. You don’t know who is listening.

Did you ever experience or know someone who experienced a smack down as a result of bad mouthing an employer? If you have, please share.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Do You Understand Prospective Employers?

Familiarity with employers in your industry is essential in today’s job market. It is not good enough to have a friend who works for the company to get you the interview. The same interest in knowing who your blind date is the way to approach employers. You should understand them.

I wrote an article “Do Employers Understand You?” earlier this year, and people are struggling with what employers want. A better perspective comes with reading the initial job description:

Many employer pretenders exist but…

We can explore this dynamic but the burden of proof is the job seeker’s. You, the job seeker must prove worthiness of permanent employment. It doesn’t matter that the employer is tricking you that it has a hot tub, generous benefits, and overtime. No one can guarantee illusions don’t exist. With research, you can discern the movers and shakers from the big-time fakers.

How direct are you answering questions?

How much mumbling should an employer accept when a job candidate unclearly answers “What skills do you bring to our company?” Frankly, little to none. If you are networking using informational interviews, this question dances around your brain frequently. What solutions do you offer?

Do you follow instructions?

If you are infatuated with the employer who asks to send a cover letter with your résumé faxed, and you just mailed a résumé , this will end in unrequited love. Are you sending a curriculum vitae instead of a résumé ? You know employers are testing you, right?

Who are you when its tough?

It is rare when someone overcomes difficulty alone. Employers want to know if you contribute significantly when challenged. It might be tempting to showcase your ego instead of skill as flawed strategy.

Do you ask employers direct questions?

Many job seekers still struggle with asking thoughtful and engaging questions. The reason is the lack of planning of the need-to-know to do the job. The research on target jobs should drive your interest and intrigue.

Can you offer quantitative and qualitative measures of past job performances?

Not every job is measured by $ and %, but the operative word is value. That is what you must sell in hopes for an employer to buy.

These are just a few points that job seekers are challenged with conveying to employers. What are challenges understanding what employers want? Please share in the comments.

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