{"id":233,"date":"2023-01-19T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.signtime.com\/en\/?post_type=blog&#038;p=233"},"modified":"2024-05-11T07:25:04","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T22:25:04","slug":"freelance-work-on-a-resume","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.signtime.com\/en\/blog\/freelance-work-on-a-resume\/","title":{"rendered":"How to List Freelance Work on a Resume So You Stand Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Written by <a href=\"https:\/\/b2b-saas.io\/\">Timothy Ware<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Writing a resume can be difficult. There are so many questions to consider when updating your resume:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Is it okay to have two pages, or should you stick to one?<\/li><li>Do you need a cover letter?<\/li><li>Is listing work experience enough, or should you have specific sections for skills?<\/li><li>Should you write for a human reader or applicant tracking system (ATS) software?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is even more complicated for those who have considerable freelance or self-employed experience. Whether and how to list freelance work on a resume are just two of the added questions this raises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you should definitely add freelance experience to your resume. For the answer to the second question, keep reading. (You should also take a look at my recent post on <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.signtime.com\/en\/blog\/freelance-work-on-linkedin\/\">how to set up your LinkedIn profile to drive clients to your inbox<\/a><\/mark>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, I am going to go through exactly how to list freelance work on a resume, including all the dos and don\u2019ts so you&#8217;re guaranteed to stand out. Whether you are looking to attract new clients or transition into traditional employment, you are sure to find some great tips below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever freelance niche you work in, SignTime has you covered with this recent article detailing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.signtime.com\/en\/blog\/the-best-freelance-contract\/\">everything you need to know to draft your own freelance work contracts as well as links to helpful templates<\/a> for use in every industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips on how to list freelance work on a resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the top tips on how to list freelance work on a resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Use a job title that matches the work you have done<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What would your job title be if you worked in-house? Take that job title and then add \u201cfreelance,\u201d \u201cconsultant,\u201d or \u201ccontract\u201d to it. This is the best way to give an appropriate level of authority to your self-employed work history without risking dishonesty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have performed several different tasks in a freelance capacity, you can either break them down as sub-headings or list all of the titles at once and then discuss them as a group. The total length of your resume will dictate which is better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have little experience, break them apart. If you have a lot, condense them to shorten the total length of your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Add company names where appropriate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You should definitely have a separate section that details your self-employment. However, if you have worked for some clients for months or years, especially in an on-going capacity, then consider breaking them out into separate work histories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Provide a summary of the services you offered<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the normal things\u2014titles, dates, and company names\u2014be sure to give a good summary of the tasks you completed. Since freelance workers with similar titles often do slightly different tasks from their in-house colleagues, this is particularly important. Be sure to mention any software you can use, skills you employed, and anything else that may entice recruiters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Highlight your noteworthy accomplishments and\/or clients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you worked on any major projects or had any major accomplishments, be sure to add them to your resume. Furthermore, while long-term clients deserve their own paragraph, be sure to mention any other noteworthy clients in your self-employed section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why you should definitely list freelance work on your resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The simple answer is that \u201cwork is work\u201d, and just because you are a freelancer doesn\u2019t mean you aren\u2019t doing meaningful work. In fact, you are navigating all the tasks of a full time employee in addition to those of a small business owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the job itself, you are also dealing with taxes, time management, personal sales and marketing, personal brand awareness, and so much more. That tells me that freelance work is a great selling point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The alternative would be less experience, potential gaps in your employment history, and fewer chances to mention the specific skills you have gained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have mostly done freelance work as a side hustle, then it is still a great opportunity to show a potential recruiter three things. First, it shows that you take chances. Second, it gives you a chance to show off the skills you\u2019ve attained outside your day job. Third, it tells the recruiter that you have drive and tenacity, since you have taken opportunities to advance your career, improve your income, and increase your human capital on the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The dos and don\u2019ts of listing freelance work on a resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like with your traditional work history, listing freelance work on a resume should be done carefully. Your resume is your chance to tell a recruiter (and their software) that you have value, so you should be careful when adding any information to make sure it improves your value. Let\u2019s take a look at what you should and shouldn\u2019t do in a few common scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you should list the clients you worked for<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>DO<\/strong>: If you have worked for a client on an ongoing basis or over a large project that lasted months to years, do list them where you\u2019d normally list the name of the company and include any relevant information\u2014name, dates, location, and so on. Under the self-employed section, do add the names of noteworthy clients.<\/li><li><strong>DON\u2019T:<\/strong> Don\u2019t include any confidential client information\u2014it isn\u2019t necessary and will make you look less trustworthy. It could also cause you legal trouble.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you should list the projects you\u2019ve completed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>DO:<\/strong> Do highlight the work you have done and any projects or tasks you\u2019ve completed. Do include any skills you\u2019ve learned or tools used. Do be sure to describe the project clearly. Include a link to your portfolio if you have one.<\/li><li><strong>DON\u2019T:<\/strong> Don\u2019t go into unnecessary details, and don\u2019t lie\u2014that includes making small projects seem bigger. Don\u2019t use difficult language. Don\u2019t feel the need to list all the steps\u2014a resume is just a summary.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How you should list the results you\u2019ve achieved<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>DO:<\/strong> Do explain how your work contributed to the success of your client. Do show how you followed the client\u2019s mission and worked in their culture. Wherever possible, do provide measurable outcomes to prove the value you added.<\/li><li><strong>DON\u2019T:<\/strong> Don\u2019t share the amount you charged. Don\u2019t include lesser results. Finally, don\u2019t forget to provide all relevant details\u2014this is your chance to use your freelance work history to stand out.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">List freelance work on your resume to prove your worth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Freelance work is work, and work goes on your resume. How to list freelance work on a resume is a common concern, but it doesn\u2019t need to be. Add the work history that makes you look good and skip the stuff that doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever industry you freelance in, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.signtime.com\/\">SignTime<\/a> is there to help. With convenient e-signature capabilities, you\u2019ll get signed contracts back from your clients in record time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With an easy-to-access and organized online contract repository, never search for important paperwork again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":234,"parent":0,"template":"","blog_cat":[34],"blog_tag":[38],"class_list":["post-233","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_cat-freelance","blog_tag-resume"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to List Freelance Work on a Resume So You Stand Out<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Written by Timothy Ware Writing a resume can be difficult. 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