self employed cover letter sample

Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

5 self employed business owner cover letters.

Approved by real hiring managers, these Self employed Business Owner cover letters have been proven to get people hired in 2024. A hiring manager explains why.

Table of contents

• Self employed Business Owner
• Startup Business Consultant
• Self-Employed Business Owner
• Online Marketplace Consultant
• Alternative introductions for your cover letter
• Self employed Business Owner resume examples

Self employed Business Owner Cover Letter Example

Why this cover letter works in 2024, impressive growth metrics.

Highlighting specific achievements, like growing revenue by a significant percentage, demonstrates the impact you've had in your previous roles and shows that you're results-oriented.

Coaching and Mentoring Success

Mentioning your experience in coaching and mentoring others, along with their combined revenue, showcases your ability to help others succeed and your commitment to the growth of the industry.

Appreciative and Forward-Looking

Expressing gratitude for the consideration of your application while also looking forward to discussing your qualifications further shows that you are both polite and confident in your abilities.

Share your unique method to problem-solving

One of the things I love about this cover letter is how you discuss your unique approach to problem-solving. You took a risk and it paid off. This demonstrates your willingness to think outside the box and tackle issues head-on, which can be a great asset in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment like Tesla.

Highlight your leadership abilities

You didn't just mention that you led a team, you gave specifics about how you did it, focusing on individual strengths. Plus, you quantified the result - a 200% business growth in the first year. This shows that you are more than just a business owner, but a leader who understands the value of every team member.

Align your entrepreneurial spirit with the company's mission

The way you talk about the challenge of creating unique solutions to complex problems shows that you're not just looking for any job - you're looking for a challenge that matches your entrepreneurial spirit. It's clear that you've done your homework about Tesla and see a real alignment between your personal drive and their mission.

Reiterate your excitement and confidence

As you wrap up your letter, you reiterate your excitement about the prospect of joining Tesla, and more importantly, your confidence in your ability to contribute. This kind of attitude can be contagious and it's exactly what hiring managers want to see.

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Startup Business Consultant Cover Letter Example

Show how your entrepreneurial journey equips you for the role.

You've been there, done that, and got the t-shirt. You've lived the ups and downs of startup life and you're not afraid to admit it. This gives you a level of credibility that not every startup business consultant has. Your potential employers and their clients will appreciate this.

Prove your ability to create growth strategies

Your track record of creating and implementing successful growth strategies is impressive. The fact that you can show a tangible result - a 50% increase in the customer base - speaks volumes about your capabilities. This is the kind of value you can bring to Amazon AWS and their clients.

Combine your experience and passion

Your entrepreneurial experience, combined with your passion for helping others succeed, makes you a great fit for a business consulting role. This passion will shine through in your work and will undoubtedly inspire the entrepreneurs you'll be working with.

Express readiness to contribute

End the cover letter by emphasizing your eagerness and confidence in your ability to contribute to Amazon AWS. This shows commitment and a forward-thinking mindset, which is exactly what a dynamic company like Amazon is looking for.

Self-Employed Business Owner Cover Letter Example

Showcase tangible achievements.

Presenting a success story like the growth of your previous venture is a surefire way to grab attention. It shows you know how to achieve results, which is exactly what employers want to see. Here you've used solid metrics - 200 artists, 150% increase in sales, within the first year - which paints a vivid picture of your capabilities.

Highlight your skills

By detailing how you used digital marketing and community engagement to grow your business, you're proving you can apply these skills to any role. It's great to see you've recognized that Etsy values community, and are pitching yourself as someone who can help enhance that.

Connect with company values

Your enthusiasm about working in a team that values creativity and innovation is not just a compliment to Etsy but a clear indication that you align with their culture. It’s a smart way of saying, “I fit in here”. Sharing your excitement about a specific initiative shows you've done your research and are invested in what they're doing.

Online Marketplace Consultant Cover Letter Example

Start with a mission.

Starting your career story with a clear mission resonates well. It shows motivation and purpose behind your actions. You're not just a consultant, but someone driven to help small businesses. This narrative is powerful and connects with Amazon's own mission to support smaller sellers.

Detail your strategy

Explaining how you achieved success is key. By mentioning your strategy - optimizing product listings, leveraging Amazon SEO, and utilizing customer reviews - you're showing an understanding of the platform's intricacies and the tactics needed to succeed. It's this kind of specialist knowledge Amazon will value.

Align your passion with the company's mission

By highlighting your passion for helping small-scale entrepreneurs and aligning it with Amazon's commitment to supporting small businesses, you're showing a deep connection to their mission. It's a surefire way of demonstrating you're not just qualified for the role, but also genuinely invested in their cause.

Offer a direct contribution

By emphasizing not just what you can do, but what you can add to Amazon's mission, you make yourself an attractive candidate. It's one thing to have the skills, but it's another to have a vision for how those skills can be used to further the company's goals. That's exactly what they want to see.

Alternative Introductions

If you're struggling to start your cover letter, here are 6 different variations that have worked for others, along with why they worked. Use them as inspiration for your introductory paragraph.

