Whether you’ve spent years working independently or you’ve taken on side projects to grow your skills, freelance experience can be a powerful addition to your resume. It shows you’re self-disciplined, versatile, and experienced. Properly highlighting this type of work can position you as a proactive professional who can manage responsibilities and deliver good results.
So, how to put freelance work on your resume in a way that stands out? This article will help you confidently list your freelance experience, whether you’re a seasoned freelancer, a recent graduate adding freelance gigs, or someone transitioning from freelancing to a full-time role.
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Should you add freelance to your resume?
Including freelance work on your resume can strengthen your candidacy when done thoughtfully, but it’s not always the right choice. It depends on its relevance to the role and the narrative you want to present.
When to include freelance work
- If it’s relevant to the job: “The decision to include specific projects should rely on whether they align with the job requirements,” says Linda More, head of HR at Slipintosoft, who has over a decade of experience in talent acquisition. “In my role, we seek candidates capable of conveying their story, why they're drawn to our mission, and how their background can contribute to our continued success.” If your freelance work will help you express that message and get the employer's confidence, then go ahead and add it to your resume.
- To fill employment gaps: Freelance projects are an excellent way to address periods without traditional employment. They show that you remained active and productive and gained extra experience.
- To highlight accomplishments: If you achieved measurable results, such as boosting a client’s sales or managing large-scale projects, these are worth showcasing. “Showcase projects that demonstrate measurable impact or skills enhancement,” More says.
When to exclude freelance work
- If It’s unrelated to the job: Including irrelevant freelance projects can clutter your resume and distract from your main qualifications.
- If it’s outdated: Projects that are too old or no longer reflect your current skill set may not add value to your resume.
Let’s see some examples. Let’s say you’re applying for a marketing role, and during your freelance career, you ran successful ad campaigns that increased a client’s revenue by 30%. Highlighting this work would bolster your application. On the other hand, if you’re pursuing a role in engineering and the freelance project was copywriting for an unrelated field, it might be better left off.
How to format a resume with freelance work?
Now that you have decided to include your freelance work on your resume, it’s important to understand how to format it—the right choice can make a significant impact, showcasing your versatility and achievements without overwhelming recruiters.
1. Choose the right structure
There are three main types of resume formats:
- Chronological format: This resume style lists your work history in reverse chronological order, focusing on consistency and progression. It’s ideal for those with a steady career path.
- Functional format: This less-common style emphasizes skills and achievements over specific roles, making it suitable for freelancers or those with gaps in their work history.
- Hybrid format: It’s also possible to combine elements of both, presenting skills while keeping a clear timeline. If you have a mix of traditional jobs and freelance projects, this format can work well.
“A hybrid format, combining a functional and chronological approach, often fits freelancers best,” Moore says. “It assists in grouping similar projects while providing a timeline of their work.”
2. List freelance work under relevant sections
Where you choose to place your freelance work on your resume depends largely on how extensive your freelance experience is.
- In “Experience” or “Professional Work:” If you have only a few freelance projects, incorporate them seamlessly alongside other roles in your work history, especially if they align closely with the job you’re targeting.
- A separate “Freelance Projects” section: If freelance work forms a significant part of your career, dedicate a section to it, ensuring clarity and focus.
3. Use clear titles
Titles matter. Opt for descriptive yet professional terms like “Freelance Graphic Designer” instead of generic ones like “Self-Employed.” This adds polish and specificity, making your resume more appealing to employers.
Read this next: Can You Have Self-Employment on a Resume? Yes—Here’s How
4. Group similar projects
If you’ve handled multiple smaller gigs, combine them under a cohesive heading to keep clarity, provide the employer with a smoother reading experience, and save space. “Freelancers can consolidate projects under a ‘Freelance Work’ header, categorized by skill or industry,” Moore says. “Each entry should briefly describe the project’s scope, the problem solved, and the results achieved.”
For example:
Freelance Work—Digital Marketing (2019–2023)
- Developed targeted ad campaigns for small businesses, such as XYZ Company and LMN Enterprises, achieving a 20% average increase in sales.
- Provided SEO strategy consulting for five e-commerce brands, improving search rankings by two positions on average.
Bonus tips for making your freelance work stand out
In addition to choosing the right format, certain strategies can help you showcase your work in a way that highlights your contributions and achievements. Here are some practical tips to ensure your freelance experience enhances your profile and aligns with the role you're targeting.
Be specific
Clearly mention the clients or industries you worked with, the nature of the tasks, and the outcomes. “Emphasize your unique projects, highlighting your skills applied, solutions provided, and value-added to your clients,” Moore says.
For instance, instead of writing “Freelance Writer,” be specific.
Freelance Writer for Tech Startups
Created SEO-driven articles that boosted website traffic by 30%.
Use metrics and results
Quantifying achievements makes your work more compelling. “Indicate the scale or size of your projects, the revenue generated, efficiency increased, or any significant metrics associated with your roles,” Moore says. Use bullet points to showcase your results, such as:
- Increased website traffic for a client by 50%.
- Delivered 15 design projects within tight deadlines, boosting client satisfaction.
