- • Coordinated 70+ events for clients including IBM and Adobe, with up to 1500 attendees
- • Increased client satisfaction by 25% through personalized event planning and execution
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- • Delivered 150+ speeches at conferences, seminars, and corporate events
- • Inspired and motivated attendees, leading to a 30% increase in follow-up inquiries
- • Tailored content to audience needs, achieving 98% satisfaction rates
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15 Freelancer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024
Your freelancer resume must highlight your diverse skill set. Show off your proven track record of successful projects. Demonstrate your adaptability and problem-solving prowess. Potential clients want to see your ability to deliver quality under pressure.
All resume examples in this guide
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9XVU80dXNoZ2F3TERtWk5PMWlOYlN5d1JHYjJleWR4WXp3anlVNjQyL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Artist
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9Mdko2V0Zwdm9oRkU1dDZMb1hqU2R6UnRsZjkwak9jbGFrNWlCelJiL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Consultant
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9qUU5WV0J2YVBydXNHQjBLbFBHNkp6aUNaeEs0WEtUZWd1V0Zkb05uL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Copy Editor
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9iYmUyRDFFV0lNR3hGbFNGWUtuRTB6a2J6eGdlUFUwUGI4ZGhBcDlXL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Editor
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9OMXlYeElWSWRMYXU0bWdYV1UyOGJKTjFOZGwzVGZuQ1FQRXlMeTI3L2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Interpreter
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9Edzl2WHFsOGpIMFhhbjRIc29Kd1pJUWZGV2ozTFp1NkNaSWJWdE8zL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Journalist
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy93eG5uQTFoc243Y2NlTjBUUXI2VFFIUWtUT3RpRWJhd01uN0xEaU5yL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Makeup Artist
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9ndGRkZHNNUUtScWh6aGF0R0ZCaG1nN2ZpektxZHRmUzdEVTI3RVk0L2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Photographer
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy8yS1JVajJhUE9Xd0VyeDU5NmdReUNMUEZSUThKQ0tNNEdXVDZaQkl2L2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Producer
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy8xS1NzdVd6OVNCYTFoU2NXaXFjRjI5R05DTzhJblg4Q0doem45WERmL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Production Assistant
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy8yQTM1eHlncExHSDFKRlJOdzNiZUo1NGVMRldUQzhlOWM4STVFZU40L2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Programmer
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9oQ3pITVpXeVBnY2dDVWc3Q3A0enRlYzU5cUI0MkJpSjU0MGdwb1JLL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Reporter
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9BeXhURzVQd3ZScTduUmY3dTdWQlowRTFBekNFSGN1Mld0UkkxUG1hL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Stylist
![how to write a resume as a freelancer](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/1098/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9odVo2RUEwZDc4NGZWME9iNmJ3bWlpMXBLTEVNZmxxOXJvbkJDS1d3L2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Key resume sections for your freelancer resume
- A clean-looking header that displays your contact information and portfolio links
- A resume summary to briefly introduce yourself and pitch your skills
- An experience section to display a customized selection of your freelance work
- A skills segment to highlight a versatile skill set
- Education and Certification section to feature your qualifications
Regardless of the format, always focus your resume around one key point. Even if you don’t follow a traditional career path, show what’s the common denominator of your projects.
The selection you exhibit will inform recruiters and clients what motivates you.
For example, have you started freelancing on the side to develop new skills? Or was it a way to network and keep in touch with the professionals operating in your industry?
Just remember to be concise and relevant to the job posting.
What do hiring managers want to see in your freelancer resume
- Can you solve their problem?
- Do you have the necessary skills?
- Have you done similar projects before? Can you provide client testimonials?
- Can you provide quality work and on time?
- What is your general workflow?
- If you realize your client’s problem lies elsewhere, would you inform them?
In essence, you need to explain why you’re the best fit for your client or potential employer.
Keep track of all your work. It allows you to chronicle your achievements and pick which success stories to share. Tailor your resume to what the position demands.
If you need more inspiration, check out the 23 Creative Resume Examples for 2022 .
You know first impressions are everything. This applies to how you present your contact information on your resume, too.
Similar to how your email signature has to convey the right message, your header needs to do the same job.
Generally, you must include:
- Full job title - combine the service you provide and the freelance nature of your work
- At least two methods of contact
- Links to your LinkedIn profile , online portfolio and/or personal website
2 Freelancer Resume Header Examples
Take a look at Tyree’s resume header. Notice anything wrong?
That’s right, it doesn’t look convincing at all.
Imagine if this was Tyree’s business card. Sure, it’s not obligatory to list your location, unless your job requires you to travel.
But, there is no information regarding the type of service he offers. Let alone where to review samples of his work.
A better version of Tyree’s resume header would be:
Now you have everything you need to know about his professional life. It’s not wrong to list a LinkedIn profile on your resume instead of a personal website.
Since Tyree is a freelance magazine writer, it's likely his publications are scattered. But chances are, he’s sharing his work on LinkedIn.
Recruiters can review the quality of his articles and check how he behaves on social media.
By contrast, if Tyree had a personal media outlet, such as a blog or a podcast, he should definitely add a link to that.
What’s next?
It’s time for your sales pitch.
It’s tempting to use buzzwords . After all, many advertisers use them to sell their clients’ products.
But this is another red flag you need to avoid. Instead, use action verbs and refer to keywords from the job description.
This shows that you’ve considered their offer and you've responded accordingly.
With that said, what makes a resume summary relevant?
Start with your job title and the experience you have.
Make sure you briefly cover your special skills and mention where your work can be reviewed. Unless you’re under an NDA, of course.
If applicable, add association memberships and diplomas and certificates.
Let’s see this in action.
2 freelancer resume summary examples
Naturally, we’ll begin with what not to do when writing your sales pitch:
Despite not having any buzzwords, this resume summary doesn’t say much.
The individual brags about writing for celebrity and fashion magazines. Yet, no particular brands or issues have been revealed.
Also, this is someone who’s been in the industry for 10 years. How come there is this glaring lack of achievements and awards.
This is no sales pitch by any means.
Take a look at another resume summary :
This one looks more plausible because:
- You know the scope of the work the individual does
- Association memberships mean the individual adheres to certain industry standards
- There are plenty of verifiable prizes and awards listed in the summary
Huge difference, right?
This is the section which stumps many freelancers. How can you explain what you do, if you serve different clients?
There are two ways to go about this issue:
- If your projects are long-term, divide the entries on a case by case basis
- If your work is scattered, separate your entries by the type of service you provide
What about the name of the company?
Well, in the first case, you can include the name of your client. Again, unless you’re under a strict NDA.
In the second case, list the company name under which you offer your services.
All that is left to do is to detail all the awesome results you have provided over the years.
Remember, numbers speak volumes.
2 freelancer resume experience examples
Have a look at the following sample:
- • Published many articles in various high-profile magazines
- • Negotiated and won book contracts
- • Increased magazine readership
Tyree has decided to use the second approach.
His work is listed under TJ Publishing Ltd., which is probably his personal company.
So far, so good.
But, there is an overwhelming lack of results.
Supposedly, Tyree hasn’t had any accomplishments in the last six year. On top of that, he doesn’t take much pride in his own company.
This is the time to brag and name drop.
Let’s revise it:
- • Published over 2000+ articles and editorials for Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Vanity Fair.
- • Achieved and maintained 13% increase in readership across all our clients five years in a row.
- • Negotiated and won contracts for the autobiographies of 4 A-list and 5 B-list celebrities, which resulted in securing exclusive rights to additional 15 books.
- • Provide internships and guidance to students, studying at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University.
Now this is how you name drop. Anyone who’s anyone in the fashion realm knows about Elle and Vogue. And writing so many articles for them means that Tyree knows his stuff.
Moreover, he has featured his book deal wins. All without divulging the names of the celebrities. An excellent way to talk about your work and abide by your NDAs.
Finally, Tyree is not a stranger to volunteer work and mentoring. This means he not only has the patience to help students, but empathize with his clients.
A rather painful topic, especially for beginner freelancers. As many articles and career gurus will tell you - it depends.
And they are not wrong.
You wouldn’t expect a tailor to know how to build websites, would you?
That’s why there is no such thing as a mandatory skill set for freelancers. You can always develop new talents and brush up on old ones.
It’s more important you know how to sell the skills you do have . Above all, you must balance them out. Explain how they can benefit your client or potential employer.
How to showcase your technical abilities on your freelance resume
These are easy to verify. You either have a certificate or a portfolio to display your level of proficiency.
Make sure everything you provide is up to date before referencing outside sources.
Keep yourself informed on industry standards and always upskill when possible.
You can find some of the trendiest skills in the table below. But this is by no means an exhaustive list.
Popular technical skills for your freelancer resume
- Google Analytics
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Lightroom
- Bash Shell Scripting
- Cloud automation (Azure and AWS)
- CI/CD tooling
- System administration
- Spring Boot
- Front-end development
- Data science
- Machine learning
- Web development
- Backend development
- Graphic design
- Social media management
- Animations / video creation
- Digital marketing
- Project management
- Time management
- Sales skills
How to advertise your soft skills without sounding fake
Imposter syndrome is an all too familiar feeling to freelancers. But there is a way you can talk about your social skills without feeling you come off as fraudulent.
Every action has consequences. So, lead with results and accomplishments.
Take a look at the following examples:
Observe how your actions affect your work. Clients and employers take notice of your professional conduct.
Take the last entry from the examples list. You probably thought there is no way to measure compassion. Yet, empathy and understanding have led to exclusive book deals.
Top soft skills to have on your freelancer resume
- Communication
- Detail-oriented
- Adaptability
- Positive attitude
- Thrive under pressure
- Critical thinking
- Perceptiveness
- Dependability
- Customer service
- Risk assessment
- Flexibility
- Developing solutions
- Decision-making
- Resourcefulness
- Explanation skills
- Analytical skills
- Multitasking
The dreaded answer - it depends.
Each industry has its own standards and requirements. Don’t forget to stay informed of any new business developments.
More notably, review the job ad or client offer to see if they require any training in particular.
There are some who demand you have certain licenses before you work together.
Is there anything else you can attach? Of course!
You may be tired to read this once again. But this one relies on what is considered essential in your business niche, too.