Cover Letters For Jobs Similar To Self employed Business Owner Roles

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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

Letter Templates & Example

Self Employment Letter Example: Tips and Tricks to Create a Professional Letter

Are you looking to start your own business or become self-employed? One of the first steps you’ll need to take is creating a self-employment letter. This document is often required when applying for loans, leases, or business licenses. It shows that you are a legitimate business owner and have the resources to support yourself financially.

But where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled examples of self-employment letters that you can use as templates and edit as needed. Whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, or starting your own business, our examples will help you craft a compelling letter that showcases your skills and expertise.

With our examples, you’ll learn how to include important information such as your business name, type of work, and financial projections. You’ll also discover how to emphasize your experience and qualifications to make a strong case for your business.

So why wait? Start your self-employment journey on the right foot with a well-crafted letter. Check out our examples and get started today!

The Best Structure for a Self-Employment Letter Example

When it comes to starting your own business or becoming self-employed, one of the most important aspects is being able to communicate effectively with clients, potential investors, and other stakeholders. One tool that can help you achieve this goal is a self-employment letter, which is essentially a document outlining your qualifications, experience, and motivation for working for yourself. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best structure for a self-employment letter example and provide some tips and tricks to help you write one that’s effective and engaging.

First, it’s important to note that every self-employment letter will be slightly different depending on the nature of the business and the skills and experience of the individual. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your letter is clear, concise, and impactful.

The first paragraph of your self-employment letter should introduce yourself and your business idea or plan. You should provide a brief overview of what you are hoping to achieve with your business, including any niche or target market that you are aiming for. This is also a good place to mention any relevant qualifications or experience that you have in the field or industry that you are working in.

Next, you should go into more detail about your skills and experience. Use this section of your letter to highlight why you are uniquely suited to succeed in your chosen field. This might include any relevant education or training that you have, as well as any experience that you have gained working for others or on your own. Be sure to focus on your key strengths and highlight what sets you apart from others in your field.

In the third paragraph, you should focus on your financial plan. This section of your letter should outline how you plan to fund your business, whether through personal savings, investments, or loans. You should also discuss any projected revenue or profits that you hope to generate, as well as any potential challenges or obstacles that you anticipate facing.

Finally, your self-employment letter should end with a clear call to action. This might include a request for a meeting or follow-up phone call to discuss your business further, or it might simply be an opportunity to summarize your key points and thank the reader for their time. Whatever approach you take, make sure that your letter is professional, concise, and easy to read.

In conclusion, a self-employment letter is an important tool for anyone looking to start their own business or become self-employed. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can create a letter that effectively communicates your qualifications, skills, and motivation, while also providing a clear plan for financial sustainability and success. So what are you waiting for? Start crafting your own self-employment letter today and take the first step towards building your dream business!

Self Employment Letter Examples

Self employment letter for renting an apartment.

I am writing this letter to confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] is self-employed and earns a stable income. [He/She] operates [Name of Business] and has been in business for [Number of Years]. As [his/her] accountant, I can verify that [he/she] earns an average income of [$Amount] annually.

[Name of Self-Employed Person] is a reliable individual and has never been late in paying [his/her] rent in the past. I am confident that [he/she] will continue to make timely rent payments. In case of any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,

[Your Name]

Self Employment Letter for a Mortgage

Dear [Lender’s Name],

I am happy to provide this letter to confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] has been working for [Number of Years] as a self-employed individual. [He/She] has been operating [Name of Business] and has a flourishing trade.

As [his/her] accountant, I can testify that [Name of Self-Employed Person] has adequate financial stability to qualify for a mortgage. [He/She] has demonstrated [his/her] capability to generate a consistent income of [$Amount] per year. [He/She] has excellent financial management skills and can cover down payment, closing costs, and mortgage payments without any difficulty.

Thank you for lending your time to review this letter. If you need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Self Employment Letter for Business Loan

Dear [Lender’s Name],

I am writing this letter to confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] is a self-employed individual, and I have been [his/her] accountant for [Number of Years]. [He/She] owns and operates [Name of Business] and has demonstrated excellent financial management skills.

As [Name of Self-Employed Person]’s accountant, I attest that [he/she] has a well-run and successful business. [He/She] has an outstanding track record of timely payments on [his/her] business debt, which is a testament to [his/her] financial responsibility and independence. [He/She] has requested [Amount of Loan] for [Purpose of Loan], which [he/she] intends to pay back in [Length of Time] time.

I confidently recommend [Name of Self-Employed Person] as a candidate for [Amount of Loan] [Type of Loan] because [he/she] has a stable source of income and is a responsible borrower. Thank you so much for considering [his/her] application.

Warm regards,

Self Employment Letter for Immigration Purpose

Dear Immigration Officer,

I am writing this letter to confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] has been self-employed for [Number of Years] years. [He/She] operates [Name of Business] and has a stable income. I have [Number of Years] of experience working with [him/her], and I can verify that [he/she] generates a steady income of [$Amount] annually.

[Name of Self-Employed Person] is a responsible individual and is committed to excelling in [his/her] business and contributing to the community. [He/She] is an asset to our community, and we appreciate [his/her] hard work and dedication. I am honored to recommend [him/her] for any future immigration visas or other necessary documents.

Thank you for your time reviewing [Name of Self-Employed Person]’s visa application.

