Entrepreneur Resume Example, Guide and Writing Tips

The resume of an entrepreneur has a very important role to play, maybe even more so than that of a salaried employee. Why?

Because it has to take the varied experience you’ve built up over the years—And filter, sort, and present it in a way that says “I’m perfect for this job.” How? By tailoring your entrepreneur resume so that it tells your story the right way.

In this guide:

• An entrepreneur resume sample better than most.
• How to create the perfect entrepreneur job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for entrepreneur jobs that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing an entrepreneur job.

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Need a manager resume of one kind or another? Maybe a CEO resume or executive resume? No matter how you’re entering or re-entering the workforce, we’ve got a guide for you:

• Business Development Resume Example
• Business Manager Resume Example
• Business Owner Resume Example
• Business Resume Example
• CEO Resume Example
• CFO Resume Example
• Executive Resume Example
• Operations Manager Resume Example
• Product Owner Resume Example
• Public Relations Resume Example

Couldn't find your job? See a full list of our resume examples. 

Entrepreneur Resume Example

Entrepreneurs conduct business activity in a wide range of industries, whether independently or as business owners. The purpose of your entrepreneur resume is to showcase your business development skills while making it clear you have the soft skills to be a great employee.

Now here’s how to write an entrepreneur resume they’ll love:

1. Choose the Right Entrepreneur Resume Format

Here’s the scene: The HR manager scrolls through your entrepreneur resume. Down to the bottom, back up to the top. She pauses for a second and hits “delete”. Yes, just like that. Why?

She’s got a whole pile of resumes to get through and yours wasn’t exactly an easy read. So—Make sure your resume format says “professional”, quickly and clearly. Here’s how:

Entrepreneur Resume Format

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format to show your most recent wins first.
• Pick a solid resume font like Arial or Noto in 11–12 pt.
• Use one-inch margins all round your resume and don’t crowd the page.
• Stick to the best resume length—Which means one page. Go for a two page resume only if you have more than 15 years of relevant experience.
• Include these sections at a minimum: Resume Header, Summary, Experience, Education, and Skills.

You’ve probably heard that PDF is better than *.docx files for your resume and that’s true, if preserving your formatting and layout is your only concern. But some companies use ATSs (Applicant Tracking Systems) that can’t parse some PDF files. So always check the job ad for a preferred file format, and default to PDF if there isn’t one.

2. Start With a Sales Pitch of an Entrepreneur Resume Objective or Summary

How do the best entrepreneur resumes start? Confidently and succinctly—Your resume profile is like a firm handshake and quick introduction.

Have you got more than a year’s worth of relevant experience under your belt? Write a resume summary for your profile. It’ll help you pack a lot of that experience into a small package.

Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, dedicated, dynamic)
2. Job title (Entrepreneur)
3. Years of experience (4+, 6+)
4. How you’ll help (bring value to the organization)
5. Two or three of your most relevant achievements (created social media marketing campaign, bringing in approximately 15% more customers, trained 10 new coffee specialists)

These entrepreneur resume examples show how:

Entrepreneur Resume Summary—Examples

Dynamic entrepreneur with 5+ years’ experience, skilled in business development. Seeking opportunity to help Company ABC increase its profit margins in the role of business manager. At Easy Read Books, grew annual turnover by over 25% between 2020 and 2021 and increased profits from $36,000 per year to $87,000 per year.

Entrepreneur with 5 years’ experience. Seeking opportunity to join a prestigious company in the role of business manager. Looking forward to leading a competent and enthusiastic team. At Easy Read Books, grew annual turnover and increased annual profits.

The first entrepreneur resume example launches ahead by getting two things right: It puts numbers to duties, transforming them into resume achievements, and it keeps the focus on what the candidate can do for the company, not the other way around.

What if very little or even none of your entrepreneurial experience is relevant to the job at hand? Write a resume objective for your profile and talk up less relevant achievements from your entrepreneurial endeavors.

Entrepreneur Resume Objective—Examples

Hard-working entrepreneur with 10+ months’ experience, skilled in business development. Seeking opportunity to help Company ABC increase its profit margins in the role of business manager. At Java Mama Coffee, reduced employee turnover by 33% in the first year, issued 450+ invoices, keeping accurate records of all transactions.

No experience working for an employer, but saw some success as an entrepreneur. Looking for the stability and security associated with a salary and contract. Need at least six weeks’ vacation per year.

