How to Write a Freelancer Resume

Freelancing is more common than ever! In fact, Forbes reported that freelancers represent 35% of the workforce and experts expect those numbers to continue growing. That doesn’t mean being a freelancer is easy to explain on a resume. Clients come and go, titles change, and job duties aren’t always easy to sum up. 

So how do you create a strong, clear freelancer resume?

Your resume needs to show the skills, results, and value you bring. In this guide, you’ll learn how to format your resume, highlight your freelance experience, and write a resume that gets noticed.

Choosing the right freelancer resume format

Your freelancer resume needs to look professional and be easy to read. While some creatives design resumes that look like portfolios or brochures, most clients and hiring managers still prefer a standard format, especially if it goes through an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Here are two common formats that work well:

Option 1: Chronological Resume

Chronological resumes list all pertinent information in some basic sections:

• Summary a.k.a. Profile

• Skills/Core Competencies

• Professional Experience

• Education

• Notable Clients

• Key Projects

Organize the information in each section according to date, starting with the most recent and working backward no more than 10-15 years.

Option 2: Functional Resume

Many freelancers have numerous skills and experiences, spanning the multitude of projects they are assigned. Functional resumes help organize these skills into easy to read sections. Rather than write a description for each job, group your experience by skill area – like marketing, design, or tech – and list related projects under each one. This makes it easier to show your full skill set, even if the projects weren’t full-time roles.

How to list freelance job titles on a resume

When writing your freelancer resume, avoid using “Freelancer,” “Independent Contractor,” or “Owner/Operator” (if you created a name for your freelancer business) as your job title. None of those do anything to help potential employers or clients know what you can do for them. 

Instead, choose a title that reflects the work you did. 

• If you led a product launch, you could use something like “Marketing Manager” or “Brand Strategist.”. 

• If you built an eCommerce platform, try “Backend Developer” or “eCommerce Consultant.”

When branding the role you performed with the right title, be as transparent as possible. You don’t want someone reading your resume to think you were a full-time employee. The best way to avoid any misconceptions is to add “(Contract)” or “(Freelance)” after the title you choose or you can write a bullet to add clarity. 

That would look like this:

• ABC Marketing Co | Marketing Manager (Freelance) | mm/yyyy-mm/yyyy

Where to list projects on your freelancer resume

Once you step out into the freelance arena, the world stops thinking of you as a team member or employee. You now are an official business, which means it's time to put your best foot, or rather, projects forward. 

Your project history is your portfolio. But, in keeping with the concept that your resume is a summary of your career, don’t list every gig you’ve ever worked on. Focus on the work that’s most relevant to your target client or job. 

Notable projects section

Create an empty section in your resume entitled “Notable Clients and Projects.” Leave enough room for about three to five projects. Each time you meet with a new, potential client, list your most impressive projects as they apply to the new client's needs. 

Keep in mind, name dropping doesn't work well for hiring managers. But clients are more impressed with big names. List those first, even if the projects were smaller and less important.

Here’s an example of how to list experience as freelancer experience using a Notable Projects section:

Professional Experience

Freelancer Job Title | City, State | mm/yyyy-Present

2–3 sentences summarizing your freelance work. Focus on your day-to-day tasks and 1 major accomplishment.

• 3-5 bullets MAX that show achievements you had as a freelancer – they do not have to be company/client specific.

• Any time you can use numbers, it’s best to do so.

• ATS scans search for measurable accomplishments – you’ll rank higher on the job-compatibility skill if you can get at least 5 for every 10 years of experience.

Notable Projects/Clients:

Client: Company Name (You can use “Confidential Client” if you have an NDA)

PROJECT TITLE

2–3 sentences about your role and outcomes. Avoid pasting job descriptions. Instead talk about what you actually did and achieved.

• A great resume has between 10- and 15-years’ experience represented.

• Your resume isn’t meant to be a record of your professional life’s events.

• Talk about achievements that will intrigue a hiring manager to call you for an interview.

Client: Company Name

PROJECT TITLE

2-3 sentences that briefly explain your role. Do not copy and paste your job description. Talk about what you did on a daily basis and list at least 1 major thing you accomplished.

• 1 page for recent grads or under 10 years’ experience

• 2 pages for 10+ years

• Avoid 3-page resumes unless absolutely necessary

Write a strong freelancer resume summary

Now that you see what the professional experience section should look like and how to list out your projects, let’s talk about the other hard part of your freelancer resume – the summary or profile paragraph. 

As you are probably aware, objective statements are things of the past. Instead, you should write a summary that tells clients or hiring managers what you bring to the table. It should be a few sentences that focus on value, not just goals. 

Highlight the services you offer, the results you deliver, and the skills that set you apart. Be sure to tailor this section to match the role or project your targeting.

Here’s a quick formula you can follow:

• What you do (your role or niche)

• Who you help (industry, client type, or audience)

• What value you deliver (the outcome/results)

Example:

Digital marketing consultant with 7+ years of experience helping SaaS startups grow traffic and leads. Expert in SEO, paid media, and conversion optimization. Known for increasing lead gen by 30%+ within 6 months.

This type of summary shows your strengths up front and makes it easier for clients or employers to quickly understand what you offer.

Beyond your freelancer resume

A great freelancer resume gives clients or hiring managers a strong first impression but it doesn’t have to do all the work on its own.

You should definitely consider linking to tools that can show more depth and context so hiring managers can see the real value you bring:

• Portfolio site: A clean, professional website is the best way to show off your work. Include project samples, client testimonials, and a short bio.

• LinkedIn profile: Keep your LinkedIn up to date and aligned with your resume. You can use it to expand on your experience, list recommendations, and connect with potential clients.

• Online project samples: If you’ve written articles, built websites, or contributed to public projects, link to them directly in your resume or summary.

A great freelancer resume works as hard as you do

Freelancing gives you flexibility but your freelancer resume still needs structure so employers and clients can easily tell what you have to offer them. When you focus on results, tailor your content, and show real value, you give clients and hiring managers exactly what they need to say yes.

Need a second set of eyes? Get a free resume review and make sure your freelancer resume is doing the job.

This article was originally written by M.A. Smith. It’s been updated by Marsha Hebert.

Recommended reading:

• Is Freelancing Right for You?

• How to Add Self Employment on Your Resume + Examples

• The Rise of the Gig Economy