Self Employment Letter for Job Application

Dear [Employer’s Name],

I am writing this letter to recommend [Name of Self-Employed Person] for the position of [Job Position] at [Name of Company]. As [his/her] accountant, I have worked with [him/her] for [Number of Years], and I can affirm that [he/she] is extremely proficient and qualified for [Job Position].

[Name of Self-Employed Person] has been self-employed for [Number of Years] and operates [Name of Business]. [He/She] possesses exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic. [He/She] also has a wealth of experience in [Related Skills] and has demonstrated a great ability to grow [his/her] business successfully.

I assure you that [Name of Self-Employed Person] will make a positive contribution to the growth and development of your organization. [He/She] has the requisite skills and experience needed to perform any task assigned and can adapt to changing situations with ease. If you have any questions regarding [Name of Self-Employed Person]’s qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Self Employment Letter for Child Support

Dear [Child Support Officer],

I am writing this letter to confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] is self-employed and has been for a period of [Number of Years]. [He/She] operates [Name of Business] and has proven to be responsible and dependable in [his/her] obligations to [Name of Child] in regards to child support.

As [his/her] accountant, I can confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] has a consistent and satisfactory income of at least [$Amount] annually, which [he/she] uses to support [Name of Child]. [He/She] has been making regular and timely payments of [$Amount] towards [his/her] child’s upkeep without fail.

If you require any additional information to support [Name of Self-Employed Person]’s commitment to [his/her] child support obligations, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Self Employment Letter for Visa Extension

Dear Embassy Officer,

I am writing this letter to confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] is self-employed and manages a successful business that [he/she] has been operating for the last [Number of Years]. [He/She] is currently seeking an extension to [his/her] visa to enable [him/her] to continue running [his/her] business successfully.

As [his/her] accountant, I can confirm that [Name of Self-Employed Person] generates a stable income of [$Amount] annually from [his/her] business. [He/She] has adequate financial stability to support [him/her]self directly and to make optimum contributions towards [his/her] business responsibilities.

I strongly recommend granting [Name of Self-Employed Person]’s visa extension request. [He/She] has demonstrated commitment to their business and to our community, and we believe [he/she] should be allowed to continue doing so. If there are any questions or concerns regarding [his/her] application, please contact me.

Tips for Writing a Self Employment Letter

Self-employment letters are an essential document required for various reasons, such as obtaining a visa, applying for a bank loan or credit cards, and confirming self-employment when applying for a mortgage. This letter should clearly explain your occupation and income, and how you have derived from self-employed work. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective self-employment letter:

• State Your Business Name: In the opening paragraph, state your business name and the services or goods that your business offers. This will give the reader a clear understanding of your business, its purpose, and the services or products you offer, providing a strong foundation for your self-employment letter.
• Provide Relevant Financial Information: The next paragraph of the letter should outline your financial standing. Specifically, mention how much your business makes and the sources of income. You may wish to include recent financial statements or tax returns as attachments.
• Explain What You Do: Briefly describe your job duties as a self-employed individual, your clients (if you have any), and how you make money. This provides a clear picture of your work, access to income, and how you operate in the market.
• Include Your Contact Details: Always include contact information in your self-employment letter, including email and phone number. This will enable the recipient to make further inquiries about you or your business if necessary.
• Show Your Experience: If you have been self-employed for an extended period, mention this in your letter. Highlight your years of experience in your field, the problems you have solved, and any accolades or awards you may have received.
• Proofread Your Letter: Grammatical errors may make your letter appear unprofessional. Therefore, proofread, and have someone else read your letter to ensure it makes sense and is free from errors.

Finally, keep your letter simple and to the point. Avoid using complicated jargon that could confuse the reader, and make sure that your letter is easy to read and understand. This will leave the reader with a positive impression of you and your business. By following these simple tips, you can create a self-employment letter that showcases your value as a self-employed individual.

Self Employment Letter Example FAQs

What is a self employment letter?

A self employment letter is a letter that a person writes to verify that they are self-employed. It may be requested by banks, landlords, creditors, or other institutions to verify a person’s income. It includes information about their business, their income, and the length of time they have been self-employed.

Why is a self employment letter important?

A self employment letter is important because it proves that a person is self-employed and provides information about their income. This information is important for banks, landlords, creditors, or other institutions when making decisions about loans, mortgages, or credit. It helps them determine the person’s ability to pay back the money they have borrowed.

What should be included in a self employment letter?

A self employment letter should include the person’s name, company name, business address and phone number, and a brief description of their business. It should also include information about the person’s income, how long they have been self-employed, and any other relevant details that may help verify their income.

How should a self employment letter be formatted?

A self employment letter should be formatted like a formal business letter. It should be addressed to the person or institution requesting it, and it should include a subject line that clearly indicates the purpose of the letter. The letter should be typed and signed by the person sending it.

Can a self employment letter be used as proof of income?

Yes, a self employment letter can be used as proof of income. It provides information about a person’s income and verifies that they are self-employed. However, some institutions may require additional documentation, such as tax returns or profit and loss statements, to verify income.

What should I do if I don’t have a self employment letter?

If you don’t have a self employment letter, you should contact the institution that is requesting it and ask for their specific requirements. They may accept other forms of documentation, such as bank statements, tax returns, or profit and loss statements.

Is it legal to forge a self employment letter?

