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How to List Self-Employment on a Resume

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.

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.

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

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

Self-employed electrician resume sample

Objective Licensed and self-motivated Electrician with over 12 years of hands-on experience providing high-quality electrical services to residential and commercial clients. Proficient in troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance with a commitment to safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Seeking to leverage my technical expertise and problem-solving skills to continue delivering exceptional electrical solutions in a self-employed capacity. Experience Self-Employed Electrician Christopher M. Alberty Electrical Services — Coos Bay, OR March 2012 – Present Provide comprehensive electrical services, including installation, maintenance, and repair for residential and commercial projects, ensuring full compliance with local and national electrical codes. Specialize in diagnosing electrical issues and performing corrective repairs, achieving a 98% customer satisfaction rate based on timely and effective solutions. Design and install electrical systems for new construction projects, including wiring, breaker panels, lighting fixtures, and safety devices, resulting in a 20% increase in client referrals annually. Implement safety measures and protocols on-site, reducing accident incidents to zero over the last five years. Prepare and submit detailed estimates and invoices for clients, consistently completing projects within budget, fostering client trust and repeat business. Stay current with advances in electrical technology and industry best practices through ongoing professional development and certifications. Electrician Northwest Electrical Contractors — Eugene, OR January 2009 – February 2012 Conducted electrical repairs, installations, and inspections for commercial properties, including warehouses, office buildings, and retail stores. Assisted in large-scale electrical system upgrades and rewiring projects, maintaining adherence to stringent safety standards and completing projects on time. Troubleshot electrical systems and equipment malfunctions, reducing system downtime by 30% through preventative maintenance. Collaborated with contractors, architects, and engineers to ensure accurate installation of electrical systems as per project blueprints. Education Electrical Apprenticeship Program Oregon Electrical Training Institute — Eugene, OR Completed: 2009 Certifications & Licenses Licensed Journeyman Electrician — State of Oregon, Valid till 2026 OSHA 30-Hour Certification — Occupational Safety and Health Administration NFPA 70E Certified — National Fire Protection Association, Electrical Safety in the Workplace Skills Extensive experience installing wiring, panels, conduits, and grounding systems for both new and existing buildings. Proficient in diagnosing and repairing electrical issues, including circuit failures, power outages, and faulty equipment. Knowledgeable in OSHA regulations and electrical codes, ensuring all work meets safety standards. Strong ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to clients, building trust and rapport. Skilled in managing multiple projects simultaneously, from estimation to completion, ensuring high-quality work within timelines. Technical Skills Skilled in using testing equipment (multimeters, ammeters, oscilloscopes), power tools, and hand tools specific to electrical work. Familiar with electrical design software (AutoCAD, Electrical Estimating Software), and MS Office Suite for project planning and client communications.

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.

Trevor Richfield

Career Coach & Professional Resume Writer

Trevor is a professional resume writer, career coach, and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) with well over 1,000 resumes under his belt. He emphasizes the importance of building an authentic professional brand you are proud to display to potential collaborators and employers. From recent graduates to executive leaders, Trevor has helped professionals land jobs at Fortune 500 companies and expand their own independent ventures.It's not only about results with Trevor, but about a continuous journey of professional and personal empowerment.

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How To List Self Employment on Your Resume [+ Examples]

A detailed guide from a senior recruiter on how to list self-employment on your resume with specific examples.

3 years ago   •   9 min read

“But self-employment isn’t a real job …”

Okay, so times are changing, and nobody really believes this anymore (we hope)! But there are still employers out there who don’t fully “get” self-employment. Was it a hidden employment gap? A glorified hobby? How much work did you really do, and for who? The best way to assuage those doubts isn’t to give in to them — it’s to counter them with a resume that explicitly answers all those questions.

The first rule of self-employment is that it 100% belongs on your resume. The second rule is to treat it like you would any other kind of employment.

A step by step guide to listing self employment on your resume

First things first: Here's a breakdown of how to add self employment to your resume.

• Give yourself a proper job title. Make sure it's descriptive and clear about what you actually did.
• Add 'Freelance,' 'Independent Contractor,' or 'Consultant' to the end of your job title.
• List a company name — Your Name Consulting (or similar) is fine.
• Include a short blurb to describe the context and scope of your work.
• Detail your accomplishments in bullet points.
• Use quantifiable metrics (including specific dollar amounts).
• Include a resume summary to explain the nature and relevance of your experience (optional).
• Run your resume through a free resume checker to identify potential areas for improvement.

