My Old Job is Open. Would you reapply?

[supernova]

I'm curious to see what others think.

My old job that I got laid off from last year is open again. It's the same job description as what I had. Nothing, nothing has changed. (Some folks never learn, eh?) I haven't worked in this time (really been depressed, and yes I can afford it). There were things about it that served me well and some that didn't, like all jobs. On the whole it was a job I did well.

However, my thinking over the past year has changed. I'm now more in line with thinking I can set up my own business and things might finally be happening in that area.

This sorta feels like an old lover with whom things were mostly good has shown up wanting to get back together.

My question is, if you were me, would you reapply for my old job?

[Wcross]

1. Why were you laid off if the job is still there is the question?

Was it due to a temporary slowdown or did they perceive your performance to be lacking? Personally I would give self employment a shot rather than do something I have already done UNLESS I was desperate for the money/benefits.
I intend to quit my job within the next five years & try self employment. I will be debt free (including the house) by March of next year. I will need to work another two- three years in order to build up some capital. I will be giving up some of my pension if I leave but I really need to leave.
It would be a REAL shame if you went back and never tried self employment. How bad would it be if you lived the rest of your life as a worker drone with the thought in the back of your head of what you could have done?

[supernova]

3. Lack of work

I was a contractor so they felt free to let me go. Contracting is really the nature of what I do. There aren't that many permanent arrangements in my line of work, technical documentation. I wasn't really aware of that when I entered the field in the early 90s, but its the thing I'm good at and I can use my English abilities and not be a teacher, which I honestly did not like.

It would be a REAL shame if you went back and never tried self employment. How bad would it be if you lived the rest of your life as a worker drone with the thought in the back of your head of what you could have done?

Even though I'm not wealthy (though I guess by developing world standards I am) and do really need to earn my own $$$, that's what's making me hesitate here.

[porphyrian]

2. If you're thinking about setting up your own business, do it before you learn better.

If you think about it too long, you'll talk yourself out of it (for good reason - you'd have to be crazy to start your own business). Give it a shot. You can always go back and work for someone else later if things don't work out.

[supernova]

4. Ha Ha

Yes, the thought of setting up my own business does sound crazy. Especially since I never before this year considered myself an entrepreneur. I really don't have a "sales" personality, but I am a fairly decent actress, so I figure I can fake that part (like everyone else does.)

[porphyrian]

5. If you can get a business person you can trust cheap enough, do it.

You'll have to write them up as contracted employees or you'll go broke paying for them, at least until the cash really rolls in, which can be years later. Otherwise, you'll be flying by the seat of your pants and playing the lottery. But, seriously, do it before everyone (like me) tries to change your mind.

[supernova]

6. I do have the name of a good accountant

and I am meeting with someone this afternoon about setting up an entrepreneur's group here in the Triangle, with the mission of being able to pass contacts back and forth.

edit: May I ask what line of work are you in? And what where the obstacles that you faced?

[porphyrian]

11. Right now? Failure. Ha!

I helped a friend of mine run his own sign shop for a couple of years, and I helped another friend of mine with his carpentry business, both as the "other employee." We learned a whole lot of things not to do. Then, for a short time, I tried my hand at freelance website design, but I was undermined, rather than supported, by my ex-wife, despite all the help and support I gave her before that, the bitch. Did that sound bitter? Heh, heh.

Anyway, like I said, you don't really want to know all of the possible obstacles before you start, because they'll convince you not to try. There is no sane reason to start your own business right now, but people are doing it and succeeding. I think it may be in part due to the Loony Tunes physics of being able to walk into the air off of a cliff without falling because you don't realize you should fall.

[tigereye]

7. moving on is good!

I left my previous management job about 10 years ago to go solo and I have never looked back. A new job would have to have new challenges.

Good luck!

[supernova]

8. Thanks for the affirmation, tigereye!

:toast:

The idea of working for myself is the only thing I've shown any interest in at all, in the work dept, these past few months.

[tigereye]

9. it's hard, but wonderful and you can make most of your own decisions

I got to the point where I said, crap, I'm tired of people who don't know as much as I do about x telling me what to do. Why should I sit in pointless meetings when I could actually be doing actual work?


:toast:

best to you in your endeavors....

[supernova]

10. Thank you tigereye

That's really where I'm at right now.

I got to the point where I viewed management as in the way rather than helpful. Someone I had to keep in the loop just because it was good business manners, not that they could really tell me anything useful.

I'm really looking forward to creating my own projects. I hope to reach the point where I can do some jobs for money and try to fit in my own creative writing for fun. :-)

[momophile]

12. just because you apply doesn't mean you have to take it

it's good to have lots of options. imo.
:hi: