How To Create a Resume For Freelancing

Introduction.

If you’re thinking about jumping into freelancing, you might already know that your resume will look a bit different from the traditional 9-to-5 job resumes.

Freelancers often juggle multiple clients, projects, and roles, which means your resume needs to reflect that flexibility, skillset, and self-motivation.

However creating a resume that stands out in the world of freelancing can feel tricky if you don’t know where to start. It’s all about showing off your talents, experience, and unique qualities in a way that grabs attention.

I know it can be tough. You might feel like you have to list everything you’ve done, but how do you make sure it doesn’t come off as overwhelming or confusing? Or maybe you’re wondering what’s important to highlight, especially if you’re just getting started in freelancing.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through the essential steps of creating a freelance resume that showcases your skills and sets you up to land the clients you want.

Let’s dive in!

How Do I Create a Resume For Freelancing?

1. Know What to Include

The first step to creating a great freelance resume is figuring out what belongs on it. Freelance work is all about skills and results, so focus on showcasing your talents and experiences that relate directly to the work you’re seeking.

Here’s what should make it onto your resume:

• Professional Summary: This is where you introduce yourself in a few sentences. Keep it clear and concise, summarizing what you do, your specialities, and what makes you stand out from others in your field.

  For example:
  “A graphic designer with 5+ years of experience creating logos, branding, and digital assets for small businesses. Passionate about helping clients tell their brand story through compelling visuals.”

• Skills: These are your hard skills (like graphic design, copywriting, web development) and soft skills (like communication, time management, adaptability). Be specific and include the tools or software you’re familiar with (e.g., Photoshop, WordPress, or social media management tools).

  Example:

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Project management (Asana, Trello)
  • Content creation (WordPress, Medium, blogging)
• Freelance Experience: Highlight the projects you’ve worked on, even if they weren’t full-time gigs. This section should focus on your responsibilities, the outcomes, and the value you provided to your clients. Instead of just listing tasks, try to show how you helped clients reach their goals.

  For example:
  “Developed social media campaigns that increased engagement by 30% for a local restaurant, resulting in a 15% rise in bookings.”

• Education & Certifications: If you’ve taken any courses that relate to your freelance work, or earned certifications (like a Google Ads or HubSpot certification), include them here. It shows clients you’ve invested in your skills.
• Portfolio or Work Samples: Don’t forget to link to your portfolio! This is a crucial part of your resume because it gives potential clients a look at what you can actually do. If you don’t have a website or portfolio site, consider creating a simple one using platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or even LinkedIn.
• Testimonials or Reviews: If you’ve got positive feedback from previous clients, share it! Testimonials can go a long way in building trust and showing you deliver results.

2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job

One of the best things about freelancing is the ability to choose the projects that excite you. But to land those dream gigs, you’ll need to tailor your resume for each job you apply for.

It might sound like extra work, but customizing your resume increases your chances of standing out in a crowded freelance marketplace.

Here’s how to tailor your resume:

• Understand the Job Requirements: Read the job description carefully and highlight the key skills and experiences the client is looking for. Then, adjust your resume to emphasize the skills that match those needs.
• Showcase Relevant Projects: If the client is looking for a social media expert, highlight your past social media work. If it’s web design, focus on your design projects.
• Keywords Are Key: Many companies use automated systems to filter resumes. Make sure your resume includes keywords from the job description (without overdoing it) so you don’t get missed by these filters.

3. Keep It Simple and Clean

One mistake freelancers often make is overcomplicating their resume. While it might seem like you need to show every detail of every project, the truth is, less is more.

Here are a few tips for keeping your resume clean and easy to read:

• Stick to One Page: Your resume should be concise—aim for one page. You can always expand on projects in your portfolio.
• Use Simple Fonts: Choose a professional font like Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri. Avoid funky or hard-to-read fonts.
• Use Bullet Points: Bullet points make it easier to scan your resume. They help break up large chunks of text and make your experience stand out.
• Focus on Achievements: Instead of listing what you did, focus on how you made a difference. Numbers (like “increased sales by 20%”) can really help tell your story.

4. Highlight Your Freelancing Mindset

Freelancers are a different breed. We have to juggle multiple clients, manage our own time, and deal with the business side of things (like taxes and invoices).

Clients appreciate seeing that you understand this, so don’t be afraid to highlight the skills that come with being self-employed.

For example:

• Time Management: “Successfully managed multiple projects for various clients, consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations.”
• Problem Solving: “Developed creative solutions for clients in tight deadlines, delivering high-quality work that aligned with brand objectives.”
• Client Communication: “Effectively communicated with clients through weekly check-ins, ensuring smooth project flow and complete satisfaction.”

5. Make Your Contact Info Easy to Find

Your contact information should be easy to spot right at the top of your resume. This includes:

• Your name
• Your phone number (optional)
• Your email address
• A link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile

You don’t need to include your home address or other personal details unless it’s relevant.

6. Get the Design Right (But Not Too Fancy)

While your freelance resume doesn’t need to be a work of art, it does need to look professional. A well-designed resume shows you care about the presentation of your work and reflects your attention to detail.

Here are a few tips:

• Clean Layout: Don’t overcrowd your resume with text or graphics.
• Use Sections: Clearly labeled sections (like “Experience” and “Skills”) help employers find what they need.
• Consider Using Templates: There are tons of free templates available on sites like Canva or Microsoft Word that can give your resume a polished, professional look.

FAQs

Q: Should I include my rate on my resume?

A: It’s not necessary to list your hourly rate or project rate on your resume unless specifically asked. This can be discussed during the interview or negotiation stage.

Q: What if I don’t have a lot of freelance experience yet?

A: If you’re just starting out, focus on transferable skills from past jobs, volunteer work, or personal projects. Anything that shows you have the right abilities can count as relevant experience.

Q: How do I handle gaps in my freelance career?

A: If you took time off or had slow periods, don’t hide it. You can briefly explain gaps (e.g., “Taking a career break for personal development”) and focus on what you did during that time (like taking online courses or working on personal projects).

Conclusion

Creating a resume for freelancing may feel a little different from traditional resumes, but it’s all about showing the right skills and experience that will help you win clients. Keep it simple, highlight your relevant work, and make sure your personality shines through.

Do you feel ready to craft a resume that speaks to your freelance abilities?