No, it is not legal to forge a self employment letter or any other document. Forgery is a crime and can result in fines, imprisonment, or both. It is important to provide accurate and truthful information when applying for loans, mortgages, or credit, as false information can lead to serious consequences.

Time to Put Your Self-Employment Letter into Action

We hope this article about a self employment letter example has been informative and helpful for your business endeavors. Don’t hesitate to use the sample we provided and tailor it to your own situation. Remember, being your own boss comes with its own set of challenges, but with perseverance and hard work, success is within reach. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more tips and advice on self-employment in the future.

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Freelancer Cover Letter Example

A cover letter functions as an essential element of your resume as it demonstrates your abilities and experiences similar to the role requirements. Your Freelancer Cover Letter should present a successful story of your self-employment.

Our Freelancer Cover Letter Sample details the necessary credentials that most of the clients are looking for.

• Cover Letters

What to Include in a Freelancer Cover Letter?

Roles and responsibilities.

Freelancer Roles and Responsibilities:

Freelancer is a self-employed professional working in different streams/markets for clients. He generally works remotely in a virtual environment and interacts with clients through internet calls, emails, or phone calls. Mostly the Freelancer does hr-related work, sales, and marketing, artwork, web development , etc.

Following are the duties of a Freelancer:

• Self promotes his portfolios on freelancing websites.
• Design work portfolio to showcase it to clients.
• Bid appropriately on the projects.
• Interact with clients to understand their requirements.
• Prepare work samples to get them approved by the clients.
• Work on assignments within the deadlines.

Education & Skills

Freelancer Skills :

• Disciplined and self-driven approach to completing the tasks within the assigned timeline.
• Superior communication skills to understand the requirements of clients.
• Incredible organizational skills to set up the priority of tasks.
• Ability to work with no supervision.
• Out of the box, thinking to grab the available freelancing projects.

Freelancer Educational Requirements:

• Related academic qualifications are needed.
• Proven experience in the freelance field.
• Set of work examples.
• Knowledge and access to required software and equipment to complete the assignment within the deadline.
• Well maintained, a self-promoted freelance profile on freelancing portals.

Freelancer Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Dear Mr./Ms.,

As a highly experienced and reliable Freelancer, I am confident that my skills would qualify for your requirement of a Freelancer. Therefore, I am submitting this letter with all the facets of my project management skills.

Please go through the below highlights of my freelancing background:

• Healthy interaction with prospective clients to understand work specifications.
• Presenting the previous work samples to the clients that are similar in nature.
• Negotiate with clients over the project budget.
• Complete the work assignments in a prescribed format.
• Ensure that the deadline is not breached.
• Edit submitted assignments in case of errors.

I believe that I can surpass your expectations as my strengths lie in self-promotion, business development, project budgeting, and client servicing. I have extensive experience in marketing communications, social media advertising, visual branding, and copywriting for a wide range of clients.

Thank you for reviewing my portfolio and for considering me as a potential Freelancer for your project. I am submitting my resume to offer further detail about my academic records and previous work achievements. I am hoping to have a detailed conversation about what I can bring to the table once hired.

Best Regards, [Your Name]

Quick Tips For Freelancer Cover Letter For Experienced Seekers:

Demonstrate the degree of experience you’ve achieved in the field and the number of projects successfully delivered to the employer to understand your credibility.

Sending a non-targeted resume can ruin your chances of getting selected for a job role. Therefore, seek help from our Freelancer Resume Sample .

Customize Freelancer Cover Letter

Get hired faster with our free cover letter template designed to land you the perfect position.

Related Others Cover Letters

Here's the Ideal Way to Include Self-Employment on Your Next Resume

3 key takeaways

• What self-employment is
• Best practices for creating a self-employed job description
• How to put self-employed on a resume using the free Teal AI Resume Builder

If you’ve ever worked as a contractor, a freelancer, or a small business owner, you are someone who has been self-employed.

Thanks to this experience, you know that even when you’re working for yourself, this absolutely counts as real work experience. Beyond what you’d learn in a more traditional job, you’re also growing in areas like time management, taking initiative, and problem-solving.

The key is learning how to take this valuable work history and translate it onto self-employed resumes to increase your chances of landing a job.

Sound like a tall order? Here’s what you need to know about the best method of how to put self-employed work on your resume (with self-employed resume examples included).

Including self-employed on resumes: Why it matters

"Self-employed" is a fairly broad term. At its most basic level, it means that you worked independently, for yourself (rather than, for example, working with one specific company). But the life of a self-employed professional can vary widely, looking like:

• Freelancing: With freelance work, your schedule is highly flexible, working with multiple clients (whom you choose) on short-term projects. 
• Sole proprietorship: Most freelancers are sole proprietors. In other cases, sole proprietors are considered business owners who can do things like hire employees.
• Contract work: An independent contractor generally has a working relationship with a single client on longer, fixed-term projects.
• Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurs make money by starting and building a business.
• Partnership: A partnership is the next step up from a sole proprietorship. It’s a business owned by two or more people.
• Consulting: Consultants are often independent contractors—people who offer expert advice to private companies. 

While these are all types of self-employed experiences, many of these terms carry some overlap. If you don’t know which one best describes your work and employment history, fall back on “self-employed.”

