How to Write a Self-Employed CV that Wins Jobs in 2025
Being your own boss is a superpower that can make recruiters say, “Wow, we need this go-getter!” Showcasing yourself as a self-employed individual can set you apart, whether you’re a freelance writer, contractor, or ex-business owner.
This guide from The CV Centre will show you how to turn your independent gigs into a CV that guarantees your self-employed career impresses. We’ll cover crafting a killer personal statement, structuring your experience, addressing gaps, and passing those cunning Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Crafting a Winning Personal Statement
Your personal statement is your CV’s opening act, so make it a showstopper! As a self-employed professional, use it to frame your experience as a strength. Highlight your independence, versatility, and key achievements in 3–5 sentences.
For example: “Dynamic self-employed graphic designer with 5 years of experience, delivering branding projects for 20+ clients, including a £50k campaign for a tech startup. Skilled in creativity and client management, I’m eager to bring my expertise to an in-house design role.”
This showcases your key skills (creativity, client management), a measurable achievement (£50k campaign), and your career goal (in-house role). Tailor it to the job, emphasising how your self-employed journey makes you a perfect fit. This will set the tone for the rest of your CV.
Showcasing Transferable Skills from Your Self-Employed Journey
Self-employment equips you with a treasure trove of transferable skills - don’t you dare let them go unnoticed! Identify skills like project management, client communication, or financial planning, and present them as assets.
For instance, as a freelancer, you’ve likely honed time management by juggling multiple deadlines, perfect for any role requiring organisation. A contractor might highlight problem-solving from managing on-site challenges. Example: “Developed problem-solving skills by resolving construction delays, saving projects 10% in costs.”
If you ran your own business, emphasise leadership: “Led a team of 5 freelancers, ensuring on-time delivery for 30+ clients.” Focus on skills the job description values, weaving them into your experience to show you’re ready to excel in a traditional employment setting.
Structuring Self-Employment Experience to Impress Recruiters
Self-employed work is still work, so you should present it as such, using the techniques I discuss in my piece on how to write a CV.
Presenting Freelance Work as Professional Experience
Treat your self-employment like a 'proper' job on your CV - don’t downplay it! List it under “Professional Experience” with a clear job title like “Freelance Graphic Designer” or “Self-Employed Contractor.” Include dates and a brief overview of your role.
Example: Freelance Graphic Designer, Self-Employed, 2019–2025
- Delivered branding and marketing materials for 20+ clients across tech and retail sectors.
Use bullet points to highlight key responsibilities and achievements, mirroring the format of traditional employment. This professional presentation ensures hiring managers see your self-employed work as valuable experience, not a side gig.
Detailing Projects and Clients Effectively
Showcase your self-employed projects and clients to demonstrate impact, but keep it focused. List 2–3 significant projects with measurable outcomes.
Example: “Designed a £50k branding campaign for a tech startup, increasing their customer engagement by 30%." Mention notable clients to add credibility: “Worked with brands like TechInnovate and RetailRise.”
Don’t overwhelm with a long list - select projects that align with the job’s requirements, such as client management or project delivery. This approach highlights your expertise and relevance without cluttering your CV, making your self-employed experience a compelling asset rather than a bore.
Addressing Employment Gaps as a Self-Employed Professional
Employment gaps from self-employment can raise eyebrows, but transparency is key.
Be honest and frame gaps positively. If you took time to build your business, say so: “Self-Employed Consultant, 2020–2023: Launched a consulting business, securing 10 clients in the first year.” If your business paused, explain why: “Paused self-employment in 2022 to upskill, completing a project management course.”
Use your cover letter to add context, focusing on what you gained - like resilience or new skills. This approach turns potential red flags into proof of your initiative, showing recruiters you’re a proactive candidate ready to contribute straight away.
Self-Employed CV Examples to Spark Inspiration
Enough hypothesising! Let's see some self-employed CVs in action.