Some of these sections include:
- Language skills
- Hobbies and interests
- Other side projects
- Volunteer work
- Client Testimonials
- Publications
- A day in my life
- Research who posted the job offer and who it is intended for
- Determine whether a freelancer resume or a service proposal is the best approach
- Choose a reverse-chronological format, if you're sending your resume to a recruiter
- Opt for a functional or a hybrid layout, if you're contacting a client directly
- Focus your resume around one topic - skills building, customer pool expansion, networking
- Tailor each section in your resume according to the job ad
- Keep your certifications and portfolio up to date
- Maintain a projects journal so you can easily pick and choose which projects to share
- Be mindful of your NDAs before you discuss your past projects
Freelancer resume examples
Explore additional freelancer resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
![how to write a resume as a freelancer Freelance Artist Resume Example](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/544/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy9XVU80dXNoZ2F3TERtWk5PMWlOYlN5d1JHYjJleWR4WXp3anlVNjQyL2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
Freelance Photography has roots in visual creativity, with ongoing trends in design and media influencing its scope. Here are suggestions for applying to Freelance Photographer roles:
- Demonstrating versatile experiences in various photography genres is crucial. Landscapes, portraits, street photography - diversity shows adaptability. Highlight any unique shooting techniques and conditions you've mastered.
- Showcase your post-production and editing skills. Include your proficiency in tools like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop or Capture One.
- Underline your ability to carry out projects autonomously. Illustrate your planning, execution, and delivery prowess with past projects.
- Don’t simply enumerate your skills. Present how they improved the final images, e.g., “enhanced image quality through...”, “increased client satisfaction with...”. A 'skill-action-results' approach works best.
![how to write a resume as a freelancer Freelance Producer Resume Example](https://cdn.enhancv.com/images/544/i/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4uZW5oYW5jdi5jb20vcHJlZGVmaW5lZC1leGFtcGxlcy8yS1JVajJhUE9Xd0VyeDU5NmdReUNMUEZSUThKQ0tNNEdXVDZaQkl2L2ltYWdlLnBuZw~~.png)
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Freelancer resume examples & templates
![how to write a resume as a freelancer Freelancer resume examples & templates](https://s3.resume.io/cdn-cgi/image/width=544,format=auto/uploads/examples/resume/resume_pages/4420/persistent-resource/freelancer-resume-examples.jpg)
Going solo as a freelancer in 2021 can be exciting and terrifying all at once. While you have the freedom to determine your own hours, rates and projects, you won’t have the safety net of a monthly paycheck to fall back on.
![how to write a resume as a freelancer Entry-level Freelancer Resume Example](https://s3.resume.io/uploads/seniority_example/resume_pages/197/persistent-resource/freelancer-freelancer%2C-jean-hendricks-(junior).jpg)
Whether you decided to go freelance because of the health crisis or you’ve been independent for a while now, there are certain things you need to keep in mind when writing a resume as a freelancer. Your resume might not look like those of your friends with full-time jobs and that’s OK. A resume for a freelancer should be flexible and easily adaptable to the different types of projects you apply for.
While this freelancer resume example and guide will cover general tips and guidelines for self-employed people, you can also find field-specific resources in our 125+ resume examples. Make sure to check out the one that most closely corresponds to your job title in order to tailor your resume even further.
In this guide, along with our freelancer resume example, we’ll show you how to:
- Decide which resume format is best for your freelance experience
- Write each of the essential sections for a great resume sample
- Create a professional layout and design that commands attention
- Avoid common mistakes that plague many freelancers’ resume samples
More than two million Americans began freelancing in the past 12 months and it looks like the trend towards independence is here to stay: according to a study by Upwork , more than half of all post-COVID freelancers say they wouldn’t return to traditional employment, not even for top dollar.
What does a freelancer do?
“Freelancer” is a general term that refers to many different professionals who work for themselves instead of a traditional employer. Freelancers may have short or long-term contracts but they are not considered employees of a company and are generally free to choose the type of projects they’d like to work on.
Some people freelance on nights and weekends while still keeping full or part-time employment. Freelancing can be a great source of supplemental income, and can sometimes even be more lucrative than a steady job.
Freelancers work in a variety of fields, but are often associated with media and other creative professions including:
- Graphic design
- Marketing and public relations
- Content creation
- Translation
- Music and composition
- Film editing
- Web development
- Wedding photography
- Landscaping
- Tourism i.e Guided tours
- Audio recording
Statistical Insight: According to Flexjobs , a jobs board for remote work, the top fields for freelance employment are:
- Computer & IT
- Accounting & Finance
- Administrative
- Project Management
- Customer Service
- Medical & Health
- Writing & Editing
- Education & Training
- HR & Recruiting
How to write a freelancer resume
A resume for a freelancer will still include many of the basic sections found on traditional resumes including:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
While a traditional resume might not offer much flexibility, as a freelancer, you are able to add, remove and rearrange sections as you see fit and according to the best practices of your industry. You can also switch around these sections based on the type of job you are applying to.
There are a few basic situations in which you might need to create a freelance resume:
- You are a freelancer applying for new freelance work
- You are a full-time employee looking to break into freelancing
- You are a freelancer looking to transition into a traditional full time job
Each of these situations will change your approach to writing your freelance resume. The first two situations will require a resume that focuses heavily on your skills. If you are looking to break into freelancing, you can also mention your previous employment in your summary section.
The third situation will require a resume that’s a bit more in line with what hiring managers are looking for in traditional candidates. You’ll want to focus heavily on work history and organize your freelance experience to show what you can bring to this new company.
Facing the ATS
When applying to traditional jobs via online application portals, you’ll want to keep in mind the presence of pesky resume scanners called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS.) These algorithms scan your resume sample for keywords and send only the top ranking applicants to be reviewed by the hiring manager. Here are our top tips to get past this obstacle:
- Read the job description closely and look for “keywords” – skills and duties emphasized by the employer
- Insert the keywords using the exact language from the job description.
- Use common heading titles like “Education” or “Skills” so that the ATS can find the information it’s looking for.
Choosing the best resume format for freelancers
Many people who are traditionally employed only know of the reverse chronological resume format. While useful for organizing work history, this is not always the best format for freelancers. Let’s explore your options.
The reverse chronological format is characterized by an employment history section that takes up the bulk of the page. Previous positions are listed from most recent to oldest (hence the name reverse chronological) along with the employer, dates worked and location. Underneath each job title are bullet points with your responsibilities and achievements.
If you have considerable long-term contracts with one company, even as a freelancer, then reverse chronological might still be the best choice for you. However, many freelancers who complete multiple projects in a month would never have the space to list them all out in this format.
In this case, you might want to choose a functional format. This format begins with a skills section that explains the type of work you do and your specialities. You can then create an experience section that lists duties and achievements for different types of projects without necessarily attributing them to an employer.
If you find yourself needing elements of a functional resume and a reverse chronological one, then a combination format is the right choice for you. This structure begins with a skills section and is followed by a shorter employment history section that still allows you to mention any impressive companies you’ve worked for.
Resume summary example
At the top of your resume sample, you may choose to include a summary. This section is particularly useful for freelancers because it allows you to speak directly to the employer and explain your situation. A hiring manager won’t be left wondering why your resume doesn’t look like others once they see that most of your career has been freelance.
In just 3-5 sentences, the summary should offer a taste of everything you have to offer. Mention your job title, your number of years of experience and your biggest achievements. If education is important in your field, you can also note any relevant degrees here. As a freelancer, it’s important that you define who you are and what you do – and the summary is the place to do just that.
Check out the summary from our freelancer resume sample for an idea of how to structure your own:
Dynamic Freelancer specializing in content creation, journalism, entertainment writing, and social media management. Adept in creating engaging, stimulating, and data-driven content that relays powerful messages to targeted audiences.
Employment history sample
If you’re creating a reverse chronological or combination resume format, you’ll still want an employment history sample that covers all the bases. This section is especially important when transitioning from freelancing back into full-time employment.
List your relevant positions beginning with your most recent and working backwards until you’ve filled the page (no need to go further back than ten years.) Make sure to include the employer or client name, dates worked and location if relevant.
In the bullet points under each job title, quantify your experience using numbers, facts and concrete information wherever possible. This will help your resume sample stand out to a hiring manager and will demonstrate what you can bring to their company.
Our freelancer resume example offers more insight into this section:
Editorial Content Manager , J&R Media, New York August 2018 - July 2021
- Served as a Content Manager for this digital communication platform specializing in entertainment news.
- Researched interesting stories and conducted interviews with persons of interest.
- Oversaw the production of still photography and its layout.
- Effectively coordinated team members and assignments to achieve goals.
- Maintained an editorial calendar and oversaw the execution of content across internal and external channels.
Freelance Writer, Lower East News, New York July 2015 - May 2018
- Wrote over 200 blog articles for this high-traffic news platform.
- Helped to achieve the goal of 200k readers per month.
- Performed in-depth research and content development prior to delivering articles.
- Collaborated with other writers, and mentored new writers in content writing best practices.
Convey energy and mastery of your field by using action verbs when describing your duties and skills. Here are some examples:
- Administered
- Implemented
- Incorporated
CV skills example
As a freelancer, your skills are the value you sell à la carte so naturally, this section is one of the most important on your CV. You may choose to create a bullet point list as is found on many resumes, or you may want to expand this section with descriptions for each skill.
The skills section can be a great place to include knowledge of software, specialized techniques or other technical abilities that clients and hiring managers want to see right away. This is also the moment to add any foreign languages to your resume along with your competency level.
Here is the skills section from our freelancer resume sample:
- Motivated Attitude
- Content Writing
- Content Research & Development
- Advanced Communication Skills
- Ability to Work Independently
Freelancer resume education example
The education section on your freelancer resume generally varies in importance based on your job title. For example, a freelance programmer may be expected to hold a degree in computer science while a photographer’s portfolio is much more weighty than their educational background.
In any case, you can list the degrees and certifications you hold starting with the most recent first. Include the name of the degree, the school, location and dates attended. If you are completing your degree now, make sure to include an expected graduation date.
This section is also the moment to list any professional memberships or organizations you are associated with.
Check out the education example from our freelancer resume example:
Bachelor of Science in Media, Culture, and Communication, New York University, New York September 2011 - May 2015 High School Diploma, The Loyola School, New York September 2007 - May 2011
Resume layout and design
As a freelancer, clients are counting on your professionalism. That’s why the layout and design of your resume are of the utmost importance. You want to show a potential employer that you can deliver the results they’re expecting. A great layout, especially in creative fields, is one of the first indicators that you do a great job.
No matter how much (or little!) experience you have, your resume should be highly readable. That means a great balance of white space to text, an attractive header and only one or two font styles used throughout. If you work in design, then creating a resume layout from scratch won’t be a challenge. Otherwise, you may want to consider a professional resume template to help make the job easier. Check out our freelancer resume example for ideas on how to create a strong design.
