Resume help/self-employment

[cajunmom]

I've run an in-home daycare for years (it'll be 8 years in August) and while I enjoy it most of the time and love all of my clients, it's getting harder and harder for me to be able to take any time off, etc., so I've been sporadically looking at jobs postings for the past couple of months, thinking about going back to a regular job. Before I started this business I worked in marketing at an insurance company but I don't have a degree so everything that I knew I learned on the job. 

I'm working on updating my resume in case I find something promising but keep typing and erasing my job history. I know that a lot of work goes into what I do, but I also know that a lot of people wouldn't see it that way. I mean, teaching colors and how to use a fork and potty training aren't exactly what most bosses are looking for, kwim? Of course there is a lot of budgeting that goes into it but how to I spin that to look like it's useful to an employer? I have had to market myself (although not really much after the first year, since by that point all of my business was by referral from current/past clients) and maintain relationships with all sorts of people, but again, is that useful to an employer?

I guess I'm just looking for advice on what I should do. I not optimistic that I can find something that will pay what I'm earning now but I want to be ready in case I do.

[v]

You don't need to spin those skills -- they ARE useful to an employer.

I think that you need to get back to basics first and realize that things like creating and following budgets, marketing, and building and maintaining long-term client relationships are huge assets to all sorts of businesses.  You're probably exercising a lot of other valuable skills -- time management, prioritizing competing demands, working independently, etc. -- that would also be really valuable.  I think you need to find a checklist of resume buzzwords/tasks and see how they fit into what you've done because I think you're really shortchanging your experience here! 

As to the educational aspects of your job -- they'd be helpful to some employers (and don't shortchange yourself here either -- even if they won't help you get your foot in the door at Goldman Sachs, it's hard to teach kids effectively!).  If you want to include them, I'd google early childhood education resumes to see what others put. 

At any rate, I think you need to visualize this a little differently because you seem to think you have nothing going for you when you have a lot going for you.

[tealblue]

Depending on the type of job you apply for, you might need different resumes. If you are interested in education or a training type job- those skills need to be more pronounced than budgeting. do you have any large corporations in your area-maybe a corporate training job would be good?

If you are looking for an office/admin/marketing job- you'll need to highlight the skills of a small business owner. Attention to detail, budgeting, payroll, scheduling, etc.

I would Google some example resumes depending on what you are looking to do and following along/adjusting to meet your background.

Small business owners do a ton of work. Just because you worked with small children, don't think that's a negative. You do a lot!!

[cajunmom]

Thank you all for your encouragement!

v, you're right. I do need to visualize this differently. I'm usually more optimistic about things and not feel defeated before I even start. I need to be more confident with what I have to offer.

@meepmeep and tealblue, I think I'm targeting something similar to what I had before. I would be most comfortable with a company on the smallish side (my last job had about 100 people in our local office). I feel like I could easily handle managing a small office and would be comfortable going back to marketing like I was doing before. I would LOVE to get into HR and think I would even enjoy payroll or AR.

@dixiedarling That's a good idea, I will check with our library.