Tag: start your own business

How to List Self-Employment on Your Resume


Questions raised about self-employment

Being self-employed comes with many challenges, among which are,– determining your niche, finding clients, having adequate insurance, hiring qualified help and many others which are too numerous to list here; and even if the self-employed individual has little or no requirement for a staff, thereby preferring to work as a freelancer, contractor, or other type of one-person operator, s/he must be determined, passionate and patient if s/he is to be successful.

Since some of the above mentioned characteristics are similar to those needed to successfully hunt for a new job, the question of why self-employment listed on a resume should be a concern for potential employers is an interesting one. Be that as it may however, listing self-employment on the resume when looking for full-time job often does raise questions for potential employers. Such questions can take the form of:

  • Were you self-employed because you were in between jobs, or because you wanted to start your own business rather than work for a corporation?
  • Are you still working on your own, as a freelancer or a consultant? If so, do you intend to continue this work in addition to your full time job?
  • Will your self-employment present a conflict of interest for any company you work for?
  • Are you working as a freelancer or a contractor on part-time basis, and never intend to have this replace full-time employment?
  • Does your long-term career goal include owning your own business?

From the new employer’s perspective

All of these questions are valid from your potential employer’s point of view, because companies do not want to hire any individual, train that person and provide him/her with benefits, only to have the individual quit after a year to start a new business. This is the main reason previous or current self-employment raises red flags for the hiring organizations; but there might be an acceptable (best?) way to address any self-employment on a resume. Utilizing this method would require an applicant to highlight the positives of working as a freelancer or managing self-owned business.

It is obviously important that an individual’s resume includes honest and forthright employment history that is relevant to his/her career goals. However, if you are the applicant and you pick up a freelance project infrequently which is not intended to be a full time career, you can omit such experience from your resume. The only time you would list occasional freelance work on your resume is if it allows you to fill any gaps in your professional experience; but if you have worked as an independent contractor for a period longer than three months, or if you have ever owned your own business, it is important that you indicate that on your resume.

When self-employment enhances the resume

Highlight those attributes of the job experience that qualify you as a perfect candidate for the particular job you are seeking; and make sure job responsibilities are listed in the same way as they are for any other full-time job being sought. Also the job applicant focus on those responsibilities which best meet career objectives, and achievements should be quantied when possible. For example, if you are the job applicant, it would help to exemplify your self-starter attitude under the Qualifications section of your resume; and make sure to list any inherently-employable skills you have acquired or strengthened while self employed.

As a final indication of your commitment to the job you are seeking is to ensure that your cover letter or email addresses any anticipated concerns of your potential employer. Make references to anything on your resume that may raise questions, and if you still own your own business, but are looking for full-time work, you should make sure to let your employer know what your long-term professional goals are, and how you intend to balance your roles at both businesses.

There’s really no need to apologize for being self-employed; but your resume and cover letter should present you as a credible and passionate professional. Just focus on the positive experiences and skills you have acquired as a self employed person, whether you were a sole proprietor, independent contractor or any of the various types of freelancer, just make sure to let potential employers know how these skills and attributes will benefit the company if you are their chosen candidate.

Tips For Setting Up Your Own Business


To create a thriving small business

Are you thinking about setting up your own business? Do you have an idea for a new business but you are unsure about how to proceed? If you have answered yes to either of these questions, this article could be of benefit to you. It covers various aspects of how to plan and create a successful small business.

Many people are looking at ways in which they can become self-employed as they have had enough of being dictated to, and they’re fed up with long and frustrating commutes to work. They want the freedom of being their own boss and to be able to choose their own hours of work.

It must be said however, that leaving a full time career can be quite a scary prospect. The security of having a regular income and other benefits such as a pension and a shared savings scheme can seem hard to let go. I am sure many people, whether rightly or wrongly, have opted to stick with this security and to merely keep their business plan as a back-up idea, which they never see through or use.

Be willing to take the risk!

On the other hand there are people who are willing and happy to take the risk and see it as a way of getting out of the “rut race” (that’s not a typo!).

When you have an idea for a new business you then need to think of a name to call it. It would help to keep this name quite short as it makes it easier for people to remember. It obviously needs to have something to do with the type of business you are entering.

You will now need to work out how much money you will need to set up the business. This can be quite daunting but is essential. In the short term it would be wise to keep these start up costs as low as possible. You can always buy or rent better machinery in the future, as only on example of keeping costs low in the beginning.

Once you are aware of how much money you need, you then have to find it. You may have enough yourself via savings or a redundancy payout, however most people are not in this position. If you do not have enough money, you could try and raise money via the family, by seeking a partner or by tapping into the equity from your home. There is also the option of a business loan.

Market your product or service

There are many ways of doing this, including:

  • The Web via a website you create
  • An ad in your local newspaper
  • Direct marketing in the form of flyers & business cards
  • An ad in the local yellow pages and B2B pages
  • Exhibitions
  • Trade fairs and other advertising methods.

It is advisable that you find out where other people from your industry advertise as they will have tried and tested many of the above options.

You will need to work out how much to charge for your product or service. A good practice is always keep these charges fairly low in the early going so as to attract as many people as you can and to get some income in. Then you look forward to the time when word of mouth (and your other promotional efforts) take over after a few months you will be in a position to increase your fees.

Maintain a positive mindset

It is also important to realize that you, like many new business owners (and some veterans) will make mistakes along the way. When this happens you’ll need to think positive and not to beat yourself up. Consider it an experience you can learn from.

Always have belief in yourself. Any business will go through a rocky period from time to time, but during these times is when you need to be strong. In my opinion the more work put in, the more rewards you are likely to reap; and this, ultimately, is the reason you’ve opted to start your own business in the first place. The rewards for you and your family!

Self-discipline: Critical!

Self-discipline is one of the keys to your success. Being able to choose your own hours of work may seem like a dream but it can prove to be the downfall for many people. Business owners and entrepreneurs have to ensure that we work the required amount of hours. It is far too easy to stay in bed for that extra hour or to arrange yet another game of golf. These things are fine once you are established, but this is a long way off in the early stages.