- Keep your resume to a maximum length of one page
- Add a touch of color to make your header stand out
- Adjust your layout based on the application and employer tone
- Stuff the page with too much information
- Deviate from the standard section titles
- Submit a resume without proofreading first
Key takeaways for a freelancer resume
- There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to a freelancer resume – create the document that works best for your needs and experience!
- Carefully consider your formatting options as freelancers are likely to find a functional or combination resume format more useful than a reverse chronological one.
- Take a moment to think about the purpose of your resume and let that dictate how you choose to order the sections.
- Don’t forget to create an attractive header that contains your name and contact information so clients can easily get in touch.
- A great visual presentation can quickly sell you as a professional so put great design first and foremost.
Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates
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How to Write a Freelancer Resume that Wins Clients
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Preston Lee
Preston Lee is the founder of Millo where he and his team have been helping freelancers thrive for over a decade. His advice has been featured by Entrepreneur, Inc, Forbes, Adobe, and many more. Learn more »
Should You Use a Freelancing Resume or Portfolio?
Choosing the right format, describing your freelance work experience, adding a special projects section, crafting a strong summary or objective, spotlighting your skills, additional winning touches, checklist before submitting your freelancing resume, go forth and get that client.
BIG NEWS! We just released The Freelance Files , a collection of professional done-for-you email scripts, contracts, invoices, and more for smarter freelancing. The first 50 customers, save 50% with this link .
An effective freelancer resume can be the difference between getting ignored by clients and filling your client pipeline.
If you’ve done any amount of freelancing, you know landing the best freelance gigs or full-time jobs requires a phenomenal resume. But converting complex freelance experiences into simple, skimmable resume form is no cakewalk.
Most of us juggle endless projects with fragmented timelines, zigzagging between independent work and traditional jobs. So how do you package that haphazard history into a coherent story to put on your freelancer resume?
Today’ I’ll explore all aspects of constructing an eye-catching freelancing resume to beat the odds and win new clients.
Before constructing your resume, consider your goals.
Are you seeking established full-time positions alongside traditional job applicants? Or pitching clients for project-based freelance work?
If applying for regular jobs, a polished chronological resume is best. However, when marketing services directly to potential new clients, lead instead with a portfolio website showcasing your freelancing achievements.
Include tailored sections that speak to specific client needs and preferred delivery methods. For example, a freelance designer would showcase past visual designs and branding work through an online portfolio. A freelance consultant may describe methodologies, frameworks, and case studies in a printed portfolio.
This guide focuses on building an optimal resume, whether as your sole collateral or supplementing a portfolio when job hunting.
Let’s explore how to emphasize the right details regarding your freelance experience to emerge as a top applicant.
Formatting significantly impacts how your freelancer resume is received and reviewed. For freelancers, debating between the traditional reverse-chronological or a skills-focused functional resume is critical.
Reverse-Chronological Format
The reverse-chronological approach lists your work history starting with the most recent position, then flows backwards through past jobs and freelance roles. This offers a clear view of your career journey over time.
- Preferred by the vast majority of hiring managers
- Easy to quickly scan key details like employers, titles, dates
- Demonstrates career advancement and developer
- Perpetuates perception of employment gaps
- Fails to adequately emphasize transferable skills gained from freelancing
- Weight towards promotions over abilities
Use This Format If:
You held staff jobs later in your career or want your trajectory to appear stable. Hiring managers gravitate towards the comfortable reverse-chronological approach.
It also complements applicants from traditional corporate backgrounds.
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SOURCE: TheFreelanceFiles.com
Functional Resume Format
Alternatively, the functional format spotlights your most relevant and impressive skills and achievements up front rather than career progression. Ideal for freelancers, its emphasis on showcaseing top talents reverses the focus of reverse-chronological resumes.
- Immediately promotes specialized skills gained from freelancing
- Downplays disjointed career trajectories or gaps
- Draws attention to your value and talent offerings
- Unconventional style that some hiring managers frown upon
- Work histories placed lower receive less visibility
- Dates and job durations are not obvious
You want your top talents tied to freelancing front and center. Also consider if your work history is fragmented or contains unavoidable large gaps.
![how to write a resume as a freelancer Advertisement:](https://millo.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SG-Banner-Large-Square-450x450-1.png)
Customer Research Expert – Conducted 50+ customer discovery interviews identifying high-value features – Transformed qualitative insights into validated user personas and actionable opportunity areas
Product Manager – Led agile development of cloud-based consumer mobile app achieving #1 lifestyle app download ranking – Managed product roadmaps and feature prioritization for cross-functional team of 18
Hybrid Format
A hybrid resume blends aspects of reverse-chronological and functional formats, seeking to capitalize on the strengths of both approaches.
For example, you may open your resume by listing key skills and talents gained from your freelance work. This skills/achievements section allows you to spotlight abilities that may not be adequately captured by your standard work experience entries.
Website Development – 5 years experience building custom WordPress sites – Expert in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP – 120+ websites launched leveraging optimized SEO practices
Graphic Design – 7 years experience with Adobe Creative Suite – Branding kits for 30+ startup companies – Won “Most Innovative Logo” design award at 2021 National Conference
![how to write a resume as a freelancer Advertisement:](https://millo.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/350x350.png)
Project Management – Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM) – Led website development projects end-to-end for 45+ clients – 97% on-time delivery rate over past 2 years
This skills-focused section provides ample space to showcase your most impressive freelancing accomplishments and specialized abilities right up front.
Next, you would proceed into a reverse-chronologically ordered work experience section outlining your recent freelance jobs/clients:
Example Work Experience Section:
Lead Website Developer UpTop Design, Remote Mar 2021 – Present
By combining an initial skills section with a reverse-chronological work history segment, a hybrid format allows you to highlight achievements, abilities, client names, responsibilities, and work dates in a resume that aims to leverage the best of both worlds.
Visual Presentation
No matter which format you select, ensure your freelancer resume looks clean, organized, professional, and easy to digest.
Consult these visual presentation tips:
Use an evenly spaced standard font like Arial 11 pt
Stick to standard, professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman at 11 or 12 point size. They provide the easiest readability for resume reviewers. Avoid stylized script or condensed fonts that strain the eyes.
Incorporate ample whitespace between sections
Include ample blank space between resume sections and bullet points rather than cramming content wall-to-wall. This allows key details, achievements and responsibilities room to breathe for better visibility.
Include charts or graphs to visualize proficiencies
Supplement skills and achievement descriptions by incorporating visual graphs, charts or ratings to display competency levels. For example, a 5/5 star rating for Photoshop skills or a horizontal bar chart showing CSS expertise.
Use bolding, italics, underlining to call out notable achievements
Emphasize key quantified achievements, test scores, client names or project metrics by making them bold, italicized or underlined so they jump off the page. But use sparingly for greatest effectiveness.
Align text and dates to the left margin for easy scanning
Align all resume text flushed left rather than centered or justified right. Flushed left allows reviewers to scan vertically easily down each section. Right-justified dates and companies to the same length presents uniformly.
Pepper in relevant icons, dividers, or logos for visual interest
Incorporate occasional icons, horizontal dividers/lines or company logos relevant to entries to add visual intrigue. For example, after listing skills in Javascript or React, insert their official icon images. Or add company or institution logos next to degree names. Use sparingly and ensure adapted to the resume’s overall aesthetic.
With a balanced layout full of white space, clear headings, and identifiable facts, you’ll achieve an inviting aesthetic while emphasizing key details.
It’s time to articulate exactly what you’ve achieved as a freelancer. This section holds the most weight for convincing potential employers to interview you.
Treat freelance clients and projects as traditional job entries, listing start and end dates, role titles, company names, and an overview of responsibilities and achievements. Maintain consistency as if freelance gigs were established company positions.
For each engagement, emphasize which skills you specifically leveraged, metrics positively impacted, and notable outcomes achieved rather than general duties alone. Quantify your contributions with real numbers whenever possible to crystallize previously fuzzy freelancing efforts.
Don’t forget to spotlight any awards, recognitions or testimonials received for exemplary work:
Additionally, you likely strengthened specialized niche skills in your discipline as well as broadly transferable abilities from freelancing like business operations, customer service, marketing, project & time management, budgeting, communications and problem solving. Call out these supplemental talents gained:
Beyond formal freelancing jobs, most independent contractors amass additional noteworthy accomplishments that strengthen personal brands – volunteering, blogging, open-source contributions, entrepreneurial ventures, etc.
Add a separate “Special Projects” section to feature these talents and supplement your overall experience. For example, an accountant could detail providing pro-bono services for local non-profits during tax seasons. Or a writer might mention a popular blog they organically grew to 50,000 monthly visitors.
Stick to special projects directly related to the posted job’s desired skills and industry. And focus on 1-3 significant endeavors over briefly listing various minor ones for greatest resume impact.
Because skimming reigns supreme during initial resume screenings, freelancers need to immediately catch reviewer’s attention.
Open with a short professional summary (or objective statement). In just 2-3 concise sentences, spotlight your personal brand and convey top-line achievements to align with the targeted company’s needs.
Or clearly convey through an objective how you’ll apply learnings from past freelancing directly to benefit the new employer.
Powerful summaries or objectives entice further reading rather than instant rejection piles.
Beyond listing abilities tied to work experiences, some freelancing resumes warrant a separate comprehensive skills section. This directly connects your capabilities to requirements sought – especially beneficial for IT, technical, financial, or healthcare roles.
Pull 5-10 salient skills from the job description, then prove aptitude detailing relevant freelance projects or metrics achieved. List both niche technical abilities like programming languages and general proficiencies like communication or time management.
Web Development – Construct full-stack, mobile-responsive websites; 120+ successfully delivered. Proficient across JavaScript, Node.js, React, MySQL.
Project Management – Led 12 multi-phase business intelligence projects on-time and under-budget. Certified Associate Project Manager (CAPM).
We’ve covered core components, but finishing touches further boost credibility:
Cover Letters
Include a tailored cover letter (or letter of introduction ) to introduce yourself and tie past freelancing directly to posted requirements. Reference precise skills needed and quantify relevant achievements.
LinkedIn Profile
Link your resume to a polished LinkedIn presence featuring great freelancing recommendations.
Online Portfolios
Link to visual examples of work product including websites, designs, photos, videos, writing samples, etc.
