From self-employment to an employment relationship: 10 tips for a successful return

Start your own business Executive Being in your own start-up is considered chic and trendy. It is often forgotten that a Foundation with a lot of uncertainty - and sometimes returning as an employee is the better way.

From boss to employee: An unpopular step

There are numerous guides and tips on how to become self-employed as an employee. The opposite case is probably more common, especially in times of crisis, but the media tend to neglect the topic. Entrepreneurial failure is often seen as failure and personal failure. Numerous hurdles can also arise here, because the end of personal freedom can above all be psychological Problems to recover.

Admittedly, it all sounds so beautiful in theory: You are your own boss and enjoy a lot of freedom. However, when it comes to self-employment, not all that glitters is gold. Bureaucracy, bad order books, an unbalanced one Work-Life-Balance or just too many ambitions can come from self employment altogether fast make hell. Then the step back into employment is obvious.

When priorities suddenly change

Like Anna, an entrepreneur with ten years of experience in the marketing industry. She is looking for a professional one Crisis can decision made the decision to switch from self-employment back to an employee position. The reasons were varied: In addition to financial insecurity, Anna discovered that her... priorities have postponed. Away from freedom and creativity towards a more balanced lifestyle and more time for personal interests.

These insights led Anna to conclude that moving to an employee position in an established Companys is the next step for them. This decision is not just a professional one change, but also personal development. Anna is looking forward to working together in a structured environment with clear hierarchies and common goals. The thought of team meetings and the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues awakens a new form of Motivation in her.

Although fears and insecurities accompany this step, Anna sees the change as an exciting personal opportunity growth and professional development. For her, the transition to an employee position is not just a step back, but a conscious decision for a new path. Anna is ready to take on the challenges and write her professional story in a different way, while she is excited to see where this new journey will take her.

10 tips for a successful return as an employee

However, this is often not that easy and you first have to overcome a few hurdles. We have summarized here what you need to consider and how this step will work for you.

1. Don't see it as failure

First of all, you should definitely not see the change from self-employment to employment as a step backwards. Rather, see your time in freedom as a pool of experience that you can now bring into your new job.

With this mindset and perspective, you can also HR impress that next to you job interview sit opposite. It's definitely not a failure if you feel better about this decision. Rather, it just makes your life better.

2. Concentration on the essential tasks

Look forward to the coming ones Tasks. When you were self-employed, you also had to take care of about a third of administrative tasks, such as the Accounting, you have a lot more space in the employment relationship to concentrate on your actual tasks.

It also gives you more free time that you may not have had before. Even if maybe the monthly one salary slightly smaller than before.

3. Clarify the insurance situation

One of the most important points to consider when entering employment is insurance. On the one hand, you can cancel your entire company insurance policy. This takes a great financial burden. At the same time, you should make a call to your Health insurance make an effort.

Especially if you have previously been private because of your self-employment insured there are a few things you should keep in mind. Under certain circumstances you may have to switch back to the statutory health insurance, which is not that easy. To do this, you must meet certain requirements. This is something that needs to be clarified for you in advance, not that you will suffer financial disadvantages as a result of a job change.

4. References instead of job reference

For your Application It is natural for the next permanent position clearthat you cannot issue your own job reference. However, you should still include certain references in your application that can inform the HR staff about your work capacity.

Ask So you previous business partners, customers and clients whether they can issue letters of recommendation. You can also include work samples from successful assignments with your application to give an impression of your work.

5. Realistic salary demands

It is of course clear that you may be less employed to earn than before in self-employment. Have you had a fairly high one so far? Income however, you have to take into account here that you have probably worked more and a large part for current ones Costs and Taxes died. That's gone now. In return, you will most likely have more free time, regulated work processes at a lower salary that is still reasonable.

6. Take advantage of self-employment

During your time as a self-employed person, you were able to gain a variety of experiences that employees will not gain. These are not necessarily just technical ones Competencies, but also about social skills, entrepreneurial thinking and organizational talent. Also, you will become a Network that you can also use in your new job.

Especially if you are very self-employed successfully were, then you will also be in high demand on the normal job market with HR professionals. Familiarize yourself with these skills in the application and in the personal Conversation advantage.

7. Openness and honest handling of the professional past

As already mentioned at the beginning, a change from self-employment to an employment relationship is not a shame and should by no means be viewed as a failure by you. So do not try to avoid or bypass the topic in your application.

Instead, go open and Honestly with your professional past. In this way you create trust and a more positive impression on HR staff than an exaggerated self-portrayal.

8. Take role changes seriously

It may be a bit strange for you, especially at the beginning, but as an employee you will have to say goodbye to being your own boss. You will again take on a role in a fixed hierarchy. Finding your new place can be difficult, especially after many years of independent activity.

Let the recruiter know that you can handle these structures. You automatically assume that you might have problems with such hierarchies, even if they are flat.

9. Combine independence with being an employee?

If you don't want to give up self-employment completely, then there are at least some Industries the possibility to combine both with each other, for example in freelance work. So you have the security of having a reasonably secure and regular income and at the same time you can be your own boss.

10. See opportunities and potential

Whether the glass is half full or half empty after the change, decide still her. So see the change positively: the integration into one Team e.g. also holds opportunities and potential. The opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues, work in a structured environment and focus on specific tasks can lead to a fulfilling professional experience. The exchange of ideas and working on projects together offer space for personal growth and professional development.

Conclusion: Returning to employment is more positive than many people think

The decision to change your career path from boss to... Employees is undoubtedly a profound one Transformation, which has far-reaching implications at both the individual and organizational levels. Considering the different facets of this journey, some key insights and conclusions can be drawn. A central element that runs through the consideration of numerous case studies is the need for intensive self-reflection. People who make this change are confronted with the challenge of critically questioning their previous role as a manager and their personal and professional ones Set to redefine. This period of self-discovery is crucial for clarifying the motivation for the transition and developing realistic expectations.

These examples make it clear that the reasons for such a step can be extremely diverse. From a changed lifestyle to the need for more work-life balance to new professional challenges, the motives are as individual as the people themselves. This underlines the importance that the transition from boss to employee is not a step backwards, but rather a conscious decision is considered for a new professional direction. Anna's story also shows that the organizational impact of such a change should not be underestimated. Companies benefit from the diversity of experiences and perspectives that the former Executives bring into their teams. At the same time, however, they must ensure that the integration goes smoothly and that the new employees are supported in their changed roles.

The challenges that come with this professional change are diverse. Self-employment shapes an independent mindset and a proactive approach to professional tasks. However, switching to an employee position requires adapting to hierarchical structures and greater integration into existing teams. This transition not only represents a change in daily tasks, but also a change in identity and self-image in a professional context. Overall, it can be said that the path from boss to employee is more than just a career change - it is a journey of self-discovery, adaptation and growth. The individual stories show that this path can be successful if it is taken consciously and with a clear understanding of one's own motivation. The transition can lead to an enriching period in which personal goals are aligned with professional experiences, ushering in a new, fulfilling phase of one's professional career.