For Crafters: How to Write A Resume That Maximizes Your Competencies

You may be a crafter and may have earned a decent income from the sales of your handmade items.

Image by Drazen Zigic

However, you're now ready to trade all those years for something more permanent and long term -- employment.

And you may be wondering how you'll fare among tons of other job applicants.

The truth is, a former crafter who decided to re-enter the workplace in her 30s and 40s has various skills and competencies to offer. 

As a crafter, you can do well in retail, customer service, design, and project management, among others. 

But first, your immediate concern would be writing that all-important document to secure a job interview: the resume.

So what competencies and skills can you highlight as a crafter as you vie for certain positions?

Experience: How Many Years Have You Been A Crafter? 

Even if you engage in crafts only as a hobby, the fact that you took time to select and buy appropriate materials for your projects means you're familiar with operating within the constraints of a budget. 

Cite Any Experience in Running A Small Business

You may have decided to monetize your handcrafted products and sold a considerable volume for several years. 

A potential employer will see business management as a strength because it means you understand certain aspects like market study, product development, branding, quality assurance, and cash flow. 

And this is regardless of whether you chose to run the business full-time, or operated a highly-seasonal small enterprise, or moderated an online store.

Have You Worked for A Small Business Owner?

If you didn't establish a business yourself, you may have worked for someone related to the crafts industry. 

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Your boss may have hired you to input customers' data on the computer, manage inventory, help with the packaging during seasons when craft items are in high demand, or handle invoices and payment. 

Highlight Any Volunteer Experience

While the majority of volunteer opportunities may be unpaid, don't underestimate all the transferable skills you have cultivated during your stint as a volunteer.

What About Collaborations? 

You may have had experience working with a team of creatives or artisans like yourself.

Information about your collaborative stint might look like this once summed up as a bulleted list: 

Marketing Specialist

• Moderated the brand's accounts across various social media platforms.
• Conceptualized Instagram flatlays and was involved in photo sessions for monthly promos. 

Independent/Freelance Illustrator

• Teamed up with graphic artists and writers to produce a line of greeting cards with humorous images and text.
• Participated for 3 consecutive years (2017-2019) in a paper and stationery convention.

Include Classes/Webinars/Workshops

You may have decided to sign up for a class or workshop, or participated in a webinar through Zoom, to hone an aspect of your skill, or to improve your creativity. 

Also, ideas usually bounce off each participant within a group setting. So this means getting involved in brainstorming and conceptualizing.

Mention Any Awards You Have Received 

It might be that 1st place trophy for Most Innovative Idea for sale-able DIY merchandise for craft bazaars.

And even if it's just a Best Booth Design for an entrepreneurial class back in college, put this in a separate section titled "Awards" or "Accomplishments." 

Have You Been Published? 

If you have submitted photos, tutorials, or other text to craft magazines or blogs, or have published a blog yourself, this is proof of good written communication skills.

Reword These Competencies Into Hard Skills and Soft Skills for A Stellar Resume

Hard Skills 

If you have issued invoices to clients, handled billing and payment, and managed overhead costs, you can list bookkeeping and accounting among your hard skills. 

If you used design software to create logos and other marketing materials for small businesses, mention graphic design or the specific type/s of software that you used. 

If you conducted research about DIY craft items that would make excellent stocking stuffers, frugal presents for Secret Santa, or would potentially be bestsellers at craft fairs, then you were involved at research and development and product development.  

Soft Skills

Here's a list of typical soft skills: 

• attention to details
• time management
• customer service
• being a team player
• oral and written communication skills