Crafting a standout CV can be an uphill battle when competing against larger companies for top talent. Our guide offers practical steps to elevate your CV, ensuring it showcases the unique strengths and opportunities your small business has to offer.
Learn how to create your next small business owner CV by:
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
- Relationship Manager CV Example
- Entry Level Business Analyst CV Example
- Manager CV Example
- Category Manager CV Example
- Business Development CV Example
- Senior Business Analyst CV Example
- Business Intelligence CV Example
- Management Consultant CV Example
- Business Analyst CV Example
- Investment Manager CV Example
Resume examples for small business owner
Explore additional small business owner cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Experienced Small Business Owner in IT
- Compelling Career Advancement - Leo Brown's career path demonstrates a clear and progressive escalation in roles, from Data Solutions Architect to Technical Platform Owner, reflecting a continuous growth in responsibilities and expertise. Each position not only enhances his leadership experience but also shows a deepening of technical and strategic skills, indicative of significant professional development.
- Emphasis on Technical Acumen - The CV effectively highlights Leo's mastery of industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as AWS services, Kubernetes, and Snowflake. This technical depth underlines his capability to handle complex data platform solutions and drive innovation, making him a valuable asset to any organization prioritizing cloud technologies and data-driven strategies.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Outcomes - Each bullet point under Leo's achievements provides a clear measure of his impact on previous employers. By showcasing quantifiable improvements like a 30% increase in platform efficiency and a 50% reduction in data processing costs, the CV articulates not just the numbers but also the strategic value and relevance of his contributions to business goals.
Novice Small Business Owner in Fitness
- Strong career progression and management experience - The CV clearly illustrates a steady career trajectory, progressing from a Lead Personal Trainer to an Assistant Fitness Manager and then to a Health & Fitness Manager. This upward movement highlights the candidate’s ability to grow within the health and fitness industry, gaining experience and increasing responsibility at each step.
- Impactful achievements with business relevance - Grace's CV showcases not just numbers but the business impact of her accomplishments. For instance, initiatives such as increasing membership retention by 30% and a significant rise in personal training sales demonstrate her strategic influence on business performance and member satisfaction. These details underline her capability to deliver growth through innovative approaches.
- Comprehensive skill set pertinent to the role - The CV includes a well-rounded collection of skills essential for a Health & Fitness Manager, such as Team Leadership, Fitness Program Design, and Revenue Enhancement. This range aligns perfectly with the industry-specific needs of managing a gym or wellness facility and demonstrates her capacity to drive team performance and member engagement.
Veteran Small Business Owner in E-commerce
- Structured career progression - The CV effectively outlines a clear and upward career trajectory, starting from an E-Commerce Analyst role at Net-A-Porter, moving through a managerial position at Zalando, and culminating in a leadership role as Head of E-Commerce Operations at ASOS. This progression showcases growth in responsibility and expertise, indicating a strong commitment to advancing within the e-commerce industry.
- Industry-specific achievements with strategic impact - Scarlett's experience is highlighted by substantial accomplishments such as a 40% decrease in fraudulent transactions and a 25% increase in operational efficiency. These achievements not only reflect her technical prowess but also underscore her strategic thinking in tackling industry-specific challenges effectively, boosting overall business performance.
- Cross-functional collaboration and adaptability - The CV emphasizes Scarlett's ability to partner with diverse teams, such as logistics and marketing, to enhance processes and achieve significant results. Her ability to adapt to different aspects of e-commerce operations and lead cross-functional projects, exemplified by initiatives like enhancing payment systems and refining customer communication strategies, demonstrates her versatility and collaborative nature.
Experienced Small Business Owner in Consulting
- Structured and Concise Organization - The CV is impeccably organized, using clearly defined sections such as achievements, experience, and education that make it easy to navigate. Bullet points are used effectively to highlight key points concisely, ensuring that each accomplishment and skill stands out without overwhelming the reader.
- Progressive Career Growth - The candidate demonstrates a solid career trajectory, moving from a Marketing Analyst role at Accenture to a Senior Marketing Consultant at PwC. Each position details increasing responsibility and influence, signaling strategic growth and adaptability within the marketing domain.
- Integration of Technology and Strategy - Industry-specific elements in the CV, such as leveraging CRM systems and marketing automation, showcase a deep understanding of technological tools essential for modern marketing strategies. This technical depth is complemented by the candidate’s strategic mindset in marketing transformation initiatives.
