Yes, you can and should put freelance work on a resume. Independent work is recognized as valuable, real-world experience that provides tangible proof of your skills. Failing to include it means omitting a significant part of your professional story. Properly presenting this experience can differentiate you from other candidates and demonstrate a capacity for self-direction, showcasing your ability to secure work and manage projects outside of a traditional employment structure.
Benefits of Including Freelance Work on Your Resume
Including freelance experience on your resume can fill employment gaps, transforming them into a positive narrative of professional activity. Instead of an unexplained timeline, you can show an employer that you were actively honing your skills and engaging with your industry. This demonstrates a proactive approach to your career development.
This type of work also highlights your entrepreneurial spirit and initiative. Taking on freelance projects requires business acumen that goes beyond a specific technical skill set, as you are responsible for finding clients, negotiating contracts, and managing your time. These activities signal to a hiring manager that you are a self-starter who can operate with autonomy.
Freelance engagements are an excellent way to showcase a diverse range of skills that might not be as apparent in a single, long-term role. Each project often requires a unique combination of abilities, including project management, client communication, and financial oversight. Detailing these experiences provides concrete evidence of your versatility and ability to adapt to different challenges.
How to Format Freelance Work on a Resume
The structure you choose depends on the nature and volume of your projects. One method is to create a dedicated section titled “Freelance Experience” or “Consulting.” This approach is well-suited for individuals who have completed numerous short-term projects for a variety of clients. It allows you to group this work together for a clean overview, using a single entry with a general title like “Freelance Graphic Designer” and bullet points to highlight key projects or a summary of accomplishments.
Example of a Dedicated Section:
Freelance Experience
Freelance Web Developer | Self-Employed | New York, NY | 2021 – Present
- Partnered with over 15 clients in the e-commerce and technology sectors to design, develop, and launch responsive websites.
- Specialized in creating custom WordPress themes and plugins to meet specific client functionality requirements.
- Provided ongoing site maintenance and technical support, resulting in a 90% client retention rate for recurring services.
You can also integrate your freelance work directly into your chronological “Work Experience” section. This method is most effective when you have engaged in long-term, substantial projects with one or two primary clients. In this scenario, you treat the client as you would an employer, listing your role, the client’s name, and the dates of the engagement. This format is useful for demonstrating significant contributions and positioning the freelance role as equivalent to a traditional job.
Example of Integrated Work Experience:
Work Experience
XYZ Corporation | San Francisco, CA
Senior Marketing Manager | June 2022 – Present
Major Retail Brand (as Freelance Consultant) | Chicago, IL
Digital Strategy Consultant | January 2021 – May 2022
- Developed and executed a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that increased online sales by 30% in the first year.
- Managed a quarterly advertising budget of $50,000 across multiple platforms, optimizing ad spend to improve ROI by 15%.
- Conducted market research and competitor analysis to identify new growth opportunities.
Essential Information to Include for Each Project
The content of your freelance entries is what will capture a hiring manager’s attention. Start by giving yourself a professional title that accurately reflects your work, such as “Freelance UX Designer” or “Independent Content Strategist.” This establishes your area of expertise and frames your experience in a professional context.
Next, provide information about your clients. If you are not bound by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), it is beneficial to name the client, especially if they are well-known in their industry. If you cannot name the client, describe them with context, such as “A venture-backed SaaS company.” Always include the dates of the engagement to give a clear timeline.
The most impactful part of your description will be the bullet points detailing your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on quantifiable results whenever possible. Instead of saying you “improved website traffic,” specify that you “Grew organic search traffic by 40% in 6 months through targeted SEO initiatives.” Using metrics provides concrete proof of your value.
Tips for Presenting Freelance Work Professionally
Tailor the projects you highlight to the specific job you are applying for. Review the job description and select freelance examples that showcase the most relevant skills and accomplishments. This customization demonstrates that you have thoughtfully considered the employer’s needs and how your background aligns with them.
Creating a professional online portfolio is another way to supplement your resume. Include a link to your portfolio in your contact information or within the freelance section itself. This allows hiring managers to see tangible examples of your work, whether it’s design mockups, published articles, or code repositories.
Maintain consistency in language and formatting throughout your resume. Ensure that your freelance entries are styled in the same way as your traditional work experience, using the same verb tenses and bullet point structure. This creates a cohesive and polished document that is easy for recruiters to read.