Have you consider starting your own business

Have You Considered Starting Your Own Business? | Important Interview Questions

Have you considered starting your own business interview questions are situation-based. You cannot eagerly say “yes”…and blurting a quick “no” is also risky.

TRAP: If you say “yes” and elaborate enthusiastically, you could be perceived as a loose cannon in a larger company, i.e., too entrepreneurial to make a good team player…or someone who had to settle for the corporate life because you couldn’t make a go of your own business.

Also too much enthusiasm in answering “yes” could rouse the paranoia of a small company indicating that you may plan to go out on your own soon, perhaps taking some key accounts or trade secrets with you.

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On the other hand, if you answer “no, never” you could be perceived as someone who never dreamed of a big dream.

ACCEPTABLE ANSWER: It’s best to:

Gauge this company’s corporate culture before answering and…

Be honest (which doesn’t mean you have to vividly share your fantasy of the franchise or bed-and-breakfast you someday plan to open).

In general, if the corporate culture is that of a large, formal, military-style structure, minimize any indication that you’d love to have your own business. You might say, “Oh, I may have given it a thought once or twice, but my whole career has been in larger organizations.  That’s where I have excelled and where I want to be.”

If the corporate culture is closer to free-wheeling, where everybody’s a deal maker, then emphasize that in a firm like this, you can virtually get the best of all worlds, the excitement of seeing your own ideas and plans take shape…combined with the resources and stability of a well-established organization. Sounds like the perfect environment for you.

In any case, no matter what the corporate culture, be sure to indicate that any desires about running your own show are part of your past, not your present or future.

The last thing you want to project is an image of either a dreamer who failed and is now settling for the corporate cocoon, or the restless maverick who will fly out the door with key accounts, contacts, and trade secrets under his arms just as soon as his bankroll has gotten rebuilt.

Always remember: Match what you want with what the position offers. The more information you’ve uncovered about the position, the more believable you can make your case.

“Have you considered starting your own business” may be paraphrased using “venture”, “company”, or “passion”. So watch out!

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Have you considered starting your own business? Did the plan materialize? What’s your take on similar interview questions? We’d love to know in the comments.

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