To ask how you would answer this question (job interview related)

[GoGoGoFigureItOut]

I've been self-employed for the last 5 years but have recently started looking for some part-time work after losing some clients over the last few months (not due to anything I've done, just a run of bad luck - small business wanting to cut costs, ill health etc) and struggling to replace the income, especially with the cost of living crisis and the cost of everything going up. It's got to the point where I'm struggling with bills etc so as much as I don't want to go back to being employed, I don't feel as though I have much of a choice, at least for the time being. I've only been looking at part-time to begin with as I don't want to completely give up my own business if I can possibly avoid doing so.

I've had a message from one of the companies I've applied for requesting a Zoom call with me and I know they will ask why I'm looking for work. Should I just be honest and say that I'm looking for a few days a week of stable income to go alongside my self-employed work? I don't know whether to just be honest with the fact I'm really only looking at the job for the money (and I know that's why everyone wants a job but it's not the kind of thing people admit to in interviews) or whether that will immediately put them off.

The problem is, if I'm not honest, I really don't know how to answer the question. Has anyone been in this situation or have any ideas about what I could say if they do ask the question?

I think it's perfectly reasonable to say that with the rising COL, you felt that having a more stable income would be wise. Their company is exciting/interesting/whatever and you felt drawn to apply by their advert.

You're answer seems fine to me. And that your own business isn't something you want to do full time (so it comes across as a choice and a balance).
Of course they may ask why you want that particular job rather than any job. So you say it's either opposite what you do as a business (because you like to be varied in your work) or along the same lines (because you love that area of work). Tweak your answer so it fits. Good luck!

assuming you're looking for the same type of work as you do self-employed, I'd just say that you take on a balance of self-employed plus contractual work as some clients prefer one or the other and you don't mind which it is.

I do this a lot (the industry I'm in sometimes prefers in-house people rather than contractors) and it doesn't seem to cause any problems; I'd rather work for myself (and I hate being managed as an employee!) but needs must in these difficult times!

Yes it’s absolutely normal for people to look for stability and security and in fact they are positives.

Thanks all! I will stick with honesty then.

Their company is exciting/interesting/whatever and you felt drawn to apply by their advert.

Of course they may ask why you want that particular job rather than any job.

This is the other question I'm worried about (which they're bound to ask, I'm sure) as the only reason I applied for them was because the hours would work for me (hopefully - they've said in the advert it's 5 days a week but said it can be negotiated to 3 so I'm hoping they're willing to do so!). It's not an industry I have any enthusiasm about (though it's not an industry I've worked in previously, so maybe I could give that as one of the reasons, working in an industry I've never worked in before) and it's not a job I'm excited about either so it makes it a bit tough to answer that question.

I'd rather work for myself (and I hate being managed as an employee!) but needs must in these difficult times!

That's exactly how I feel! I've put it off for a long time hoping my own business would pick up again but it's becoming clear that I'm going to have a rethink, and in the meantime, I need to pay the bills. In all honesty, the thought of going back to working for people again makes me want to cry but I know I have to just get on with it!