Tips on Being a Self Employed Professional: Writing Self Employment into a Resume

Most employers, no matter what field they are involved in or who they're hiring, want to see a resume. Often, when employers advertise over the Internet, they ask for a cover letter and resume to be sent. This means that self employed professionals, those applying to jobs of the freelance or independent contractor variety, must have resumes, too. Even though you work from home, you're still not off the hook when it comes to resume writing.

Believe it or not, most employers look at both the cover letters (known in some circles as the "query letter") and the resumes of people who apply to advertised jobs. If the cover letter doesn't grab them or interest them in any way, there's little chance they will spend much time going over the resume that comes with it. This means that having a great resume and a great cover letter are equally important.

It's best to keep cover letters as short and sweet as possible. An introduction should start the letter (this is who I am, and this is why I'm writing to you), then briefly touch on skills that apply directly to the job at hand. Some further explanation of skills and experience may follow, but this should be a broad sketch instead of a detailed account. Close the query letter with a respectful thank you, and relevant contact information. Dazzle them with the resume, and just paint a broad picture with the cover letter. Employers don't have the time to read lengthy letters, anyway, and may not even finish cover letters that seem overly written.

A self employment resume is really no different from any other resume. Self employed professionals still want to highlight their education, experience, and skills to best showcase their work and achievements. In fact, approaching a self employed resume like a traditional resume is a great place to start.