If you’re self-employed, a resume that highlights your skills, independence, and drive can impress even the toughest recruiter. Whether you’ve freelanced, started your own business, or managed client projects independently, this kind of work says a lot about your initiative. But knowing how to put self-employment on a resume—and when it’s appropriate to include it—requires a thoughtful approach.
We turned to a career coach for expert advice and pulled together “self-employed” resume examples that will help you present your experience in a way that truly shines.
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So, can you have self-employment on a resume?
Yes, you can—and it's often beneficial to do so. “Including self-employment experience can fill gaps in employment or highlight an additional skill set if an individual is interested in making a career pivot,” says career coach Melissa Trager.
However, including self-employment on your resume depends on its relevance to the role and how it aligns with your career goals. If the experience doesn’t add value or presents a conflict of interest, it’s best to leave it off.
It’s no different from any other type of resume, really: You need to tailor it in a way that resonates with potential employers, positioning your experience as a strength. Highlight relevant achievements and transferable skills for the role you're applying for, such as initiative, time management, and adaptability.
How do you put self-employment on a resume?
Generally, your self-employed resume should follow the same structure as a traditional one; the key difference lies in how you present your experience as your own boss.
Use a chronological format
A chronological resume starts with your most recent job and works backward. It’s great for highlighting your latest achievements and showing how your career has progressed over time.
Present self-employment in the same way you’d list other jobs, with dates, a title, and bullet points highlighting your contributions.
Add your self-employment experience to the right section
You can include self-employment in the “Work Experience” section. But if it was a side hustle or temporary work, consider placing it in a separate section like “Independent Projects.” (Here's how—and when—to include projects on your resume.)
Use a professional title
Choose a title that reflects your role and aligns with industry standards, like “Freelance Graphic Designer” or “Business Owner.” This makes your experience immediately clear to hiring managers.
“List your company as ‘Private Clients,’ or if your company has an LLC or official name, use that with your title as ‘Freelancer’ or the industry equivalent of being self-employed,” Trager says. If not, list your role and industry, like “Independent Consultant—Marketing.”
List responsibilities and skills
Detail your day-to-day responsibilities and the skills you used, like project management or customer service. Tailor this to match the job description you’re applying for. (Here’s how to read a job description the right way.)
Include relevant clients or industries
If appropriate, mention notable clients or industries you worked in, but be mindful of confidentiality agreements.
Highlight quantifiable achievements
Be specific about your work. Focus on measurable results like revenue growth, client retention, or successful projects. For example, instead of saying “Worked on various projects,” say “Designed 10+ websites for small businesses, improving their online presence by 50%.”
For a little extra guidance, read this next:
Bonus tip: How to address gaps on a resume strategically
If self-employment fills a gap in your employment history, present it as a time of skill-building and professional growth to show you stayed proactive.
“Break down your self-employment into specific projects or clients,” Trager says. “Treating each client as its own role with dates helps clarify the periods spent working independently versus for another company.”
This approach demonstrates how you used that time productively and strengthened your career trajectory.
Self-employed resume: Examples
When showcasing self-employment on your resume, how you present your work matters. Below, you’ll find examples to guide you in presenting your experience in a way that stands out.
Example #1: For a freelancer
Freelance graphic designer (Self-employed, January 2018—Present)
- Designed marketing materials for 20+ small businesses, boosting client engagement by an average of 35%
- Led branding projects from concept to completion, including logo design, color palette selection, and brand guidelines
- Collaborated with clients across industries such as real estate, hospitality, and e-commerce
Example #2: For an independent contractor
Independent consultant—Marketing strategy (Freelancer, April 2016—December 2020)
- Developed and executed digital marketing strategies for startups, leading to a 50% increase in website traffic for five clients
- Conducted market research and competitor analysis to guide successful product launches
- Managed $100K in annual marketing budgets, optimizing spend for maximum ROI
Example #3: For a business owner
Owner/Operator—Event planning business (Private clients, June 2015—May 2020)
- Organized 150+ corporate and private events, handling all aspects from vendor contracts to on-site coordination
- Grew business revenue by 40% year over year through targeted social media campaigns and client referrals
- Built a team of three part-time employees to expand services, increasing client capacity by 25%
Example #4: Addressing gaps
Independent consultant—Career coaching (Freelancer, March 2020—December 2021)
- Provided one-on-one coaching to professionals during a career pivot, helping clients secure roles aligned with their goals
- Developed personalized job search strategies, including resume writing and interview preparation, resulting in a 70% success rate for clients securing interviews
- Conducted workshops on LinkedIn optimization, attracting 200+ attendees
Why this works: This example highlights how a period of self-employment during a gap (e.g., pandemic layoffs) can showcase valuable skills like adaptability, leadership, and proactivity. Instead of leaving the gap unexplained, it reframes the time as a productive and impactful phase. It also ties back to measurable outcomes, showing clear value.
Show off your strengths
Including self-employment on your resume is a powerful way to showcase your skills, independence, and achievements. By presenting your experience clearly and aligning it with the job you're applying for, you can turn your self-employment into a valuable asset that sets you apart from other candidates.