Business Owner CV example

As a business owner, you’ve handled operations, led strategy, juggled clients, and probably did your own accounting along the way. Your CV needs to reflect that wide-ranging experience in a way that makes sense to hiring managers who may not be used to reading entrepreneurial applications.

This guide will show you how to write a CV that turns your self-employed story into a professional narrative – focused on your commercial results and transferable skills that make you a strong hire across industries.

Running a business takes adaptability and clarity – your CV should reflect the same. Employers or clients need to understand your journey at a glance, without struggling to navigate through a less-than-ideal CV structure.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your name and personal details prominently at the top of your CV for quick access. Adding a photo is up to you.
• Profile – Open with a compelling overview of your skills, experience, and career goals.
• Core skills – Bullet point highlights of your top business, leadership, and industry-relevant skills.
• Work experience – Provide a detailed breakdown of your work history, starting with the most recent job first.
• Education – List formal education, business training, professional development, or any degree.
• Additional info – Optionally include professional memberships, awards, or relevant hobbies.
  

Keep the document under two pages length. Use bullet points to break down detail, divide each section with clear headings, and choose a tidy, professional font. Consistent formatting not only keeps it readable – it reinforces your ability to present ideas clearly and professionally. Following these helpful tips will ensure your format remains readable, so recruiters stick around to find out what makes you the right fit.

You’ve got years of hands-on experience. This section is where you turn that from ‘I did everything’ into ‘I know exactly how to add value. Your CV profile introduces you as a confident professional with entrepreneurial experience. Even if you’re stepping away from self-employment, this is your chance to show how your background has made you adaptable, commercially aware, and equipped to contribute to any team.

Here’s what to include:

• Where you’ve worked – Mention the nature of your business and its scale or market.
• Your top qualifications – Include business training, industry knowledge, or relevant certifications.
• Essential skills – Think leadership, operations, financial oversight, or client relationship management.
• Industry or service area – Let employers know the sectors you’ve worked in.
• Key outcomes – Include achievements like growth, profitability, or team leadership.
  
  

This section should capture the breadth of your expertise in a quick-glance format. As a business owner, you’ve likely gained experience in strategy, people management, sales, logistics, or marketing – highlight the areas where you’ve truly added value.

Make sure the skills for your CV align with the kind of roles you’re now targeting. If you’re moving into employment, this section is where you pivot – focusing on the transferable skills that hiring managers recognise and want.

Your work experience section is where you show how you’ve applied your skills in real-world settings. You’ll need to clearly explain what you did, where you worked, and the value you brought.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. For each entry, include your job title, the company or organisation name, and the dates of employment. Then use bullet points to break down your responsibilities and key achievements – keep them concise, and focus on how you contributed to success and made a genuine, positive impact.

• Outline – Describe the nature of the business, your position, and its operations or client base.
• Responsibilities – Use action verbs like “led,” “launched,” “negotiated,” or “streamlined” to describe what you did day-to-day.
• Achievements – Highlight business growth, client success, team leadership, profitability, or innovations – e.g. “Grew client base by 40% in 12 months,” or “Launched three new service lines with strong ROI.”

Your education section gives employers an overview of your academic background and any formal training you’ve completed. It’s a good way to show the foundations of your knowledge, as well as any additional learning you’ve pursued to develop professionally.

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the qualification, the institution or training provider, and the year completed (or expected). You can also expand upon any relevant modules or specialisations – especially if they relate to the roles you’re targeting.