Listing Freelance Work on Resume: Best Practices

Adding freelance work to your resume can highlight your skills and achievements. It’s important to list it in a way that shows its value. This helps employers see how your experience can help their company.

Freelance roles are diverse, from writing to web development. The right experience shows you’re versatile and adaptable. It’s key to present your freelance work well on your resume.

Experts offer different ways to list freelance work. You could focus on long-term projects or give details on each job. Always use clear language to keep your resume easy to read.

Listing previous clients can boost your credibility. It shows you’ve worked for real companies. Sharing your freelance projects can also prove your skill in various areas, making you a stronger candidate.

What is Freelance Work?

Freelance work means you offer your skills to clients for specific projects. You don’t work for one company all the time. Freelancers get to choose their hours, rates, and balance between work and life.

Key Characteristics of Freelance Work

Freelance work is all about flexibility. You pick the projects, clients, and hours. This freedom is a big reason many choose freelance careers.

Freelance jobs are short-term, lasting from days to months. This lets you try new things and work on many projects. You don’t get stuck in one job for years.

“Freelancing offers the freedom to set your own schedule and work on projects that align with your interests and expertise. It’s a great option for those seeking more control over their professional lives.”

Freelance work lets you use your skills in a flexible way. It can lead to a more rewarding and varied career.

Benefits of Adding Freelance Work to Your Resume

Adding freelance work to your resume has many benefits. Freelancers work on different projects and in various industries. This shows they can adapt to different work settings and challenges.

Freelancing lets you improve your skills in specific areas. This makes you an expert in your field, which is often in demand. It also shows you’re proactive and have an entrepreneurial spirit.

Freelancing helps you manage projects, deadlines, and client expectations. This shows you can handle multiple tasks and work well with clients.

Freelance projects give you measurable achievements to show employers. With over one billion freelancers worldwide, adding freelance work to your resume is a smart move. It shows you have control over your work and can achieve great things.

Freelancers often do tasks outside their main job, like SEO and social media. This shows they are versatile and can adapt to new situations. You can list freelance work alongside your full-time jobs on your resume. A good resume summary can highlight your notable clients and achievements.

When to List Freelance Work on a Resume

With over 59 million Americans freelancing in 2021, it’s key to know how to highlight your freelance work on your resume. Listing your freelance gigs can be beneficial, but only if they show value to a future employer.

Relevant Freelance Experience

Include freelance work that matches the job you’re applying for. This shows you have the right skills and experience. For instance, a freelance social media manager might boost impressions by 45% and engagement by 35% in two years. This is perfect for a social media marketing role.

Demonstrates Transferable Skills

Freelance work not directly related to the job can also be valuable. It can highlight skills like communication, creativity, or problem-solving. Freelancing often requires a wide range of skills, making you a more appealing candidate.

Fills Employment Gaps

Freelance work can fill employment gaps, showing you were always working and entrepreneurial. This is very important for those who have been unemployed.

Consistent and Significant Work

If freelancing was your main income, it shows great entrepreneurial skills and work ethic. Highlighting consistent and significant freelance projects can make your resume stronger.

By carefully matching your freelance experience with the job you’re applying for, you can showcase your skills and stand out to employers.How to Put Freelance Work on Resume

To highlight your freelance work on your resume, start by clearly stating it was freelance. This avoids confusion about your job status. When you describe your freelance experience, include the client’s name, your role, and the project’s scope. Emphasize your contributions and any achievements.

You can organize your freelance work in different sections of your resume. You might use the work experience section, a projects section, or even the skills section. A hybrid resume that mixes chronological and functional elements is great. It shows off your skills and diverse experience, including freelance projects.

“Using resume keywords is key, as many companies use an Applicant Tracking System to screen resumes before they’re reviewed by humans.”

Here are some best practices for listing freelance work on your resume:

Highlight Measurable Achievements: Show how you increased a client’s or employer’s earnings. This can help you get noticed for job opportunities.

Tailor Your Resume: Having multiple resumes for different jobs is beneficial. It shows hiring managers exactly what you offer.

Focus on Skills and Achievements: A freelance resume should highlight your skills and achievements. This shows what you can do efficiently for clients or employers.

By following these tips, you can showcase your freelance work effectively. This will highlight the value you can bring to employers.

How to List Freelance Work on Resume

When you list freelance work on your resume, it’s key to clearly state your duties, achievements, and contributions. Choose the most important freelance projects to highlight. Also, mention notable clients and industries to show your credibility and relevance.

