In today’s world, where job security is a distant dream, a lot of people have adopted self-employment as a way of life. Working as your own boss can bring enormous satisfaction and financial benefits, but it does come with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges for self-employed individuals is finding the right way to present their experience on their resume.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of including self-employment on a resume, along with a sample to help you get started.
Overview of self-employment on a resume
Self-employment offers a unique set of experiences and skill sets to potential employers. Many people hesitate to include self-employment on their resume, worrying that it might give the impression of instability or lack of focus. However, if presented effectively, self-employment on a resume can actually showcase an individual’s entrepreneurial spirit, ability to multitask, and versatility.
Importance of including self-employment on a resume
In today’s job market, employers appreciate individuals who have taken the initiative to work for themselves. Self-employment experience can demonstrate that an individual possesses qualities such as problem-solving skills, time-management capabilities, and financial acumen. Moreover, self-employment experience can set a candidate apart from others who have only worked traditional jobs.
Understanding Self-Employment
Being self-employed is often an attractive option for individuals who want the freedom to work on their own terms and control their income streams. Understanding what self-employment entails is crucial if you’re considering transitioning to this type of work or want to highlight your experience on your resume.
A. Definition and scope of self-employment
Self-employment refers to individuals who work for themselves instead of working for an employer. These individuals typically provide a product or service and are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and other business expenses. Self-employment can include a wide range of work, such as freelancing, consulting, owning a small business, and more.


B. Different types of self-employment
There are many different types of self-employment, each with their own unique characteristics. Some of the most common types of self-employment include:
- Freelancing: Working on a project-by-project basis for clients.
- Consulting: Providing specialized advice and services to clients for a fee.
- Small business ownership: Owning and operating a business with fewer than 500 employees.
- Gig work: Performing short-term jobs or tasks for various clients.
- Entrepreneurship: Starting and running a business from scratch.
While each type of self-employment comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities, what they have in common is that individuals who pursue these career paths do so with a high level of independence and control over their work.
C. Advantages and disadvantages of self-employment
Self-employment can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges. Some of the advantages of self-employment include:
- Flexibility: The ability to set your own schedule and work from anywhere.
- Control: The power to make your own decisions and control your work environment.
- Unlimited earning potential: The opportunity to earn as much as you can based on your skills and work ethic.
However, self-employment also has some disadvantages to consider, such as:
- Lack of stability: A lack of consistent work or income can be stressful for some individuals.
- Increased responsibility: Being self-employed means you are responsible for everything from taxes to insurance to marketing.
- Limited benefits: Unlike traditional employment, self-employed individuals don’t typically receive benefits like healthcare, paid time off, or retirement plans.
Self-employment can be a viable option for those seeking greater independence and control over their careers, but it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making the transition. Understanding the scope and nuances of self-employment will also help you integrate this experience effectively on your resume.
Why Self-Employment on a Resume Matters?
In this section, we will explore the reasons why self-employment is an important aspect to include on a resume for both employers as well as job seekers.
A. Employer’s Perspective on Self-Employment
From an employer’s perspective, self-employment on a resume can be seen as a valuable asset. It shows that a candidate possesses the entrepreneurial spirit and has the ability to take initiative and manage their own business. Employers are always on the lookout for candidates who possess these qualities, as they are essential to the success of any organization.
Moreover, self-employment experience can be particularly useful for small businesses, startups, and other organizations looking for candidates who are resourceful, resilient and able to wear many different hats. It also proves that the candidate is self-motivated, goal-oriented, and possesses excellent communication and problem-solving skills – all of which are crucial for any role in the modern job market.
B. Influence of Self-Employment on the Recruitment Process
Having self-employment experience on a resume can also play a crucial role in the recruitment process. According to various studies, recruiters and hiring managers take self-employment experience seriously, particularly if the candidate can demonstrate that their business was profitable, well-managed and achieved quantifiable outcomes.
In fact, in some cases, self-employment experience can be the deciding factor for being selected over other candidates. It shows that the candidate can take on various leadership and management responsibilities, has experience navigating different industries and has a strong work ethic.
C. Benefits of Including Self-Employment on a Resume
Including self-employment on a resume can have many benefits for the job seeker. It can help to distinguish them from other candidates, highlight valuable skills that may not be showcased in traditional employment settings and demonstrate a unique perspective that can be of great value to employers.
In addition, having self-employment experience can open up new opportunities for freelancing or consulting work, which has become increasingly popular in today’s gig economy. It also shows that the candidate is willing to take risks and is committed to developing their professional and personal brand.


Self-employment can be a valuable asset to include on a resume. It showcases an entrepreneurial spirit, highlights valuable skills and demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness. For employers, it provides crucial insights into a candidate’s leadership potential and ability to take on new challenges. For job seekers, it opens up new opportunities and can set them apart from the competition in a crowded job market.
How to list self-employment on a resume?
