1. Self-Employed CV Example & How to Write It

Self-Employed CV Example & How to Write It

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
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Crafting a CV as a self-employed professional involves a distinctive approach, focusing on versatility, accomplishments, and a proactive attitude. In this article, you'll find invaluable tips and examples guiding you through each section of your self-employed CV to ensure you stand out in the competitive job market.

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Here’s a self-employed CV sample in a text version:

Self-employed CV example

Aria Garcia

Graphic Designer

Phone no. 123-456-7890 

Email: aria.garcia@email.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aria-garcia4048 

Personal Statement

Creative and detail-oriented graphic designer with over 5 years of experience in creating compelling visual content. Eager to support Visual6 UK Ltd. by delivering innovative design solutions that enhance brand identity and engage target audiences. Proud of my project where I successfully rebranded a major technology firm, resulting in a 30% increase in their online engagement. 

Experience

Self-Employed Graphic Designer

SoloWorks UK Ltd., London

Jan 2019–Present 

Key Qualifications & Responsibilities

  • Designed and implemented creative visual content across multiple platforms, resulting in a consistent brand identity 
  • Collaborated closely with over 30 clients to ensure their vision was accurately translated into digital and print designs 
  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all deadlines were met without compromising on quality 
  • Stayed up-to-date with current graphic design trends and software, applying new techniques to projects as appropriate 

Key Achievement:

  • Successfully rebranded a major technology firm, aiding in a 30% increase in their online engagement 

Education

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

University of Arts, London 

Sep 2014–Jun 2018 

Relevant extracurricular activities 

  • Head of the University Graphic Design Society, organizing workshops and guest speaker events 

Academic achievements 

  • Graduated with First Class Honours 

Skills

  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) 
  • Strong conceptual and visual communication skills 
  • Excellent time management and organisational skills 
  • Effective client and stakeholder communication 
  • Keen eye for detail and aesthetics 
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines 
  • Adaptive and willing to learn new techniques 
  • Proven track record of successful project management 

Certifications

  • Adobe Certified Expert, Adobe, 2022 

Awards

  • 2023, Best Freelance Designer, UK Design Awards 

Memberships

Member of the Graphic Designers Association since 2019 

  • Organised a workshop on Sustainable Design Practices at the 2022 GDA Conference, Manchester 

Languages

  • English—Native 
  • Spanish—Fluent 

Interests

  • Running a personal design blog focused on the intersection of technology and design (5k monthly visitors) 
  • Volunteering for a charity focused on improving education by providing free design resources 

How to write a self-employed CV 

Crafting the perfect CV as a self-employed professional requires emphasizing your unique set of skills and experiences. This guide offers insightful tips on structuring your CV to showcase your expertise and achievements effectively, ensuring you captivate potential employers or clients.

  • Personal statement:

Forge a compelling personal statement that encapsulates your breadth of experience, project versatility, major accomplishments, and career objectives. Focus on aligning with the needs of potential employers or clients.

  • Job description:

Tailor your professional experience to illuminate your significant achievements and pertinent roles. Include 3 to 7 bullet points under main headings detailing your positions and the names of companies. Self-employment exists in all types of sectors and industries, meaning this part of a self-employment CV will look different for someone working in construction and someone working in information technologies.

  • Education:

Bolster your self-employed CV with an education section detailing relevant academic credentials in the format: [Class of Degree] [Name of Degree] (Year of Graduation) at [Name of University]. In cases of limited practical experience, augment with a list of achievements, extracurricular involvements, and your excellence areas.

  • Skills:

Construct a skills section that lists soft skills and specific software proficiencies pertinent to self-employed roles. This section should reinforce your summary and job descriptions, showcasing how you meet or exceed employer expectations, steering clear of unrelated skills.

  • Additional sections:

Enrich your CV with extra sections to provide a comprehensive view. Consider including awards, certifications, or language proficiency that underscore your adaptability and relevance, avoiding unnecessary details such as unrelated hobbies or interests.

  • Cover letter:

Augment your CV with a personalised cover letter highlighting your distinct qualifications and sincere enthusiasm for each opportunity. Start with a succinct introduction emphasising your years of experience followed by a description of your significant strengths and contributions. Conclude your cover letter with a brief statement of interest in the role and a confident call to action.

  • Format:

Innovate with your self-employed CV format, ensuring readability through appropriate font usage and sufficient white space. Also, check for compatibility with applicant tracking systems, avoiding *.doc files when PDFs might not be parsed correctly.

Your self-employed CV is a tool that showcases your professional journey and aspirations. Use it to make a memorable impression.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

Create your CV nowcv builder

Considering other positions? See CV examples for different jobs:

Thank you for taking the time to read through these tips for crafting your self-employed CV. We invite you to use the comments section below to share your experiences or ask any questions related to this topic.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

About the author

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
LiveCareer UK Editorial Team

Since 2013, the LiveCareer UK team has shared the best advice to help you advance your career. Experts from our UK editorial team have written more than one hundred guides on how to write the perfect CV or cover letter.

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