Self-Employed CV Example & How to Write It
Last updated on 14 January, 2026

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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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Self-employed CV example
Example
Aria Garcia
Graphic Designer
Phone no. 123-456-7890Â
Email: aria.garcia@email.comÂ
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aria-garcia4048Â
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.Â
Experience
Self-Employed Graphic Designer
SoloWorks UK Ltd., London
Jan 2019–PresentÂ
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
- Designed and implemented creative visual content across multiple platforms, resulting in a consistent brand identityÂ
- Collaborated closely with over 30 clients to ensure their vision was accurately translated into digital and print designsÂ
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring all deadlines were met without compromising on qualityÂ
- Stayed up-to-date with current graphic design trends and software, applying new techniques to projects as appropriateÂ
Key Achievement:
- Successfully rebranded a major technology firm, aiding in a 30% increase in their online engagementÂ
Education
BA (Hons) Graphic Design
University of Arts, LondonÂ
Sep 2014–Jun 2018Â
Relevant extracurricular activitiesÂ
- Head of the University Graphic Design Society, organizing workshops and guest speaker eventsÂ
Academic achievementsÂ
- Graduated with First Class HonoursÂ
Skills
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)Â
- Strong conceptual and visual communication skillsÂ
- Excellent time management and organisational skillsÂ
- Effective client and stakeholder communicationÂ
- Keen eye for detail and aestheticsÂ
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlinesÂ
- Adaptive and willing to learn new techniquesÂ
- Proven track record of successful project managementÂ
Certifications
- Adobe Certified Expert, Adobe, 2022Â
Awards
- 2023, Best Freelance Designer, UK Design AwardsÂ
Memberships
Member of the Graphic Designers Association since 2019Â
- Organised a workshop on Sustainable Design Practices at the 2022 GDA Conference, ManchesterÂ
Languages
- English—NativeÂ
- Spanish—FluentÂ
Interests
- Running a personal design blog focused on the intersection of technology and design (5k monthly visitors)Â
- Volunteering for a charity focused on improving education by providing free design resourcesÂ
How to write a self-employed CVÂ
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.
Considering other positions? See CV examples for different jobs:
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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.
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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.







