Why Solopreneurs Still Need a Resume

Why Solopreneurs Still Need a Resume Why Solopreneurs Still Need a Resume Everyone seems to be fleeing their corporate jobs and going solo these days. Does that mean you can ditch your resume? Definitely not! Whether you’re a freelance writer or a project consultant, you still need to have a professional resume because sometimes, in order to acquire and secure that business, you will need one! If you’re hiring yourself out as a contractor, some companies will ask you for a resume and if you don’t have one, it could mean lost revenue or give a bad impression which is the last thing you want as a business person. Even if they don’t request it, providing one makes you look more professional. Don’t forget that just because you’re in business for yourself, professional basics still exist and a professional resume is one of them â€" especially if you plan to retain any corporate clients. With that being said, here are a few tips for putting together your solopreneur resume: Emphasize your assets â€" Your daily job duties shouldn’t be the only thing highlighted on your resume. Make sure to add your accomplishments. What sets you apart as an individual and helped you exceed past employer’s expectations? Toss the objective â€" Get rid of the objective section. Include a profile with an overview of your skills, instead. Even though you’re not job hunting anymore, you still need to make yourself marketable in your professional field. Make your resume marketable â€" It should tell the story of your career and also promote what you’re doing now in your self-employed or freelance role. Highlight and promote what you do as a professional. Give a little history â€" Past employers can still lend credibility to your business and show that you have experience in the “working” world even if it has nothing to do with what you’re doing now. Don’t just list unrelated positions â€" show how those experiences/skills translate into what you’re doing now. Bang your own drum â€" You need all the help you can get when you’re flying solo professionally so if you have a website, post your resume on it. Bring it to client meetings. What’s the point of having a resume if you’re not going to use it? The fact is that some people hire contractors based on their resume even if they’re not an employee. It might be a little old school but it’s still a factor. So, don’t get so excited about leaving the traditional working world that you chunk out anything and everything resembling corporate life â€" hang onto your resume and keep it updated to reflect your new solo career. You never know when you might need it again!