Should you put self-employment on your resume?

Absolutely!

Including career-focused experiences—such as freelance writing on the side, contract work between full-time jobs, or even opening a small business—can help prove your flexibility and resourcefulness. (But remember, listing every job title or experience you’ve ever had might not be relevant. Hiring managers probably don’t care about that lemonade stand you had in middle school.)

Outside of more general job skills (like interpersonal skills), people who are self-employed also commonly specialize in a certain type of work. You can showcase any technical competencies or hard skills in the " About Me" section of your self-employed resume and beyond.

Practical guide: Listing self-employment on your resume

In many ways, adding self-employed work to your resume will look the same as adding any other job or work experience on your resume . You’ll want to include:

• A job title (that clearly signals you were self-employed)
• A company name
• The dates you started and ended each position or gig (dividing up certain freelance projects, for example)
• Bullet points with compelling descriptions of what you did
• A well-written resume summary
• Additional skills, certifications , or successes 

But figuring out what to put for the company name when self-employed can be tricky. One option is to include a header that says “Freelance” or “Contract” and list multiple independent contracting clients as subheaders under that:

• Freelance Writer 
• XYZ Company
• ABC Company

Another is to name your job title and the client or company on the same line, with further description underneath:

• ABC Company — Freelance Graphic Designer

If you have your own business, you can include your business name. Just make sure to denote that you’re an entrepreneur rather than an employee.

Finally, if you don’t have much space to include your self-employed experience, it’s okay not to name any companies at all. Simply say “Consultant” or “Freelancer” with a couple of brief sentences about your self-employed work experience, mentioning specific personal projects where you achieved results:

• Freelance Developer: Helped five clients design and maintain websites, lowering bounce rate to 30% and increasing conversion rate to 3%. Worked with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP.

Write your self-employed resume with Teal

The Teal AI Resume Builder offers one tool to create, optimize, and manage your resume. You can build one from scratch or upload an existing resume (or your LinkedIn profile!) to get started. Then, use Resume Analysis and Matching Mode to bridge any gaps between your self-employed experience and each unique role you apply for.

Articulating your self-employed role: Creating a compelling job description

Once you’ve figured out a good header, the next step is writing a self-employed job description for a resume that explains exactly what you did as your own boss. 

This means adding relevant achievements (with metrics, wherever possible); using strong action verbs (achieved, exceeded, generated); and staying honest about what you did or didn’t do

But as you list self-employment experiences on a resume, you’ll want to specifically highlight any self-employed skills you acquired or honed during those experiences that you might not have gotten during a traditional 9-5. For example, did you:

• Improve your time management and organizational skills by working on multiple new client projects at once?
• Market yourself and your personal brand on social media to gain more clients?
• Adapt your work to fit the different guidelines of each company you worked with?

These are all great details that you should weave into a self-employed resume summary.

Should you put your small business on your resume? Sure! If you’ve ever started your own small business, this is a great detail to include on your resume—this is something that not everyone has done. Describe yourself as business owner, CEO, or manager, whichever one feels most appropriate for you as a self-employed professional. If you have a company website, you can add it as a bullet point along with your contact details.

Self-employed resume examples

Full-time self-employed sample resume.

Looking for a sample self-employed resume to impress a hiring manager? Take a look at the work experience section of this self-employed photographer resume . As one of the best resume templates, this self-employed resume example breaks down the job seeker's self-employed projects into bullet points:

Self Employed Photographer

01/2023 – 04/2023

Captured Moments Photography

• Developed and implemented a comprehensive marketing plan, resulting in a 30% increase in client inquiries and a 20% increase in bookings within the first year.
• Collaborated with industry professionals to organize and host a successful photography exhibition, attracting over 500 attendees and generating significant media coverage.
• Established a streamlined system for organizing and storing client images, improving efficiency by 25% and ensuring quick and easy access to files for future projects.

Photography Business Manager

09/2022 – 12/2022

• Created a visually stunning and user-friendly website to showcase portfolio and services, resulting in a 40% increase in website traffic and a 15% increase in client conversions.
• Developed a pricing structure that maximized profitability while remaining competitive in the market, leading to a 10% increase in average project revenue.
• Implemented a client payment tracking system, reducing late payments by 20% and improving cash flow management.

Photography Assistant

07/2022 – 09/2022

• Researched and invested in high-quality photography equipment and software, resulting in enhanced image quality and increased client satisfaction.
• Stayed up-to-date on industry trends and techniques, incorporating new styles and editing methods into work, resulting in a 15% increase in client referrals.
• Developed an efficient system for editing and retouching images, reducing editing time by 30% and ensuring timely delivery of final products to clients.

Part-time Self-employed sample resume

If your self-employment experience is more of a side project, here’s what this freelance work on your resume might look like for a freelance artist , who has a full-time job while also doing freelance work:

Freelance Artist

ArtistFreelance Solutions

• Collaborated with a team of designers and developers to create a series of digital illustrations for a popular mobile game, resulting in a 25% increase in downloads and a 15% increase in revenue.
• Managed a project to create a series of sculptures for a public art installation, completing the project on time and within budget, resulting in positive feedback from the community and local media.
• Created a series of logos and branding materials for a startup company, resulting in a 50% increase in brand recognition and a successful launch of their product.