An example of self-employment on your resume

Here's a template you can use for listing self employment on your resume:

MY NAME CONSULTING SERVICES Independent Consultant / Freelancer [Try to add keywords to job title, e.g. SEO Consultant] New York, NY, 2015 — Present Developed strategic insights for seven medium-large companies ($5M+/year) to improve SEO, web traffic and conversions. Revamped and implemented new websites for four companies. Selected Projects Search Engine Optimization project for American pet store - Analyzed data from 25000 monthly active users and used outputs to guide marketing and product strategies; increased average app engagement time by 2x and 30% decrease in drop off rate

And here's an example of what a work experience section might look like for someone who's been self-employed:

To view and download the entire self-employment resume template, go to our resume templates page.

When listing self employment on your resume, you should list your experience and accomplishments like you would any other kind of employment. This means that your bullet points should have action verbs, quantifiable achievements, and relevant skills. A good way to check if your resume is effective is to upload it to the tool below — it’ll let you know if your bullet points are strong enough and provide suggestions for improvements.

Tips for listing self employment on your resume

Here's a more detailed breakdown of things to keep in mind when listing self-employment on your resume.

Give yourself a job title, instead of calling it 'Self-Work'

The first step to making your self-employment look legit is to give yourself a proper job title. Generally avoid the word “self-work” here. Instead, think about what you actually did and give it a title in line with traditional employment — Photographer, Recruiter, Web Designer. Where possible, choose a job title that's aligned to the job that you are applying for (that might help you get past ATS ).

To make the context clear, you can add Freelance, Independent Contractor (if you worked with external clients), or Consultant (if you consulted external companies) to your title.

Choose your company name carefully

You have two options for listing a company name when you're an independent contractor or self employed:

Use your own name

You can even list your own name as a consulting firm if you didn’t operate with a business name — there’s no need to make one up after the fact. Listing a business name gives your work an air of legitimacy and makes it easier to group the projects you worked on while self-employed.

Use a company or client name

Alternatively, you can list the name of the company you worked with as long as you're careful to explain the nature of your working relationship. This can be as simple as listing "independent contractor" after your job title. Here's an example:

ABC Company , Columbus, OH Project Manager | Independent Contractor (June – November 2019)

Explain what you did in your bullet points

The biggest problem you’re likely to run into when transitioning from self-employment to traditional employment is recruiters who don’t fully understand what it is you did. Keep this short and relevant to the job you’re applying for.

For example, if you’re applying for a position in advertising, here's what a bullet point might look like:

Completed graphic design projects for companies as an independent contractor across the United States including product logos, social media graphics, and packaging design. Specialized in brand management and multimedia.

Use bullet points that are specific and tell recruiters where your skills lie.

Include dollar-amounts in your bullet points

To avoid recruiters thinking your self-employment was just a 'hobby', use specific dollar amounts to show the size of the contracts you worked with . For example, if you worked as a freelance web developer, you can say something like "Completed freelancer web development projects ranging from $5000-$18000..." This shows the significance of your work.

Using numbers on your resume is called quantifying your resume — see this step by step guide on how to quantify your resume .

Highlight specific projects from your contract work

An independent contractor resume isn't going to look exactly like a standard resume, and that's okay. Instead of a traditional work history, consider highlighting specific projects. Choose a handful of projects that highlight your most relevant skills or accomplishments and list those as you would any other work experience:

• List your accomplishments in bullet points
• Start with a strong action verb
• Focus on accomplishments
• Explain what you did and what the result was

If you worked with a single client long-term, group multiple projects under a single company heading. Or, if you worked on multiple short-term projects, you can group those together under the name of your consulting firm.

For more tips, see our guide on how to list contract and temporary work on a resume .

List self employment in your resume summary

A resume title is an easy way to tailor your resume and bypass ATS by including relevant keywords. Including a short summary directly below that allows you to quickly explain or contextualize information that might not be immediately obvious — perfect for people transitioning out of self-employment. This should provide a quick overview of your experience and 1-2 of your most impressive accomplishments, for example:

Writer with 8+ years’ experience seeking to write high-ranking, high-traffic articles for [Company] as an independent contractor. Current clients include [list high-profile or reputable companies]. Regular contributor to list [magazines, websites, or other publications]. Have written over 1000 published, high-ranking articles since 2012. Increased traffic for [specific project] by 500,000 in 18 months and reduced bounce rate by 50%.

Here are more resume summary examples you can draw from.

List technical skills and tailor it to the job you apply to

Depending on the position you’re applying for, a skills section is often a must. Any hard skills you’ve picked up while self-employed belong in this section, including things like programming languages, software programs, and technical competencies. Avoid listing soft skills like communication or flexibility — if you really want to highlight these, you can do that through your bullet point accomplishments .

If you’re not sure which skills to include on your resume, use the tool below to get a list of hard skills and keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Here are some more examples of how to format your resume skills section .

Include a projects section to highlight self employment

Even better than listing your skills is showing how you’ve used them in action. A projects section can be useful for anything that doesn’t quite belong with your work experience, like personal projects. This avoids blurring the line between your paid employment and side hobbies, while providing evidence of any skills you may have developed but haven’t used in a professional context.

This is an alternative you can consider, especially if you don't feel your self-employment is significant to be included in your work experience (e.g. it was a part-time job or a side-project)

Format projects in the same way as your work experience, listing accomplishments and providing a link if applicable.

Read more about how to list projects on your resume .

Self employment and independent contractor bullet point examples

If you're stuck on exactly what accomplishments to list under your self employment, here are a few examples to get you started:

Analyzed data from 25000 monthly active users and used outputs to guide marketing and product strategies; increased average app engagement time by 2x and 30% decrease in drop off rate

Drove redevelopment of internal tracking system in use by 125 employees, resulting in 20+ new features, reduction of in save/load time and 15% operation time

Identified steps to reduce return rates by resulting in an eventual $75k cost savings

Overhauled the obsolete legacy source code of two production applications, resulting in increased usability and reduced run time performance by 50%

Analyzed data from 25000 monthly active users and used outputs to guide marketing and product strategies; increased average app engagement time by 2x, 30% decrease in drop off rate, and 3x shares

Spearheaded a major pricing restructure by redirecting focus on consumer willingness to pay instead of product cost; implemented a three-tiered pricing model which increased average sale 35% and margin 12%

Led the transition to a paperless practice by implementing an electronic booking system and a faster, safer and more accurate business system; reduced cost of labor by 30% and office overhead by 10%

Additional sections you can add to highlight your self-employment experience

Other things that might belong on your resume and fall under self-employment include:

Certifications

If they’re significant (you don’t need to list every three-hour online course you’ve ever completed) and relevant to the position you’re applying for, you can list certifications in the education, projects, or additional section of your resume.

Publications

If you’ve been published in a journal, newspaper, or other reputable source, feel free to list these publications on your resume . Again, keep it to a small handful of the most relevant publications. A few strong examples can demonstrate your authority in your field and provide an additional ‘reference’ to back up your expertise.

If you work in a field like programming, writing, or design, it’s often standard to include a link to your portfolio. Make sure your portfolio examples are strong and relevant — your portfolio should be a selling point, not a distraction.

Community outreach

If you’re heavily involved in your professional community — through speaking at conferences, performing community outreach, or volunteering — you can list this on your resume provided it’s relevant and strengthens your candidacy.

Client references

Avoid including these directly on your resume, but think about who could be your references should the company you get hired by ask for them. Direct references are best — while things like testimonials have their place and are useful to collect, most hiring managers will want to speak directly to people who are familiar with your work.

What's the difference between self employment, consulting, freelance work, and independent contracting?

Consulting, freelance, and contract work are all different types of self employment.

Independent Contractors work for companies on a contractual basis. These can be long-term or short-term contracts, and may or may not have a firm end date. Independent contractors typically work on one project at a time and may do work similar to that of a regular employee, including working on-site, but are responsible for their own payroll, taxes, and specific working arrangements.

Freelancers often work on multiple projects for different clients at once. They tend to work remotely (from home or a shared work space) rather than from a client's office. Freelancers typically aren't bound by strict work agreements , leaving them free to take on as much or as little work as they choose — hence the name.

Consultants are usually experienced, high-ranking professionals with a background in their specific field. Instead of working directly for companies, they are hired to solve problems and provide big picture solutions, generally commanding high rates commensurate with their expertise.

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• How to Add Self Employment on...

How to Add Self Employment on Your Resume + Examples

11 min read · Updated on November 07, 2024

Learn the secrets to highlighting self employment on your resume.

Chances are that you already realize the importance of including relevant work experience in your resume. Employers always want to see that you have the experience they're looking for, after all. 

But what if your relevant experience includes freelance work or other forms of self-employment? 

Can you include self-employment in your resume? 

More importantly, how can you include that information in a way that entices employers to offer you an interview?

In this post, we will explore when and why you should include this type of experience and provide some tips and examples you can use to effectively highlight self-employment in your resume.

What is self-employment and why does it matter?

When most people think of self-employment, they envision a small business owner running a shop offering products and services to their community. While that is one type of self employment, it's important to recognize that people engage in this type of work in a variety of different ways. Self employment can include:

Independent contractors like construction workers, business consultants, and other service providers

Freelancers like writers, graphic artists, and others who engage multiple clients on a per-project basis

Entrepreneurs who own and operate formal business enterprises

Any type of work that you've done that didn't involve working as a formal employee of another company can be properly considered a form of self employment. In other words, if you're the boss and you define your duties, schedule, and project terms, chances are that you're self-employed.

Should you always include self employment in your resume?

Of course, it's important to recognize when you should include self employment on your resume. In most instances, this work experience can be an invaluable addition to any resume. When you work for yourself, you employ a wide range of skills that employers might be looking for in their new hires. It's also likely that your experience included many relevant achievements that you'll want to share with those employers.

