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How to Format a Business Owner Resume
Even if you work for yourself, you should keep your resume up to date, and selecting the correct format will be very important. Most business owners should use the reverse-chronological resume format. This format features the work history section near the top, where you can list the highlights of your most recent business venture in a bullet-point list.
As a self-starter, you may want to take a less conventional approach, however. In that case, using the functional format or combination resume, you will have more opportunities to present your skills and career achievements first.
Take the candidates below, for instance. Both seek to leverage their success as business owners into a corporate management position, but they take different paths to get there. Candidate A is using the traditional chronological resume, while Candidate B decided to experiment with the functional style. You can see where their resumes overlap in bold.
1. Candidate A - Chronological Resume
Candidate Info
- 18 years in workforce
- 10 years in current role
- BA Business Administration
Work Experience
Business Owner, Sam’s Supply
04/2012–current, Cleveland, OH
- Devised and deployed sales and marketing tactics to drive strategic growth and support the achievement of revenue goals.
- Studied market to determine optimal pricing of goods and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
- Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.
- Entered income and expense details into business databases to track purchases and address variances.
2. Candidate B - Functional Resume
Candidate Info
- 20 years in workforce
- 7 years in current role
- MA Business Administration
Experience Highlights
Management and Supervision
- Implemented sales and marketing tactics that surpassed our revenue goals with a 70% increase in conversions for our core products.
- Hired more than 20 employees with a retention rate near 100% over three years.
Marketing
- Conducted in-depth market research to establish optimal goods pricing and fill unique market gaps.
- Organized an annual trade show in the clothing industry to showcase products, connect with other businesses and draw new customers.
Business Owner Resume Samples
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Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Communications Management
Independent Business Owner
Sell essential services to individuals and small business owners including wireless, cellular, merchant services, television and more focusing on bottom-line savings and value.
- Promotion of products' connection with worldwide charity "Project Feeding Kids" to produce sales with philanthropic benefits.
- Utilize customer statements to analyze savings and possible value-added services.
- Promotion via social media to maximize brand identity and generate warm leads.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
High School Diploma
Business Owner
- Maintained files and administrative records
- Maintained errors, omissions coverage, professional liability insurance
- Researched and understood thoroughly new policies, quotes, renewals, policy changes, and audits concerning business
- Managed maintenance of building
- Process, renew and keep accurate accounts for assigned personnel
- Provided excellent human resources management skills to organization
- Overseer of company with quotes and production for current and new clients and supplies based on standard operating procedures
- Maintain accurate customer accounts in the company computer system by keeping track of data, personnel information, inspections, audits, and local and state policy changes
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Physics
Business Owner
Every responsibility as small business owner, such as, management, financials, training employees, and other paperwork.
- Establish or identify prices of goods and services and tabulate the bills
- Maintain clean and orderly the store.
- Resolve customer complaints.
- Compile and maintain record and bookkeeping.
- Request information or assistance with business licenses applications
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
High School Diploma
Inventory Control / Forklift Safety
Business Owner
- Maintaining company website with up-to-date with product specifications and availability
- Managing [company name], responding to customer inquiries in a timely fashion and answering questions on available stock and product performance.