Testimonials
Add excerpted client praise under each freelance job or in an endorsements section. Verbatim compliments build credibility.
Before applying for your next exciting gig, verify your freelancing resume checks the following boxes:
- Selected either reverse-chronological, functional/skills-based, or hybrid format
- Included metrics and specific skills demonstrated during freelance projects
- Emphasized achievements over generic duties
- Mentioned supplemental transferable abilities gained from freelancing beyond niche discipline talents
- Used standard date, company, job title structure to detail freelance work
- Added any awards, testimonials or special projects where relevant
- Led strategically with a resume summary or objective statement
- Added visual appeal through readable fonts, ample white space, dividers, and consistent structure
- Inserted any links to online portfolios, LinkedIn, relatable profiles containing work samples or recommendations
- Attached a personalized cover letter aligning background to role requirements
In competitive job environments, merely tossing unpolished freelancing resumes over the fence won’t cut it. You must compellingly translate sought after skills and achievements into succinct yet demonstrative content.
By taking the time to carefully tailor messaging to respective opportunities using the tips above, independents can confidently compete against candidates boasting traditional work histories. Leading strategically with niche talents supplemented by transferable competencies tells a coherent story showcasing your value.
So go unleash that exceptional freelancing resume that finally does your work history justice!
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How To Write a Freelancer Resume (+ Example Resumes & Templates)
![How To Write a Freelancer Resume with Example Resumes Templates how to write a freelancer resume](https://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/How-To-Write-a-Freelancer-Resume-with-Example-Resumes-Templates.png)
Are you self-employed and work in the gig economy (or want to work in the gig economy) as a freelancer, contractor, or management consultant ? If your answer is yes, you have probably wondered about how to write a freelancer resume and how to include your freelance work on your resume.
While a resume is important for any job search , your freelancer resume takes on an even more significant role as you must sell your skills as a self-employed person for every new freelance job or consulting gig you take on. And while you might sell your services for a long-term—even multi-year—contract or project, many freelancers take on multiple new jobs every year, working with multiple employers.
All of this can complicate writing a resume as the traditional chronological format that you might choose if you were in a traditional employment role usually won’t work for a freelancer resume.
But writing a resume to pursue freelancing job opportunities doesn’t have to be hard. The key is to shift the way you think about your resume from that of an employee perspective to that of a self-employed perspective . Here are some tips:
Know what you are offering as a freelancer
What service and expertise are you “selling” as a self-employed freelancer? For example, maybe you are selling your expertise as a marketing copywriter or technical writer . Or as an accounting expert for small businesses, technical program manager, government affairs and relations expert, or software engineer. Or perhaps your expertise is as a strategy consultant in corporations or management consultant to CEOs .
The possibilities are endless, of course. Increasing numbers of companies rely on freelancers for time-limited projects rather than hiring full-time employees for the same jobs. So, all that really matters is that there is a market for your expertise.
Once you have clearly identified the freelance service you are offering, think about what it is that uniquely qualifies you to provide this service? In what ways are you an expert? How did you gain your expertise?
Your answers to these questions will become the focus of your freelancer resume. Your focus needs to be clear on your resume at a glance. A popular way of ensuring your focus is clear is to lead your resume with a focus headline and professional summary .
Here is an example of how that might look from the resume of a freelance technical writer. Note that the resume’s focus is made clear with no more than a glance at this resume.
![Freelance Resume Example How to Create Focus how to write a freelancer resume example 1](https://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Freelance-Resume-Example-How-to-Create-Focus.png)
Know who will be reading your resume and making the hiring decision
![4 Best Freelancer Resume Templates how to write a freelancer resume infographic](https://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/4-Best-Freelancer-Resume-Templates-600x1500.png)
In other words, in what type of company or organization will your services be of value? Try to answer as many of the following questions as possible, in as much detail as possible:
- What industry or industries will you be targeting?
- What type of organization are you targeting (e.g., bricks and mortar, online, small local, large corporate, etc.)?
- Is your target freelance employer in a certain lifecycle as a company (e.g., start-up, growing and expanding, turnaround, reorganization, etc.)?
- If it is a larger organization, are you targeting a particular department?
- Who are you trying to reach with your freelancer resume? What position does that person hold with the organization? Is this the same person who will e making the hiring decision? If not, who is the decision-maker?
In some cases, if you are pursuing a large contract, you might want to tailor your resume to a specific company . Or your answers might be a bit broader. But in either case, you should try to answer these questions in as much detail as possible. Why? Simple. This will help you focus your freelancer resume more, but it will also help you put yourself into the “shoes” of your target decision-maker.
With your answers to the above, give some deep thought to the key factors that will appeal to your target. When they hire you as a freelancer, they will be investing. Nobody makes an investment without wanting a return on that investment. Your goal in this step is to understand what those desired investment returns are to write your resume to show how you can deliver those returns .
Think in terms of the following. Will hiring you as a freelancer help the company…
- Make money?
- Save money?
- Improve efficiency?
- Increase productivity?
- Strengthen relationships?
- Bring in new customers?
- Solve a problem?
Understanding the decision maker’s motivation for hiring a freelancer for the area of expertise you offer will guide you in deciding what to include in your freelancer resume.
Write your freelancer resume to focus on the needs of the decision-maker
You will be ready to begin writing your freelancer resume content with your answers to all the questions in the first two steps. As you write your resume, focus on your accomplishments and value-add for the past companies that have hired you.
Always remember that stating on your resume that you have a qualification is simply a statement that you have the potential ability to do something. It doesn’t prove that you can put that qualification into practice to deliver results .
An accomplishment that proves you’ve delivered a result in the past is what will convince the freelance employer you can deliver a return on their investment in hiring you. This is why it is so important to include accomplishments and concrete results in your resume.
Here is another excerpt example from the same freelance technical writer’s resume. The sections highlighted in yellow speak to the accomplishments and return on investment this freelancer delivered. This will be quite persuasive if the target employer is in a similar position and needs help with a growing startup.
![Freelance Resume Example Emphasize Value how to write a freelancer resume example 2](https://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Freelance-Resume-Example-Emphasize-Value.png)
Choose the best format for your resume
Traditionally, most professionals use what is called a chronological resume format . A chronological format might work well for a freelancer who takes on long-term contract projects. But, if you are in the more common situation of working for multiple companies, and sometimes simultaneously, a chronological format will make you look like a job hopper. This may also make reading the resume overwhelming.
In this case, you will want to consider using a more modern combination format resume to present your contracts.
You have great creative leeway when you use a combination resume format . Generally, this will include a focus and summary section similar to this post’s first example freelancer resume excerpt. Follow this with the highlights of your relevant past employment and freelance contracts that may or may not be presented chronologically. Finally, list your education, training, and other relevant credentials for your target freelance position.
While the exact structure of how this will look in your resume will necessarily be as unique as you are, here are some examples.
As shown in this next example, one option is to list your entire time as a freelancer or consultant under one listing, as we did in the resume of this freelance consultant. You can then use the accomplishment bullets to call attention to “typical projects.”
![Freelance Resume Combination Format Example how to write a freelancer resume example 3](https://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Freelance-Resume-Combination-Format-Example.png)
If each of the projects you have worked on is substantial, another possibility, as shown in this excerpt from the same resume above, is to break out each freelance project as a “ story ” telling about the challenges, actions, and results of the project.
![Freelance Resume Combination Format Example 2 how to write a freelancer resume example 4](https://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Freelance-Resume-Combination-Format-Example-2.png)
This example shows another possibility. This freelancer had experience working with 11 different companies. Detailing each out would have made him look like a job hopper. The truth was that he completed these individual freelance projects under the umbrella of his independent consulting firm. Grouping them all in this way was an effective way of detailing the company names (redacted in this example), some of which were large and impressive, while showing just the highlights of the projects he worked on.
![Freelance Resume Combination Format Example 3 Freelance Resume Combination Format Example 3](https://www.distinctiveweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Freelance-Resume-Combination-Format-Example-3.png)
Final Thoughts
If you are overwhelmed thinking about how to write your freelancer resume, help is available. Hiring a professional resume writer is an investment that will produce great returns.
As a freelancer, you must present yourself in the best possible light, marketing yourself as the solution to the needs and problems of the hiring decision-makers for freelance jobs. While there are many benefits to working in the gig economy , a con is that you have no employment security. Therefore, you must continually sell yourself and your services.
Working with a professional resume writer to create a standout resume like the example freelancer resumes in this article will give you a definite competitive edge and help you win jobs faster and more continuously. For help with your freelancer resume, schedule a free consultation with us . We’ll discuss your situation and help you decide if the professional help of a resume writer will be of value to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a freelancer resume.
A freelancer resume is a document that showcases your skills, experience, and accomplishments as a self-employed individual. It’s used to apply for freelance jobs or consulting gigs, and it plays a crucial role in selling your abilities to potential clients.
How do I write a freelancer resume?
To write a freelancer resume, first identify the freelance service you’re offering and what qualifies you to provide it. Then, consider who will be reading your resume and what they’re looking for. Write your resume to focus on these needs, highlighting your accomplishments and the value you’ve added in past roles.
What should I include in my freelancer resume?
Your freelancer resume should include a clear focus headline and professional summary, details of your relevant past employment and freelance contracts, and a list of your education, training, and other relevant credentials. It’s important to focus on accomplishments and concrete results that demonstrate your ability to deliver a return on investment.
What format should I use for my freelancer resume?
If you’ve worked on long-term contract projects, a chronological resume format might work well. However, if you’ve worked for multiple companies, sometimes simultaneously, a combination resume format could be more effective. This format allows you to present your contracts in a way that doesn’t make you look like a job hopper.
How can a professional resume writer help with my freelancer resume?
A professional resume writer can help you present yourself in the best possible light, marketing you as the solution to the needs and problems of potential clients. They can help you focus your resume on the key factors that will appeal to your target audience, ensuring that your resume effectively showcases your ability to deliver a return on investment.
Why is a freelancer resume important?
A freelancer resume is important because it helps you sell your skills and services to potential clients. As a freelancer, you must continually market yourself and your services, and a well-crafted resume is a key tool in this process.
How can a freelancer resume help me get more gigs?
A well-written freelancer resume can help you get more gigs by showcasing your skills, experience, and past accomplishments. It can demonstrate to potential clients that you have the qualifications and proven ability to deliver results, making them more likely to hire you for their projects.
About the Author: Michelle Dumas
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Freelancer Resume Examples [+ 3 Samples]
This page provides you with Freelancer resume samples to use to create your own resume with our easy-to-use resume builder . Below you'll find our how-to section that will guide you through each section of a Freelancer resume.
