WorkWise Q&A: Alternative? Hidden benefits

Small biz

Q: There have been so many layoffs that I’m thinking about becoming a business owner. At least no one can fire me. What’s your take on this?

A: Many people are becoming entrepreneurs for the reason you stated. However, that’s really not a good reason, because it’s reactionary. The best reason to start a business is that you have the personality traits of an entrepreneur -- optimism, drive, discipline, pragmatism, tenacity, creativity -- and can sell or pay someone to sell for you. As a longtime business owner, I rarely recommend business ownership to people. Look at the demands: — The buck stops here. Period. — There’s scant time for “a life” if you’re responsible for earning income for yourself and/or others. — You must keep focused on the market and respond to it so that your product or service is always a revenue-generator. — You must be flexible, working to complete today’s tasks while preparing for tomorrow’s developments. However, I also feel that if you were born to be an entrepreneur, it’s the best life for you. Go after it proactively, not reactively. Then, don’t ever give up.

Face value

Q: I’m angry. I had five interviews before the company offered me a one-year contract with salary less than I was making two years ago. Did I make a mistake by not asking about compensation early?

A: You might not have. You might be focusing so much on salary that you’re missing other benefits from working at that company. A fantastic salary history often discourages employers from even interviewing or continuing to interview people because of the reaction you had.

Consider a dose of reality. You may have convinced yourself that you can't get by on a lesser salary or that your history of salary advancement implies that the pattern should continue. In a perfect economy, it might.

Then think about the one-year contract you reject, for work you’d enjoy, that might be the one that leads to a permanent position. It also might give you the contacts you need to find a better job than you're likely to find now, when the economy improves.

Timing is important. Don’t look at offers superficially. Rejecting them at face value isn’t wise, particularly when you consider the old adage “a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”

Mildred L. Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net

©2009 Passage Media