- Selling a minimum number of products based on goals and objectives defined by sales metrics
- Coordinating with webmaster to update the website and create Internet promotions and advertisements
- Disclosing terms of sales with vendors and reviewing inventory replenishment
- Preparing sold products for customer delivery prior to shipping, ensuring that the customer receives quality products in a timely manner
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Psychology
Digital Entrepreneur & Business Owner
- Founder of web portal e-Commerce business specializing in VW Automotive Performance Resale
- Primary resource for VW product expertise on forums; well-connected with strong networking and negotiating skills; liaison between distributor and customer
- Operated autonomously in all facets of business, i.e., strategic planning, operations, merchandising, and marketing for VW online community; proficient in customer relations, brand positioning, revenue growth, financial management, driving operational excellence, business development, price negotiations
- Demonstrated outstanding courtesy and strong interpersonal skills in all customer interactions; implemented all business-building expectations through web presence and social marketing
- Strong focus on customer satisfaction, loyalty, and follow up; established customer-centric culture of communication, collaboration, & accountability resulting in top tier performance and rave industry reviews
- Completed all purchase orders & customer invoices; fulfilled customer shipping needs; maintained timely correspondence with clients throughout duration of sale; communicated order status; provided tracking and confirmed delivery; proficient in PayPal transactions, FedEx, UPS, USPS services
- Presented to public at events and trade shows to increase brand awareness; i.e., Tail of the Dragon, Waterfest, Dubs and Defrost, WOLFSGART, New England Dust Off; Annual Sponsor at Wookies in the Woods; design and distribute promotional materials and marketing collateral
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Business Owner
Responsibilities include all operations
- Drawings, designing, structural layout, carving and painting artificial rock concepts for clients
- Landscaping, outdoor lighting and water features - sheer descents and waterfalls
- Maintained perfect coordination with employees
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Science
Independent Business Owner
- Provide guests with a meaningful, exciting, and positive experience
- Help motivate the team to attain goals
- Stay informed of new products
- Perform retail transactions with efficiency and accuracy
- Money management and product responsibility
Candidate Info
years in workforce
year at this job
Education I
Independent Business Owner
- Self-motivated, team player with daily focus on goals
- Generate sales and help companies move products and services online
- Interact with new customers and build relationships for returning customers
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Film Producer
Bachelor of Science
Economic Development And Entrepreneurship
Periodic Business Owner/developer
- Business development
- Develop games online
- Create animation and other digital assets
- Develop digital media content
- Produce animation for film and television
- Developed and maintained company Web site
- Web design/ development
- Developed operational plans and e-commerce strategies
- Developed new marketing strategies
- Learn new technologies Web 2.0 and social networks
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Ing
Business Management
Business Owner/operator
Started business on my own with my education, research skills, a business plan, as well as other religious training I completed during the gap of my employment.
- Maintains all bookkeeping, marketing, and delivering of services and products through social media, email, telephone, Skype, and in person.
- Brainstorming marketing ideas and implementing them on my own or with help of family members and friends such as business cards, Brochures, word of mouth, social media, currently building a website, renting booth space at festivals that are related to the nature of my business.
- My business is a metaphysical business that offers a wide variety of services that caters to all religions and my current educational goals includes a minor in religion which will assist me in being versatile in all main stream and atypical religions that are not known by many people.
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Business Owner Resume FAQ
What should a business owner put on a resume?
Business owners should always put the following sections on a resume:
- Contact information
- Professional summary
- Work history, beginning with the current business
- Education
- Skills — both hard skills and soft skills
Additionally, based on findings from our resume database, business owners often include the following optional resume sections:
- Language skills
- Volunteering
- Awards
- Special projects
- Professional memberships
- Certifications and licenses
How do you say you owned a business on a resume?
Business owners work for themselves, so you can use the term “owner” above your company’s name in the work experience section. Writing “self-employed” could imply you worked with the business as a contractor, so “owner” is the best option.
In the experience section, some owners describe how they set up the business, the number of people they employed and their day-to-day responsibilities. As you would with any job, highlight the skills you picked up as a business owner and include quantifiable metrics to emphasize the results you achieved.
What is a business owner's job description?
Business owners are in charge of a company's overall strategy, growth and daily operations. From hiring and managing employees to setting revenue goals, business owners are deeply invested in many high-level aspects of running a business. Other responsibilities include identifying new business opportunities, creating marketing strategies and raising capital.
Does a business owner need a resume?
While a resume isn’t a requirement for starting a business, we highly recommend business owners keep an up-to-date resume. Even if you aren’t applying for jobs, having a resume ready to share with investors and potential clients is a great idea. The resume will list high points of your work history, summarize your accomplishments and detail your education.
Is business owner a job title?
Yes, a business owner is a title for someone who owns a business. On a resume, this may be written as “owner” above the company name. The title suggests a great deal of responsibility over day-to-day operations.
