Can having your own business count as work experience?

[Sunshinepink]

Hello, i am a recent Law graduate. I applied for a couple of vacation schemes and training contracts last winter but i was unsuccessful. Looking back, i can really understand why so i went for every opportunity possible and i have completed numerous certifications since, internships, online work experiences especially at the firms that i want to apply for next and i have attended many fairs and spoke to recruitment too alongside volunteering. I was also lucky enough to be asked to write a blog for my law school and i was been invited to things by the dean during my first year of uni. One thing i have not had yet is my first job but i will be working soon. However, i created my own small business right after graduation this year which has been going good. I want to know if it will count as work experience on applications? I added the first half for context because i believe i have come really far since last winter and so any input in that aspect would be nice too (Perhaps it is not enough). I also hold a 2:1 - (68%) in a mixed law degree.

Thank you!

Edit: I am not from a Russell Group university but it is in the same city as a Russell Group university.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Yes - self employment should definitely be included. Be aware that you should keep records of your business to be able to prove this employment though - eg tax submissions, formal company registrations, bank accounts etc. and that you’ll probably need to find someone who can provide some kind of reference for this self employment (for instance, my accountant does this for me with my self-employment).

 

[Sunshinepink]

Yes - self employment should definitely be included. Be aware that you should keep records of your business to be able to prove this employment though - eg tax submissions, formal company registrations, bank accounts etc. and that you’ll probably need to find someone who can provide some kind of reference for this self employment (for instance, my accountant does this for me with my self-employment).

Okay, thank you! I don't fill in self-assessment forms because i haven't met the £1000 threshold yet, my small business is on Etsy

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Okay, thank you! I don't fill in self-assessment forms because i haven't met the £1000 threshold yet, my small business is on Etsy

Then you could pull reports from Etsy to show your sales/income.

 

[Sunshinepink]

Then you could pull reports from Etsy to show your sales/income.

Okay, thank you so much!