![Best Freelancer Resume Sample and Template for 2024 Freelancer Resume Sample and Template](https://www.visualcv.com/static/09d8d135e7fe22e55ba549d657ac4960/f4d47/freelancer-resume-sample-chloe.png)
It can be a bit overwhelming to create a Freelancer resume. We also see many Freelancers struggle to figure out how to list their Freelance work on resume. If you are in the same situation, we've got you covered.
Our goal is to help you create the best Freelancer resume and land that job! Let's get started.
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Also, checkout our collection of 500+ resume examples .
How to Write a Freelancer Resume Summary?
Freelancers often have a broad set of experience and skills. It can get challenging to put it in way that shows your breadth of experience and skills yet show how relevant you are for the freelance role.
Here are two Freelancer resume summary summary examples that show how to do it right.
- Freelancer Resume Example - Summary
Award-winning freelance writer, editor, and social media manager with 10+ years’ experience creating online content to improve top-funnel acquisition.
For someone who’s just starting out, it’s better to write an objective. An example might be:
- Sample Freelancer Resume Objective
Driven writer and blogger with 3K+ active monthly readers. Editor at University journal which received 95% positive feedback from management for creativity.
- Self Employed Resume Examples
- how to write a resume summary
Freelancer Resume - Work Experience (With Examples)
Consider the following tips while describing your work.
- Try making a “skills-focused” resume rather than creating a chronological resume
- Customize your resume to fit the job you want, prioritizing projects relevant to the job.
- Quantify your achievements as much as possible.
An example for a skill-focused work description for a writer would be as follows:
- Freelancer Resume Example - Work Experience
Freelance Blogger @ Wired
- A regular contributor to Forbes, Yourstory, TechinAsia
- “Evolution of Internet Marketplaces” published in Wired at 10/8/18
Freelance Copywriting @ Chargebee
- Project: Increasing Top Funnel Acquisition for Professional Designers , Canva, Blog, Reached 100K+
Freelance Proofreading and Editing
The Fourth Age by Byron Reese, 2018
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products Book by Nir Eyal, 2013
You can use the above method for other services such as design, web development, etc too.
How to List Education on Your Freelancer Resume
Education section should clearly show your degrees, courses or certifications that you have completed. There is no reason to include your GPA if the job that you’re applying for isn’t your first one. Unless, of course, your GPA is very impressive (definitely if it’s perfect).
Penn State, Pennsylvania — 2019
Psychology, BA
- Active member, Psychology Student Association (PSM)
- Received Roy Scrivner Research Grants to study Adolescent behaviour.
- Published 3 articles in the school paper ranging from Psychology to computer
You should also use this section to add any certifications you might have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
2019—Certificate in Social Media Management (CSMM)
![how to write a resume as a freelancer import a resume example](https://www.visualcv.com/static/8a3402b0aa2d557df2b38e8ed66106a1/fe4f2/import_a_resume_example.png)
Top Freelancer Resume Skills
This is a very important section for a freelancer’s resume as client’s are searching for specific skills that their hire must have to complete the job. The best way to know which skills to add here, would be to look in the job description itself and add those skills and related skills in your skill section.
- Top Technical Skills for Freelancer Resume
- Graphic Design
- Web Development
- Social Media Marketing
- Copywriting
- Video Editing
- Content Creation
- Illustration
- Translation
- Photography
- Virtual Assistance
- UI/UX Design
- Proofreading
- Email Marketing
- Transcription
- Project Management
- Market Research
- Mobile App Development
- Customer Support
- Audio Editing
- Resume Writing
- Financial Analysis
- Presentation Design
- Research Writing
- Logo Design
- Sales Funnel Creation
- Infographic Design
- Social Media Management
- Bookkeeping
- Video Production
- Data Analysis
- CRM Management
- Podcast Editing
- Business Consulting
- Influencer Marketing
- Event Planning
- 3D Modeling
- Voice Acting
- Market Analysis
- Creative Writing
- Soft Skills for Freelancer Resume
- Communication
- Detail Oriented
- Adaptability
- Positive Attitude
- Thrive under Pressure
- Critical Thinking
- Perceptiveness
- Dependability
- Customer Service Leadership
How to Showcase Your Freelance Portfolio on Resume
To showcase your freelance portfolio on a resume, you can follow these steps:
- Create a section titled "Freelance Portfolio" or "Selected Projects" on your resume to highlight your freelance work.
- Only include your best work and use the work you choose to show your client’s what you like or want to do and with whom
- Add one line description or testimonials with your work sample
Freelance Resume - Interests or Other Things Required
To show your client’s that you are really passionate about the field, it’s nice to add things that you do outside work and school.
This is somewhat dependent on the kind of freelancing service you offer. An example for a writer would be:
Member, American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
Regular listener, Hunting the Muse: Creative Writing Podcast
2018 - Best Writer Award, Forbes
Freelance Resume - Contact Information Section
What use is the resume, if your client cannot contact you easily. Make sure you put this information on the top where it’s easily accessible and has all forms of contact information including:
- Current Phone Number
- Social Media Links
How do I write a freelancer resume?
To write a freelancer resume add the following information in it:
- Freelance summary or objective
- Work experience
- Freelance portfolio
- Contact information
Can I put freelance work on my resume?
Whether you are a full time freelancer or were freelancing part-time, your experience and accomplishments should be added to your resume. For full time freelance workers, adding freelance work ensures that any gap in work experience gets easily justified.
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Resume Tips for Freelancers
6 min read · Updated on December 17, 2021
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Free yourself, with a resume that's equipped for freelance.
Say goodbye to being chained to the office and hello to being your own boss. More and more employees are swapping their 9-to-5s for the freedom of freelancing. Forbes recently reported that freelancers represent 35 percent of the workforce . Experts expect those numbers to continue growing.
Though becoming a freelancer may present more freedom and the ability to choose their own clients, they still face many of the same challenges as other workers–but in larger quantity. Unemployed Americans only have to worry about finding the one job to sustain them. Freelancers face a different requirement. They must constantly search for new, higher paying gigs. Finding one job is difficult enough, but finding work to fill your empty calendar, well, that takes skill.
Resumes still play an integral part of the job search. Freelancers should continue to hone their primary branding document, but, keep in mind; there are subtle changes needed to make it work. Here are a few resume tips to tailor your resume for your freelance job search.
What format and design should I use?
Resumes come in various shapes and sizes. Some freelance designers created a brochure, detailing their abilities, experience and education. The creative options are limitless. Just remember, the more traditional resume formats are preferred by clients. If you feel you must create a unique piece of art to represent your innovative skills, be sure to include one of these two resume types.
Option 1: Chronological Resume.
Chronological resumes list all pertinent information in three to four basic sections – summary, experience, education and notable contributions. Organize the information in each section according to date, starting with most recent. An option is to include a subsection under experience to display their most notable clients on their freelance resume.
Option 2: Functional Resume.
Many freelancers have numerous skills and experience, spanning from the multitude of projects they are assigned. Functional resumes help organize these skills into easy to read sections. Rather than write a description for each job, group all similar descriptions into a bulleted list. Include the correlating experience directly under the bulleted list (i.e. company name, date and positions). You can organize lists by design, marketing, computer proficiency, etc.
Should I use the term “Freelancer” or “Independent Contractor?”
Many freelancers question whether they should use “Independent Contractor” or “Freelancer” as their position title. Don't use either. Choose the position that bests fit the experience. Did you manage the company's product launch? Marketing Manager or Branding Supervisor would be acceptable. Did your client bring you onboard to create eCommerce tools? You could list Lead eCommerce Technician or Sr. Backend Developer.
This doesn't mean you should mislead potential clients. Never represent a project or contract as employment. Dishonesty, even if it is unintentional, leads to contract violations and lost trust. There are two basic tactics used to prevent misrepresenting a freelancing gig. Add a short phrase within the job description. An easier method is to include “Contract” within parentheses at the end of the title.
Where should I list my projects?
Once you step out into the freelance arena, the world stops thinking of you as a team member or employee. You now are an official business, selling services to the highest bidder. It's time to put your best foot, or rather, projects forward. Don't focus on including all your skills and abilities. Most potential clients assume you meet the entry-level criteria.
Maintain a running tally–using Excel or another spreadsheet software–of all clients and projects. Include a one to two-sentence description, dates and outcomes. Create different sheets for different types of projects (press releases, campaign launches, analytics, etc.). This will help you optimize your freelance resume down the road.
Create an empty section in your resume entitled “Notable Clients and Projects.” Leave enough room for about three to five projects. Each time you meet with a new, potential client, list your most impressive projects as they apply to the new client's needs. Keep in mind, name dropping doesn't work well for hiring managers. But clients are more impressed with big names. List those first, even if the projects were smaller and less important.
Should I include an objective statement?
Never include an objective statement in your resume . Not only is this outdated and awkward, objective statements rarely work for freelance positions. Write a career summary or professional biography instead. Summaries are five to six-line paragraphs and detail your most important qualities. Start by selecting five to six of the most important contributions listed under experience. Rewrite the descriptions using hard and soft skills and keywords from the client's website or job listing.
Freelancer resumes also can use this section as a “pitch method” to replace the outdated objective statement. This tactic forgoes the career summary and focuses more on the client's needs. Remember, you're a freelancer (aka business) that sells services. Tell a prospective client what service you will provide them; not just how awesome you are or how much you know. The Freelancer Union offers free advice and proposal templates to help you create a lasting impression.
It's time to go beyond the resume.
Freelancers must remember to go beyond their resume. Treat your new career as a business. You're not looking for one job. Rather, you are looking to make an impression in the industry and bring in more revenue. To do this, consider your brand identity to impress employers . Social media is great–but Facebook and Twitter only take you so far. Consider these options to help market your freelance services.
Professional website. All freelancers must have a website to showcase your work. Building a strong, professional website doesn't take long or cost thousands. Website builders like Wix and Squarespace offer freemium services and “what you see is what you get” editing.
Business social media tools. Facebook and Twitter are great for the job search and for business. Don't forget to take advantage of other tools. Pinterest and Instagram are the top social media platforms right now. Socially active businesses not only rank higher on Google and other search engines, they are considered more professional experienced. Posting to all those social media accounts is tedious. Buffer and Hootsuite offer freemium services, allowing users to post to multiple accounts at once.
