Small business owner / possible job - how to handle business, competition, etc. (employee, consulting)

[StoneOne]

I run a small consulting firm that handles general business advisory and public relations. Business has been slow, or erratic I should say, for quite some time now. Although the money is still fine, I'm getting tired of the lack of stability and am starting to look for full-time jobs.

I'm sending out resumes that fully disclose my company, its website, and everything else I've been doing for the past few years.

I've just been invited for a phone interview at a PR firm. Although this kind of company is not really a competitor for what I do, it easily could be. I'm wondering how proactive I should be about the following issues:

1. Putting my company on the back burner. I'm not really willing to unwind the company, but I would be willing to put my business aside and use if for occasional projects that may come along but not compete with a potential position at this new company. Should I suggest all of this myself?

2. If the salary is not acceptable to me, should I make an offer to take on part of their work as a contractor?

3. Should I suggest a non-compete agreement up front?

Basically, I'm very interested in working for this company as a full-time employee (if the salary is right) or on a contractor basis, although the latter is obviously not stated anywhere in job description. If I go on board full time, I'd like to keep my existing business intact as it is now and continue to develop it as a side business that I can come back to if the job doesn't work out.

Anyone else here been in such a situation? How did you handle it?

[maf763]

You could try saying (if it comes up) that you are exploring returning to a 'regular' job if the right situation presents itself, which is exactly what I did about a year ago. If they don't make an offer you like, you can always pursue contract work then. At the very least, keep in touch with the interviewer if it seems like a place you wouldn't mind contracting with.

[zitsky]

I think you should just be very careful about mentioning the names of any customers in the interview. Until you know what they really want, assume they might want to put you out of business. I'm not sure about the rest you mentioned. It would be weird for you to walk into an interview with them and tell the interviewer that he had to sign an NDA. That could be a good way to end the interview. You said yourself that business is slow. You're looking for a job as a lifeline and to get some stability. Maybe after they make you an offer, you could talk about NDA's etc. I think before the interview is too soon.