3D Animator and Illustrator

ArtFreedom Freelance

• Developed a series of 3D models and animations for a virtual reality experience, resulting in a 40% increase in engagement and positive feedback from users.
• Collaborated with a team of artists and designers to create a series of illustrations and animations for a children's book, resulting in a successful launch and positive reviews from readers.
• Created a series of digital paintings for a client's website, resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic and engagement.

Illustrator and Animator

FreelanceArtistry Solutions

• Collaborated with a team of artists and designers to create a series of storyboards for a video game, resulting in a successful launch and positive reviews from players.
• Created a series of illustrations and animations for a social media campaign, resulting in a 20% increase in engagement and positive feedback from followers.
• Developed a series of sculptures for a public art installation, resulting in positive feedback from the community and local media.

Self-employed entrepreneur sample resume

For a freelance event planner , a self-employed resume sample might look like this:

Freelance Event Planner

Nexus Networks

• Developed and executed a high-profile corporate gala, resulting in a 30% increase in attendance and a 25% increase in sponsorships, exceeding client expectations.
• Managed a team of 15 event staff and volunteers, ensuring seamless coordination and execution of all event logistics, resulting in a flawless attendee experience.
• Implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy, including social media campaigns and targeted email marketing, resulting in a 40% increase in event registrations.

Event Coordinator

Lyra Logistics

• Organized and executed a series of fundraising events for a non-profit organization, raising over $100,000 in donations and exceeding fundraising goals by 20%.
• Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, achieving cost savings of 15% without compromising the quality of services and products.
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive event timeline and budget, resulting in efficient resource allocation and cost control, saving the client 10% on overall event expenses.

Palladium Partners

• Created and executed a large-scale conference for a technology company, managing a budget of $500,000 and achieving a 15% cost savings through strategic vendor negotiations.
• Developed and implemented a comprehensive safety plan, ensuring compliance with all regulations and guidelines, resulting in zero safety incidents during the event.
• Evaluated event success through attendee surveys and feedback, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate and valuable insights for future event planning.

Additional ways to showcase your self-employment experience

Once you’ve finished describing the bulk of your self-employment work experience, you may want to consider adding additional sections to highlight any of the following:

• Certifications: Certifications you’ve earned can help add credibility.
• Publications: If you were interviewed or featured in an industry publication, this may be worth including on your self-employed resume.
• Awards: Extra space in your self-employment resume can be filled with any awards you may have won as a result of your self-employed skills. 

Mentioning specific projects can be helpful, too. For instance, maybe you worked on a huge website revamp or created a marketing strategy from the ground up. These are good projects to include on a self-employed resume. 

The significance of self-employment on your resume

Including freelance, consulting, or entrepreneurship work on your resume is a helpful way to give hiring managers a comprehensive view of your experience and soft skills.

And you don't need to hire a certified professional resume writer to create a standout resume. Once you learn how to list self-employment on a resume (like the self-employed resume samples shown above), it’s not so hard after all.

Make the process easier with Teal’s free AI Resume Builder. From your contact information to your resume summary all the way down to skills, the Resume Builder uses AI to help you quickly and accurately write a self-employment resume that helps you put your best foot forward for a hiring manager. (Hint: The Work Experience section is especially helpful if you’re looking to add multiple self-employment experiences.)

Frequenty Asked Questions

Are freelance and self-employed the same.

Yes—since freelancers work for multiple clients and control their own schedule, they are self-employed. Other types of self-employment include consulting, contract work, and entrepreneurship.

What should I put on my resume if I’m self-employed?

A good self-employment resume will include details of the clients you worked with, the type of work you did for each one, and the results your client saw as a result.

What do I put for my employer when self-employed?

State that you are self-employed (such as a freelancer or consultant). Then name a few of the clients you’ve worked with.

Hailey Hudson

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Self Employed Resume Samples [+ 3 Examples]

This page provides you with Self Employed resume samples to use to create your own resume with our easy-to-use resume builder . Below you'll find our how-to section that will guide you through each section of a Self Employed resume.

“You are self-employed! I don’t get why you would need to work on a resume!”

How many times have you heard your peers asking you this question? How often do you get frustrated at them because they just don’t understand?

Well, you have done the right thing, looking for the best self-employed resume sample on the web. Even professionals like you need a resume (actually, a standout resume!). It’s quite likely you just want to know your worth in today’s market or perhaps you want to send out a few resume to see if you could get a once-in-a-lifetime call that might change your mind regarding your future.

We have helped thousands of entrepreneurs like you probe the market and see if it’s worth staying in their position as a self-employed or if they actually want to take the leap. Let us inspire you, as well, with the most effective self-employed resume sample you could think of: we are ready to start building your future!

Also, check out our collection of 500+ resume samples .

You are or have been the mastermind behind the creation of your business: you do not know what fear feels like! You have an outstanding amount of talents, from conceptualizing organizational operations, budgets and branding to implementing them through careful feedback and research. You have had stellar ideas and you most likely have outstanding leadership and motivational skills...and don’t forget about your exceptional problem-solving skills!

As a business innovator, you have so many different and desirable strengths and your biggest challenge in creating a strong resume is to remain concise.

One of the first steps you should take is to format the resume so that your strengths are highlighted, along with your best achievements.

