There are many challenges that come with being your own boss, such as figuring out your niche, finding clients, getting the right insurance, hiring extra help, etc. To be successful as a freelancer, contractor, or new business owner, you need to be determined, passionate, and patient, which are a lot of the same traits you need to find a new job. So why does a potential employer care if your resume says you worked for yourself?
Putting that you're self-employed on your resume when you're looking for a full-time job can make your potential employer wonder about you. They will ask questions like: Were you self-employed because you were between jobs or because you wanted to start your own business instead of working for a company?
- Do you still work as a freelancer or consultant on your own? If that's the case, do you plan to keep doing this work on top of your full-time job?
- Does the company have a problem with the fact that you work for yourself?
Do you work as a freelancer or contractor part-time and have no plans to replace your full-time job with this?
- Is owning your own business one of your long-term goals for your career?
From the point of view of your possible employer, all of these questions are good ones. Companies don't want to hire you, train you, and give you benefits if you're just going to quit after a year to start your own business. This is the main reason why companies are wary of people who have or are currently self-employed. The best way to talk about freelancing or running your own business on your resume is to talk about the good things about it. It's important that your work history on your resume is honest and fits with your career goals.
If you only do freelance work on the side and don't want to make it your full-time job, you don't need to put it on your resume. You should only put freelance work on your resume if it helps you fill in any gaps in your professional experience. If you have been a contractor for more than three months or if you have ever owned your own business, you should put that on your resume. Showcase the parts of your past jobs that make you a great fit for the job you want. Your job responsibilities should be listed the same way they were for any other full-time job you've had; focus on the ones that are most relevant to your career goals and, if possible, give numbers to your accomplishments. In the "Qualifications" section of your resume, show how you are a self-starter. Make sure to list any skills that could help you get a job that you learned or improved while you were self-employed.
As a final sign of how much you want the job you are looking for. Make sure your cover letter or email answers any questions that your potential employer might have. Make a note of anything on your resume that might make people wonder. If you still own your own business but are looking for full-time work, for example, make sure to tell your employer what your long-term professional goals are and how you plan to balance your roles at both businesses. Don't say you're sorry for working for yourself. Your resume and cover letter should show that you are a professional who can be trusted and who cares about the job. Focus on the good things you've learned and done as a freelancer, and make sure to tell the employer how these things will help the company if you get the job.
