6 Things That Should JUMP out of a Business Owner Resume
First off let’s clarify why a small business owner would need a resume in the first place. After all, aren’t resumes for employees and not for entrepreneurs? Well there are certain situations where an updated business owner resume may come in useful.
- It can help identify areas that need improvement
- Act as a morale booster when times are hard by highlighting achievements
- Plan B – As an entrepreneur failure is there to be embraced and overcome but if your enterprise doesn’t succeed then having an up to date resume will help.
There are many key characteristics of an entrepreneur that should be highlighted on a business owner resume. Here are 6 of them!
6 Things That Should JUMP out of a Business Owner Resume!
Optimism
The resume should breathe fire. It should be littered with positive words, vibes and winning experiences that have made you a desirable person to work with.
Regardless of what circumstances you may be in at the moment, if you don’t believe that anything is possible and can happen for you, than nobody else will either.
Action
Entrepreneurs are action takers. Companies want people that are going to drive their business and brands forward. Don’t make it come across as busy, as that often can be perceived to be negative. Show that your action is deliberate and purposeful.
Flexibility
To go from a small business owner back to the land of the employed will require flexibility. Build into your business owner resume the skill sets that highlight your ability to change directions, compromise, yield and deal with the unexpected. Being rigid and displaying old habits will make you come across as uncooperative.
Knowledge
I am not talking about listing all the books you have read in the past ten years. I am talking about pointing out the areas where you have invested in your own entrepreneurial education. All organisations will have a target to develop talent so show that you are passionate about it, by including courses or seminars that you have taken to improve your business abilities.
Discipline
One of the many qualities of an entrepreneur is the desire to challenge the status quo. This is a positive trait and businesses encourage people to speak up when they feel processes or systems hinder progress so that end user satisfaction can be increased. However there is also a fine line and you have to be careful not to cross that.
In order to remain on the right side, highlight discipline, the fact that you don’t give up easily, that you thrive when working under pressure and you are consistent. Organization, delegation and discipline are three qualities that will serve you very well, especially today.
Work Ethic
Many business owners take up the entrepreneurial reigns because they are looking for an improved work life balance. The ultimate desire being to leave behind 70-80 hour work weeks and cash in on the “4 hour work week”.
If you are a business owner you will know that owning your own business is not all it is cracked up to be, but as an employee of an organisation with a board or shareholders to answer to, 70-80 hours a week may be something that you will have to endure for someone else.
Highlighting the fact that you know what it takes to get the job done and you understand the importance of time management will stand you in good stead.
If created in the correct manner a business owner resume will stand head and shoulders above the competition because as a business owner you have the experience of facing problems and dealing with them on a daily basis. Businesses look for self starters, people who can get the job done without seeking council at every junction.
About
James Debono is a small business owner and Internet entrepreneur. James dedicates his time to helping other small business owners leverage the power of the Internet to drive business growth and positive change. Click here Join James Debono on Google+
Related posts:
Well said! I think that as an entrepreneur businesses look at you in a different way than other would be hopefuls, and I think you have addressed those things well here.
One thing to remember is that if you are going to work for someone else, make sure that you think of the interview process as a two way street. You need to make sure you feel comfortable with your new boss. If you don’t think that the company or the employees are a good fit for you, don’t take the job (even if it is offered to you) you will end up unhappy and your “back to work” experience may taint how you feel about the entire workforce
Angela recently posted..Etiquette……Netiquette What do I need to know?
Angela,
Excellent point you have made.
As a business owner you will have a lot more experience to offer a business and you should make sure that the vision and beliefs of the potential employer align with your own.
Thanks for visiting.
James
Thanks for sharing this. We have recently started out own business and these sound like great inclusions for our resume! cheers, Ruth
Ruth Seba recently posted..A seaside inspired Jewellery Collection for 2012
Hi Ruth,
Glad to here the information is useful.
Good luck with your small business venture.
Regards,
James
I’ve been a small business owner for 10 years. I was recently invited to attend and speak at a conference in China. They’ve asked for my resume so they can “sell” me to their attendees. It’s been an interesting experience to try to create a resume for this because I’ve not written one since college. So, I guess there are occasions that will call for a resume, even if you aren’t planning on becoming an employee again.
Hi Samira,
How did the conference go?
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your updated resume!
James
I have also been a partner in a business for 10 years. Unfortunately, the demise of our company is coming upon the divorce of my business partner to his wife. Do you have any sage advice as to what should/should not be included in the resume’ and when asked what happened to the company?
Thanks
Thom
Hi Thom,
Firstly, I am sorry to hear about your circumstances it must be incredibly difficult.
With regards to your business highlight the GREAT things your business has done in satisfying customers for 10 years. To run a business for 10 years is no mean feat so share the growth, how you overcame problems etc.
As to how the business ended – I’m afraid only you know the true circumstances and how to position those in a positive light to any future employer.
Just remember no business will last forever focus on the positives.
Regards,
James