Knowing how to put self-employed experience on a resume requires more than just detailing your roles—it's about framing your entrepreneurial journey to highlight leadership skills and achievements effectively.

Whether you're a freelancer, consultant, or small business owner, strategically presenting your self-employment on a resume can make a compelling case to recruiters.

This guide offers actionable insights and best practices to ensure your resume not only reflects your entrepreneurial spirit but also positions you as a valuable asset in today's competitive job market.

Should I put self-employed on my resume?

Whether or not to add self-employment on your resume depends on how important it is to the job you're applying for. Below are some considerations to keep in mind.

Relevance

If your self-employment experience directly relates to the position you're applying for, definitely include it.

For example, if you were self-employed as a graphic designer and you're applying for a design position, this experience is highly relevant.

Highlighting skills

Use your self-employed job description to showcase responsibilities that demonstrate your ability to excel in the role you're applying for.

Focus on measurable accomplishments and skills gained during this period.

Use bullet points to list them:

  • Achievements could include milestones like revenue growth, successful project completions, or client testimonials.
  • Skills could range from technical abilities (e.g., programming languages, design software) to soft skills (e.g., client communication, project management).

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers or percentages. This adds credibility and demonstrates the impact of your work.

Transferrable skills

Even if your self-employment wasn't directly related to the job you're applying for, consider including it to demonstrate transferrable skills. These can include entrepreneurship, project management, client relations, or financial management.

Gaps in employment

If you have periods that would otherwise appear as gaps in your work history, including self-employment on your resume can provide clarity. It is your chance to show that you were actively working during those times.

If the gap requires more explanation than can fit on a resume with self-employed jobs, you can address it briefly in your cover letter. Focus on how your experience has prepared you for the role and why you are now ready to return to a traditional job.

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Honesty and transparency

Be prepared to discuss your self-employment during interviews. Employers may be curious about why you chose this work model and what you learned from the experience.

How to list self-employment on a resume?

Adding self-employment to resumes involves highlighting your experience and achievements in a structured manner.

What to use as a job title?

Your job title should reflect the work you do and the services you offer.

Here are some common titles used across different industries:

  • Freelancer. If you offer services on a project basis, such as graphic design, writing, or consulting.
  • Consultant. Often used if you provide expert advice or guidance in a specific field.
  • Contractor. Common for those in construction, home improvement, or specialized trades.
  • Entrepreneur. If you're starting and running your own business.
  • Owner/Proprietor. Simple and straightforward, indicating you own the business.
  • Creative Director. Suitable if you manage creative projects or have a leadership role in a creative industry.
  • Designer. Appropriate for those in various design fields like graphic design, interior design, etc.
  • Coach/Mentor. Used if you provide coaching or mentoring services in personal development, career guidance, etc.
  • Artist/Artisan. For individuals in the arts and crafts industry.
  • Developer. Suitable for software developers, app developers, or website developers.

What to put for a company name when self-employed?

Many self-employed individuals simply use their own name as their business name. Alternatively, if you prefer to keep it simple and straightforward, you can use "Self-Employed".

If you have a partner or co-founder, you could combine your names or initials, such as "Smith & Jones Consulting".

Dates of self-employment

Provide the start and end dates (month and year) for each period of self-employment. This gives employers a clear timeline of your entrepreneurial activities.

Use a reverse-chronological format where your most recent experience is listed first. This allows hiring managers to see your most current activities quickly.

Location

If your business primarily serves a specific region or if location played a significant role in your work, mention the city and state or country (for remote jobs) where you operated.

However, if your clients were spread out globally or if your work was primarily conducted online, it is possible to avoid adding a specific location to a resume for self-employed individuals.

Self-employed job description

Clearly state the services or products you offer as a self-employed individual. For example, if you're a freelance fitness trainer, you might say, "Provided personal training services both in-person and online".

If possible, quantify your achievements. For instance, you could mention the number of clients served, successful projects completed, or revenue generated.

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Self-employed resume examples

Freelance writing resume example

Objective

Detail-oriented and creative writer with 4+ years of experience in freelance writing. Seeking to leverage strong research and writing skills to contribute high-quality content to a dynamic organization.

