Freelance work has become an integral part of the modern work scene. When adding freelance work to your CV, structuring it properly ensures that potential employers see the value of your experience. Here are some tips to guide you:
Use a Job Title This helps recruiters understand your role immediately. Whether the gig lasted a day or a month, treat it like a legitimate role. You can use titles such as "Contract Graphic Designer" or "Freelance Marketing Consultant" for each position.
Whether you improved your time management, learned new software, or refined your customer service skills, highlighting these will make your freelance gigs look more substantial. Understand the skills and experience the employer is looking for and match those to your freelance experience. For example, if a job requires project management skills, highlight freelance projects where you had to manage multiple deadlines or clients.
In freelancing, you work with different clients, industries, and projects. This exposes you to various working environments, software tools, and business processes. Even if they’re small businesses, adding client names shows multiple parties trust you. If you worked for notable clients, listing them will help provide credibility.
On the other hand, there are some things you shouldn’t do when adding your freelance experience:
Employers are looking for quality rather than quantity. Stick to showcasing only your most impressive and relevant projects.
For example, if you’re applying for a graphic design position, emphasize your work with reputable clients or brands, projects that involve complex design challenges, or those where you delivered exceptional results that benefited the client. By focusing on quality over quantity, you ensure that your CV highlights the projects that will make the strongest impression on potential employers.
A single consulting project that helped a client launch a new product is worth mentioning. Don’t dismiss short-term work as irrelevant.
For instance, if you completed a consulting project where you helped a business develop a new marketing strategy in just a month, that’s worth showcasing. It highlights your ability to deliver impactful results within tight deadlines. Employers often look for candidates who can bring quick, effective solutions, so showing off successful short-term gigs can give you a competitive edge.
Stick to the truth and emphasize your real strengths. While it's important to present yourself positively, exaggerating your freelance achievements can backfire if you’re asked for specifics during the interview process.
Instead, focus on emphasizing your real strengths and contributions. Share concrete examples of what you accomplished, the challenges you overcame, and the impact of your work. Use metrics, client feedback, and clear outcomes to showcase your experience. For example, saying, “I managed a website redesign that resulted in a 30% increase in traffic for my client,” is far more compelling (and truthful) than overstating your role or results.
Title this section "Freelance Experience" or "Independent Contractor Work" to signal to employers that your freelance roles form part of a cohesive career path. Grouping all projects under one header simplifies understanding for recruiters.
For each freelance project or client, list them separately with dates, roles, and client names. This shows specific skills and outcomes. Example:
Freelance Graphic Designer | Jan 2021 – Present
Client: ABC Marketing Agency – Designed marketing materials, increasing engagement by 20%.
Showcase key accomplishments, using measurable outcomes when possible. For example:
"Boosted client sales by 25% with a new digital marketing strategy."
"Redesigned a website, reducing page load times by 40%."
Highlight skills gained from managing multiple projects, client communication, and problem-solving. For instance:
"Managed multiple client projects with on-time delivery and high satisfaction."
Tailor your freelance experience to align with the job you're applying for. Focus on relevant projects that match the role, such as highlighting marketing campaigns if you're applying for a marketing position.
Use consistent formatting for freelance roles, just like other job entries. For example:
Freelance Copywriter | Mar 2020 – Present
Wrote SEO-optimized content for tech and healthcare clients, boosting lead generation by 15%.
