Hello,
The REALITY is quite DIFFERENT for entrepreneurs who, for various reasons, want to get into the job market again.
Prima facie, there shouldn't be any problem--especially given that an entrepreneur would have many soft skills that a normal job hunter WOULDN'T have. However, many companies don't consider such applicants for reasons other than competence.
Recently we had a US MNC reject one of our candidates [an IIT-M qualified--both Degree & Masters--guy with exceptional technical skills who was on his own for a couple of years a decade ago--during the 9/11 global slowdown--before getting into a job again & has been in jobs since the past 10-11 yrs] just ON THIS SCORE. He was, OTHERWISE, an absolute fit for the position. The MNC's HR & Top management preferred NOT TO FILL the position than to even interview & evaluate him [it's still open].
The reasons for this scenario could be many--but these are what I have observed so far--but MIND YOU, these are all about PERCEPTIONS & MINDSETS, NOT 'Right or Wrong'.
When a person working on his/her own looks for a job--
1] The perception is that he/she is doing it due to monetary pressure. So once he/she manages to save sufficient amount, he/she would prefer to back to being on his/her own again--leaving the company in the lurch.
2] He/she would obviously be exposed to the nuances & inner secrets of the company--especially if he/she is hired in critical departments like Design, Sales, etc--which he/she CAN use later to the detriment of the company.
3] In IT or Technology sectors, access to software code, patents, designs, etc can be misused.
4] In Non-IT/Manufacturing sectors, he COULD be a problematic employee. Persons who have tasted being on their own have a streak of 'independence' in them--so he/she may not listen to the superiors.
5] He/she COULD be looking for a job to expand his/her own business at the cost of this company.
These reasons can go on & on--since the human mind, for good or worse, can conjure up 'hazaar' reasons for 'WHY NOT TO DO SOMETHING'.
Hope you get the point.
Coming to HOW to handle your situation, pl clarify/confirm the following points:
1] You mentioned you were running a small firm--was this on YOUR name OR a relative's name OR jointly held?
2] Was the focus of your Firm only into Networking or anything else?
3] Pl mention the approx durations of your B'lore job & this Firm--how long with each of them?
Like the Saying goes: "There's a Solution to EVERY problem--we only need to FIND it out".
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS