How to Include a Self-Employed Work Description on Your Resume

Ruth Mayhew reports:

"Running your own business is an admirable challenge, but if you're looking for a job, your resume should contain a work description with adequate details about your self-employment. Make sure you illustrate expertise and commitment to your responsibilities. Reviewing differences between the way you list general duties of employers and self-employed persons will help yo[u] make a better presentation...When your work history includes both employment and self-employment, a chronological resume format can clearly define when you worked for other entities and when you worked for yourself and help you come up with small-business job descriptions...If you use a functional resume – the kind that showcases your professional competencies but doesn't necessarily include a defined career path in chronological order – a recruiter or hiring manager might be confused about how long and when you were self-employed. Listing your self-employment in chronological order, especially when you have more than one stint at business ownership, can make more sense to recruiters screening your qualifications...Many job postings indicate that the ideal candidate has entrepreneurial vision, particularly for sales and leadership positions. But the truth is, some employers are cautious about hiring candidates who've been self-employed. They think this way for two reasons: They don't know if you really owned your own business, freelanced or are just trying to cover up that you were unemployed. Another reason some employers are reluctant to hire a former business owner is because they want someone who isn't going to try to take over operations without regard to the organization's processes already in place. These are two fine reasons to describe your duties as a self-employed professional just as you would any other job you've held...List your company name, its location and your title – the same way you would for your other previous jobs where you were an employee. For example, write, 'NYC Concessions; CEO/Founding Partner; New York, NY.' If you have been a solopreneur, avoid using big titles like president or CEO. Stick with a title like owner or consultant instead, recommends Top Resume.com. Describe your primary job duties but omit the part about how you formed your company. The recruiter or hiring manager likely will ask you why you decided to branch out on your own and why you're now interested in employment. Save an explanation of the whys, hows and backstory of your entrepreneurial venture for the interview...Granted, running your own business is itself an accomplishment, but remember that you're competing with other candidates who might describe accomplishments directly related to their job responsibilities. Instead of simply relying on owning and operating a business successfully as your major accomplishment, list approximately three achievements – in bullet fashion – that capture the reader's eye."