A Comprehensive Guide on How to Incorporate Contract Freelance Work into Your Resume

Freelancing has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more professionals opting for the flexibility and autonomy that comes with working on a contract basis. Whether you’re a writer, designer, developer, or any other type of freelancer, it’s important to know how to effectively showcase your contract work on your resume.

Including your freelance experience on your resume can demonstrate your ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and adapt to different clients and industries. However, it can be challenging to know how to present this information in a way that highlights your skills and accomplishments.

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of including contract freelance work on your resume. We will cover everything from how to format your resume to how to highlight your freelance projects and achievements. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a resume that effectively showcases your contract work and sets you apart from other candidates.

So, whether you’re a seasoned freelancer looking to update your resume or a professional considering freelancing for the first time, this guide is for you. Let’s dive in and learn how to include contract freelance work on your resume!

Step 1: Determine the Relevant Freelance Work

Before including your contract freelance work on your resume, it is important to determine which projects are most relevant to the job you are applying for. This step will help you showcase your skills and experience in the best possible way.

Here are a few steps to help you determine the relevant freelance work:

By determining the relevant freelance work, highlighting your key responsibilities and achievements, and showcasing your transferable skills, you can effectively include your contract freelance work on your resume and impress potential employers.

Identify Your Most Significant Projects

When including contract freelance work on your resume, it is important to identify your most significant projects. These are the projects that showcase your skills, experience, and achievements in the best possible way. Here are some tips to help you identify your most significant projects:

1. Consider the Impact: Think about the projects that had the most impact on your clients or employers. These could be projects where you exceeded expectations, delivered exceptional results, or solved complex problems.

2. Look for Relevance: Identify projects that are relevant to the job or industry you are applying for. Highlight projects that demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in the specific field.

3. Focus on Size and Scope: Consider the size and scope of the projects you have worked on. Highlight projects that involved significant responsibilities, large budgets, or high-profile clients.

4. Highlight Achievements: Look for projects where you achieved specific goals or milestones. These could be projects where you increased sales, improved efficiency, or implemented successful strategies.

5. Consider Diversity: Include a diverse range of projects that showcase your versatility and adaptability. Highlight projects from different industries, clients, or types of work to demonstrate your ability to handle various challenges.

By identifying your most significant projects, you can effectively showcase your skills and experience to potential employers. Remember to provide specific details and examples of your achievements in each project to make your resume stand out.

Highlight Your Key Responsibilities and Achievements

When including your contract freelance work on your resume, it is important to highlight your key responsibilities and achievements. This will give potential employers a clear understanding of the value you can bring to their organization.

Start by listing your key responsibilities for each freelance project you have worked on. This could include tasks such as project management, client communication, and delivering high-quality work within deadlines.

Next, highlight your achievements for each project. Did you successfully complete a project ahead of schedule? Did you exceed client expectations and receive positive feedback? Did you contribute to the growth or success of the client’s business?

Be specific and provide quantifiable results whenever possible. For example, instead of saying “Managed client projects,” you could say “Managed 10 client projects simultaneously, resulting in a 20% increase in client satisfaction ratings.”

Additionally, consider including any awards or recognition you received for your freelance work. This could be industry awards, positive client testimonials, or recommendations from previous clients.

By highlighting your key responsibilities and achievements, you are demonstrating your expertise and success as a contract freelancer. This will make you stand out to potential employers and increase your chances of landing new freelance opportunities.

Showcase Your Transferable Skills

When including your contract freelance work on your resume, it’s important to highlight the transferable skills you gained from these experiences. Transferable skills are abilities and qualities that can be applied to different roles and industries, making you a valuable candidate.

Start by identifying the skills you developed during your freelance projects. These can include:

• Communication skills: Freelancing often requires effective communication with clients, understanding their needs, and providing regular updates on project progress.
• Time management: As a freelancer, you likely had to juggle multiple projects and deadlines, demonstrating your ability to prioritize tasks and meet deliverables.
• Problem-solving: Freelancers often encounter challenges and obstacles during projects. Highlight your problem-solving skills by showcasing how you overcame these hurdles and delivered successful outcomes.
• Adaptability: Freelancing often involves working with different clients and industries, requiring you to quickly adapt to new environments and learn new skills.
• Organizational skills: Showcase your ability to manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Self-motivation: Freelancers are responsible for their own success. Highlight your ability to work independently, stay motivated, and meet deadlines without direct supervision.

