Self-employment experience can strengthen your resume by providing employers with a better look into your professional background. We’ll show you how to list your self-employed experience, as well as when to include it in your application.
Add your self-employment to the work experience section of your resume
If you’ve been working full-time in a self-employed capacity, simply list it on your resume like you’d include a traditional job in your work experience section.
Our free-to-use resume builder can make you a resume in as little as 5 minutes. Pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.
Match your job title to the job description (if possible)
It’s important to highlight how your self-employment makes you qualified for your target role. One way to do this is by adjusting the job title on your resume so it mirrors the language from the job description — but make sure the title you choose is clear and accurate.
For example, if you’re applying for an entry-level position, listing yourself as “Founder, General Manager, and CEO” of your own dog-walking business might make employers hesitant to hire you. When your resume makes you look overqualified for a position, employers are likely to wonder why you’re applying and whether you’ll be committed to the role.
In this case, it would be better to list yourself as “dog-walker” at “self-employed,” and highlight the skills and accomplishments that are directly relevant to the entry-level position you’re applying for.
Include your company name or type of self-employment
When you fill out the company name on your resume, you have several options (even as a freelance writer):
- List your company’s name (for example, if you registered one for tax purposes)
- Write Self-Employed, Freelancer, or Contractor
- If you did the bulk of your projects for one company, you can list that company’s name (or a few company names)
Here’s how each of those options would look:
Window Cleaner
Aaron Chen Window Cleaning Services, Victoria, BC
August 20XX—Present
Front-End Developer
Self-Employed, London, UK
August 20XX—Present
Translator/Interpreter
NMT INC./ABQ Translations/APD, Albuquerque, NM
August 20XX—Present
If you worked with any well-known companies, you can also fit that information into your work experience bullet points. For example:
- Translated over 250 sentences from Traditional Chinese to English for Meta, as part of their AI Hokkien voice translator project
If you’re currently employed and have a freelance gig, here’s an example of how you can list both on your resume:
Digital Marketing Specialist
Kenting Software | Kenosha, WI
July 20XX–present
- Create 5+ blog posts per week on software updates
- Manage 7-person team
- Increased CTR by 47% in 12-month period by implementing new marketing strategies
- Use 5+ SEO tools, including Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Google Analytics, to analyze user needs
Content Creator
Self-Employed | Kenosha, WI
December 20XX–present
- Write an average of 10 blog articles per month on travel for Wandering Around the Midwest, Roaming Alone, and Travel with Pets — Unleashed
- Produce 1,500+ word articles with turnaround time as tight as 3 days
- Earned average of 20% in bonuses in 2021 due to travelers mentioning my articles at travel destinations for discounts
- Increased output by 27% from 2019 to 2021
Because the applicant currently holds both of these roles, they can list whichever job is more relevant to the position they’re applying for.
For example, if this applicant applies to a software company, they can list the Digital Marketing Specialist role first. Or, if they’re applying for a full-time travel blogging role, they can list the Content Creator role first instead.
Showcase relevant professional skills with clear examples
It’s best if you can frame your period of self-employment in a way that demonstrates your continued professional development. One way to do this is by highlighting any transferable skills you gained, with an emphasis on industry-specific hard skills:
Gained PCAP certification in Python programming language through independent study and online courses
Completed online management training courses covering topics such as project planning, team leadership, and stakeholder management
Show your expertise in the software and technologies commonly used in your field, and if you’re aiming for a remote or hybrid role, be sure to demonstrate your proficiency in collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, or Trello.
You can also include soft skills like communication and time management:
Developed empathy and active listening skills by regularly interacting with current and prospective clients, discussing their needs and responding to complaints
Example of self-employment on a resume
In this example resume, the applicant has been self-employed for several years and is now applying for a full-time position at a company:
Example of a resume that lists contracting experience
This resume example was written by a candidate who currently has a full-time job but does regular freelance work:
When to list self-employment on your resume
Self-employment is a broad term that includes many different kinds of work, from freelancing and independent contracting to starting your own business.
Whether you’re listing full-time or part-time work on your resume, the decision to include self-employed experience on your resume depends on how relevant it is to your target role. Here are some guidelines:
Add it if:
- The experience is relevant to the job you’re applying for
- Your self-employed work between jobs helps explain a gap in employment
- You can use it to demonstrate skills and achievements
Leave it off if:
- It’s unrelated to the job you’re currently applying for
- It doesn’t help you demonstrate relevant skills and qualifications
- Including it will make your resume too long, and there are other positions you want to prioritize
One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Nathan Soto
Career Expert & Digital Content Writer
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, especially people with nonlinear career paths. Nathan’s articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, including Newsweek and Fast Company, offering insights into resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding. Nathan graduated from the University of Nevada with a double B.A. in French and Music. Currently based in Taipei, Taiwan, he also excels as a Mandarin–English translator and English language coach.
View Nathan's ProfileSubscribe to our newsletter
By clicking “Submit” you agree to receive marketing communications from our site, and to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
We're thrilled to be a part of your professional journey! Stay tuned for the most up-to-date job news, free resources, and expert advice for your job hunt and career.
Click to rate this article
4.9 Average rating