It’s totally OK to estimate the numbers you include here—Just be ready to explain how you arrived at them.

Struggling to write your entrepreneur resume profile? Write it last. It’ll be easier and you’ll do a better job that way.

3. Create Go-Getter Entrepreneur Job Description and Skills Sections

To get invited to an interview, you need to do just one thing: Convince them you can handle anything they can throw at you. The best way to do that? Show them you’ve handled it all before.

Fill your resume work experience section with powerful resume accomplishments rather than duties.

How to write a job description for entrepreneurs:

1. Re-read the job ad.
2. Spot the skills and duties in it.
3. Think of times you’ve used those skills to succeed.
4. Write resume bullet points that describe and quantify those times.

These entrepreneur resume examples show how:

Entrepreneur Job Description for a Resume

Small Business Owner

Easy Read Books, Kansas City, KS

August 2019–present

• Hired and trained a total of 11 employees over a 24-month period.
• Grew annual turnover by over 25% between 2020 and 2021.
• Implemented Salesforce platform, increasing conversion from 12% to 23%.
• Increased profits from $36,000 per year to $87,000 per year.

Small Business Owner

Easy Read Books, Kansas City, KS

2019–present

• Hired and trained new employees.
• Grew annual turnover.
• Implemented Salesforce platform.
• Increased annual profits.

Who would you hire? What amounts to a small tweak makes a huge difference.

But, before you move on it’s time to choose the skills to put on a resume.

Keep in mind that overwhelming hiring managers with long lists of skills is not going to work in your favor. Instead, cover all the skills mentioned and alluded to in the job ad and stop there.

Entrepreneur Resume Skills

Hard skills

• Project management
• Public relations
• Business development
• Business management
• Preparing media kits
• Basic accounting
• Preparing invoices
• Budgeting
• Business analysis
• Preparing contracts
• Marketing skills
• Management skills

Soft skills

• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Time management
• Organization
• Prioritization
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Critical thinking
• Creative thinking

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4. Use Your Education as Another Reason to Hire You

“Entrepreneur” is a pretty broad term—It covers all sorts of people, working across a huge range of industries—People with various backgrounds, including educational backgrounds. Do yourself justice when listing education on your resume.

First: List degrees (with majors; skip for high school diplomas), schools, and graduation years.

Then: Add bullet points that show key skills in the making.

This entrepreneur resume example shows how:

Entrepreneur Resume Example—Education

Bachelor in Business Administration

Clifford Business School, Kansas City, KS

2011–2015

• Pursued a passion for digital marketing coursework.
• Graduate with a 3.78 GPA.

Short on relevant work experience? 

Include additional bullet points with projects, classes, relevant coursework and accomplishments that show skills applicable to the job at hand.

5. Boost Your Entrepreneur Resume With Added Sections

Entrepreneurship requires all sorts of skills and personality traits—Stopping at just experience, education, and skills sections simply won’t cut it.

Add one or two of these sections:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications
• Professional References

These two entrepreneur resume examples show yes vs no:

Entrepreneur Resume Examples—Extra Sections

Software

• Envato Elements
• Microsoft Word
• LibreOffice (Writer, Calc, Impress, and Draw)
• Salesforce

Languages

• English – proficient
• German – native speaker

Hobbies and Interests

• Gambling
• Trading stocks
• Collecting fine cigars

Languages

• English, German

It’s not that there’s anything wrong with mentioning hobbies and interests. A lot of entrepreneurial activity starts out that way. But everything you mention in your entrepreneur resume has to be clearly relevant to the job ad.

One last, important step:

Your resume for entrepreneur won’t be of much use without a cover letter. No, they’re not a thing of the past: writing a cover letter is essential if you want to maximize your chances of success. 

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Key Points

For an entrepreneur resume that gets interviews:

• Use the entrepreneur resume template up top. It’s exactly what hiring managers are looking for.
• Put entrepreneur achievementsin your resume profile, work history, and education sections to show you’ve handled it all before.
• Pick the right entrepreneur skills. Match the job requirements—the job ad will tell you what those are.
• Write an entrepreneur cover letter. Seize the opportunity to put your passion on display as you outline your suitability for the job.

Got questions on how to add entrepreneur skills to a resume? Not sure how to put entrepreneur ona resume? Leave a comment down below. We’ll be happy to reply.

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