When describing your transferable skills, use specific examples and quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, instead of simply stating “strong communication skills,” provide an example such as “successfully collaborated with a remote team of 10 individuals to deliver a project on time and within budget.”

Remember to tailor your transferable skills to the specific job you’re applying for. Review the job description and identify the skills and qualities the employer is seeking. Then, align your transferable skills with those requirements to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

By showcasing your transferable skills gained from your contract freelance work, you can effectively demonstrate your value as a candidate and increase your chances of landing your desired job.

Step 2: Structure Your Resume to Highlight Freelance Work

When including contract freelance work on your resume, it’s important to structure it in a way that highlights your experience and skills effectively. Here are some tips on how to structure your resume to highlight your freelance work:

By structuring your resume in this way, you can effectively showcase your freelance work and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Remember to tailor your resume to each job application, highlighting the freelance projects that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Create a Separate Section for Freelance Work

When including contract freelance work on your resume, it is important to create a separate section dedicated to showcasing your freelance experience. This allows potential employers to easily identify and understand your freelance work history.

By creating a separate section, you can clearly differentiate your freelance work from your full-time employment or other professional experiences. This helps to highlight the unique skills and expertise you have gained through your freelance projects.

When structuring this section, consider using a heading such as “Freelance Work” or “Contract Projects” to clearly indicate the nature of the work. This heading should be bold and stand out from the rest of your resume.

Underneath the heading, list each freelance project you have worked on in reverse chronological order. Include the project name, client or company you worked for, and the duration of the project. This information provides important context for potential employers and demonstrates your ability to work on a variety of projects with different clients.

For example:

• Project Name: ABC Company Website Redesign
• Client: ABC Company
• Duration: January 2020 – March 2020

Repeat this format for each freelance project you have completed, ensuring that each project is clearly listed and organized.

By creating a separate section for your freelance work, you can effectively showcase your experience and skills to potential employers. This demonstrates your ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and deliver high-quality results.

Include the Project Name, Client, and Duration

When including your contract freelance work on your resume, it is important to provide specific details about each project. This information helps potential employers understand the scope of your work and the clients you have worked with. Here are some tips on how to include the project name, client, and duration:

• Project Name: Start by listing the name of the project you worked on. This could be a specific campaign, a website development project, or any other relevant work you have done.
• Client: Mention the name of the client or company you worked for. This helps employers gauge the level of professionalism and the types of clients you have experience with.
• Duration: Include the duration of the project, specifying the start and end dates. This gives employers an idea of the length of your commitment and the ability to manage deadlines.

By including these details, you provide a clear picture of your freelance work experience and demonstrate your ability to handle different projects and clients. Remember to be concise and specific in your descriptions, focusing on the most relevant information for each project.

Question-answer:

How can I include contract freelance work on my resume?

To include contract freelance work on your resume, you should create a separate section for it. List the name of the company or client you worked for, the dates of your contract, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. You can also include any relevant skills or projects you completed during your freelance work.

Should I include all my freelance work on my resume?

It is not necessary to include all your freelance work on your resume. Instead, focus on including the projects and experiences that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Choose the freelance work that best showcases your skills and accomplishments in relation to the position you are seeking.

How do I highlight my freelance work experience on my resume?

To highlight your freelance work experience on your resume, you can use bullet points to list your responsibilities and achievements for each contract. Focus on quantifiable results and specific skills you developed during your freelance work. You can also include any notable clients or projects you worked on to demonstrate your expertise.

Can I use freelance work as a reference on my resume?

Yes, you can use freelance work as a reference on your resume. If you have a client or company that can vouch for your skills and work ethic, you can include their contact information as a reference. Make sure to ask for their permission before listing them as a reference and inform them about the job you are applying for.

How do I explain gaps in employment due to freelance work on my resume?

To explain gaps in employment due to freelance work on your resume, you can simply list the dates of your freelance contracts and mention that you were working as a freelancer during that time. You can also highlight any relevant skills or projects you completed during those gaps to show that you were actively engaged in your field.

How can I include contract freelance work on my resume?

To include contract freelance work on your resume, you should create a separate section for it. List the name of the company or client you worked for, the dates of your contract, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. Highlight any relevant skills or projects that demonstrate your expertise in the field.