Industry Blog. Companies have a love-hate relationship with blogs – those who understand how to blog love them; those who have no clue hate them. Don't fall into the latter category. Learn to blog, like a professional. Freelancers with a blog are considered more experienced, professional and hold a higher esteem with clients.
Now, it's time to put these freelance resume tips to the test. Then, see how well you did–let us review your resume for free .
Related Articles:
7 Best Problem-Solving Skills for Your Resume + Examples
Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience
Higher Order Thinking Explained
See how your resume stacks up.
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Freelancing Resume | How to Write a Resume as a Freelancer
Should I put my freelance work on the resume?- Absolutely! Can I put only my freelance work on the resume?-Definitely, you can.When you work for yourself, you get a lot of experience and learn new talents that you may include on your freelancer resume.
All resume examples in this guide
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Freelancer Resume Example
Rose Feeney San Diego, CA 203-555-1191 [email protected] www.RoseFeenyDigital.com
Methodical and results-driven social media marketing freelancer looking for a chance to put her great conversion talents to work in a fast-paced marketing environment.
Freelance Social Media Marketer Technocomms Ltd October 2013–Present
- Managed social media accounts and make posts on a variety of sites.
- Created shareable content to improve site activity.
- Created and promote a blog that contains information on topics that are likely to interest future clients.
- Coordinated campaigns with the marketing staff regularly.
- Over the first six months, the number of likes and follows increased by 35%.
- Created an effective campaign that resulted in a sales gain of 12%.
Social Media Account Manager Auto side Engineering July 2011– October 2013
- I met with customers regularly to learn about their culture.
- For the website, I created compelling material and promoted it on social media.
- Analyzed website statistics to determine the most successful advertising tactics
Qualifications
Professional Certified Marketer designation from the Digital Marketing Association
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing University of Southern California September 2007–July 2011
- Time management
- Self-motivation
- Copywriting
- Content curation
- Search engine optimization
- Project management
Hobbies and interests
Help a local homeless organization promote fundraisers and boost awareness of food drives and seasonal contributions by volunteering with them.
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You may put freelancing on your resume to illustrate your talents, whether it is your primary source of income or a side hustle. Learning how to add freelance work to your resume will help you stand out from the crowd during the interview process.
Almost all types of services that most businesses need can be provided by freelancers. The most common freelancer opportunities include accounting, graphic design, marketing project management, social media platforms manager, teaching, virtual assistants, web design/development, and writing.
Creating a resume can be difficult, even if you have a lot of experience as a self-employ. It's even more difficult for freelancers working on different projects.
Not only do you need to get the client's attention, show your skills, and prove that you are the best person for the job, you also need to show you’ve achieved it rightfully.
This guide is for all freelancers eager to boost their resumes and join the greatest projects.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume template . It’s fast and easy to use.
Let's dive straight into the freelancing resume examples without much ado.
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How to Make a Freelancer Resume
Making a freelancer resume can be quite a task, I get it.
But to make your way towards your next dream project/job smoother I have some really helpful tips for you.
To create an effective freelancer resume, follow these steps so you have a resume that records your work history and goals in the way that is most likely to get the attention of recruiters.
- Create a resume according to your desired job posting.
- Find a working template.
- Add all contacts and portfolio information.
- Use goals or summaries to highlight the most relevant skills.
- Please elaborate on your skills.
Moving ahead, let us take a look at the top freelancer resume sections that make the best layout:
- Professional summary
- Relevant work skills
Certifications
When it comes to the format, there are three basic resume formats to choose from.
- Reverse chronological resume is perfect for experienced individuals who are sticking to the industry. Centered around the experience section, the bullet points include your responsibilities and achievements, as well as numbers and results.
- Functional resume also known as the traditional resume is used by two types of people mainly, one is the inexperienced job seeker and second the career changer. Keep in mind that this is not the format preferred by recruiters, as most are accustomed to classical chronological orientation. Functional resumes focus on skills and the experience they have acquired, rather than a list of job titles.
- Hybrid Resumes are suitable not only for experienced candidates but also for career starters and career changers. They combine the best of both worlds, most often in a two-row format where one of the contents focuses on your experience and the other on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
Use the resume format that better suits your professional profile.
Here are some tips for layout and style:
- Use a clear and easy-to-read 12p font size of your resume.
- Use the 10-inch resume margin, which is the standard for good resume design.
- If you have less than 10 years of experience, use the one-page resume template. Otherwise, select a two-page resume.
- Save your resume as a PDF before sending it to your recruiter.
How to Put You Are a Freelancer on Your Freelancer Resume?
A freelance resume doesn’t have to be very different from regular professional resumes.
For example, if you are looking for a consulting job, were you a freelance consultant?
If you're looking for a writing job, were you a freelance writer?
You can view both as a complete job.
In simpler words, showcase your freelance work just as you would showcase your fieldwork.
How to List Your Work as a Freelancer
Putting up your freelance work can be quite a task at first, but once you get a hold of it, you will realize that it is just a piece of cake.
But how will you get a hold of it? Well, I have some golden tips for you.
If you are self-employed, it can be helpful to keep an up-to-date list of projects and use them on your resume, such as:
- Keep the extras in mind - Including extra skills on your resume shows recruiters that you have a range of hard and soft skills that you can bring to the role.
- Prioritize the items you want to include - Keep your resume to one page and provide a link to your portfolio or profile so recruiters may see all of your experience if they wish.
- Leave some space between the information - A visually beautiful resume with well-spaced text, professional typefaces, and well-organized information can help a hiring manager identify the most crucial parts at first look.
- Use facts and figures - A fantastic technique to illustrate your abilities is to provide objective data that indicate the impact of your effort.
As we move ahead, I am putting up a few freelancer resume examples that show you how to put your work in your freelance resumes.
Example for Freelance Graphic Designers
Work Experience
Freelance Graphic Designer
January 2012 – Present
- Meet with clients in person or online to discuss the scope of our various projects.
- Advise customers on the best strategy to use for a specific product and desired audience.
- Create unique images, audio messages, illustrations, and logos for clients.
- Review all projects to make sure the final product is bug-free.
- Ensure 100 percent customer satisfaction by presenting art to clients and giving them a chance for feedback.
![how to write a resume as a freelancer freelancing resume](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/652e8c998f656fbf00cb7c99/66aa70def35f497c912cc2d5_657bf91f1a98ce63ffcf82a7_freelancing%2520resume%25202.png)
If you are or have been a field graphic designer and are looking for the same, don’t forget to check out our graphic designer resume example that will help you reach your goal.
Example for Freelance Writers
Freelance Writer
Herman LLC, 2019 - present
- In January and February 2017, my content had over 100,000 views.
- On SaaS issues, I've written journal articles for over 100 clients.
- Redesigned website pages and email interactions to increase customer engagement by up to 60% for SaaS companies.
- For two weeks, I worked as an educator and assistant manager at Angle Express.
Gerhold, 2016 - 2019
- Over 100 list articles on Blockchain and Cryptography, Scalability, and Security have been written and published.
- I was in charge of four writing projects at the same time, all of which had tight deadlines.
- In just three months, I was able to raise the average pay per page from $4 to $7.
- NWSL, MLS, Ligue 1, Premier League, and MMA were among the topics covered.
Being a technical writer is for sure not an easy task, but you know what is more difficult and head-scratching than that? Yes, you guessed it right. It’s making a technical writer’s resume. You have nothing to worry about. Go straight to our technical writer resume guide and we will help you ease up the process.
Example for Freelance Software Developers
Rhythm, Inc., July 2006 – Present
- Assisting with project architecture, standards, and procedures implementation.
- The client's technical needs were researched, defined, and recorded.
- The system architecture was created and documented.
- Data flows and database structures were created.
- Project design, standards, and processes were implemented.
- Project tasks were identified and task definitions were established.
If you want to create a resume as a full-time software developer, you have nothing to worry about. I got you covered.
Check out our software developer resume example and create an outstanding software developer resume within minutes.
Should I Put My Education?
Yes, of course. Putting education on your freelancer resume is an excellent bonus.
Your education section should display any degrees, courses, or certificates you've earned.
If the job you're looking for isn't your first, there's no need to provide your GPA. Unless, of course, your GPA is high.
Education Checklist for Your Resume
- Include your highest level of schooling;
- Include the length of time you went there as well as the name of the institution.
- Include additional information, such as relevant courses and projects, if you're looking for an entry-level position.
- If certifications are required for the position, provide them in a separate section or the resume headline.
Come, take a look at the below-given example of a perfect education section on the freelance resume of a psychologist.
Penn State, Pennsylvania — 2019
Psychology, BA
- Active member, Psychology Student Association (PSM)
- Received Roy Scrivner Research Grants to study Adolescent behavior.
- Published 3 articles in the school paper rangingShould I Put My Education? from Psychology to computer
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Looking for something else? Check out our best resume examples .
Soft & Hard Skills for a Freelance Resume
The skills section of a resume, makes major recruiters take their decision about hiring employees.
Now the skills are usually classified into two main types:-
Hard Skills
- Smart Contract Development
- Statistical Analysis and Data Mining
- Cashier skills
- HTML/CSS/Javascript
- Video Editing
- User Interface Design
- Language skills
- Social Media Management
- Graphic Design
- Project Management
- Computer Troubleshooting
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Data Analysis
- Patient Care
- Macro/Micro Economics
- Server Maintenance
- Automotive Services, Parts, and Design
- Marketing (SEO/SEM)
- Cloud and Distributed Computing
- Database Management and Software
- Photo Editing
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail
Professional Summary for a Freelance Resume
"Does it need to be there?" Isn't it possible for me to just display a portfolio of projects that demonstrate why I'm the greatest candidate for the job posting?"
Certainly not. For each assignment, clients receive an average of more than ten resumes. This makes deciding who to hire nearly hard, which is why a decent summary section at the start of your own resume aids them in making a final selection.
A flawless summary should be concise and exact, which implies that it should be brief and not ambiguous.
A career or resume objective may be used to outline your professional aspirations and illustrate how they relate to the company.
If you have a lot of experience to share, include a synopsis. You can explain your greatest abilities or the ones you identified in the job description in your summary or resume objective. One or three sentences should be enough as a summary or aim.
Study the below examples and the correct as well as incorrect ways of writing a professional summary.
Award-winning freelance writer, editor, and social media manager with 10+ years of experience creating online content to improve top-funnel acquisition.
Driven writer and blogger with 3K+ active monthly readers. Editor at University journal which received 95% positive feedback from management for creativity.
Experienced writer. Have written many blogs. Suitable for the job.
