How to List an Additional Business Pursuit on Your Resume

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We’ll walk you through the best practices for effectively listing an additional business pursuit on your resume to capture the attention of potential employers.

Why Include an Additional Business Pursuit?

Including an additional business pursuit on your resume can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing your entrepreneurial spirit and ability to manage multiple responsibilities. It provides evidence of your commitment to personal and professional growth, and it highlights skills that might not be evident from your primary employment alone. For example, if you run a small business or have a consulting practice, it can illustrate your leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.

How to List an Additional Business Pursuit

Choose the Right Section

Decide where the additional business pursuit fits best on your resume. Typically, this can be included in the following sections:

Professional Experience: If the business pursuit is significant and relevant to your career goals, list it under professional experience.
Additional Experience: For side projects or smaller ventures, consider creating a separate section called “Additional Experience” or “Entrepreneurial Ventures.”
Skills Section: If the business pursuit has provided you with specific skills or competencies, you can highlight these in the skills section.

Use a Clear and Descriptive Title

Give your business pursuit a clear and professional title that accurately reflects what you did. For instance, if you run a freelance graphic design business, you might use the title “Freelance Graphic Designer” or “Owner, Creative Design Solutions.” Ensure that the title is descriptive enough to convey the nature of the work to someone unfamiliar with the details.

Provide Context and Responsibilities

Detail the nature of your business pursuit by providing context. Describe the industry, the services or products offered, and the target audience. Then, outline your key responsibilities and achievements. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on quantifiable accomplishments, such as revenue growth, client satisfaction, or successful projects.

Highlight Key Skills and Achievements

Emphasize the skills you developed and the accomplishments you achieved through your business pursuit. For example, if you managed a team or implemented a new marketing strategy, make sure to highlight these achievements. Use action verbs and quantify results where possible to create a stronger impact.

Keep It Relevant

Ensure that the information you include about your business pursuit is relevant to the job you are applying for. Tailor your description to align with the job requirements and highlight aspects of your business pursuit that are most applicable to the position.

Example of Listing an Additional Business Pursuit

Freelance Web Developer | Self-Employed
January 2020 – Present

Designed and developed custom websites for small businesses, resulting in a 30% increase in client engagement.
Managed multiple client projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and maintaining a high level of client satisfaction.
Implemented SEO best practices to enhance website visibility, leading to a 25% increase in organic traffic for clients.

Conclusion

Listing an additional business pursuit on your resume can provide valuable insights into your skills and experiences beyond your primary job. By carefully selecting the appropriate section, using clear titles, providing detailed context, and highlighting relevant skills and achievements, you can effectively showcase your entrepreneurial spirit and versatility. This added dimension to your resume can help you stand out to potential employers and advance your career.