Ensure clear layouts are used to make sure the recruiters keep on scrolling down: white space and legible fonts make for easy reading and give the recruiters’ eyes a rest

Last but not least, make sure you save your resume as a .pdf.

We won’t have anything against you, Microsoft, but the Word formatting can sometimes be an issue whereas a .pdf is set in carbonite.

How to Write a Self Employed Resume?

To write a professional Self Employed resume, follow these steps:

• Select the right Self Employed resume template.
• Write a professional summary at the top explaining your Self Employed’s experience and achievements.
• Follow the STAR method while writing your Self Employed resume’s work experience. Show what you were responsible for and what you achieved as a Self Employed professional.
• List your top Self Employed skills in a separate skills section.

How to Write Your Self Employed Resume Header?

Write the perfect Self Employed resume header by:

• Adding your full name at the top of the header.
• Add a photo to your resume if you are applying for jobs outside of the US. For applying to jobs within the US, avoid adding photo to your resume header.
• Add your current Self Employed to the header to show relevance.
• Add your current city, your phone number and a professional email address.
• Finally, add a link to your portfolio to the Self Employed resume header. If there’s no portfolio link to add, consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile instead.
• Bad Self Employed Resume Example - Header Section

Deon 696 Rock Maple St. South Lyon, MI 48178 Marital Status: Married, email: [email protected]

• Good Self Employed Resume Example - Header Section

Deon Nguyen, Lyon, MI, Phone number: +1-555-555-5555, Link: linkedin/in/johndoe

Make sure to add a professional looking email address while writing your resume header. Let’s assume your name is John Doe - here is a formula you can use to create email addresses:

• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]
• [email protected] - [email protected]

For a Self Employed email, we recommend you either go with a custom domain name ( [email protected] ) or select a very reputed email provider (Gmail or Outlook).

The Self Employed Resume Summary Section

Summaries don’t sound the most appealing or even necessary elements of a resume and yet they are needed. Most times recruiters don’t have the time to read every single detail of your resume and all they want is summaries. Make sure you captivate them with your most impressive business achievements and your excellent and unrivaled networking ability.

There are one or two tips from us to help you today:

DO (Summarize your employment)

• Keep the list of your skills short.
• Ensure you highlight one or two important skills above the others.
• Use numbers, percentages and figures to demonstrate measurable success

DON’T (Summarize your life)

• Try to be too funny, this is a professional resume
• Use a smart or pompous tone in the summary.
• Talk as if you are better than the recruiter.

Self Employed Resume Examples - Summary

• Owner - Self Employed Resume Sample - Summary

Highly motivated, articulate, creative and versatile sales professional with several years of technology sales management experience and an entrepreneurial flair. Especially skilled at building productive working relationships with clients and staff. Adept at developing effective tactics to execute long-term results in the most efficient means possible.

• Self Employed Resume Example - Summary

A highly resourceful general management and marketing communications professional with years of experience in strategic planning, improving operational efficiency, building and managing teams across multiple departments, financial management, and project management.

Work Experience

This section might get tricky - you have had a couple (or more!) of experiences working on your own business. The biggest mistake you could do is to say something like: “That business didn’t do that well, I should not include it”.

That is so wrong - as a self-employed, you have worn so many hats that it does not really matter if you have failed, because you will never really fail as long as you have learnt from something. We suggest you list any experience you have had, as an entrepreneur and even any previous one as an employee. Show your future employer your level of experience and be as detailed as possible!

Self Employed Resume Examples - Work Experience

• Owner, Self Employed Resume - Work Experience
• Guiding SMEs to break through growth barriers via Sales and Marketing strategies.
• Coaching business owners and professionals to boost revenue, attract new customers, and optimize marketing spending.
• Developing competitive business and pricing models. Create motivational workshops that increase collaboration and growth.
• Self Employed Resume - Work Experience

Self Employed

• Preparing individual and sole proprietorship tax returns.
• Prepare offer in compromise on behalf of the client to resolve tax debt.
• Building new and maintaining existing client relationships.
• Conduct research and analyze state and federal tax issues.

Here are tips to help with this part:

Do (Summarize your work history)

• Showcase why you are the perfect candidate for the job.
• Be concise and detailed
• Experience should be added where applicable.

DON’Ts (Summarize your relationship history)

• Bring your ego to the table.
• Have more than 3 references at the bottom of the work history.
• Fake references or work history is a no!

For more tips on writing the best work experience section for a self-employed like you, check out our detailed resume guide .

We get it, lots of successful self-employed professionals are dropout miracles. That does not have to apply to everyone though. Your education is very valuable and recruiters want to know what made you the professional you currently are. It’s very important to have even a brief section covering your education, where these points should be covered:

• Which learning institutes you attended and what you studied.
• The number of years you studied.
• The outcome of the education – i.e. qualifications.

It doesn’t matter if you’re only able to provide the most basic elements of your educational background, it still counts. Employers are often suspicious of people who leave their education out of a resume as it gets them wondering what they’re hiding. Even if it’s limited, it’s good to list and in truth, not everyone will have university degrees or education to list. If that’s the case, don’t worry, list what education you can.

Top Self-Employed Resume Skills

Recruiters aren’t going to spend hours and hours going through hundreds of resumes; they are going to use simple but effective methods to narrow their search down.