Moreover, if you spent any serious time being self-employed, omitting that experience could leave a significant gap in your work history – a gap that you'll probably need to explain during an interview. To avoid that issue, it's wise to include self employment in your resume. Just make sure that you focus on relevant skills and achievements when you're detailing those jobs.

On the other hand, if you've done a little freelancing as a side gig throughout your career – and that work has no relevance for your current career goals, then you may want to leave that information off your resume. As a rule, irrelevant information is always a distraction. You'll need to decide whether your self-employment experience enhances your resume.

Tips to include self employment in your resume

It's important to ensure that you include this information in the most effective way possible. While you should add self employment to your work experience section, you may need to adjust your details to properly convey your qualifications. The following tips can help to guide you through that process.

1. Give yourself a job title that reflects the nature of your freelance work

Treat this work experience as other independent contractors and freelancers would on their resumes — give yourself a title that reflects the type of work you did during your time of self employment, and add the word "Contract," "Consultant," or "Freelancer" to that title.

You should also try to avoid using titles like Chief Executive Officer or other upper-echelon positions – unless you're applying for a higher-level management position. Use a title that accurately describes your work, but that also aligns as much as possible with the role you're seeking.

2. Consider adding a company name for consistency on your resume

Some people like to provide a company name so that the format looks like their other work, but that's entirely up to you. If you operate under a company name, then use it. If not, you can just describe the type of work you've done and reference the job title you've assigned to yourself.

3. Provide a summary of the services you offer

Below your job title and dates of employment, write a blurb that explains the type of work you performed as a freelancer. If you worked for multiple employers, you could mention how you did X, Y, and Z types of work for several clients in A, B, and C industries.

4. Use bullet points to highlight noteworthy projects or clients

If there are any specific projects you worked on that demonstrate your marketable skills and achievements, use bullet points to call attention to this relevant work. Try to focus on measurable achievements that highlight the type of value that you provided to each client.

Related post : 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

Self employment on resume: example

To help you better understand how one of these self-employment listings might look in your resume, we've included an example below. This example doesn't include any mention of specific clients, but you could add a brief mention of notable customers if you think that it might help to reinforce your qualifications.

Communications & PR Consultant (Contract), San Diego, CA | 2022 to Present

Offer communications and public relations support for clients in the pharmaceutical sector. Address clients' needs, from message development and media outreach to materials creation and planning. Manage media relations, medical meeting support, competitive intelligence, and materials development for OTC health and pharmaceutical clients. Key projects include:

Increased consumer awareness for cervical cancer by developing campaign materials, including banner ads, print collateral, and copy for the microsite, resulting in a documented 45% increase in consumer outreach.

Doubled coverage and blog backlinks for a client with an OTC treatment for acid reflux by developing a new blogger sweepstakes.

Researched, hired, and media trained new spokesperson to represent biotechnology company's new treatment for exercise-induced asthma.

Self employment on resume: skills

Of course, your work experience section is not the only place where your self-employment history can be highlighted. As you were working independently, you developed and used certain skills that are likely to be relevant to your career goals. Those skills should be highlighted within your skills section too. Below are some tips to help you emphasize those marketable skills to employers.

Include relevant hard skills

Your hard skills will include all the relevant abilities that you'll need to possess to qualify for your desired position. Before you create your skills section, review the job posting to identify any skills that the employer has listed as required qualifications for the job. Create a list that includes those exact terms. Now add to that list any additional technical abilities or job-related knowledge that you've acquired and used while self-employed.

Pro tip : Using the exact terms you find in the job posting can be critical for making sure that your resume contains the keywords that applicant tracking systems are looking for during any automated screening process. Check out our post, How to Make an ATS-Friendly Resume – Tips for ATS 2024 for more details!

Don't forget your interpersonal abilities and other soft skills

In addition to those hard skills, you'll also want to include soft skills and interpersonal abilities. In fact, you could put yourself at a huge disadvantage if you fail to highlight your people skills. Many employers who see self employment on a resume may wrongly assume that the candidate lacks key interpersonal skills. Chances are that you've done most of your self-employed work on your own, so you'll need to highlight skills that demonstrate your ability to work with others.

To counter any concerns about your ability to be a team player, you can include bullet point achievements that describe your collaborative efforts with clients, vendors, or other contractors. These achievements can include things like:

Communicating regularly with clients, project liaisons, and other members of a team

Consistent use of communication platforms like Zoom, including an estimate of your time spent using those tools

Descriptions of how you used active listening, negotiation, and customer advocacy skills

Related post : 11 Best Communication Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

The goal, of course, is to highlight the many ways in which your self employment has involved regular collaboration and interaction with other people. The fact is that independent contractors and freelancers usually work as part of a team – even if they're just acting on instructions provided by their project contact. Your job is to translate that experience into a compelling story that proves you're a team player.

