Your resume is your chance to make a great first impression and set yourself apart from the competition. But if you’re running your own business as your main gig or even an afterthought, it can be tricky to describe on your resume.
You want to make it sound as impressive as it really is for future opportunities, but you also don’t want to seem too boastful. So, how can you make your small business or crowd shine on your resume? Check out our top tips below.
You can grab the attention of potential employers and show them that you are not just any job applicant, but an entrepreneur with real-world experience and skills. And that sets you apart from the rest.
1. Emphasize your achievements over your responsibilities
For starters, when you’re writing the bullet points for your entrepreneurial experience on your resume, you want to focus on your specific accomplishments rather than your day-to-day responsibilities. This will show future employers that you are results oriented and can produce tangible results, which are the two things every hiring decision maker will look for, no matter where you apply.
Remember, your resume isn’t just about describing what you’ve been doing every day – that’s a job description! It’s about proving that you got things done and can do it again for another chance. This is your chance to sell yourself, so make sure you showcase your successes in the best light rather than phrase things in a way that comes across as a job posting.
Take some time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished while running your small business or side business, and make sure those accomplishments are center stage on your resume. Your bullet points should follow the following formula:
Active verb contribution and skills used Result Add statistics to contribution/result
An example of this would be “New social media strategy implemented, Instagram followers increased by 25% in 3 months”
Implemented: This active verb shows that you were in charge of something and in control of the outcome. Raised: This shows that you made an impact and improved something. Instagram Followers: This is the specific result or outcome you achieved. 25%: This is a metric that quantifies your result.
By using this formula, you can be sure to write strong and impactful bullet points that will grab the attention of future employers.
2. Only include what is relevant to the opportunity you are applying for
As a small business owner, you definitely wear a lot of hats. And while your experience may be impressive, not everything needs to be detailed on your resume. When applying, always tailor your CV to the specific vacancy for which you are applying.
This means that in the Professional Experience and Summary sections, you should focus on the skills and experience most relevant to the position you are interested in. First, review the job description and look for key skills and requirements. Then be sure to include examples of how you’ve used the same skills in your own business using the details mentioned in Step 1.
Key items to look for in the job description are any “must-haves” or required qualifications, as well as preferred qualifications/skills – look for particular skills, experience level, education, or certifications. In fact, take the time to fully understand and integrate those soft skills and company values. You want to show that you are a perfect fit for the occasion, which means highlighting the things that make you stand out as a match.
Taking the time to customize your resume for each job you apply for may seem like a lot of work. But it is worth it. You’ll be hearing from more employers because you’ll quickly show you have what they’re looking for, unlike the dozens or hundreds of other job applicants who don’t hire the tailor.
3. Focus on transferable skills
Another thing to keep in mind when writing your resume is that not all the skills you need for the job will seem immediately apparent in your entrepreneurial experience. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have them or shouldn’t include them!
You can — and still should — highlight any transferable skills you have on your resume. These are the skills you have acquired while running your business that may not seem obvious but can be applied to the position you are interested in.
Transferable skills can be either hard skills (eg programming, billing and other technical skills) or soft skills (eg teamwork, communication, leadership). Remember that employers look for well-rounded candidates with a wide range of skills, especially since transferable soft skills are difficult to learn.
Some examples of transferable skills that you could highlight from your small business could include:
Team Management Inventory Management Conflict Resolution Organization Customer Service Negotiation
You’ve probably used all of these skills (and more!) in some capacity while building your business.
Highlight these at relevant points on your resume, including the Summary section, the Expertise/Skills section, the Professional Experience section, or even the Volunteering section if you have one. Don’t just list these skills, but give examples of how you’ve used them throughout your career.
4. Save discussion about the company’s future for your cover letter, networking and interview
When applying for a job, it is essential to focus on the present. This means that while you may be very proud of your small business or busyness, now is not the time to talk at length about its future plans or potential growth, as that takes up valuable space on a resume.
Sometimes you may think there is a conflict and want the employer to know if you will continue with your business if you take the job. But this still doesn’t have to be mentioned on your resume – it’s something that can be easily discussed during the application process if necessary. In certain cases, if you are really concerned, you can indicate in your cover letter that there will be no conflict.
In short, save the discussion about the company’s future for when you have more time to talk about it at length.
Time to start writing!
Now that you know what to include and what not to include in a winning resume, it’s time to get writing! Keep these tips in mind as you build your resume and the impressive performance of your small business or sideshow will surely shine through to give you that new opportunity.
This post 4 Tips for Describing Your Small Business or Busy Resume for Maximum Impact
was original published at “https://www.noobpreneur.com/2022/03/29/4-tips-for-describing-your-small-business-or-side-hustle-on-your-resume-for-maximum-impact/”