Highlight the skills you’ve developed through freelancing, like project management, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. These skills show your versatility and the value you can offer to employers.

To format your freelance work well, consider the proper way to list freelance work on a resume. There are three main ways: list projects over 3 months, group small projects, or detail every project. Include the client name, main duties, dates, and skills/results achieved.

When formatting freelance work on a resume, pick only the most relevant and impactful projects. Don’t overwhelm the employer with too much info. Make sure your best work stands out. Customize your resume for each job by using relevant keywords, skills, and experiences.

Examples of Freelance Work on Resumes

Showing your freelance work on your resume can really stand out. It shows off your varied skills, experience, and wins. Whether it’s short-term gigs or a long-term freelance career, there are smart ways to share your work.

Freelance Roles and Achievements

When you list your freelance work, make sure to mention the role, project scope, and any big wins. For instance, you could talk about a freelance writing job. You might say, “Wrote engaging blog posts that boosted website traffic by 35% in 6 months for a SaaS startup.” This shows off your writing skills and the impact of your work.

If you’ve worked on many freelance projects, group them under “Freelance Experience” or “Freelance Projects.” This makes it easy to see the variety of your work. Include the client’s name, project length, and what you did.

The main goal is to show the value you added to your clients. By sharing your examples of freelance work on resumes and sample freelance work descriptions for resume, you stand out. You show you’re versatile and can solve problems.

Self Employed Resume

​Creating an effective self employed resume can be a crucial step for freelancers and independent contractors in showcasing their skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Unlike traditional resumes, a self employed resume allows you to highlight a variety of projects, roles, and clients you’ve worked with, effectively presenting a diversified portfolio that showcases your capabilities. When crafting a resume of a freelancer, it’s essential to focus on specific contributions you brought to past projects, emphasizing measurable outcomes and results that potential clients or employers can appreciate.

To make your self employed contractor resume stand out, consider organizing it by skill area or project type. This method enables you to draw attention to your expertise in a targeted manner, making it easier for readers to see how your experience aligns with their needs. Including brief descriptions of each project can give insight into the scope of your work, while testimonials or references from previous clients can lend additional credibility to your claims. It’s also important to tailor your resume to match the specific opportunities you are pursuing, highlighting the most relevant experiences and skills for each situation.

Another vital aspect of your self employed resume is to showcase your entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability. Employers often seek freelancers and contractors who are not only skilled but also possess a strong work ethic and the ability to manage their time effectively. Including information about any certifications, workshops, or courses you’ve completed can demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional development. Additionally, showcasing any network connections or collaborative projects can illustrate your ability to work as part of a team or build lasting professional relationships in your industry.

Finally, remember to keep your self employed resume visually appealing and easy to read. Using a clean layout with appropriate headers will enhance readability, making it easier for hiring managers to process the information quickly. The goal is to create a narrative that connects your past experiences to the value you can bring to prospective clients or projects. By doing so, you position yourself not just as a service provider but as a noteworthy partner in achieving their goals. An effective self employed resume can open doors to new opportunities, solidify your brand, and ultimately help you thrive in the competitive freelance landscape.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When you list your freelance work on your resume, it’s key to avoid common mistakes. Don’t be vague or generic about your experiences. Instead, share specific details and achievements to show your worth.

Another mistake is not using numbers to show your success. Adding metrics and percentages can really boost your resume. Also, don’t forget to include all your skills and keywords. This helps employers see how you fit the job.

Ignoring client feedback is another big mistake. Testimonials and recommendations add credibility to your work. And, don’t forget about how your resume looks. A clean, organized resume makes a great first impression.

To avoid these mistakes, focus on being specific, using numbers, and including all your skills and keywords. Use client feedback and keep your resume looking professional. This way, you’ll show off your freelance work well and increase your chances of getting hired.

Conclusion

It’s key to show your freelance work on your resume in today’s job market. This guide offers tips to make you stand out. You can highlight your skills, achievements, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Customize your resume for each job you apply for. Focus on skills that can be used in many jobs. Share specific examples of your freelance wins.

Your freelance work can make you a strong candidate. It shows you’re adaptable and have a wide range of skills. These are qualities employers look for today.

By adding your freelance experience to your resume, you show your value to employers. This can boost your chances of getting a great job. Freelance work is a smart way to showcase your career journey and success.