Jim Halpert is not my idol.
January 7, 2011 6:20 PM Subscribe
What is it like to go from self-employed (with tremendous freedom) back to the corporate world? Am I forgetting why I left in the first place? Should I rent all the seasons of The Office to remind me?
Out of college I worked for several years at a company that wasn't that bad, yet inspired me to start my own thing which I have now done for 10+ years. Recently I've been looking at salaries and positions for the type of work that I do and it's extremely enticing to think about getting paid about the same or more without having to do many of the things I don't like about being self-employed (paperwork, extra taxes, health insurance, schmoozing, marketing, proposals, etc). But it's a drawback in my mind to think about having to physically dress up, show up, and perform at work five days a week. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against work but I've been extremely effective and productive in a nontraditional environment.
However, I am also wondering if maybe I've just forgotten about why I left in the first place? (Rigid schedule, office politics, being on the party planning committee, etc.) I am also wondering if fantasizing about making a change is less about logistics and more about wanting to do something totally different altogether?
I am great at what I do (programming), easily adaptable, socially capable, inventive, responsible, full of ideas, and perhaps most importantly single. So I have a lot of flexibility with what I decide to do with my life at the moment. Money isn't really the biggest issue.
So if there are any of you out there who have transitioned back to the corporate world I am interested in your experiences. I am also interested in people who have made big changes mid-career to find out how that worked out.
Out of college I worked for several years at a company that wasn't that bad, yet inspired me to start my own thing which I have now done for 10+ years. Recently I've been looking at salaries and positions for the type of work that I do and it's extremely enticing to think about getting paid about the same or more without having to do many of the things I don't like about being self-employed (paperwork, extra taxes, health insurance, schmoozing, marketing, proposals, etc). But it's a drawback in my mind to think about having to physically dress up, show up, and perform at work five days a week. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against work but I've been extremely effective and productive in a nontraditional environment.
However, I am also wondering if maybe I've just forgotten about why I left in the first place? (Rigid schedule, office politics, being on the party planning committee, etc.) I am also wondering if fantasizing about making a change is less about logistics and more about wanting to do something totally different altogether?
I am great at what I do (programming), easily adaptable, socially capable, inventive, responsible, full of ideas, and perhaps most importantly single. So I have a lot of flexibility with what I decide to do with my life at the moment. Money isn't really the biggest issue.
So if there are any of you out there who have transitioned back to the corporate world I am interested in your experiences. I am also interested in people who have made big changes mid-career to find out how that worked out.
Well, that depends on what your self-employed life has been like. For me, there was tremendous freedom but also tremendous unreliability of income, which forced me to keep a client who treated me like dirt as a general rule just to keep the rent paid. Going back to corporate life meant a steady income, health insurance, and being treated like a human being again. The other downside to self-employment is that it can be lonely if you work out of your home, and it's easy to fall into a lazy pattern. Returning to a desk job reintroduced me to a regular schedule and regular human contact. I also began to appreciate my weekends a lot more when I'd worked all week. That's kind of a nice feeling, as weird as that may seem. Anyway, I don't regret the change. There are definitely things that drive me crazy about having to work for someone else, and I love extra days off as much as the next person, but it's still better than what the alternative was for me. I really don't mind it.
posted by katillathehun at 7:21 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by katillathehun at 7:21 PM on January 7, 2011
Seconding the second post. For me the single biggest change was anxiety. Of course I loved the freedom. I wish I were retired, or rich, which is the same thing, and which brings plenty freedom. But I'm neither. I tell people I retired early -- I just called it consulting. And I went back to work. With less heartburn.
posted by LonnieK at 7:43 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by LonnieK at 7:43 PM on January 7, 2011
What about asking for a couple work at home days when you are negotiating salary/perks. You will still be working for someone else and getting in on their benefits, but you will have some of the autonomy of working from home.
posted by TheBones at 8:03 PM on January 7, 2011
posted by TheBones at 8:03 PM on January 7, 2011
I did this six months ago.
For the last five years I've lived as an expat wife, following my husband to spectacular locations around the world and living on his salary. In the meantime I worked as a freelance writer for a sense of my own identity and to keep some contacts in my chosen profession.
Six months ago I was offered an editorialship in what was basically my dream job. I agonized over giving up my free time and travel time and having to be away from my husband, who still travels a lot. I rationalized that I can always go back to housewifedom (my husband's job is pretty secure) but this job was a once-in-a-lifetome chance and I'd hate myself if I didn't at least give it a try.
My first month, right after I started the job, my husband went overseas again and I was in AGONY that I couldn't go with him. This was compounded by the fact that I was kind of "hazed" into my work position (my coworkers have since mellowed out). Six months later, I am so completely happy and satisfied. I am very, very glad I made the decision.
YMMV of course. We are literally talking about my dream job here. If yours isn't a dream job I can't guarantee the same results.
posted by Brittanie at 11:12 AM on January 8, 2011
For the last five years I've lived as an expat wife, following my husband to spectacular locations around the world and living on his salary. In the meantime I worked as a freelance writer for a sense of my own identity and to keep some contacts in my chosen profession.
Six months ago I was offered an editorialship in what was basically my dream job. I agonized over giving up my free time and travel time and having to be away from my husband, who still travels a lot. I rationalized that I can always go back to housewifedom (my husband's job is pretty secure) but this job was a once-in-a-lifetome chance and I'd hate myself if I didn't at least give it a try.
My first month, right after I started the job, my husband went overseas again and I was in AGONY that I couldn't go with him. This was compounded by the fact that I was kind of "hazed" into my work position (my coworkers have since mellowed out). Six months later, I am so completely happy and satisfied. I am very, very glad I made the decision.
YMMV of course. We are literally talking about my dream job here. If yours isn't a dream job I can't guarantee the same results.
posted by Brittanie at 11:12 AM on January 8, 2011
I went back to a full time job last February after being self-employed for five years. I was worried that I might not adjust well, but I've adjusted fine. To answer the part about "Am I forgetting why I left in the first place," for me that is job-to-job. When I left my last full time job, I left THAT place for a particular reason, but my new job isn't like that job. That reason doesn't exist here. I've learned that a full time job is OK if I like the job.
So ... you may hate it when you go back, if you aren't happy with the job. ;) Be selective, and hopefully you'll find a place you enjoy working.
posted by iguanapolitico at 12:02 PM on January 10, 2011
So ... you may hate it when you go back, if you aren't happy with the job. ;) Be selective, and hopefully you'll find a place you enjoy working.
posted by iguanapolitico at 12:02 PM on January 10, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by LonnieK at 7:19 PM on January 7, 2011