Freelancing has become an increasingly popular way of working in recent years, with many people taking on freelance projects to supplement their income or as their primary source of work. However, adding freelance work to your resume can be a bit challenging, especially if you’re not sure how to present it to potential employers. Here are some tips on how to add freelance work to your resume.
- Use a Separate Section: One of the easiest ways to include freelance work on your resume is to create a separate section for it. This way, it’s clear to potential employers which experience is freelance and which is traditional employment. You can title this section “Freelance Experience” or “Contract Work.”
- Be Clear on Dates: When listing your freelance work, make sure to include the dates you worked on each project. This will help potential employers understand the timeline of your experience and assess your availability for future projects.
- Highlight Your Achievements: Similar to traditional employment, highlighting your achievements and outcomes from freelance work is critical. You should use bullet points to showcase the specific projects you worked on, what you accomplished, and the impact it had on the client. Including specific metrics such as increased website traffic, improved search rankings, or social media engagement can be beneficial.
- Specify Your Role and Skills: It’s essential to specify your role in each freelance project, whether it was as a writer, designer, consultant, or anything else. Additionally, highlight the skills you used in each project, such as content creation, client management, or project management. This will help potential employers understand your range of capabilities.
- Include Testimonials or References: Freelance work can be challenging to verify, and including testimonials or references from clients can help build credibility. Reach out to previous clients and ask for their feedback on the work you completed, and include a few of their quotes on your resume.
- Mention Your Freelance Business: If you have a freelancing business name, you can include it on your resume. It’s a great way to showcase your professionalism and shows that you take your work seriously.
- Be Honest: Lastly, it’s essential, to be honest about your freelance work. If you were working full-time while freelancing, make it clear that it was done on a part-time or contract basis. Similarly, if you were working as a sole proprietor and freelancing as a company, be sure to clarify the difference.
In conclusion, adding freelance work to your resume requires careful consideration of how to present your experience in the most effective way possible. At Paradigm Resume, our executive can help you write a customized resume to get a job. Use a separate section for your freelance work, be clear on dates, and highlight your achievements and skills. By following these tips, you can showcase your freelance experience and stand out to potential employers.