Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Just wondering? As a business owner do you sometimes look back at your resume go over it and polish it up?
I am assuming that you no longer need it, since you are a business owner. But my question to all of you out there is: Do you even bother to polish it up? Do you even care about your Resume? (Remember when that was your life and if anyone even messed with it you would get mad?)

The reason why I am asking this is because, a well known company here in California contacted me to see if I was interested in doing some  web development work for them, and the first thing I was asked was: Can we see your resume? My answer was I am a business owner I didn`t think I needed one of those...
What would you do if you were confronted with such question?
Would you continue to close the deal or simply walk away?
Do you think it would help you close a deal?
What would be the purpose of you polishing up your resume if you have one?


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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

My resume is current. It even lists Elusive Treasures as my latest employment history with a short list of activities. I look at it like this... In my life, nearly everything I have been successfully involved in, was due to luck. (I know a bunch of you will argue about that...) Anyway, when I started my business, I did it all by my self. It is not the most successful think I have done in my life. But those things at the top of the list were due to involvement and connection to others.

My resume is the only method to quickly provide information about my skills and past positions of employment. Therefore, if someone were starting another business, and thought I would be a good match, they would likely ask for a list of experiences that they can show others involved in the project.

So I say, YES. Always keep your resume presentable and accurate. You just never know who your next partner will be. ...I learned this lesson when I was asked, just as you, and wasn`t prepared. It all turned out fine, but I was scrambling to get the information together. You would be surprised what information (some find it important) that you forget.



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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

I don`t. I haven`t in a while. If they asked me for my resume, I can send them to my portfolio and current projects instead. If they REALLY wanted to see it, I can send them to my LinkedIn profile that lists all my jobs.

My last full time job as a developer was a while ago anyway ... it really doesn`t have much to do with anything.

iouone2,
As you mentioned, you started the business on your own. Im pretty sure you don`t need a resume to outline what you`ve done. If you are running a successful business (elusive treasures) isn`t that enough credibility?
I think if anyone was to approach you for advise or expertise, you don`t need a resume "your business is your credibility"
Now if you were looking for a job? then yeah I see why you have to keep up with it.


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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

Nuevolution... The point which Raisecapital02 mentioned is exactly the point. I have been successfully running my business (no other employment to sustain my life) for 3 years. At the same time, I am never closed to the option of teaming up with others to further another business. I am not really shutting the door on the option of "working" for another business. So long as I am still able to continue the work at my current business. After all, it`s the first priority in my life... um... after my wife. But really. I think I could give more to another business. My energy is not even close to being tapped out.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

:-) heh..heh...that`s like asking, "As an airline passenger, do you carry a parachute in your overhead luggage?"

Explain? what does an airline passenger and a business have to do with it, Craig?
As a Business owner do you really need it?
Don`t you think that if you went into business for yourself is to avoid the three words "The Perfect Candidate"? I used to hate when I was asked: Now tell us Edgar, why do you think you`re the perfect candidate for this position?

Well, didn`t you read my resume? I`m pretty sure if I got my foot in the door was because I closely match what you are seeking.

Now the tables have turned, and once in awhile, I do open the Resume for bragging rights( to my friends)....

My opinion behind all this is if you are a business owner, you don`t need to have one. I think that your business speaks for itself, having a portfolio of your work is more acceptable.
How can you create a resume for you? When you are the BOSS?



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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

It was a metaphor.

A résumé is like a parachute in that if your business starts to crash, you can bail out. So keeping up your résumé as a business owner means either that you expect your business to crash, or you`re not prepared to fully commit to owning that business.

Edgar,

I think you should have a portfolio with a cover sheet listing pertinent information -- name, address, contact info, project summaries, management skills, education, affiliations, etc.  By having it all together you become more prepared to answer questions from a prospective client for whom you may become a consultant.

Jillybeans