If you’re a self-employed worker inserting your work history on a resume can be daunting, but it’s crucial to show potential employers that you’re a dependable, skilled professional. Here are some tips on how to list your self-employment on your resume effectively.
A. Choosing the right format for your resume
Ensure that you choose the most appropriate format for your work experience. Use a functional, chronological or combination format depending on your type of work, skills and experience level. Consider what layout best highlights your accomplishments and will catch the attention of prospective employers.
B. Tips for highlighting self-employment on a resume
When listing your self-employment, make sure you emphasize your achievements and major-day-to-day responsibilities. List relevant accomplishments such as, “Developed and implemented a successful marketing campaign resulting in a 50% increase in annual profit.” Highlight the duties that show your transferable expertise, such as, “Comprehensive business management, including consulting, project management and accounting.” When listing your experience, make use of terms that are transferable, such as “managed and developed customer relationships,” and “oversaw project timelines and budgets.” Also ensure that you use active, descriptive verbs that communicate your work’s quantitative or qualitative impact, like “established, grew, increased or improved.”
C. Examples of incorporating self-employment on a resume
Here is an example of how to list self-employment on your resume:
Title: Freelance Marketing and Social Media Consultant
Company: Your name and contact information
Timeframe: November 2017 – Present
Industry: Marketing
Location: Remote
Summary:
A results-driven freelance consultant specializing in social media and digital marketing with over three years of expertise in crafting engaging content, developing brand identities and increasing online engagement, traffic and presence through well-planned campaigns. Proficient in managing multiple projects simultaneously with minimal supervision and delivering quality client satisfaction.
Key Accomplishments:
Developed and executed successful digital marketing campaigns for clients resulting in an average 40% increase in engagement rates.
Maintained profitable relationships with over 20 satisfied clients leading to repeat business and referrals through exceptional communication and customer service.
Major Responsibilities:
Created custom social media strategies, calendars and content for various platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Developed brand messaging, and improved website user experience and design leading to increased website traffic, sales and customer acquisition.
Managed and executed all aspects of social media campaigns, including analytics, reporting and budget management.
It’s crucial to always highlight your key self-employment accomplishments and responsibilities while putting them front and center on your resume. Using the appropriate format, active verbs and transferable skills will increase interest and get you ahead of the pack.
Key elements of self-employment on a resume
When you’ve worked as a self-employed individual, it’s important to highlight the key elements that will impress potential employers. Here are the four critical categories to make sure you include:
A. Role and job title
First and foremost, list the job title(s) you held while self-employed. If you had multiple roles, make sure to list each one separately. Be sure to use industry-standard job titles whenever possible, and avoid gimmicky or hard-to-understand titles.
B. Company name and duration
Include the name(s) of your company/companies and the duration of your self-employment. This will give potential employers a clear understanding of how long you were self-employed and the name(s) of the companies you worked for. If you had multiple businesses or projects, make sure to list them separately.
C. Industry experience and responsibilities
List your industry experience and responsibilities while self-employed. This means describing your primary duties – such as managing clients, planning projects, creating marketing materials, and so on – and the specific skills you used to perform them. Use job descriptions or online resources to ensure that your duties and skills align with industry standards.
D. Achievements and accomplishments
Finally, don’t forget to include your accomplishments and achievements while self-employed. Include metrics if possible – such as sales growth, client acquisition, or project completion rates – to demonstrate your value as a self-employed individual. This will show potential employers that you were able to achieve measurable results while working on your own.
By following these four key elements, you’ll be able to present yourself as a competent and valuable self-employed individual on your resume.
How to explain self-employment on a resume?
Self-employment can be an impressive addition to your resume, but it can also be tricky to explain to potential employers. Here are some tips for addressing gaps in employment history, explaining the reasons behind your self-employment, and framing your self-employment experience in a way that showcases your skills and achievements.
A. Addressing gaps in employment history
If you have gaps in your employment history due to self-employment, don’t try to hide them. Instead, be honest about your time spent running your own business. You can frame your self-employment as a period of professional and personal growth that has given you valuable skills and experience that you can now bring to a new role.
B. Explaining reasons behind self-employment
When explaining why you chose to become self-employed, make sure to emphasize your passion for your industry and your desire for greater flexibility and control over your career. You can also highlight any challenges you faced as a self-employed individual and how you overcame them to achieve success.
C. Techniques for framing self-employment experience
When framing your self-employment experience, focus on specific achievements and quantifiable results. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities, and highlight any new skills or knowledge you gained as a result of your self-employment. You can also include any positive feedback or testimonials from clients or customers. Finally, make sure your self-employment experience is relevant to the position you are applying for, and tailor your resume accordingly.
By following these tips, you can successfully explain your self-employment experience on your resume and showcase your skills and achievements to potential employers.
Tips for Highlighting Self-Employment Skills
As a self-employed individual, identifying and showcasing transferable skills can often be a challenge. However, it is important to highlight these skills to potential employers to land a job. Here are a few tips to help you highlight your self-employment skills on your resume:
A. Identifying Transferable Skills
Self-employment provides ample opportunities to develop transferable skills that you can apply in multiple contexts. These may include project management, sales and marketing, budgeting, time management, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Take some time to analyze your experience, projects, and responsibilities to identify these skills.
B. Integrating Self-Employment Skills with Job Requirements
Once you have identified your transferable skills, the next step is to showcase how they match the job requirements. Look at the job description, and tailor your resume to emphasize skills and experience that align with the position. Use the same language and keywords as the job posting to ensure that your resume stands out.
C. Demonstrating Self-Employment Skills through Quantifiable Outcomes
Employers always look for candidates who can deliver quantifiable results. Therefore, when highlighting your self-employment skills, use measurable outcomes to demonstrate your success. Use statistics, data, or any other quantitative measures to show how your skills have impacted your business. For example, if you managed a social media campaign, you could quantify your success by highlighting the increase in followers, click-through rates, or website traffic.
Showcasing your self-employment skills on your resume can be challenging but rewarding. By identifying transferable skills, integrating them with job requirements, and demonstrating quantifiable outcomes, you can stand out from the competition and land your dream job.
Overcoming Potential Challenges
When it comes to including self-employment on your resume, there are a few potential challenges you may face. Here are some strategies to overcome them:
A. Addressing Negative Connotations Around Self-Employment
Unfortunately, there are still some negative connotations associated with self-employment, such as the belief that it is less stable or reliable than traditional employment. To address these concerns, emphasize the following:
- The skills and experience you developed through self-employment that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. For example, if you ran your own business, highlight your managerial, marketing, and customer relations skills.
- Any successes you achieved, such as winning contracts or achieving business growth.
- The initiative, resilience and adaptability required to succeed as your own boss.
- The fact that self-employment requires a high level of personal responsibility and accountability, which are traits many employers value.
B. Strategies for Minimizing Impact of Self-Employment Bias
Even if self-employment is becoming more accepted, some employers may still display a bias against job seekers who are or have been self-employed. Here are strategies to minimize any negative impact:
- Use industry-specific language and acronyms that show you’re knowledgeable about the sector and can speak its unique language.
- Emphasize your professional network and any industry contacts you’ve gained during self-employment that can vouch for your skills and reliability.
- Get certified, accredited, or take online classes to keep your skills current and your resume up-to-date.
C. Knowing When to Include and When Not to Include Self-Employment on a Resume
Deciding whether to include self-employment on your resume ultimately depends on each situation. Here are some factors to consider to help you make the decision:
- If the self-employment was in the same field as the job you’re applying for, highlight the skills and experience gained and how they relate to the role.
- If the self-employment was in a different field, consider leaving it out or briefly mentioning it as a supplemental activity for gaining experience in another area.
- Always be honest and transparent about your self-employment adventures. Hiring managers can check your work experience, so being upfront is always the best policy.
By employing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to optimizing your resume for your next job opportunity while appropriately highlighting your self-employment achievements.
Sample self-employment resume
As a self-employed individual, crafting a resume that highlights your skills and experiences can be challenging. To help guide you in creating an effective self-employment resume, it can be helpful to analyze the structure of a sample resume and extract tips and techniques.
A. Analyzing the structure of sample resume
When analyzing the structure of a self-employment resume, it’s important to look at the layout, formatting, and overall organization. A well-structured self-employment resume should follow a similar format to traditional resumes. This means starting with a clear and concise objective or summary statement that highlights your key skills and experiences.
Next, include a skills section that lists your top skills and abilities related to your self-employment experience. Follow this with a detailed work history section that provides specific details about your self-employment experiences, including project descriptions, client relationships, and achievements.
B. Highlighting key elements of self-employment on the resume
When highlighting key elements of self-employment on a resume, it’s important to showcase your ability to work independently, manage projects, and build client relationships. Additionally, providing concrete examples of your achievements and contributions can help set you apart from other candidates.
It’s also important to address any gaps in your work history that may be a result of your self-employment. This can be done by providing a brief explanation for the time between traditional employment and starting your own business.
C. Extracting tips and techniques from the sample resume
By analyzing a sample self-employment resume, you can extract valuable tips and techniques for creating an effective resume. Some of these may include:
- Using clear and concise language to showcase your skills and experiences
- Providing detailed project descriptions that highlight your contributions and achievements
- Emphasizing your ability to work independently and manage projects effectively
- Addressing any potential gaps in your work history to provide context for your self-employment experience
Creating a strong self-employment resume requires careful attention to detail and a clear understanding of what sets you apart as a candidate. By analyzing a well-crafted sample resume and extracting valuable tips and techniques, you can create a winning self-employment resume that showcases your skills and experiences effectively.
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