7 Business Owner Resume Examples for 2024

As a business owner, your resume needs to show your leadership, planning, and management skills. This article provides examples of effective business owner resumes. It offers clear advice on how to highlight your achievements, from strategic growth to daily operations. Learn how to present your business experience to impress hiring managers and open new career opportunities.

  Compiled and approved by Steve Grafton
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best business owner resumes.

  • Use Numbers To Show Impact: The best resumes show impact by using numbers. Highlight metrics like revenue growth, cost reduction, customer retention, and market expansion.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are financial analysis, strategic planning, project management, data analytics, CRM software. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Show Industry Expertise: You need to highlight your industry knowledge. Use phrases like industry trends or market insights to show your expertise.

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Positioning your education

As someone who has run a business, you know how to place the right product in the right place for impact. Apply this to your resume by positioning your education section where it will be most effective. If your education is the most recent significant event in your career because you've pursued further studies related to business management, entrepreneurship, or a field relevant to the industry you're targeting, it can lead your resume. This shows recruiters your commitment to growing your knowledge and staying up-to-date in the business landscape.

On the other hand, if your experience as an owner of a company is your strongest asset, allow your practical skills to take the spotlight by placing your educational qualifications later on. This layout reflects your hands-on expertise and showcases the real-world business abilities you've obtained through running your own company. Remember that for more seasoned professionals, experience often speaks louder than degrees, especially in dynamic business environments.

Highlight problem-solving

Owning a business often means facing and solving problems. Highlight times you've solved a big issue or improved a process. Show your ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

Provide clear examples and metrics, like saving costs or improving customer satisfaction. Employers look for these qualities in future leaders.

Resume length for business owners

If you are a business owner looking for a new job, keep your resume to one page if your experience spans less than 10 years. This helps you show the key places where you have made an impact. Focus on results and the value you added in those roles.

For those with more than a decade of experience, a two-page resume works well. You have likely handled many responsibilities, so highlight your most recent and relevant ventures. Always put your best achievements on the first page as this is what hiring managers see first.

Show leadership skills

For anyone who wants to own a business, highlight your leadership skills. Include any times you've led a team or managed a project. This shows you can handle responsibilities.

Use specific metrics to show your impact, like increasing sales by a certain percentage. These details can set you apart from other candidates.

Beat the resume bots

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can be a hurdle you must cross. These systems scan your resume before it reaches a person. To pass this test, you need a resume that the ATS can read easily.

Start by using a simple format with clear headings. This helps the system find the right information. For a business owner, it is key to list your skills and experience in a way that matches what the job ad asks for. For example, if you have experience in 'budget management' and the job requires 'financial planning', make sure to include both terms.

  • Use standard job titles. Instead of 'Chief Problem Solver', use 'Owner' or 'Manager'.
  • Include keywords from the job description. If they ask for 'entrepreneurial experience', make sure that phrase is in your resume.

Customize your resume

To stand out, you need a resume that reflects your unique experience as a business manager. This tells hiring managers you have the skills and know-how that match the job. Make sure your resume shows exactly what you can bring to the table.

  • Focus on the management skills and achievements that show you can lead a team well. Mention times you increased sales or improved a system.
  • Give details about the kind of enterprise you ran, such as 'managed a successful online store with a diverse product range.'
  • If you're moving into a new industry, point out skills from your past work that apply, like 'designed marketing strategies for a 20% growth in customer base.'
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