By Role
Small Business Owner in Retail
- Strong career progression and leadership roles - Ella Bennett shows a continuous upward trajectory in her career, moving from Senior Marketing Manager to Director of Omnichannel Marketing. This progression demonstrates her capability to take on increasing responsibilities and lead large teams effectively, solidifying her as a leader in her domain.
- Innovation and adaptation to industry trends - Ella's CV highlights her involvement in digital transformation and integration of AI-based tools, illustrating her commitment to innovation in the fast-evolving marketing landscape. This adaptability ensures she remains at the forefront of industry developments and applies innovative solutions to enhance brand engagement.
- Comprehensive skills and cross-functional expertise - The CV effectively conveys a wide array of skills, including omnichannel media strategies, data-driven decision-making, and project management. Her experience spans across different channels and industries, demonstrating her versatility and ability to collaborate cross-functionally for strategic success.
Small Business Owner in Manufacturing
- Strategic Leadership and Initiative Implementation - Jack Taylor's CV showcases his ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive strategic initiatives like the Zero Defects program. His leadership has resulted in a significant reduction in production errors and enhanced product reliability, underlining his skill in spearheading impactful industry changes.
- Comprehensive Career Growth and Expertise - The progression from Process Engineer at Rolls-Royce to Senior Manufacturing Engineer at BAE Systems reflects a well-defined career path with increasing responsibilities. This trajectory highlights Taylor's adaptability and growth within the manufacturing industry, demonstrating his capability in advancing not just in roles but in the complexity of tasks handled.
- Technical Proficiency and Industry-Specific Methodologies - Taylor's background is enriched with technical depth, as evidenced by his implementation of advanced machining and laser processes. His expertise in Zero Defects and process optimization methodologies speaks to a deep understanding of industry-specific complexities, positioning him as a leader in technological innovation in manufacturing.
Small Business Owner in Food Service
- Structured and Concise Format - The CV is well-organized, beginning with a professional summary that clearly outlines the candidate’s strengths and experiences. Each section is distinctly titled and succinctly details the relevant qualifications, making it easy for the reader to navigate and absorb key information quickly.
- Strong Career Progression - Freya's career trajectory is marked by significant growth, progressing from a Food and Beverage Associate to a supervisory role at Hilton London Kensington. This pattern of advancement demonstrates her capability to take on increasingly complex responsibilities and leadership roles in a competitive industry.
- Emphasis on Sustainability and Innovation - The CV highlights Freya's active role in implementing sustainability initiatives and innovative service procedures. Her efforts in reducing single-use plastics and enhancing in-room dining efficiency underscore her commitment to environmental impact and operational innovation.
Small Business Owner in Beauty Industry
- Logical and Structured Content Presentation - This CV is neatly organized with well-defined sections including education, experience, skills, and achievements, which makes it easy for readers to navigate and understand the candidate's journey. The use of bullet points under each job role ensures clarity in conveying key responsibilities and achievements.
- Strong Career Growth and Consistency - James Lewis's career trajectory from a customer service representative to a beauty consultant at a major company like L'Oréal Group reflects steady professional growth and consistent involvement in the beauty and skincare industry. It highlights a commitment to specialization in skincare and customer service enhancement over time.
- Impressive Industry-Specific Achievements - The CV showcases significant achievements such as boosting skincare product sales by 30%, implementing a customer loyalty program, and executing successful product launch campaigns. These achievements demonstrate a profound understanding of the beauty industry and a clear capability in both strategic and operational roles, directly impacting business performance.
Small Business Owner in Construction
- Structured and precise content presentation - The CV is meticulously organized, making excellent use of headings and bullet points to clearly delineate each section. This structure aids in easy navigation and ensures clarity, which is crucial for busy hiring managers. Each point is concise, focusing on key responsibilities and achievements without overwhelming details, thus maintaining a crisp presentation.
- Impressive career trajectory showcasing consistent growth - Florence's career progression is well-documented, showcasing a clear trajectory from Junior Estimator to Cost Analyst. This upward movement not only highlights her growth within the estimation and construction industry but also her ability to take on increased responsibilities and complexities over time, reflecting a strong professional development narrative.
- Noteworthy achievements highlighting industry impact - The CV sets itself apart through tangible achievements that reflect Florence’s influence on project outcomes. For instance, her ability to save £200,000 on a healthcare facility upgrade and maintain a 98% client satisfaction rate underscores her impact in cost efficiency and client satisfaction, directly benefiting her employers’ business objectives through substantial project value.
