How to List Self-Employment on Your Resume (+Samples)

A lot of freedom comes with working for yourself. You can be your own boss, live where you want, wake up at any time, and avoid dealing with annoying co-workers. But what happens when you want to transition back to a traditional 9-5 job? How do you present a self-employed resume?

This article will break down how to effectively communicate your self-employed experience on your resume, offering practical tips and providing sample statements to enhance your resume presentation.

You do not have to reinvent the wheel when writing your experience on your self-employed resume. The same strategies that apply to traditional employees are equally effective for those with self-employment backgrounds. Focus on highlighting your accomplishments, quantifying your successes, and demonstrating your expertise just as you would in any professional setting. Let's see what should be included in a self-employed resume.

Contact information

Just like any other resume, you’ll place your contact information at the top of your self-employed resume, iIncluding your personal email, phone number, and current location.

As a freelancer, you'll want to include links to your website, relevant social media, portfolio, and references. Having tangible references raises the credibility of your self-employed resume. Incorporate the URLs within your other sections to add a more professional touch to your self-employed resume. 

Objective statement

After providing your contact information, follow up with a concise yet compelling summary that clearly communicates your professional identity. In this section, outline the core aspects of what you do as a self-employed professional and express your primary objectives. This summary acts as a snapshot of your expertise, offering potential employers or clients a quick glimpse into your unique skill set, experience, and aspirations. Keep it focused and tailored to highlight the key strengths that make you stand out in your field. Remember, this summary serves as a strategic introduction to set the tone for the rest of your self-employed resume.

Work experience

Your work experience should make up the bulk of your self-employed resume. List the jobs that are relevant to what you’re applying for and use terminology that is well understood in their industry. When crafting your resume, simplicity in formatting is crucial. Stick to a clear structure that includes your job title, company, location, and the specific dates of employment. Moreover, emphasize any substantial long-term association with a single company, regardless of your official employment status. Whether your tenure involved a formal role or not, showcasing this experience underscores your commitment and contribution to a specific organization, providing valuable context for potential employers. However, always keep in mind to add only relevant information.

Skills

When emphasizing skills in your self-employed resume, prioritize showcasing your specific abilities. In the competitive landscape of self-employment, hard skills tend to carry more weight. Whether it's technical proficiency, project management, or industry-specific expertise, make these skills stand out prominently. However, don't underestimate the significance of soft skills. While hard skills may grab attention, soft skills play a crucial role in illustrating your well-rounded capabilities. Highlight interpersonal skills, communication abilities, adaptability, and any leadership qualities that have contributed to your success as a self-employed professional. This approach provides a compelling portrayal of your strengths, making your self-employed resume more impactful.

Here are some important skills for a self-employed professional (or freelancer):

1. Self-discipline: Being able to set your own schedule and stick to it is crucial for productivity and meeting deadlines. A self-employed professional with good self-discipline skill will draw in customers.
2. Time management: Effectively managing your time to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines is essential for success.
3. Communication skills: Whether it's communicating with clients, customers, or collaborators, clear and effective communication is key.
4. Adaptability: The ability to quickly adapt to changes in the market, client needs, or other circumstances is vital for staying relevant and competitive.
5. Financial management: Understanding basic accounting principles, budgeting, invoicing, and managing cash flow are essential for running a successful business.
6. Marketing skills: Knowing how to market yourself and your services/products is crucial for attracting clients and growing your business.
7. Networking: Building and maintaining a network of contacts can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.
8. Problem-solving: Being able to identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently is essential for overcoming challenges that arise in business.
9. Sales skills: Whether it's selling your services/products or yourself, having sales skills is important for generating revenue and growing your business.
10. Technical skills: Whether you're a freelance SEO professional or a graphic designer, you must always list the relevant technical skills. This will be your unique selling point!
11. Negotiation skills: Negotiating contracts, prices, and terms is a key part of running a business and maximizing profitability.
12. Resilience: Being able to bounce back from setbacks and failures is crucial for long-term success as a self-employed individual.
13. Creativity: Thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative solutions can give you a competitive edge in your industry.
14. Self-motivation: Staying motivated and driven, even when faced with challenges or setbacks, is essential for achieving your goals as a self-employed individual.

Resume action words

Make your self-employed resume stand out with powerful action words. Skip the fancy phrases like "Championed a team" and go for clear verbs like "Formed a team" or "Led a team." Show the real impact of your work by avoiding vague descriptions, for example, instead of saying "took care of the company's Instagram," say something like "Tripled my company’s Instagram followers in 2 months" to highlight your achievements with concrete numbers.

Accomplishments

For freshers, emphasizing academic achievements is a no-brainer, showcasing the educational foundation for potential employers. On the other hand, if you have more than 5 years of work experience, it's advisable to shift the focus away from academic details. Instead, highlight relevant certifications on your self-employed resume that serve as a clear indicator of your skill set, offering employers valuable insights. 

Don’t be afraid of small gaps in your self-employed resume. Recruiters and employers will be more curious about it than troubled. While these gaps won't hinder your chances of landing an interview, be prepared to address questions about them during the interview process. Examples of an interview response could include citing instances such as time needed to build your business, acquiring new clients, learning new skills, and establishing a credible reputation. These are all valid reasons to explain any gaps in your self-employed work experience.

We have prepared lists of self-employed work experience samples that you can refer to for various careers.

Here is a sample resume for a self-employed business owner resume. 

There is no reason to be insecure or confused about what to write on your self-employed resume. Begin by clearly defining the nature of your self-employment, whether as a business owner, consultant, or freelancer, since each role comes with its unique set of responsibilities and soft skills. Remember, gaps in your employment history can be logically explained: business owners need time to establish their ventures, while freelancers must seek out clients, and so on. Writing a self-employed resume isn’t that different from a traditional professional resume. For further guidance, Cake is a wonderful resource for finding tips on how to make a competitive resume with a free resume builder to help you craft a competitive profile.

— Originally Written by Christopher Grudge —