Other important soft skills that you may want to add to your resume can include:

Time management

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Problem-solving

For an explanation of these and other skills, and a more in-depth guide to soft skills and their importance, check out our post, Soft Skills Explained - and the Top 7 for Your Resume .

If you find yourself struggling to identify the best skills for your self-employment role, don't be afraid to let artificial intelligence help. ChatGPT and similar AI tools can be an invaluable resource for figuring out which skills you need to highlight for any desired job. Just create a prompt that asks the AI to provide a list of the most relevant core skills for the job you're seeking, and then match your existing skills to those qualifications.

Self-employed resume summary example

In addition to your work experience and skills sections, self employment can also be mentioned in your resume summary. This section should be no more than three to five sentences in length and should include a concise summary of your experience, skills, and major quantifiable achievements. If you were a salesperson, this part of your resume would function as your elevator pitch – a brief but punchy statement designed to capture the reader's attention and inspire them to read the rest of the document.

For example:

Results-focused digital artist with five years of experience building and leading creative art agency from the ground up. Skilled at concept development, theme organization, and full-process campaign creation and implementation designed to increase target audience engagement. Serve as Consulting Lead on ABC Corp. design, development, and execution of mobile applications used by 2 million customers.

Self-employed resume template

Sometimes, it's easier to start with a basic template that you can use to guide you as you create your own resume. We've included a simple template below that you can use by simply inserting your own career details – including self-employment history – into the brackets for each section. Once you've completed that process, you can adjust this basic resume to tailor it to your individual career needs and the job you're seeking.

[Your Full name]

[Address] | [Phone number] | [Email address] | [Website] | [LinkedIn URL]]

[Resume headline] This should be a one-line headline that includes your desired job and some descriptive language that differentiates you from your competitors.

[Resume summary paragraph]

[List of relevant hard and soft skills] Use bullet points for each skill and format the entire section into two or three columns to optimize resume space and improve readability.

Professional Experience

[Company name, dates of employment]

[Job title]

• [Bullet point achievement #1, including real numbers to show value]
• [Bullet point achievement #2, including real numbers to show value]
• [Bullet point achievement #3, including real numbers to show value]
• [Bullet point achievement #4, including real numbers to show value]

Use this same template format to list as many jobs as you need to cover the last ten years of employment – including any self employment.

[Degree | Major, Name of college, Date you graduated]

You can also list coursework if you believe that it will enhance your qualifications or help the employer understand your area of competency.

Certifications

[List all relevant certifications, licenses, etc.]

For more advice about organizing your resume sections, read Seven Key Resume Sections and How to Organize Them .

Including self-employment on a resume can boost your chances of landing an interview!

Whether you've spent your career working for yourself or have had a combination of traditional and self-employed positions, including self-employment on your resume can be vital for job search success. That relevant work experience can help you highlight your skills and notable achievements that demonstrate your unique value proposition to employers. Good luck with your job search!

Want to make sure that the self-employment on your resume is truly highlighting your qualifications? Get a free resume review from our team of experts today!

This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine and has been updated by Ken Chase.

Recommended reading:

17 Resume Tips to Get Seen and Hired Faster

11 Key Things to Put on Your Resume

What Are Skills? (With Examples and Tips on How to Improve Them)

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

From Bland to Beautiful: How We Made This Professional's Resume Shine

See how your resume stacks up.

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Self Employed Resume Samples [+ 3 Examples]

This page provides you with Self Employed resume samples to use to create your own resume with our easy-to-use resume builder . Below you'll find our how-to section that will guide you through each section of a Self Employed resume.

“You are self-employed! I don’t get why you would need to work on a resume!”

How many times have you heard your peers asking you this question? How often do you get frustrated at them because they just don’t understand?

Well, you have done the right thing, looking for the best self-employed resume sample on the web. Even professionals like you need a resume (actually, a standout resume!). It’s quite likely you just want to know your worth in today’s market or perhaps you want to send out a few resume to see if you could get a once-in-a-lifetime call that might change your mind regarding your future.

We have helped thousands of entrepreneurs like you probe the market and see if it’s worth staying in their position as a self-employed or if they actually want to take the leap. Let us inspire you, as well, with the most effective self-employed resume sample you could think of: we are ready to start building your future!

Also, check out our collection of 500+ resume samples .

You are or have been the mastermind behind the creation of your business: you do not know what fear feels like! You have an outstanding amount of talents, from conceptualizing organizational operations, budgets and branding to implementing them through careful feedback and research. You have had stellar ideas and you most likely have outstanding leadership and motivational skills...and don’t forget about your exceptional problem-solving skills!

As a business innovator, you have so many different and desirable strengths and your biggest challenge in creating a strong resume is to remain concise.

One of the first steps you should take is to format the resume so that your strengths are highlighted, along with your best achievements.