Freelance Graphic Designer Transitioning to In-House Roles
Personal Statement: Creative freelance graphic designer with 5 years of experience, delivering branding for 20+ tech clients, including a £50k campaign boosting engagement by 30%. Skilled in Adobe Suite and client management, I’m eager to join an in-house team.
Professional Experience: Freelance Graphic Designer, Self-Employed, 2019–2025
- Designed logos and marketing materials for TechInnovate, enhancing brand visibility.
Hobbies: Running a design blog with 1,000 monthly views.
This example highlights creativity and digital skills, tailored for a creative industry role.
Self-Employed Construction Contractor Seeking Employment
Personal Statement: Dedicated self-employed contractor with 7 years in construction, managing 15+ projects worth £500k. Skilled in project management, I’m ready to bring efficiency to a construction firm.
Professional Experience: Self-Employed Contractor, 2018–2025
- Led projects, saving clients £20k through streamlined processes and achieving high customer satisfaction.
Hobbies: Mentoring apprentices in construction skills and coaching a Sunday League football team.
This CV focuses on project management and leadership, ideal for construction roles.
Former Business Owner Applying for a Corporate Job
Personal Statement: Former business owner with 10 years of experience, growing a startup to £100k revenue. Skilled in leadership and financial planning, I’m eager to excel in a corporate role.
Professional Experience: Founder, Tech Solutions Ltd, 2015–2025
- Managed a team of 5, securing 30 clients annually.
Hobbies: Competitive chess, honing strategic thinking.
This example emphasises entrepreneurial skills, tailored for a corporate business role.
Pass the ATS Test
Ever feel like your CV is playing hide-and-seek with a robot recruiter? Trust me, I know the feeling! Let’s outsmart those Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and get your self-employed skills in the spotlight!
Using Keywords to Reflect Your Self-Employed Skills
ATS systems scan for keywords, so include terms from the job description in your self-employed CV. For a project management role, use “project management” and “client delivery” in your experience: “Managed 10 projects, ensuring client delivery within tight deadlines.” If the ad mentions “leadership,” add it: “Led client negotiations, showcasing leadership.”
Sprinkle these keywords naturally across your personal statement, skills, and experience sections to ensure ATS flags your CV as a match, boosting your chances of landing an interview in 2025.
Formatting Tips for ATS Compatibility
ATS can trip over poor formatting, so keep your CV simple.
- Use plain text for your self-employed experience: “Self-Employed Contractor, 2018–2025.”
- Avoid headers, tables, or graphics - stick to bullet points for achievements like “Saved clients £20k through cost efficiencies.”
- Use standard fonts like Arial (10–12pt) and save as a PDF or Word doc.
- Clear headings like “Professional Experience” help ATS parse your CV correctly.
All these steps will ensure your self-employed experience isn’t lost in digital purgatory.
Need a CV Expert?
Writing a self-employed CV is all about turning your unique journey into a job-winning asset. Craft a personal statement that highlights your strengths, structure your experience like a pro, and address gaps with confidence.
Need help polishing your CV? Our CV Writing Services can transform your self-employed experience into a recruiter magnet.
Get started now with a free CV review!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Explain a Failed Business on my Self-employed CV?
Be honest but positive about a failed business on your self-employed CV. Focus on what you learned, like adaptability, and pivot to transferable skills. This transparency shows growth, reassuring recruiters you’re ready for new challenges.
Should I Include All my Self-employed Projects on my CV?
No, don’t list all self-employed projects - select 2–3 impactful ones that align with the job. This keeps your CV focused and relevant. Highlight projects with measurable results to show value, and avoid fluff that might overwhelm recruiters.
Can I List Self-employment as a Job Title on my CV?
Yes, list self-employment as a job title to present it professionally. Use titles like “Freelance Graphic Designer” or “Self-Employed Contractor.” Include dates and key responsibilities, treating it like traditional employment. This format ensures recruiters see your self-employed experience as legitimate and valuable.
