What if you were part of a failed start-up, and there is nothing that is clearly representative of your accomplishments to report on your resume? This can be an extraordinarily difficult situation for former entrepreneurs to negotiate. The trick to creating a successful entrepreneur resume is to focus on the key contributions that you made, even if they did not ultimately result in a profitable conclusion.

1. What if You Failed as an
Entrepreneur?
Where Does that Go on Your Resume?
Amy L. Adler
CEO

2. Resumes are Designed to
Publicize Accomplishments
• You might mention:
– You generated sales
growth of 12% YOY
2010–2013.
– You promoted 8 people
on your team to
management positions.
– You closed six new highprofile clients.
Image courtesy of Stock.xchng / svilen001
http://www.fivestrengths.com

3. Can’t Claim Traditional
Accomplishments?
• Start with what you
did do well.
• Focus on the
processes you began
and continued with
throughout your
experience in the
entrepreneurial
environment.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
http://www.fivestrengths.com

4. Highlight Your Innovative
Accomplishments
• Started a company.
• Achieved financial
backing.
• Set up operations.
• Began a production
process.
• Initiated sales.
• Consulted with
clients.
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
http://www.fivestrengths.com

5. Your Overall Goal
• Focus on the initiative
and programs that were
unique to your effort and
vision.
• Reflect on the good that
you did as a result of your
entrepreneurship.
• Craft the resume around
your ability to establish
and fulfill processes that
requires your band of
innovation.
Image courtesy of cooldesign / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
http://www.fivestrengths.com

6. Struggling?
• If you are struggling
with reporting your
experiences as an
entrepreneur on your
resume, call Five
Strengths.
Image courtesy of Stock.xchng / cobrasoft
http://www.fivestrengths.com

7. Face Your Career Change Fear
Get your complimentary
copy of
“3 Simple Steps to
Clear Your Career
Change Fear”
Amy L. Adler, CEO
(801) 810-5627
Toll-Free (800) 590-2377
http://www.fivestrengths.com