Etsy on a Resume

[LaraLeib]

Hi All,

I'm updating my resume, and while I have a day job that will be the focus, I'd love to include my Etsy shop in a meaningful way. Anyone have any tips on how best to do that? Job title - founder and creator of LaraLeib? Job description?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Unless your Etsy experience is a benefit to your potential/future employer, I wouldn't include it. Many potential employers could question your commitment to the position you seek if you have an ongoing side job.

[Former_Member]

I went to a job interview today, and instead of adding my shop to the resume I handed the person who interviewed me two business cards: my etsy one and my more personal, less I-make-stuff one

[Former_Member]

Agree with Katrina. I wouldn't add it to CV unless it's relevant to the job you applying to, but surely mention it in interview.

[LaraLeib]

Thanks for these thoughts!

I'm applying to programs and positions that incorporate both business and creative aspects, so I think it would benefit to have my Etsy experience on there in addition to my day job. Just wondering how best to include it...

[Former_Member]

Employers like to see that future employees are well rounded, many interest, especially those interest that significantly apply to marketing, sells, and being creative.

Its on my resume.
I offer links to both shops. And I mentioned my products being published in a major magazine. And that my handmade products are purchased by well known companies.

IF you don't promote yourself and your qualities, who else will?

[Former_Member]

Maybe as a less formal side note under you work experience?

Like "In addition to the above I also have experience as an owner and operator of a small online handmade home decor store Lara Leib Designs."
Or something to that effect?
I can't say I have a huge amount of experience when it comes to making out resumes, but just thought I'd throw that idea out there.

good luck!

[Former_Member]

Maybe you could include a section at the end for other hobbies/interests? Or if you sell off of Etsy, too, maybe you could say you're self-employed, and include Etsy as a bullet?

[LaraLeib]

Good suggestions - thanks so much!

[Former_Member]

If you're applying for an office position I wouldn' mention it. The only way i would mention it is if you hit it off with the interviewer and you're just casually chatting and it happens to come up. And even then I wouldn't hand them a card unless they specifically ask for it

[BackyardBrand]

Keep the focus on "samples" of the beneficial skill you want to highlight. If relevant skills could benefit potential employers, mention the skills. Simply state: Samples may be viewed at: LaraLieb.etsy.com

If it's your retailing skill you want to showcase, maybe say, "Online retailing example may be viewed at:

Even if they call themselves out of the box and creative, remember their idea of creativity and yours are different things. Limit how your creativity is perceived to how it will benefit an employer.

It's a fine line.

The thing about being successful is making a 100% commitment to something. That's where our passions come into it. That's what people pick up on. Such a creative commitment may cause someone who wants you to be 110% committed to them to be ambivalent about you (game over).

In person if the interviewer picks up on the Etsy angle and runs far and wide with it, don't get pulled-in to coming off as too "crafty." The interviewer may love and appreciate Etsy and s/he might enjoy crafting next to you at an Etsy Lab. But s/he also has a day job. You don't want to be pidgeon-holed as too passionately independent-minded for the position for which you're applying.

Know what you want. The danger is letting yourself be perceived as someone who'd not be a "fit" in the particular employer's workplace.

[Former_Member]

Interesting info Jim. Although the situation has not presented itself to me. I am a substitute teacher by day, it is nice to understand for future reference. Thank you!

[Former_Member]

Like others have said, I think it's important to make your etsy experience relevant to what you're apply for. But a lot of what good sellers here do is marketing, customer service, sales, etc... If you tailor etsy properly, I think it could showcase your abilities to market and sell a unique product, which are good skills to have. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I agree with crudeco. I've been told by friends in HR that employers like to meet a well rounded individual. It's on the bottom of my resume under "Skills and Interests" along with middle eastern dance, cooking, and yoga to name a few.

[WildWildernessPhotos]

I think if this Etsy Shop is your business, you should include it on your resume. Be sure to list what you do, marketing, advertising, customer service, increasing inventory, working in excel, Photoshop, travel, whatever you do and the skills you possess. Photography is not related to what I used to do, but it is on my resume for sure.

[Former_Member]

Interesting thoughts as I've been thinking of this too. I think it can be at the top if it's highly connected to the job you are applying for, and if it's borderline relevant, then in the hobbies and interest section. Sorry I haven't thought of the exact wording yet.
In response to people being concerned about you having an Etsy shop and concerned about the commitment level, I would hope that this question could be addressed in an interview. Either way, most people Google prospective interviewees these days - either before or after the interview. So you might as well represent it yourself fully.

[PlatoSquirrel]

I would disagree about not adding it to a resume. We all know how hard it is to open a shop how much work it goes into it, the computer skills needed...yada yada yada... I think it looks very impressive on a resume. Before my father retired , he worked on the executive board of a major company, and he recently told me if I ever go back to work to make sure I include my shop on my resume. That being said I haven't given the specifics of what I would include, or how I would word it on a resume, but I def. think you should include it:)