Small Business Owner in Digital Marketing
- Structured Progression and Leadership - William Hall’s CV clearly showcases a structured career progression, with promotions from a Marketing Analyst to a Senior Digital Marketing Manager. This growth not only reflects his increasing responsibilities in managing teams but also his capability to lead complex projects and strategies effectively.
- Industry-Relevant Expertise - The CV highlights William's expertise in using cutting-edge tools like Google Ads and Meta Advertising. His certifications, such as Google Ads Certification and Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate, emphasize his technical depth and commitment to staying at the forefront of digital marketing trends.
- Quantifiable Achievements with Business Impact - The CV effectively emphasizes William’s achievements by linking them to tangible business outcomes. For instance, his campaigns have led to a 30% increase in revenue and a 100% client retention rate, which not only showcases his skill but also the direct impact on business growth.
Small Business Owner in Photography
- Structured Content Presentation - The CV is organized with clear sections that make it easy to follow the candidate’s career path and achievements. Each section, from experience to education, is well-labeled and concise, ensuring that the reader can efficiently ascertain the candidate's qualifications and professional journey.
- Illustrates Career Progression and Industry Commitment - The career trajectory showcases Emily Cox's growth from a Photography Assistant to a Studio Photographer, highlighting her dedication and the natural progression within the photography industry. Each role demonstrates increased responsibility and the development of industry-specific skills.
- Technical Proficiency with Industry-Standard Tools - The CV indicates a robust command of essential photography and editing tools like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. These technical competencies underline Emily's capability to deliver high-quality photography and retouching services, aligning with industry expectations and advancing her professional expertise.
Small Business Owner in Fashion
- Creative Leadership and Team Management - James Lewis's CV emphasizes his significant leadership role at Vogue UK, where he successfully led a team of eight in developing innovative fashion content. His responsibilities included overseeing numerous editorial shoots and strategizing content, demonstrating his proficiency in managing creative teams and driving organizational success.
- Career Growth and Accomplishments - The career trajectory illustrated in the CV is impressive, starting as a Fashion Stylist and progressing to a Deputy Fashion Editor at Elle UK, before occupying his current position as a Senior Fashion Editor at Vogue UK. Each role shows a natural progression in responsibility, influence, and expertise, reflecting his dedication and success in the fashion industry.
- Utilization of Industry-Specific Tools and Techniques - The CV highlights James's adeptness with industry-standard tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite, and methodologies like innovative styling techniques. Moreover, his focus on digital media and visual content creation underlines a thorough understanding of evolving multimedia trends, essential for staying competitive in the fashion world.
Small Business Owner in Real Estate
- Comprehensive career trajectory - The CV traces a well-defined career path, showcasing consistent growth from a Junior Real Estate Lawyer to a Real Estate Associate. This progression demonstrates upward mobility and an increasingly complex set of responsibilities within the legal sector, highlighting the candidate’s ambition and capacity for advancement in the field of commercial real estate law.
- Strategic use of industry-specific tools and methodologies - The CV emphasizes Charlie’s adeptness in applying specialized property management tools that improved operational efficiency by 25%. This not only indicates technical depth but also reflects a proactive approach to integrating technology for performance enhancement and cost reduction in property management.
- Distinct impact through notable achievements - The achievements section vividly conveys the candidate's direct influence on business outcomes by highlighting specific contributions such as driving a £50 million property deal and implementing client protocols that increased satisfaction scores by 30%. These accomplishments not only underline financial acumen but also suggest strategic thinking and a results-oriented mindset.
Small Business Owner in Automotive
- Well-structured content - The CV presents information in a clear and structured manner, making it easy for employers to glean key competencies and expertise. Each section is concise, with bullet points effectively summarizing experiences and achievements without overwhelming detail.
- Demonstrates professional growth - Amelia's career trajectory is impressive, showing a clear progression from an apprentice mechanic to a Master Certified Technician. This growth highlights not only her technical skills but also her leadership and ability to take on greater responsibilities.
- Industry-specific achievements with clear impact - The achievements are not just numbers; they are tied to direct business impacts such as improving customer satisfaction and increasing client bookings. These metrics underline the real-world effectiveness of Amelia's technical and leadership capabilities.