Ensure clear layouts are used to make sure the recruiters keep on scrolling down: white space and legible fonts make for easy reading and give the recruiters’ eyes a rest

Last but not least, make sure you save your resume as a .pdf.

We won’t have anything against you, Microsoft, but the Word formatting can sometimes be an issue whereas a .pdf is set in carbonite.

How to Write a Self Employed Resume?

To write a professional Self Employed resume, follow these steps:

• Select the right Self Employed resume template.
• Write a professional summary at the top explaining your Self Employed’s experience and achievements.
• Follow the STAR method while writing your Self Employed resume’s work experience. Show what you were responsible for and what you achieved as a Self Employed professional.
• List your top Self Employed skills in a separate skills section.

How to Write Your Self Employed Resume Header?

Write the perfect Self Employed resume header by:

• Adding your full name at the top of the header.
• Add a photo to your resume if you are applying for jobs outside of the US. For applying to jobs within the US, avoid adding photo to your resume header.
• Add your current Self Employed to the header to show relevance.
• Add your current city, your phone number and a professional email address.
• Finally, add a link to your portfolio to the Self Employed resume header. If there’s no portfolio link to add, consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile instead.
• Bad Self Employed Resume Example - Header Section

Deon 696 Rock Maple St. South Lyon, MI 48178 Marital Status: Married, email: [email protected]

• Good Self Employed Resume Example - Header Section

Deon Nguyen, Lyon, MI, Phone number: +1-555-555-5555, Link: linkedin/in/johndoe

Make sure to add a professional looking email address while writing your resume header. Let’s assume your name is John Doe - here is a formula you can use to create email addresses:

• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]

For a Self Employed email, we recommend you either go with a custom domain name ( [email protected] ) or select a very reputed email provider (Gmail or Outlook).

The Self Employed Resume Summary Section

Summaries don’t sound the most appealing or even necessary elements of a resume and yet they are needed. Most times recruiters don’t have the time to read every single detail of your resume and all they want is summaries. Make sure you captivate them with your most impressive business achievements and your excellent and unrivaled networking ability.

There are one or two tips from us to help you today:

DO (Summarize your employment)

• Keep the list of your skills short.
• Ensure you highlight one or two important skills above the others.
• Use numbers, percentages and figures to demonstrate measurable success

DON’T (Summarize your life)

• Try to be too funny, this is a professional resume
• Use a smart or pompous tone in the summary.
• Talk as if you are better than the recruiter.

Self Employed Resume Examples - Summary

• Owner - Self Employed Resume Sample - Summary

Highly motivated, articulate, creative and versatile sales professional with several years of technology sales management experience and an entrepreneurial flair. Especially skilled at building productive working relationships with clients and staff. Adept at developing effective tactics to execute long-term results in the most efficient means possible.

• Self Employed Resume Example - Summary

A highly resourceful general management and marketing communications professional with years of experience in strategic planning, improving operational efficiency, building and managing teams across multiple departments, financial management, and project management.

Work Experience

This section might get tricky - you have had a couple (or more!) of experiences working on your own business. The biggest mistake you could do is to say something like: “That business didn’t do that well, I should not include it”.

That is so wrong - as a self-employed, you have worn so many hats that it does not really matter if you have failed, because you will never really fail as long as you have learnt from something. We suggest you list any experience you have had, as an entrepreneur and even any previous one as an employee. Show your future employer your level of experience and be as detailed as possible!

Self Employed Resume Examples - Work Experience

• Owner, Self Employed Resume - Work Experience
• Guiding SMEs to break through growth barriers via Sales and Marketing strategies.
• Coaching business owners and professionals to boost revenue, attract new customers, and optimize marketing spending.
• Developing competitive business and pricing models. Create motivational workshops that increase collaboration and growth.
• Self Employed Resume - Work Experience

Self Employed

• Preparing individual and sole proprietorship tax returns.
• Prepare offer in compromise on behalf of the client to resolve tax debt.
• Building new and maintaining existing client relationships.
• Conduct research and analyze state and federal tax issues.

Here are tips to help with this part:

Do (Summarize your work history)

• Showcase why you are the perfect candidate for the job.
• Be concise and detailed
• Experience should be added where applicable.

DON’Ts (Summarize your relationship history)

• Bring your ego to the table.
• Have more than 3 references at the bottom of the work history.
• Fake references or work history is a no!

For more tips on writing the best work experience section for a self-employed like you, check out our detailed resume guide .

We get it, lots of successful self-employed professionals are dropout miracles. That does not have to apply to everyone though. Your education is very valuable and recruiters want to know what made you the professional you currently are. It’s very important to have even a brief section covering your education, where these points should be covered:

• Which learning institutes you attended and what you studied.
• The number of years you studied.
• The outcome of the education – i.e. qualifications.