Additional Sections for Your Freelancer Resume
Freelancing and freelancing resumes need a wide range of talents not immediately relevant to their profession.
Freelancers must efficiently manage their time, promote their services to potential clients, communicate properly about their work, handle their invoicing and costs, and keep track of their finances.
Including these talents in your freelancing resume demonstrates to recruiters that you possess a diverse set of hard and soft skills that you can apply to the position.
It's a good idea to include activities you do outside of work and school to show your clients that you're passionate about the industry.
Especially when you are writing a freelancer resume, it is best advised to include additional sections to your profile that can help you make your profile stronger as well as create an impact on the recruiter.
If you're applying for an entry-level job, including additional details like relevant courses and projects can be quite helpful.
On top of that featuring your certifications gives the recruiter a sense of reliability. Always remember to mention the year your certificate was issued or renewed.
Recruiters search for language skills to have a better understanding of your communication abilities.
Language skills not only provide you with the tools to communicate with people, but they also provide you with cultural understanding.
You definitely should.
To get a deeper understanding of this the main benefit of adding this section is that by doing this you provide the recruiter with a better and wider sense of your interests which helps them understand your dedication to the job role.
Tips to Optimize Your Freelancing Resume
By now you undoubtedly are ready to make your freelancing resume with ease. But before you get going, I have some golden tips for you that can help you create a job-winning freelancer resume.
Follow these guidelines while writing your freelance resume:
- To explain your accomplishments, use action words like "planned," "won," and "improved” (Preferably in the past tense, highlighting what you’ve achieved).
- Make your resume specific to the job you're looking for.
- For any sector-specific recommendations, research the standard for resumes in your business.
- Concentrate on your greatest and most relevant skills.
- Excerpts from favorable reviews from past contracts should be provided.
How to make a Job-Winning freelancer resume: Key Takeaway
![how to write a resume as a freelancer freelancing resume](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/652e8c998f656fbf00cb7c99/66aa70def35f497c912cc2d1_657bfa0b111f87c651a7c57c_freelancing%2520resume%25204.png)
- Select a resume layout that conveys the proper message and is appropriate for your present job circumstance.
- Make a resume heading that includes your desired job title as well as easy-to-find contact information.
- In your summary, be explicit about your experience, successes, and future aspirations;
- When explaining your experience, use specific measurements and instances that demonstrate the influence you had in past employment.
- Make a list of soft abilities with examples to back them up;
- Include all of your technical skills and certifications, and make sure they fit the job description.
Made it till here? Pat yourself on the back, you are now completely trained and ready to create your freelancer resume. And by chance you are still looking for a quicker way to make your resume, our quick resume builder is at your service. Use our resume builder now.
Complement Your resume with a Cover letter
Nowadays, job application forms include queries such as "why do you want to work here" or "explain why you're the greatest fit for us," leading you to wonder if a cover letter is still essential.
If the job description specifies that a cover letter is required, include yours.
You can easily leave it out if you don't want to use it. Nonetheless, they assist you in telling your narrative in a method that is compelling and interesting if written properly. To skip writing the entire cover letter on your own, use our ready-to-use cover letter templates.
Frequently Asked Questions from Freelancers
Can i freelance while being employed.
Yes! While studying or working full-time, you can begin freelancing. Many freelancers choose this route to avoid financial hardships or to expand their portfolio and customer base.
How do I calculate my freelance daily rate?
If you're just getting started, the simplest approach to figure out your freelancing day rate is to use your most recent basic wage as a starting point.
As a starting point, you can use the following calculating formula: 220 days divided by (your yearly base wage + 30%).
Create your resume with the best templates
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What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Create your resume in 15 minutes
Our free collection of expertly designed cover letter templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.
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Sample letters to download
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Cover Letter
Advice for getting a job, instructions.
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Listing Freelance Work on Your Resume: A 2024 Guide
If you’ve done freelance work, adding it to your resume can be an important way to demonstrate your skill set. Learn how to include it in this article.
3 years ago • 8 min read
In the post-pandemic world, freelance work isn't just commonplace - it's a critical cog in our economy. In 2024 we see a continued rise of remote work and digital nomadism, employers’ growing interest in versatility and adaptability, and the increasing acceptance and even preference for freelancers in many industries.
If you’ve done freelance work yourself, you should consider adding it to your resume, particularly if it encompasses the same skill set you’ll be using at the position you’re applying for.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to effectively incorporate your freelance experience on your resume, thereby giving you an edge in this fiercely competitive job market.
When to include freelance work on your resume
Deciding what to include or exclude when you write freelance work on your resume can be a balancing act. Here’s our simple advice:
Cover up employment gaps
Not everyone freelances full-time, of course, but listing freelance work on your resume can help cover any gaps on your resume where you weren’t directly employed (for any reason). Listing freelance projects in that time can show employers that you kept your skills engaged.
Highlight skills and experiences relevant to the new job
Even if you’ve been regularly employed, you should consider listing freelance work that demonstrates relevant skills. This is especially true if you’re applying into a field that you haven’t worked for a traditional employer in. As an example, if your background is in medical coding , but you’d like to get into game design, you should definitely list any gaming projects you’ve completed (even if they weren’t for a client).
Highlight 'big name' clients
Lastly, you should list your freelance work if your clients are particularly impressive (and, ideally, related to the field you’re applying for). If you’ve written for Forbes as a freelance writer or you’ve done web development for a recognized firm, you should include it.
Related: Crafting a Standout Business Owner Resume in 2024
When to exclude freelance work from your resume
While we generally recommend that you put freelance work on a resume, there are certain situations where it might be less beneficial:
Ignore very short projects
Very short or one-off projects (such as a blog entry on a low-traffic website) shouldn’t be listed, unless they’re with a highly prestigious client, you had very high impact at the company, or you need to show skills that aren't clear from the rest of your resume.
Don’t break NDAs
If you’ve worked with confidential client information (or the projects themselves are confidential), don’t break any NDAs by including them in your resume. However, even if they are confidential, there are ways to list confidential experiences on your resume without breaking any NDAs.Feel free to ask past clients to serve as references if you don’t have traditional employers to serve in that role.
Omit irrelevant freelance work
You shouldn’t aim to include every project or client you’ve worked with (unless it’s a short list). Your goal should be to pick the most relevant freelance work you’ve done, with the best projects or accomplishments included, while ideally keeping your resume one page long .
If you’re applying for a full-time graphic designer position, for example, you should include your graphic design work - but leave off your wedding photography side job.
How to format freelance work on your resume
Once you know which freelance work you’d like to include on your resume, your next step is to choose the right format. The type and extent of freelancing work you’ve done can help you decide what format to use.
Before we dive in, if you’d like to see some free examples of proven one-page resumes that you can base your own on, click here . You can use one as a template to tailor it to your own background based on the industry you’re in.
In a single entry on your resume
If you have completed multiple smaller or short-term projects and you’d like to group them all together, you can create a single listing (similar to an employer) for “freelance” or “consulting.”
Here is how to list your freelance work as a single entry on your resume:
- Come up with a company name or title to group your freelance experiences with.
- Choose a 'job title' (such as Freelance Web Developer, SEO Consultant, Copywriter, or Editor). Try to include a similar job title to the job you are applying for.
- Write a short blurb that describes the kind of work you do (including the number of projects you’ve completed, if you wish).
- Individually identify a few of your best projects and write 2-3 bullet points under each one, as shown below (for more bullet point examples, see the next section).
Under individual clients
Some freelancers work primarily for a few clients. If that best describes you, you may wish to list your client as you would an employer - include your job title, dates, location, and bullet-pointed accomplishments.
This format can also help you highlight big-name clients and the work you’ve done for them.
As selected projects with individual clients
Alternatively, if you’ve worked a lot with a single client and have some stellar projects that you’d like to highlight, you can list the client as an employer (like above) and include the project highlights.
Remember to mention clearly somewhere in the description that you worked as a freelancer or you were on a freelance contract. Don't deceive hiring managers into thinking this was a permanent role as that could hurt you in reference checks!
As separate entries
For those who have worked in multiple roles as a freelancer (such as writing and editing, or transcribing and landscaping), you may wish to list your roles as separate entries.
Doing so is more important when the freelance work you’ve done is more varied, as it will give you the opportunity to highlight a greater variety of skills and accomplishments.
When listing freelance work on your resume, you should aim to showcase relevant transferable skills and accomplishments. Upload your resume to the tool below to find out if you have listed your strongest and most relevant freelance experience and accomplishments.
Resume bullet point examples for freelancers
Bullet points, in your Work Experience or Projects section, are key to making your resume hard-hitting and keeping the hiring manager focused on what you can offer them.
In general, bullet points should follow a simple format: lead with a strong action verb , reference the skill you used (or see industry-based skills and keywords ), and include a numerical value to show how much of an impact you made.
Use the tool below to get a list of industry-based skills and keywords to add to your skills section.
Freelancer artist, illustrator, or graphic designer
Consider this example for an artist:
- “Illustrated and developed numerous concepts, including sketch and drawing, to support the production department in achieving a 100% delivery of projects within set targets/deadlines”
- "Designed online customer support center comprising of a self-service knowledge base and interactive chat; reduced customer support calls by 45%"
These leads with strong, relevant action verbs to tie into artistic skills (supporting the production department) and show reliability (100% delivery rate).
Freelance photographer
Your leading verb will often tie directly into your skills, meaning some bullet points can be short and sweet. This example is for photographers:
- “Photographed 20+ clients for headshots, holiday cards, and glamour shots"
Including the number of clients you’ve worked with and the types of photographs you’ve done will further inform the hiring manager about your capabilities.
Freelance web developer
Remember to emphasize your best accomplishments whenever possible. As a web developer, for example, you might include something along the lines of:
- “Redesigned the company's website introducing responsive design which increased the company's conversion rate by 220%”
- "Redesigned company's homepage and lead generation forms using only existing site components; reduced bounce rates by 40% and increased leads by 15% "
- "Contributed to TensorFlow, an open source machine learning library, through design discussions, code reviews, and commits; implemented ~5,000 lines of code in 6 months"
- "Streamlined data integration processes and standardized data feeds across systems, reducing data latency from 10 days to 1 day"
Along with describing your skill at “introducing responsive design”, the first bullet point tells the hiring manager that you improved your previous client’s conversion rate substantially - with no room for subjectivity.