Small Business Owner in Agriculture
- Effectively Communicates Career Growth and Progression - The CV provides a clear narrative of Archie's career advancement, moving from an Agronomist role to a Senior Agriculture Specialist. Each position shows increasingly complex responsibilities, highlighting his ability to take on leadership roles and complex projects, embodying a career trajectory aligned with professional development in the agriculture industry.
- Impressive Integration of Industry-Specific Expertise - By showcasing his expertise in sustainable farming practices, Archie adds significant value to the roles he occupied. The CV highlights his involvement in projects that increased crop yield efficiency and reduced resource wastage, demonstrating a deep understanding of modern agricultural methodologies and innovative solutions tailored to the industry's needs.
- Demonstrates Adaptability and Cross-Functional Collaboration - Archie's ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and manage client relationships across diverse agricultural enterprises is well-documented in the CV. His adaptability is further emphasized by his efforts in coordinating cross-collaboration initiatives and facilitating partnerships, showcasing a multifaceted approach to problem-solving and resource management across different areas of the industry.
Small Business Owner in Healthcare
- Logical and Structured Layout - The CV offers a clear and well-organized presentation, breaking down the candidate's career into distinct sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This structure makes it easy to follow and quickly grasp the depth of Grace Bailey's professional journey.
- Progressive Career Growth - Throughout her career, Grace Bailey showcases significant advancement, moving from Healthcare Architect to Director of Healthcare Design, and then to Healthcare Market Leader. This trajectory not only demonstrates her competence and ambition but also her ability to adapt and thrive in complex environments.
- Leadership and Mentorship Skills - The CV highlights Grace's strong leadership abilities, particularly her success in mentoring emerging leaders and reducing employee turnover by 15%. These achievements underscore her capacity to inspire and cultivate talent, which is crucial in any leadership role.
Small Business Owner in Education
- Clear and Engaging Content Presentation - The CV is structured in a way that emphasizes clarity and ease of navigation. Each section is distinctly labeled and provides concise, detailed information that allows the reader to quickly apprehend key details about the candidate's qualifications and achievements. This well-organized presentation enhances readability and engagement.
- Demonstrates Significant Career Progression - The candidate’s career trajectory is marked by steady growth and increasing levels of responsibility within the healthcare and education sectors. They transitioned from an Education Specialist role to a Senior Education Coordinator position, highlighting their advancement in leadership capacities and strategic responsibilities, which showcases a robust career progression.
- Industry-Specific Innovation and Methodologies - Unique elements of industry expertise stand out, particularly the candidate’s use of innovative training methodologies and digital platforms to enhance educational delivery. The introduction of new programs and their collaboration with universities demonstrate a forward-thinking approach and technical prowess in implementing effective education strategies within healthcare contexts.
Small Business Owner in Entertainment
- Strategic Career Path - Ava Phillips' CV showcases a seamless progression through prestigious roles in media and entertainment, illustrating upward mobility and advanced industry responsibilities. Each position amplifies her skill set, moving from Talent Coordinator to Senior Entertainment Booker, reflecting a consistent trend of career growth and specialization.
- Effective Content Structure and Clarity - The CV is well-organized with clearly defined sections that enhance readability. Each segment succinctly presents relevant information, ensuring the reader quickly grasps Phillips' qualifications, achievements, and expertise. Its clarity suggests strong communication skills, vital for her role in media liaison and project management.
- Robust Industry-Specific Expertise - The CV highlights specialized knowledge in entertainment booking and celebrity project management. Ava Phillips' experience with top companies and high-profile events lends credibility and authority, positioning her as a leader with strategic insights into pop culture media dynamics.
Small Business Owner in Publishing
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is well-organized, with distinct sections for each aspect of Olivia Turner's professional experience. Her skills, achievements, and career progression are clearly separated, making it easy for readers to quickly locate relevant information. The use of bullet points also ensures that each detail is communicated succinctly and effectively, without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary information.
- Consistent Career Growth - Olivia's career trajectory is marked by a clear progression from Assistant Publishing Editor at Springer Nature to Senior Publishing Editor at Elsevier. Her promotions reflect an expanding scope of responsibility and influence within the publishing industry, indicating her ability to continuously deliver strong results and adapt to increased expectations over time.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - Olivia’s experience in scientific journals is underscored by her expertise in peer review management and editorial process innovations. Her role in implementing new systems to reduce article handling time by two days exemplifies her technical depth and proactive approach to enhance efficiency in a highly specialized field. This clear alignment with industry standards makes her a valuable asset to any publishing organization.