It doesn’t matter if you’re only able to provide the most basic elements of your educational background, it still counts. Employers are often suspicious of people who leave their education out of a resume as it gets them wondering what they’re hiding. Even if it’s limited, it’s good to list and in truth, not everyone will have university degrees or education to list. If that’s the case, don’t worry, list what education you can.

Top Self-Employed Resume Skills

Recruiters aren’t going to spend hours and hours going through hundreds of resumes; they are going to use simple but effective methods to narrow their search down.

One of the simplest methods they will use is to opt for a keyword search, which is why the skills you list must be relevant to the job at hand. Remember, if you aren’t using relevant keywords you won’t get far!

We believe it’s fundamental that you add both hard and soft skills. These will make the difference and potentially get your name to the top of the list. Of course, if you start listing skills which aren’t really relevant to your job, we doubt you’ll get a callback, so think carefully before you list any skill!

Top Self Employed Resume Skills for 2022

• Microsoft Office
• Communication
• Strategic Planning
• Hyperion Planning, HFM, Essbase, SAP
• Budget Preparation & Implementation
• Reporting, IFRS and USGAAP
• Applications
• General: Business Development
• People Management

How Long Should my Self Employed Resume be?

Your Self Employed resume length should be less than one or two pages maximum. Unless you have more than 25 years of experience, any resume that’s more than two pages would appear to be too long and risk getting rejected.

On an average, for Self Employed, we see most resumes have a length of 2. And, that’s why we advise you to keep the resume length appropriate to not get rejected.

How to List Self Employed on a Resume?

In addition to the ones at top, these additional self-employed resume examples serve as an excellent examples of how to list self employed on a resume.

• How to List Self Employed on Resume Sample

• Cover Letter: yes or no?

If you want an advantage over other candidates, we strongly suggest you use a cover letter.

If you need help, we’ve got you covered !

Should I Add my Self-Employment to a Resume?

Yes, self-employment should be added to your resume. Apart from displaying your relevant work experience, adding self employment to your resume also ensures that there are no unexplained gaps in your work history.

How to List Self-Employment on Your Resume?

To list self employment on your resume, consider adding a job title for the period of self-employment and add relevant work experience under it. If you were a self-employed freelancer who worked for multiple clients - consider adding a line for each of your relevant client work under your work history.

What is your job title if you are self employed?

If you are self employed, your job title should be either "Self Employed" or "Freelance". You can also put a specific title e.g. "Editor" or "Freelance Editor".

How to write own business experience in resume?

If you ran your own business, list yourself as the Owner, CEO or Managing Director of the business under your work experience. List your relevant responsibilities in the form of a bullet list.

How to add your small business to your resume?

While adding your small business experience to resume, make sure you select on the most relevant roles and responsibilities. Most small business owners wear multiple hats, but listing specific responsibilities keeps your relevant to the job that you are applying for.

How to put independent contractor on resume?

To list yourself as an independent contractor on resume, create a separate entry under your work experience. Add “Independent Contractor” as title followed by the responsibilities in a bulleted list.

How to write entrepreneur experience on resume?

Create an entry in your work experience section with a title of Entrepreneur/CEO/Self Employed and list your duties below it. Make sure to display the impact of work done. Keep your responsibilities relevant to the job that you are applying for.

We really, really want you to get your dream job, and we’ve come up with some additional tips!

DO (make yourself look great)

• Include awards, they are always welcomed.
• Promotions or how you’ve climbed the ranks can show your quality.
• Create a brief list of hobbies, if they fit the job.
• Honesty goes a long way.
• Include a link to your LinkedIn page

DON’T (embarrass yourself)

• Avoid adding information which might be sensitive about other businesses or organizations.
• Avoid having a link to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts!
• Sell yourself short.

We have given you tips for the best self-employed resume sample: now, if you are also looking for the best self-employed resume templates, you should check this masterpiece we have been working on ; many professionals like you have successfully used it to take their career to the next level.

Copyright © 2024 Workstory Inc.

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How to Show You Are "Self Employed" On Your Resume

Written by Kal Dimitrov

Content Manager and Resume Expert

In This Guide:

Should you put self-employment on a resume, how to put self-employed work experience on your resume, how to put self-employed in a resume summary, how to put self-employed skills on your resume, how to put self-employed projects on a resume, examples of self-employed on resume, takeaways: self-employed on resume.

Being self-employed is great, you are your own boss.

In addition to that, it lets you take your future into your own hands and gives you lots of important skills .

Self-employment can show your potential employer that you are self-driven and that you have entrepreneurial spirit.

But you have to know how to do it right.

Don’t downplay your experience and don’t sell yourself short.

Make sure your potential employer understands the value of your self-employment.

But how to play your cards right with this one?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we are going to go through all the important questions going through your head:

• How to Put Self-Employed in a Resume Summary ?

And, of course, we are going to leave you off with some great examples to get you going.