Professional Experience

Freelance Writer

Self-Employed

January 2020 - Present

  • Weekly produce over 20 articles and blog posts for clients in technology, finance, travel, and health industries, with an average length of 1000 words per piece.
  • Achieve a 90% client satisfaction rate by delivering high-quality, well-researched content on time and within budget.
  • Increase organic traffic for client websites by an average of 30% through SEO-optimized content strategies.
  • Manage a portfolio of 8-10 clients concurrently, generating $50,000 in annual revenue through repeat business and referrals.

Marketing Assistant

Tech Solutions Inc., Springfield, IL

June 2018 - December 2019

  • Created and executed content marketing campaigns that contributed to a 25% increase in lead generation and a 15% growth in social media engagement.
  • Authored and optimized 50+ blog posts and articles, resulting in an average of 1000 views per post and improved search engine rankings.
  • Managed company social media accounts, growing the LinkedIn follower base by 1500+ in 12 months.
  • Coordinated 3 major industry events, attracting over 300 attendees per event and generating $100,000+ in new business opportunities.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in English

Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Graduated: May 2018

Skills

  • Proficient in content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress and HubSpot.
  • Strong research, writing, and editing skills with a keen eye for detail.
  • Experienced in SEO best practices and digital marketing strategies.
  • Excellent project management and organizational abilities, adept at managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Certifications

  • Content Marketing Certification (HubSpot) - 2024
  • SEO Fundamentals Certification (Google) - 2023

Self-employed tutor resume sample

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Self-employment consulting resume example

Summary

Results-oriented consultant with over 10 years of experience in advising global clients across healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Proven track record in strategic planning and implementation, driving transformative initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and profitability.

Experience

Independent Consultant

Self-Employed

January 2023 - Present

  • Provide strategic advisory services to small pharmaceutical companies, focusing on market entry strategies and competitive analysis.
  • Develop business plans and financial models that facilitated $1 million in seed funding for a startup client.
  • Manage client relationships independently, maintaining a 95% client satisfaction rate and securing repeat business.

Senior Consultant

Strategic Vision Advisors, New York, NY

June 2019 - January 2023

  • Led a team of 10 consultants in delivering strategic initiatives for pharmaceutical clients.
  • Advised clients on market access strategies, resulting in a 15% increase in product penetration within 6 months.
  • Developed and implemented a pricing optimization model, which improved client profitability by 20%.
  • Managed client relationships, ensuring satisfaction and securing additional $2 million in project extensions.

Consultant

Catalyst Partners, Boston, MA

June 2014 - May 2019

  • Conducted market research and analysis for a healthcare startup, providing insights that guided a $5 million investment decision.
  • Prepared comprehensive reports and presentations for C-level executives, facilitating informed decision-making.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement a new product launch strategy, resulting in 30% revenue growth in the first year.

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Harvard Business School, Boston, MA

August 2015 - May 2017

Bachelor of Science in Economics

Yale University, New Haven, CT

August 2010 - May 2014

Skills

  • Strategic Planning & Implementation
  • Financial Analysis & Modeling (Proficient in Excel and Tableau)
  • Market Research & Competitive Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Client Relationship Management
  • Data Analysis & Visualization

Certifications

  • Certified Management Consultant (CMC) - 2024
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) - 2023

Languages

  • Proficient in Spanish

FAQ

Should I put a business owner on my resume?
Yes, it communicates your leadership, decision-making abilities, and entrepreneurial skills to potential employers. Be sure to detail the scope of your business operations to provide context and demonstrate your qualifications.
What if my self-employment business failed?
Focus on the skills and experiences gained rather than the success or failure of the business itself.
Should I create a separate section for self-employment on my resume?
It depends. If you have significant experience, you can create a separate section titled "Self-Employment" or "Freelance Projects".
What if my self-employment experience is more recent than my other jobs?
List your most recent and relevant experience first, regardless of whether it was self-employed or traditional work.

Conclusion

Putting self-employed roles on your resume is a powerful way to demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and valuable skills gained outside traditional employment.

By carefully structuring your experience, emphasizing achievements, and aligning them with the job you're applying for, you can effectively showcase your entrepreneurial background to prospective employers.

Remember, clarity and relevance are key—craft your resume to highlight how your self-employment journey uniquely qualifies you for the opportunities ahead.

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