One of the simplest methods they will use is to opt for a keyword search, which is why the skills you list must be relevant to the job at hand. Remember, if you aren’t using relevant keywords you won’t get far!

We believe it’s fundamental that you add both hard and soft skills. These will make the difference and potentially get your name to the top of the list. Of course, if you start listing skills which aren’t really relevant to your job, we doubt you’ll get a callback, so think carefully before you list any skill!

Top Self Employed Resume Skills for 2022

• Microsoft Office
• Communication
• Strategic Planning
• Hyperion Planning, HFM, Essbase, SAP
• Budget Preparation & Implementation
• Reporting, IFRS and USGAAP
• Applications
• General: Business Development
• People Management

How Long Should my Self Employed Resume be?

Your Self Employed resume length should be less than one or two pages maximum. Unless you have more than 25 years of experience, any resume that’s more than two pages would appear to be too long and risk getting rejected.

On an average, for Self Employed, we see most resumes have a length of 2. And, that’s why we advise you to keep the resume length appropriate to not get rejected.

How to List Self Employed on a Resume?

In addition to the ones at top, these additional self-employed resume examples serve as an excellent examples of how to list self employed on a resume.

• How to List Self Employed on Resume Sample

• Cover Letter: yes or no?

If you want an advantage over other candidates, we strongly suggest you use a cover letter.

If you need help, we’ve got you covered !

Should I Add my Self-Employment to a Resume?

Yes, self-employment should be added to your resume. Apart from displaying your relevant work experience, adding self employment to your resume also ensures that there are no unexplained gaps in your work history.

How to List Self-Employment on Your Resume?

To list self employment on your resume, consider adding a job title for the period of self-employment and add relevant work experience under it. If you were a self-employed freelancer who worked for multiple clients - consider adding a line for each of your relevant client work under your work history.

What is your job title if you are self employed?

If you are self employed, your job title should be either "Self Employed" or "Freelance". You can also put a specific title e.g. "Editor" or "Freelance Editor".

How to write own business experience in resume?

If you ran your own business, list yourself as the Owner, CEO or Managing Director of the business under your work experience. List your relevant responsibilities in the form of a bullet list.

How to add your small business to your resume?

While adding your small business experience to resume, make sure you select on the most relevant roles and responsibilities. Most small business owners wear multiple hats, but listing specific responsibilities keeps your relevant to the job that you are applying for.

How to put independent contractor on resume?

To list yourself as an independent contractor on resume, create a separate entry under your work experience. Add “Independent Contractor” as title followed by the responsibilities in a bulleted list.

How to write entrepreneur experience on resume?

Create an entry in your work experience section with a title of Entrepreneur/CEO/Self Employed and list your duties below it. Make sure to display the impact of work done. Keep your responsibilities relevant to the job that you are applying for.

We really, really want you to get your dream job, and we’ve come up with some additional tips!

DO (make yourself look great)

• Include awards, they are always welcomed.
• Promotions or how you’ve climbed the ranks can show your quality.
• Create a brief list of hobbies, if they fit the job.
• Honesty goes a long way.
• Include a link to your LinkedIn page

DON’T (embarrass yourself)

• Avoid adding information which might be sensitive about other businesses or organizations.
• Avoid having a link to your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts!
• Sell yourself short.

We have given you tips for the best self-employed resume sample: now, if you are also looking for the best self-employed resume templates, you should check this masterpiece we have been working on ; many professionals like you have successfully used it to take their career to the next level.

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Any sample cover letters for self-employed?

• Thread starter tanyaviola
• Start date Oct 16, 2020

Hero Member

We are working on our cover letter to attach to our application. Do any of you have any cover letters we could take a look at or are there good samples online somewhere? Thanks!  

It's been over a year since I filed mine, what do you mean by cover letter?  

theguv said: It's been over a year since I filed mine, what do you mean by cover letter? Click to expand...

theguv said: Not sure you need one of them... Who you are, what you do and any potential benefits to Canada should be in the forms they want you to fill in. If there's any extra paperwork in the application it should be pages supporting things like travel history, work history, accommodation history, education etc. There's no point giving them more than they need, it's just extra work and you want it done as quickly as possible... Use the document list as your guide. If it doesn't mention a covering letter don't waste time writing one. You can't charm your way in with a well crafted letter like it's a job interview... Click to expand...

typeaimages

Star member.

tanyaviola said: We are working on our cover letter to attach to our application. Do any of you have any cover letters we could take a look at or are there good samples online somewhere? Thanks! Click to expand...

comerunning19

mamasvoice said: I wrote a one-pager just basically introducing myself and my occupation, as well as my husband, who is also an artist. I said that I am aiming to contribute to the economy and culture of Canada. After that, I just said I hoped to receive a good response from them. Really short and simple, nothing fancy. Click to expand...

Its good to include it but most of them don't include it because its not an important document which is essential for the application to be successful  

typeaimages said: My lawyer wrote my cover letter Haven't seen it yet. Click to expand...

nraipuri said: Hi, I am planning to apply under self employed category. How easy is the application process? Pls suggest a good immigration consultant for this category Have you received your PR visa or is it still under process. Thank you [email protected] Click to expand...

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