In case you have some more general wondering about your resume, check out How to Make Your Resume Stand Out .

But if you are ready to jump in the self-employment on your resume, stick around.

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

First things first – should you actually include self-employment on your resume?

The short answer is yes. You absolutely should.

Your self-employment is still a part of your work experience , and you should not omit it.

As long as it is relevant, it doesn’t matter if it is a full-time job, freelance, or self-employment.

What matters is your experience and the skills you gained in the process.

Furthermore, it is a great way to fill a work history gap and avoid potential red flags with your potential employer.

So don’t hesitate and display proudly your self-employed work experience .

The most important section, that is an absolute must for your self-employment, is your Work Experience Section .

What you need to do here is list your self-employment like any other job .

You would want your resume to keep the same formatting all throughout.

But since it is not an ordinary job, there are some specifics we need to take care of.

First of all – the job title.

You would want to show that your experience is self-employed, but you need to avoid words like “self-employed” or “self-work”.

What you can do instead is use powerful words to describe it just as clearly, but in a more influential way.

The most commonly used ones are “Contractor”, “Consultant” or “Freelancer”.

Another way to go is to write President, CEO or Company Owner, but in that case you really need to have something to show.

Once you are done with that, you need to include a company name.

If you have created a company for your self-employment – it is easy, you just list its name.

But what to do, if you are a freelancer?

In that case, you should include the companies you have provided services for.

You should include the biggest names you have worked with in order to impress the hiring managers.

However, it is a good idea to make sure that these companies can acknowledge your services.

For your bullet list, make sure you list all your greatest work-related achievements, as you would do for any other job.

Last but not least, don’t forget to keep it relevant to the job position you are applying for.

No one would like to read work experience that is not relative, no matter how impressive it is.

The Resume Summary is the first thing hiring managers see after your name and contact information .

It is a key moment for you to make it as good as possible.

It is the Resume Summary that would decide if the hiring manager is going to keep reading or not.

If most of your experience is self-employed, you would want to include it right here.

And you would want to do it right.

But that part is actually not that difficult.

What you would want to do is write your Resume Summary the same as anyone else’s.

No matter if you are self-employed or have a career or full-time positions, the Resume Summary consists of the same components.

Your Resume Summary should include:

• Your most prominent contracts
• Accomplishments
• Relative skills

Make sure you make it all relative, and don’t make it too long, as you may lose the hiring manager’s attention.

If you have any kind of portfolio, that might be a good place to include it.

Your Skills Section can be crucially important on your resume.

Especially if you have chosen a Functional (Skill-Based) Resume Format .

So let’s make sure you do it right.

You probably want to list all the skills you have gained from all your different projects .

But if you do so, no one would even consider reading your resume.

No hiring manager would read more than a one-page resume , or a two-page resume if you have lots of work experience .

So what you need to do is pick out the best 10-15 skills for the position you are applying for.

Don’t forget to tailor your Skills Section according to every position you apply for.

If you have more of a project-based work experience , it would not be practical to list all projects under the Work Experience Section .

Instead, you can create an additional Projects Section on your resume

That’s where you should include all relevant projects that you have participated in.

Once again, keep in mind that your resume should stick to one page .

So don’t overdo it.

List only these projects which can really contribute to your resume.

Now that we know how to put self-employed in all important sections , it’s time to see it in practice as well.

We promised you some examples, and we deliver.

So, let’s dive in, section by section.

In the Work Experience Section

As we said earlier, your self-employed work experience should not look any different from any other job position on your resume:

New York Public Library: 02.2019 – 02.2020

Independent Contractor – Web Programmer

• Designed a new web page for the New York Public Library
• Created an interactive list with all books in the New York Public Library
• Integrated a booking system for users of the New York Public Library

In the Resume Summary

Make sure you make your Resume Summary catchy and make the hiring manager keep reading:

Highly capable and seasoned web programmer with solid background building interactive websites and tools within small businesses, large corporations and government institutions. Proven track record delivering high-class websites and tools which deliver greater success to the clients. Core strengths including great communication skills, understanding the client’s mindset and innovative programming thinking.

In the Skills Section

Include only the best and most relative skills into this section:

• Time & Resource Management
• Process Optimization
• Team Leadership and Development
• Great Communication Skills
• Knowledge in a variety of programming languages (HTML&CSS, PHP, JavaScript, ReactJS, Python)
• Result-oriented

Don’t forget to tailor them according to every position you apply for.

In the Projects Section

For this section, you can list every project you wish in the same formatting as in the Work Experience Section :

We are all done.

Now you know why self-employed experience is important and how to include in the different sections of your resume.

You are now ready to list your self-employed experience and present yourself in the best possible light.

Take your time and think about which self-employed experience to list.

Don’t forget to make it all relevant to the job position you are applying for.

Keep our examples in mind and make your self-employed experience get you your next job in no time.

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