Tips on Listing Self-Employment on Your Resume

Being self-employed comes with many challenges determining your recess, finding clients, having decent insurance, hiring extra help, etc. To succeed as a freelancer, contractor, or a new business owner, you have to have purpose, heat and forbearance, much of the same characteristics you need to successfully hunt for a new job. So why is self-employment on a resume a concern for your potential employer?

Listing self-employment on your resume when looking for full-time job can raise questions for your potential employer. They will ask questions such as: - Were self-employed because you were in between jobs, or because you treasured to start your own business rather than work for a corporation? - Are you still working on your own, as a freelancer or an advisor? If so, do you intent to continue this work in addition to your full time job? - Is your self-employment presenting a conflict of interest for the company? - Are you working as a freelancer or a contractor on part-time ground, and never think to have this supplant full-time employment? - Does your long-term career goal include owning your own business?

All of these questions are valid from your potential employers point of view. Companies do not want to hire you, train you and supply you with benefits only to have you cease after a twelvemonth to start your own business. This is the main reason previous or current self-employment raises red flags for the hiring organizations. The best way to address any self-employment on your resume is to highlight the positives of working as a freelancer or managing your own business. It is important that your resume includes employment account that is honest and relevant to your career goals.

If you pick up a freelance project infrequently and do not think to make this a full time career, you can omit any such experience from your resume. The only time you would list casual freelance work on your resume is if it allows you to fill any gaps in your professional experience. If you have worked as a contractor for a period longer than three months, or if you have ever owned your own business, it is important that you bespeak that on your resume. Highlight those attributes of the job experience that qualify you as a perfect campaigner for the job that you are seeking. Your job responsibilities should be listed in the same way as they are for any other full-time job youve held; focus on those responsibilities which best meet your career objective and measure your achievements when possible. Illustrate your self-starter position under the Qualifications section of your resume. Make sure to list any employability skills you have acquired or reinforced spell you were self employed.

As a final denotation of your commitment to the job you are seeking. Make sure that your cover letter or email addresses anticipated concerns of your potential employer. Make references to anything on your resume that may raise questions. If you still own your own business, but are looking for full-time work, for illustration, make sure to let your employer know what your long-term professional goals are and how you think to balance your roles at both businesses. Dont excuse for being self-employed. Your resume and cover letter should present you as a credible and passionate professional. Focus on the positive experiences and skills you have acquired as a freelancer, and make sure to let the employer know how these will benefit the company if you are their elect campaigner.

Posted on Jun 05th, 2008 by Marisa Levine

Your comment: