Self-employment can be an enriching and rewarding experience, providing you with a wealth of skills and accomplishments to share with potential employers. However, articulating this experience on a resume can sometimes be challenging. This article will focus on the best practices for presenting self-employment in a professional and compelling manner on your resume.
When you are self-employed, you wear many hats and develop a broad range of skills. Here's how to make the most of your self-employment experience on your resume:
Rather than listing duties, focus on specific achievements and the impact you made while self-employed. Quantify your successes wherever possible using metrics such as revenue growth, customer acquisition numbers, or percentage improvements in efficiency.
Choose a job title that accurately reflects your role and responsibilities. If you were a freelance graphic designer, 'Freelance Graphic Designer' is appropriate. If you operated a consulting business, 'Founder and Consultant' could be a good fit. Ensure the title is understandable and respected in your industry.
Provide a brief description of your self-employment venture, including the services offered or products sold. This helps to set the context for your achievements and responsibilities.
Identify skills from your self-employment that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Highlight these skills in a separate section, or weave them into your achievements and job descriptions.
Be transparent about the period of self-employment on your resume. Include the start and end dates, if applicable, to clarify the timeline for employers.
If you have other professional experience, integrate your self-employment into your employment history in chronological order. This provides a complete picture of your background.
Including references or brief testimonials from clients can lend credibility to your self-employment experience. Make sure to get permission before including any client information.
Employers may have specific concerns when considering a candidate with self-employment history. Prepare to address these in your resume or cover letter:
Some employers might question your commitment to being an employee after being your own boss. Highlight collaboration and teamwork experiences to show your ability to work within an organization.
Ensure that the skills gained during self-employment are presented in a way that employers can see their relevancy and value to the position you're applying for.
If there are gaps in your employment due to periods of self-employment, be ready to provide a clear and honest explanation.
Here's an example of how a self-employment resume entry might look:
This entry demonstrates achievements, explains the nature of the self-employment, and shows transferable skills.
Discussing self-employment on your resume should not be a disadvantage. On the contrary, it can showcase your entrepreneurial spirit, dedication, and versatility. Follow these guidelines to ensure your self-employment experience enhances your candidacy and helps land you the job you aspire to.
When describing self-employment on your resume, focus on highlighting your achievements rather than just listing responsibilities. Quantify your successes with specific metrics and use a job title that accurately represents your role.
In the business overview section, provide a brief description of your self-employment venture, including the services offered or products sold. This helps to give context to your accomplishments and responsibilities.
If there are gaps in your employment history due to periods of self-employment, be prepared to provide a clear and honest explanation for these gaps. Highlight the valuable skills and experiences gained during those self-employment periods.
Including references or brief testimonials from clients can add credibility to your self-employment experience. However, it's important to obtain permission before including any client information on your resume.
To ensure your self-employment skills are relevant to the job you're applying for, tailor your skills to match the job description. Highlight relevant skills either in a separate section or integrate them into your achievements and job descriptions.
For further insights and guidance on discussing self-employment on your resume, here are some valuable resources:
Explore these resources to further refine your resume presentation and confidently discuss your self-employment experience in a professional setting.