Small Business Owner in Event Management
- Comprehensive Career Progression - The CV illustrates a clear upward trajectory in the candidate's career, showcasing promotions from an Event Coordinator to a Senior Event Manager over the course of several years. This growth reflects their capability to take on increased responsibilities and showcases a deepening expertise in event management.
- Emphasis on Managerial and Leadership Skills - A significant focus is placed on leadership and mentorship capabilities, with specific examples of how the candidate has successfully managed teams to boost retention rates and improve staff proficiency. By mentoring coordinators, they have fostered an environment that enhances team performance and development.
- Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation - Unique industry-specific elements stand out through the candidate's dedication to integrating sustainability practices into event planning. Their initiative to reduce waste by 30% highlights an innovative approach to align business practices with environmental goals, showcasing an ability to adapt industry trends and client requirements.
Formatting your small business owner CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional small business owner CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :
- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional small business owner CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a small business owner CV
- Professional Summary outlines the owner's vision and achievements because it sets the stage for their entrepreneurial mindset.
- Business Management Experience shows a track record of successes and lessons that are crucial for potential partnerships or roles.
- Key Projects & Accomplishments highlight specific instances of the owner's capability to drive business growth which indicates potential.
- Financial Acumen demonstrates the owner's ability to manage budgets and increase profitability, a skill valuable to any role.
- Leadership & Team Building offers insight into how the owner motivates and manages teams which is vital for collaboration and culture fit.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight entrepreneurial skills by detailing your experience with business strategy, including the creation, growth, and management of your business, as all are valuable skills that showcase leadership and innovation.
- Emphasise your financial acumen by mentioning budget management, financial planning, and profit growth, which reflect your ability to responsibly handle a company's financial health.
- Showcase your versatility by explaining your hands-on experience in multiple aspects of running a business such as sales, marketing, operations, and customer service, to demonstrate a comprehensive skillset.
- Outline your networking abilities, including relationship building with vendors, customers, and other business owners that can indicate strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Include problem-solving examples, like navigating business challenges or developing unique solutions, as this indicates critical thinking and adaptability, qualities essential for business success.
Recommended reads:
Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning small business owner CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for small business owner:
- Boutique Owner & Fashion Curator | Retail Management Expert | Certified Style Consultant | 10+ Yrs Industry Leadership
- IT Solutions Director | Cloud Infrastructure Specialist | Cybersecurity Certification | 12 Years Progressive Experience
- Master Chef & Restaurateur | Culinary Arts Degree | Innovative Menu Development | Hospitality Leadership, 15 Years
- Independent Publisher | Award-Winning Editor | MA Literature | Industry Innovator | 8 Years Publishing Excellence
- Professional Landscaper | Horticulture Degree | Sustainable Design Advocate | 20+ Years Leading Garden Projects
- Automotive Repair Shop Owner | ASE Certified Master Technician | Engine Performance Expert | 17-Year Trade Veteran
What's the difference between a small business owner CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your small business owner CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a small business owner job:
- With over 10 years of hands-on experience as a thriving restaurant owner, I bring a wealth of knowledge in food service management, customer engagement, and inventory control. Successfully grew the business by 150% through strategic marketing and menu development.
- Dedicated owner of a boutique digital marketing agency for 8 years, adept at SEO, content creation, and social media strategies, boosting client online presence by an average of 300%. Spearheaded a successful brand overhaul for a major client, increasing their market share significantly.
- Former Senior Project Manager with 12 years in construction seeking to leverage extensive background in project oversight, budget management, and sustainability practices to transition into the restaurant industry with a focus on environmentally conscious food service solutions.
- Experienced IT professional with 15 years in software development, aiming to apply problem-solving skills, expertise in Agile methodologies, and passion for technology to embark on a new venture in the competitive world of small business ownership.
- As an entrepreneurial hopeful with a recent MBA specialising in small business management, I am eager to apply my academic knowledge of market analysis, financial planning, and strategic leadership to establish a cutting-edge ecommerce platform.
- Possessing a degree in Environmental Science and avid volunteer experience, I am driven to start a green-initiative consulting firm where I can utilise my knowledge of sustainability and passion for ecological advocacy to assist businesses in reducing their environmental impact.