Examples of how to add freelance work to a resume
Here are a few resume examples to inspire you. They show how to tailor your resume format to showcase your freelance expertise, depending on your career goals and how much freelance experience you have.
Example #1: Chronological format for freelancers transitioning to full-time
If you're transitioning from freelance work to a full-time job, a chronological format works best. This format allows you to list your freelance roles alongside your previous employment, clearly showing your career progression. For instance:
Experience
Freelance Copywriter | March 2021—Present
- Wrote and edited content using SEO best practices for XYZ Company, EFG Inc., and others.
- Covered topics like digital marketing strategies, e-commerce trends, and content marketing best practices.
- Increased traffic by 30% for a key client through SEO-optimized blog posts.
Marketing Manager | ABC Corp | June 2019—February 2021
- Managed digital campaigns and led a team of 5 marketers to develop creative strategies.
- Created detailed reports on campaign performance for senior management, influencing strategic decision-making.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch three successful product campaigns, driving a 15% growth in sales.
Example #2: Functional format highlighting transferable skills
The functional format emphasizes abilities and achievements rather than the timeline of employment. This format is perfect if you’re transitioning into a new field or looking to highlight specific expertise. Here's how to expand the bullet points for each skill:
Skills and Achievements
- Content creation: Developed SEO-optimized blog posts, landing pages, and product descriptions for a variety of industries, from e-commerce to finance and tech. Increased organic traffic by up to 40% for clients by focusing on keyword research, on-page optimization, and content strategy. Tailored content to meet target audience needs, which helped improve user engagement and lead conversion rates.
- Project management: Successfully managed over 15 freelance projects, coordinating with clients to define project scope, timelines, and deliverables. Ensured all projects were delivered on time and within budget, resulting in a 98% client satisfaction rate. Used tools like Trello and Asana to track progress, manage tasks, and collaborate with remote teams.
- Client communication: Built and kept strong client relationships through regular check-ins and progress reports. Actively solicited feedback to improve deliverables, which led to a 35% increase in repeat business. Led client meetings to define expectations, discuss milestones, and address concerns, ensuring a transparent and collaborative process.
Example #3: Hybrid format for seasoned freelancers showcasing diverse Projects
A hybrid format is ideal for experienced freelancers who have a variety of projects across different industries. For example:
Freelance Work
Graphic Designer | 2022—Present
- Designed branding materials, including logos, websites, and marketing collateral for diverse clients in healthcare, tech, and education.
- Increased brand recognition for clients through custom design projects.
- Collaborated with clients to develop tailored visual identities, ensuring design choices aligned with client values, mission, and target audience, which resulted in a 25% increase in customer engagement for several clients.
UX/UI Designer | 2020—2023
- Developed intuitive and user-friendly website designs and app interfaces for startups in the e-commerce sector.
- Conducted user research and A/B testing to refine designs, leading to a 30% improvement in website conversion rates for key clients.
Professional Experience
Senior Graphic Designer | XYZ Corp | 2015—2021
- Led a design team and managed creative projects from concept to execution, ensuring on-brand and on-budget delivery.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams (marketing, product development, and sales) to create cohesive visual campaigns that supported company goals within the financial industry.
- Mentored junior designers by providing guidance and feedback on their work, which improved team productivity and design quality.
Showcase your experience
Including freelance work on your resume is a powerful way to showcase your skills, versatility, and accomplishments. Whether you're using a chronological, functional, or hybrid format, it’s important to tailor how you present your freelance experience based on the job you're targeting. By providing specific details, highlighting measurable results, and aligning your freelance work with the employer's needs, you can transform what might seem like an unconventional career path into a strength.
FAQs
How to write a CV as a freelancer?
When crafting a CV as a freelancer, it’s important to focus on your skills, achievements, and the projects you’ve completed. Highlight specific freelance roles under a separate section or incorporate them into your overall experience, depending on the amount of freelance work you have. Focus on measurable outcomes (like increased website traffic or design projects delivered) and be sure to list the industries you’ve worked in and the clients you’ve served to prove your versatility.
How do you describe freelance writing on a resume?
For freelance writing, describe the types of writing projects you've undertaken (e.g., blog posts, articles, web copy, social media copy, etc.) and the impact they had. Be specific about industries or topics you've written about, and include metrics (if you have them available) such as audience growth, engagement, or SEO improvements. For example, “Wrote 50+ articles on digital marketing, increasing client website traffic by 40%.”
Is it better to say freelance or self-employed on a resume?
It depends on the context. “Freelance” is more common and widely recognized, indicating that you worked independently on various projects for different clients. “Self-employed” is broader and may be more suitable if you ran your own business or offered services over a long period. In general, “freelance” tends to be the more straightforward and familiar term for most recruiters and hiring managers.
How do I indicate freelance work on my resume?
You can indicate freelance work on your resume in several ways. If it's a significant part of your career, consider creating a dedicated “Freelance Work” section. For smaller projects, you can include them under your “Experience” or “Professional Work” section. Be sure to list each client (if possible), the services provided, and key outcomes or achievements from each project.