Freelance writer
You may be able to work multiple accomplishments into a single bullet point, and don’t be afraid to. Take this example for writers:
- “Wrote 12 articles on consumer psychology and entrepreneurship, generating 25,000 page views, 4,000 re-tweets, and 3,500 newsletter subscribers"
- " Developed a travel and lifestyle blog generating 30k+ unique users per month; weekly newsletter has 20k+ subscribers"
- "Established brand strategy and marketing campaign, utilizing social media, guest blogging, and affiliates to grow awareness and build brand loyalty; currently have over 18k followers across all social media platforms (as of 10/2021)"
The more quantitative information you can include (in terms of your impact) , the more value will be added to your application.
Related : How To List Self-Employment on Your Resume
Choosing the Right Job Title for Your Freelance or Self-Employed Role
Choosing the right job title for your freelancing or self-employed gigs is an essential part of accurately representing your professional experience (and including the right keywords on your resume).
Here are a few job title examples to help you brainstorm:
- Freelance Graphic Designer: This title is perfect if you're applying for a graphic design position and your freelance work consisted primarily of graphic design projects. This clearly tells the hiring manager what kind of freelance work you've done.
- Independent Contractor - IT Consulting: If you've been working as an independent contractor, indicating your specialization can provide clarity. For instance, "IT Consulting" indicates that you have been doing consulting work in the IT sector.
- Self-Employed Business Consultant: If you owned a business where you provided consulting services, this title accurately describes your role and emphasizes your entrepreneurial experience.
- Freelance Content Writer: For professionals who write across various mediums like blogs, articles, white papers, and more, this title clearly communicates your expertise.
Remember, while these titles should reflect the type of work you were doing as a freelancer or a self-employed professional, they should also be in line with the job you're applying for. Try to choose a job title that matches the terms or keywords used in the job description.
Moreover, don't shy away from using 'freelance', 'self-employed', or 'independent contractor' in your job title. Employers value this type of work experience, and these terms can help to set the right expectations.
Use Score My Resume to check your freelance experiences
You can use our free, AI-powered resume review tool ( Score My Resume ) to get an idea of any areas you can brush up easily. Run your resume through a spell checker and/or Grammarly to make sure you haven’t left any typos.Lastly, remember to include a link to your online portfolio if you have one. This gives hiring managers a bounce point to see examples of your work.
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How to Put Freelance Work on Your Resume
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Clarify the Time Commitment
Focus on recent work, put your jobs in reverse-chronological order, only write descriptions for relevant jobs, don’t worry about including every job, consolidate similar jobs, show related industry experience.
Your freelance career likely includes many different projects for many different clients. Depending on the scope of your work, your compensation might have varied significantly. One job might have paid by the hour, another paid by the project, and some were commission jobs. So, it may seem challenging to put your work experience into words, let alone visualize it on a resume.
But it’s easier than you might think. You don’t have to take a drastically different approach than you would for a standard full-time-work resume. Many of the same core resume strategies apply, including a summary profile, spelling out results, and using a conservative format. Additionally, you should structure your freelance job descriptions similarly to full-time job descriptions.
Often the problem of a freelance resume is simply one of organization. How do you organize so many different jobs and gigs on a couple of 8.5 by 11-inch pages? Follow these best practices to address any complexity in your career history and include freelance work on your resume:
When developing freelance job descriptions, you need to clarify the time commitment involved, so the description doesn’t mislead the hiring manager to think a “once in a while” job was taking up your whole schedule. Often the best place to do this is in the first line – include a phrase like “on a part-time basis,” “on an intermittent basis,” or “for 10 hours per week on average.” This keeps the work history accurate and allows you to include plenty of different freelance jobs on your resume with confidence.
You don’t have to go all the way back to your first job out of college. Instead, focus on your most recent 10-15 years of experience. When in doubt, refer to the job postings that interest you. How many years do they generally call for? Take your work history back that far (for example, if seven years, take your work history back to about 2015).
To do this effectively, first put them in order of the most recent end date, then the most recent start date. This two-step process lets you iron out any complexities posed by starting or ending multiple jobs at the same time or holding multiple positions concurrently. The result may seem counterintuitive if you push a recent job farther down, but it’s the correct way to organize your work history.
What kind of job are you going after in your search? You don’t need to flesh out descriptions for positions unrelated to your goal. Leave in unrelated jobs if they help fill an employment gap, but don’t include more than basic details about them.
For freelance work history, it can be hard to recall all your jobs (especially the short-lived ones). Know that no one is forcing you to include every single recent job. Resumes are not intended to be a comprehensive view of your work experience. They are meant to be focused and give the hiring manager enough information that they want to know more about you via an interview. If you’re showing consistent recent work, you don’t need to tear your hair out thinking of every other job you might have held during that time span.
You don’t need a distinct entry for every job on your freelance resume. A helpful strategy is to start with a complete outline of your recent experience, including:
- organization
- start and end dates
Then look for patterns. Are there jobs that share similar details?
Full-timers often work multiple successive jobs at the same employer. However, the inverse is often true for freelancers. You’ve held the same title (or a very similar title) for multiple clients and companies. If that’s the case, you can first provide your title, then list multiple clients or companies below the title as an indented list and describe the work in common. Here’s an example of how this looks in action:
Graphic Designer – Freelance, New York, NY | August 2018 to January 2020
Client Company Name
- Developed illustrations and logo designs for three high-profile companies.
Freelancers often gain experience in many different industries, so you may feel you need to round up and list out all the industries you’ve worked in your profile. You don’t need to do that, though, since hiring managers like to see candidates with experience in their particular industry. Consider a more focused presentation. Only call out industry experience relevant to the job at hand, like this: “Freelance Writer with 10+ years of experience including four years serving the insurance industry.”
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COMMENTS
3. Add all of your contact and portfolio information. Add your contact information at the top of your resume so it's easy to see. List your name, address, phone number and email address. If you have a professional networking platform or website that has samples of your freelance work, include the link with your contact details.
To show freelance work on a resume: List your freelance position on your resume as if it were a job. Understand the job offer you're applying to. Know the required skills. Think when you used those skills doing freelance work. Tailor your resume —find your biggest achievements from freelancing that fit. Add the achievements to your resume ...
15 Freelancer Resume Examples & Guide for 2024. Your freelancer resume must highlight your diverse skill set. Show off your proven track record of successful projects. Demonstrate your adaptability and problem-solving prowess. Potential clients want to see your ability to deliver quality under pressure. Use This Example.
A resume for a freelancer should be flexible and easily adaptable to the different types of projects you apply for. While this freelancer resume example and guide will cover general tips and guidelines for self-employed people, you can also find field-specific resources in our 125+ resume examples. Make sure to check out the one that most ...
Freelancers should always list their positions and who they've worked with on their resumes in reverse-chronological order. This section of your resume should include things like start and end dates, a summary of your project responsibilities, and any achievements or positive outcomes for the project. 1.
The fastest way to write yourprofessional summary. Showcase your selling points as a Freelancer with an attention-grabbing professional summary generated by our Resume Builder! It's an automated tool that will suggest best-use phrases and content-rich sentences you can customize. 1. Enter the details about the job title you held.
No matter which format you select, ensure your freelancer resume looks clean, organized, professional, and easy to digest. Consult these visual presentation tips: Use an evenly spaced standard font like Arial 11 pt. Stick to standard, professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman at 11 or 12 point size.
Freelance Resume Sample. 1. Follow the Freelance Resume Formatting Rules. 2. Start Your Freelance Resume With a Career Summary. 3. Write the Perfect Freelance Resume Skills and Experience Sections. 4. Include an Education Section to Prove Your Qualifications.
To write a freelancer resume, first identify the freelance service you're offering and what qualifies you to provide it. Then, consider who will be reading your resume and what they're looking for. Write your resume to focus on these needs, highlighting your accomplishments and the value you've added in past roles.
A strong and well-written freelance resume should always be relevant to the project your applying for or the client you want to land. Therefore, it should always include elements that indicate: Relevant experience. Your skills that matches the posting. Achievements related to the goals the project or client needs to reach.
2. Create a title for your role. Consider creating a job title for yourself to establish a clear description of the type of work you have been offering. This can help your resume be clear and consistent. For example, you might represent yourself as a contract photographer or a freelance web designer.
Wrote all about bananas. Saw 3000% increase in site clicks. Grew online presence by 111.2%. When listing freelance work on your resume, however, you'll want to change the structure to fit your freelance work. Try instead: Client name, Main Duties (copywriting, etc), Dates, Skills/Results.
Sample Freelancer Resume Objective. Driven writer and blogger with 3K+ active monthly readers. Editor at University journal which received 95% positive feedback from management for creativity. Related: Self Employed Resume Examples; how to write a resume summary; Freelancer Resume - Work Experience (With Examples) Consider the following tips ...
Include a one to two-sentence description, dates and outcomes. Create different sheets for different types of projects (press releases, campaign launches, analytics, etc.). This will help you optimize your freelance resume down the road. Create an empty section in your resume entitled "Notable Clients and Projects.".
To create an effective freelancer resume, follow these steps so you have a resume that records your work history and goals in the way that is most likely to get the attention of recruiters. Create a resume according to your desired job posting. Find a working template. Add all contacts and portfolio information.
Here is how to list your freelance work as a single entry on your resume: Come up with a company name or title to group your freelance experiences with. Choose a 'job title' (such as Freelance Web Developer, SEO Consultant, Copywriter, or Editor). Try to include a similar job title to the job you are applying for.
Often the best place to do this is in the first line - include a phrase like "on a part-time basis," "on an intermittent basis," or "for 10 hours per week on average.". This keeps the work history accurate and allows you to include plenty of different freelance jobs on your resume with confidence.
Adding freelance work to your resume is not that different from listing any other work experience. Here's what to include when listing freelance work on your resume: Name of client. Time period you worked with them. Job title ("freelance", followed by your position) 4-5 bullet points that highlight your skills and accomplishments.
How to create a freelance writer resume. Here are some steps you can follow to create an effective freelance writer resume: 1. List your contact information. The first section of a resume typically includes an applicant's contact information. You can add your full name, phone number, email address and location.
Here's how to write a freelance writer resume that gets jobs: 1. Start With the Best Freelance Writer Resume Format. Freelance writerswrite marketing and other content for clients. Unlike staff writers, they're not on the company payroll. They generally work by-the-word or by-the-hour and may have multiple clients.
1. Highlight your freelance writer skills. A typical day for a freelance writer includes discussing project details with clients, interpreting creative briefs, and drafting or editing written content. So a strong freelance writer resume should highlight your writing abilities, industry knowledge, and computer literacy.