How to Add Self-Employment to Your Resume After Running a Business for 8+ Years

Introduction: How to Make Your Self-Employment Shine on a Resume

Running your own business for over eight years is a significant achievement. However, when that business winds down, transitioning back into the traditional workforce can be daunting, especially when crafting your resume. You might wonder how to list your self-employment experience, what job title to use, and how to present it in a way that resonates with employers. If you’ve been self-employed in a business that ultimately failed, like the person who ran a dog walking business for eight years, you’re not alone. This article will guide you through the best ways to position your experience on a resume to make it appealing to potential employers.

Highlight Your Business Successes

First and foremost, don’t frame your experience as a failure. Running a business for more than eight years shows resilience, leadership, and a vast skill set that’s transferable to many other roles. Business failure is common, and more often than not, it’s due to external factors like market shifts, economic downturns, or in your case, the pandemic, rather than a reflection of your abilities. Instead of focusing on how the business ended, highlight what you achieved during its run.

Key Accomplishments to Mention:

• Client Base Growth: Emphasize how you grew and maintained a loyal client base over time.
• Operations Management: Showcase your ability to manage day-to-day operations, including scheduling, invoicing, and customer service.
• Adaptability: Demonstrate how you adapted your business model in response to market changes, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Problem-Solving: As a business owner, you solved problems daily, whether it was logistical, financial, or customer-related.
• Marketing and Sales: If you were responsible for bringing in new clients through marketing or sales efforts, make sure to mention the tools and strategies you used.

Choosing the Right Job Title

One of the trickiest parts of including self-employment on your resume is deciding on the appropriate job title. Here are a few options:

1. Founder and CEO: If you ran the entire operation and were responsible for its success, you could confidently list yourself as the founder and CEO. This title shows leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.
2. Operations Manager: If your daily tasks were more aligned with managing operations, like scheduling clients, handling payments, and managing staff, Operations Manager could be an appropriate title.
3. Client Relations Manager: If your role was focused on interacting with clients, ensuring customer satisfaction, and handling contracts, this title highlights your customer service and management skills.
4. Business Owner: If none of the above titles feel right, there’s nothing wrong with simply stating “Business Owner.” Many recruiters and hiring managers value the skills that come from owning a business, as it shows you have experience in wearing many hats.

Avoid These Common Mistakes:

• Don’t list yourself as “just a dog walker” or “pet sitter,” as this undersells your role. Focus on your managerial and operational duties rather than just the service you provided.
• Avoid titles that may come across as vague or misleading. Keep it professional and reflective of your true responsibilities.

Formatting Your Business on Your Resume

When adding your business experience to your resume, follow the standard format you would use for any other job. Here’s an example:

Founder & CEO | [Your Business Name] | [Start Date] - Present

• Grew client base by X% over eight years through referrals and targeted marketing.
• Managed day-to-day operations, including scheduling, payments, and client communications, serving over X clients at peak.
• Increased revenue by X% through strategic partnerships and service expansion.
• Adapted business model in response to market changes, reducing overhead by X% during the pandemic.

This format follows a typical job listing format, with clear metrics to highlight your accomplishments.

Addressing the Business Closure in an Interview

One of the most common fears for individuals transitioning from self-employment is addressing the failure of the business. The key here is to focus on what you’ve learned, how you’ve grown, and how you’re ready for new challenges. When asked about why your business closed, a response like the following will work well:

“I ran a successful dog walking business for over eight years. However, the pandemic dramatically shifted the market as many of my clients transitioned to working from home, reducing the need for dog walking services. I made the decision to explore new opportunities where I can bring my skills in operations management, client relations, and problem-solving to a new environment.”

This approach keeps the focus on the external factors that led to the closure and positions you as someone who has learned valuable skills from the experience.

What to Avoid When Discussing Business Closure

It’s important not to dwell on the “failure” aspect during interviews. Employers value resilience and the ability to pivot in the face of challenges. Avoid framing the closure in a negative light or appearing overly apologetic. Instead, treat it as a natural progression in your career and an opportunity to bring your entrepreneurial experience to a new setting.

Leverage Transferable Skills

One of the main advantages of running your own business is the breadth of skills you acquire. Even if your business was in a different industry than the job you’re applying for, many of the skills you developed are transferable. Here are a few examples:

1. Project Management:

Managing multiple clients, meeting deadlines, and balancing schedules are all project management skills that can apply to various industries.

2. Financial Management:

As a business owner, you likely handled budgeting, invoicing, and possibly even payroll. These financial skills can be invaluable in administrative, managerial, or operations roles.

3. Sales and Marketing:

If you brought in new clients through marketing or sales efforts, emphasize the strategies you used. Whether you ran social media campaigns, built a website, or handled face-to-face sales, these are skills many employers seek.

4. Customer Service:

The ability to maintain a client base for over eight years demonstrates a high level of customer service. Emphasize your ability to build and maintain client relationships, handle complaints, and deliver quality service.

5. Adaptability and Problem-Solving:

Running a business requires constant problem-solving and adaptability. These are traits every employer values, particularly in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

Preparing for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many job seekers worry about how their resumes will fare against Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems often screen resumes before a human sees them, and they rely on keywords. Here’s how to ensure your self-employment experience passes the ATS:

• Use Industry-Specific Keywords: Tailor your resume to each job by incorporating keywords from the job description. For example, if the job calls for “project management” and “client relations,” make sure those terms are used in your experience descriptions.
• Job Title Variations: If “Founder & CEO” feels too grandiose for the jobs you’re applying for, consider using more relatable titles like “Operations Manager” or “Client Relations Manager,” as these may align more closely with the job posting.
• Metrics Matter: Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible (e.g., “Increased client base by 25%,” “Reduced costs by 10%”). ATS often looks for numbers as indicators of success.

Conclusion: Own Your Self-Employment Journey

Transitioning from self-employment to traditional employment can feel daunting, but the experience you gained running your business is invaluable. By framing your business as a success, emphasizing your transferable skills, and tailoring your resume for the roles you’re applying to, you can position yourself as a strong candidate. Remember, the fact that you ran a business for eight years speaks volumes about your resilience, adaptability, and skills. Own that story, and let it shine through in your resume and interviews.