Should you mention self employed part time work in an interview if it relates to the job you are seeking? (employment, applying)

[ClassicII]

I fix, repair and restore computers on the side and sell them on ebay when I am laid off of carpentry work.

I am trying to get back into the IT industry and found a computer repair job that I was interested in. I was lucky enough to be called for an interview next week.

What I will be doing at this job is directly related to what I do on the side. Should I mention this in my interview? I would think yes because this is exactly what they do. But it may be a conflict of interest and would not be looked upon positively.

What is your take on this?

[South Jersey Styx]

I wouldn't mention that you sell them on EBay. I would certainly include that you are self-employed and list and discuss the things you do. However, be sure to have some bonafide clients who can give a referral if needed, even a neighbor, friend, or associate who can vouch for the quality of your work. Good luck!

[annerk]

I wouldn't mention it, as you are technically competing with the potential employer.

[Redrover]

I somewhat disagree with the others. I would indeed mention that I did that kind of work on my own when I was not working as a carpenter. Any related experience is useful when applying for a job and the fact that you sold your products shouldn't be a negative. Just about anyone interviewing for a job will likely have a previous employment situation that involved working for a competitor - people change jobs all the time. Your self-employment situation shows initiative - you didn't just sit around hoping for a new job. It also shows that your work product was sufficiently good to attract purchasers on ebay when they had so many other places to go.

[skchi]

Are you going to keep repairing and selling computers on the side if you get this job?