Best practices for writing your small business owner CV experience section
If your profile matches the job requirements, the CV experience is the section which recruiters will spend the most time studying. Within your experience bullets, include not merely your career history, but, rather, your skills and outcomes from each individual role. Your best experience section should promote your profile by:
- including specific details and hard numbers as proof of your past success;
- listing your experience in the functional-based or hybrid format (by focusing on the skills), if you happen to have less professional, relevant expertise;
- showcasing your growth by organising your roles, starting with the latest and (hopefully) most senior one;
- staring off each experience bullet with a verb, following up with skills that match the job description, and the outcomes of your responsibility.
Add keywords from the job advert in your experience section, like the professional CV examples:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive business strategy that resulted in a 20% annual growth in sales, demonstrating strong strategic planning and business development skills.
- Managed day-to-day operations, including supply chain, inventory management, and staff scheduling, ensuring the business ran smoothly and efficiently.
- Established and nurtured relationships with over 100 vendors and suppliers, highlighting excellent negotiation and partnership-building abilities.
- Launched successful marketing campaigns across multiple channels, leading to a 35% increase in brand awareness and customer base over two years.
- Analysed market trends and customer feedback to drive product development and diversification, which expanded the company's offerings by 40%.
- Spearheaded the adoption of new technology that improved payment processes and customer experience, reflecting a keen eye for innovation.
- Recruited, trained, and led a team of 15 employees, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability in the workplace.
- Managed financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and accounting, maintaining healthy cash flow and profitability for the business.
- Ensured compliance with relevant laws and regulations, maintaining impeccable records and upholding the highest standards of ethics and corporate governance.
Work Experience
Owner and CEO
AmberCrafts Boutique
05/2019-Ongoing
- Scaled small e-commerce business operations to support a 300% increase in customer order volume within a 2-year span, ensuring smooth logistics and customer satisfaction.
- Implemented an innovative digital marketing strategy that boosted online sales by 150%, significantly growing the company's market share and online presence.
- Negotiated with suppliers to reduce raw material costs by 20%, increasing profit margins without compromising on product quality.
Work Experience
Founder and Principal Consultant
TechSavvy Consulting Services
03/2016-11/2019
- Drove a boutique consultancy firm to achieve a 50% revenue growth by expanding services into emerging technology sectors, such as AI and IoT.
- Masterminded the rebranding initiative that attracted a more diversified client base, boosting client retention rates by 35%.
- Increased efficiency by implementing project management software, reducing project completion times by an average of 15%.
Work Experience
Founder and Artistic Director
Canvas and Color Studio
06/2014-02/2016
- Pioneered an art studio and gallery, increasing local artist representation by 100+ artists, thus enriching the community's cultural fabric.
- Developed and hosted monthly art events that attracted over 300 visitors per event, heightening community engagement and artist exposure.
- Cultivated partnerships with local businesses which led to a collaboration on art-based projects, enhancing the studio’s revenue by 25%.
Work Experience
Owner and Culinary Director
Wheels of Flavor
01/2012-05/2014
- Established a gourmet food truck, tapping into a new market segment in the city, resulting in a steady 20% monthly increase in sales.
- Engaged in strategic social media campaigns that resulted in a 40% increase in online engagement and a substantial increase in brand recognition.
- Sourced high-quality, local produce which improved product taste and customer satisfaction, leading to a 30% surge in repeat customers.
Work Experience
Founder and Managing Director
NextGen Tech Solutions
04/2010-12/2011
- Launched an IT service company, securing contracts with 5 major local businesses within the first year, laying a solid foundation for future growth.
- Led a team to develop custom software solutions that increased our clients’ operational efficiency by up to 40%.
- Forged a successful partnership with a software vendor which expanded our service offerings and drove a 30% increase in annual revenue.
Work Experience
Proprietor and Manager
Fashion Forward
11/2009-03/2010
- Managed and operated a boutique, growing monthly sales figures to surpass targets by 25% through aggressive networking and community engagement initiatives.
- Created a customer loyalty program which was instrumental in increasing customer return rate by 20%.
- Streamlined store operations which decreased overhead costs by 15% while maintaining quality customer service.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Key small business owner CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your small business owner CV:
HARD SKILLS
Financial Management
Business Planning
Marketing Strategies
Sales Expertise
Customer Relationship Management
Supply Chain Coordination
Human Resource Management
Compliance Knowledge
Operational Efficiency
Digital Literacy
SOFT SKILLS
Leadership
Problem-Solving
Communication
Time Management
Adaptability
Strategic Thinking
Decision Making
Negotiation
Critical Thinking
Teamwork
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your small business owner CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
What matters most in your small business owner CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
