Etsy on your resume???

[Former_Member]

Has anyone every used their experience from Etsy on a resume?

I recently used it for a jewelry design job, and I think I did OK, but I was a bit concerned that because it is not a professional platform that perhaps it was tacky to include it?

I am just wondering what wisdom people have on this subject, in case I use Etsy on a resume again. :)

Bonus question: Has anyone out there gotten a job because of their Etsy experience?

[MountainGoth]

I have used in on Linked In, but not my actual resume.

[MyrandaE]

Great topic Kelly! I recently had a job interview and I didn't include Etsy on my résumé, but the employer did ask why there was such a long gap ( about a year+)

I told them I felt I needed the time for the lengthy process my creations demand, but it was purely artistic + business endeavors.

The interview went great, girl said she would call me the next day, shook my hand, smiled, laughed etc.

Never got the call.

I still think its a good idea to include Etsy on your résumé - why not? It's a business, you make money, time and labor are necessary. It takes a lot of work to run a shop online, especially a successful one. Have pride in what you do and reap the benefits!

[Former_Member]

I list it, it indicates that I am a small business owner along with everything else. Running these shops takes management skill, initiative, assertiveness, discipline, endurance, as well as creativity. Those are important skills.

[ohmyclumsyheart]

I didn't include it on my CV but I did bring my shop up in my interview.
I referred to my website (which links to my bigcartel shop) since I code it all myself and it was a way of demonstrating my skills.

My job was for a position in marketing and I think it definitely played a large factor as to why I ended up getting the job. Being able to demonstrate skills through a working platform is a definite plus.. but I think you have to pick and choose who you show that to.

x

[Lovelytocu]

Another way to look at it is that you are operating a business as a self employed person, and if it is at all related to your job search you should definitely include it! Etsy is just the selling platform, it isn't your 'business'.

The only thing that will let you down is how you sell it!

best of luck!

[SamOsborneStore]

I would include it but I'd do more than just list it.

With all my jobs I've included a bit about what I did, what skills I learned and responsibilities I had - that way all the transferrable skills you are learning from your Etsy shop are really obvious to employers eg

'running own online shop, dealing with SEO, product creation, product photography, marketing, accounts and branding. Achieved xxx sales in xx months, featured on xxxxx...'

S

[Former_Member]

I include my small business / etsy shop on my CV in the part where i talk about my other interest etc, i think i call it my personal statement.... I updated it a little time ago before i got my current job.

I stated that being self employed showed motivational skills and well as being well organised and good with business money.... but then i work in finance so that is why i picked out the last skill.

I wouldn't say that it was the reason i got the job. I clearly did not have the experience they needed but the Director that interviewed me knows my Mum (she is in the finance director of another company the chap owns) and actually said that i am sure you take after your mum with regards finance skills so you will be fine with the work !!

[StuckOnSilver]

I would definitely list my Etsy shopkeeping as self employment, especially if there is a gap where it might seem you've been sitting around eating bonbons! Good luck!!!

[drudruchu]

I may have gotten my job because of Etsy.... I just don't think I would have been invited for the interview if I hadn't mentioned it in the letter. It was my only link to ecommerce (my job is a starters position in ecommerce).
I only had 11 sales at the time, so I used Etsy more as a motivation than as real experience, just to show I had experienced on a smaller scale what a web store was all about, and that I found that really interesting and wanted to work for a "real" online store.

Some interview I had before (for a different job), I did not mention Etsy but the interviewer had found my shop after googling me and she thought it was totally cool and interesting. I was emberrassed of my shop at the time because I didn't have sales yet, but she didn't even notice that and just kept saying how cool it was that I made stuff and how she wished she could do that. So I realized that (once I did have sales) it was something I could mention to impress some interviewers ;)
Only when the skills are somewhat relevant though....

[Former_Member]

I'm bringing this back to view because I have a similar question. As much as I'd love to make this my only source of income, it looks like that is not really going to happen and I'm starting the process of looking for a job. I have basically been unemployed for over a year, but have done pretty well on Etsy, it's just not enough.

I'd like to have something on my resume to fill the gap in my employment history (this is the first time I've ever really been unemployed), but I'm not sure if it's appropriate (just for a general resume, not geared toward a specific job).

I would probably bring it up in an interview, but I'm not sure about including it on my resume. If you think it's a good idea, what would you put there "Self-Employed" or "Owner", or what?

I appreciate all thought, thanks!

[Former_Member]

I put Merry Maenad on my resume; the only way Etsy itself figures in is in the URL. I list myself as Sole Proprietor because I feel it drives the point that I am capable of handling all aspects of the business. That's what I focus on: how well I'm able to multitask and that I'm a "self-starter" as my previous employers have loved to tell me.

I know that it has helped me to get at least 1 job (in retail) because it showed I can juggle a lot of tasks and that I know how to sell. I also know that it has prevented me from getting at least 1 job (in forensic anthropology) because it felt to them like a conflict of interests. I will continue to put it on my resume regardless.

[LettersAndPine]

I haven't put it on mine, but I definitely think that selling here and owning a business has done wonders for my professional demeanor. I feel more responsible and capable of handling different tasks. When I get that next interview, you better believe I will be mentioning my business! I think it has given me a lot of experience (although I've only been in business since September) with how to deal with customers and act professionally at all times.

[TheNorthWayStudio]

Heck yes I'm going to use it--right after I graduate with my Bachelors in Business in a year or two.

We've started businesses, looked over finances, marketing AND we're artists. We should be stamping our experience on just about anything we can get our hands on!

[Former_Member]

I think it's definitely worth mentioning! I may not state Etsy specifically in my resume but I would definitely call myself a small business owner! Like someone else said, running your own business requires many skills and, if you do well, it shows you've got those skills! Plus, curious people might just check it out and, if it's put together nicely, your shop is just another way to represent yourself visually. People like that. If someone is deciding between you and someone else and they take the time to snoop, it might just be a deciding factor?!

However, I would like to add that, if you look at your shop and immediately think it needs work, then maybe skip on it until it's up to par. You wouldn't want someone checking it out and seeing not-so-great pictures or misspelled words anywhere.

[Former_Member]

Thanks, everyone. So those of you who would include it would just say "Business Owner" but not include information about the Etsy shop.

Good point about checking the site for typos. I worked as a proofreader at one point and I think I was pretty good at it, but I'm not nearly as diligent about checking my listings..

[Former_Member]

I have been wondering the same thing. I am looking for a job and I have been thinking of putting my etsy shop on my linkedin profile. After reading some of the comments here, I think I will make a version of my resume that lists it I realize that I have gained some skills from this shop that could be marketable.

[Former_Member]

I included my business on my c.v as that's what it is, my business and it shows my Artistic career gaining strength.. I haven't included places like Etsy though, as I figure (like others) it would be something to include in the actual interview.. a good talking point.

I think adding this type of info proves useful, it highlights some great traits that the interviewer just may be looking for..

[Former_Member]

Great feedback, thank you, everyone! Can anybody give examples of the wording you used in your resume?

[Former_Member]

Do you mean whether you say business owner or self employed?
I don't have my c.v to hand, but if I remember rightly I simply put something like..

The Mucky Pup Gallery
Self Employed - Artist / Owner (Date)

Then I did a mini sentence stating it was my little business venture. (Not that wording).

Something like that, if your registered as self employed I think it's good to say that... sounds more serious.

[Former_Member]

Great, thanks, Gemma.