How to Make a Resume for Freelancers

The freelance world is booming! You can work for yourself and set your own rules. Sounds good, right? But it takes more than just talent. You need a great freelance resume. I’m going to show you how to make a freelance resume that really grabs attention. We'll focus on how to show off your skills and experience as a gig worker. Plus, we'll talk about building a killer freelance portfolio and getting your resume seen on different freelance sites.

Why a Freelance Resume is Different

Normal resumes talk about long-term jobs and moving up in one company. But a freelance resume? It’s different. It needs to show you're flexible, can adapt, and get results for different clients and projects. It’s about showing your entrepreneurial side and that you get the freelance world. And to optimize your resume for gig workers, don't forget to use keywords and skills that are easily found on popular platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal.

Key Elements of a Winning Freelance Resume

Let's break down what makes a great freelance resume:

1. Contact Information

Keep it simple. Include:

• Full Name
• Phone Number
• Professional Email Address
• Location (City, State - optional)
• LinkedIn Profile URL
• Personal Website/Portfolio URL

Pro Tip: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is current. Your portfolio is where you shine! Make it easy to use and nice to look at.

2. Summary/Objective

This is your quick sales pitch! A short summary or objective can grab a client's attention fast. Here are two ways to go:

• Summary: Best for experienced freelancers. Show off your top skills, what you've done, and what you offer clients. Talk about your past wins and how they'll help with future projects.
• Objective: Good for new freelancers or those switching careers. State what you want to do and the type of freelance work you're after. Show you're eager to learn and contribute.

Examples:

• Summary: "Web developer with 5+ years of experience building websites for all kinds of clients. I deliver projects on time and on budget. I know HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React."
• Objective: "Looking for a freelance writing job where I can use my research and writing skills to make great content. I want to help a team and learn new things!"

When you write this part, think about a resume for gig workers. What words do employers search for?

3. Skills

Show off what you're good at! List your technical and soft skills. Make it easy to read by putting them into categories:

• Technical Skills: Software, programming languages, design tools, etc. (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office Suite, Java, Python)
• Soft Skills: Communication, problem-solving, time management, teamwork, etc.

Example:

Skills

• Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, Node.js
• Graphic Design: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign
• Project Management: Agile, Scrum, Kanban
• Writing & Editing: Content writing, Copywriting, Proofreading, Editing

Pro Tip: Change your skills list to fit the jobs you want. Use words that are common in your field. When making your freelance resume, you may consider using a skills matrix, to showcase your proficiencies in each listed skills.

4. Experience

This part shows what you've done. Don't just list job titles. Talk about what you achieved and how you helped clients. Use the STAR method:

• Situation: What was the project about?
• Task: What did you have to do?
• Action: What did you do to solve the problem?
• Result: What good things happened because of what you did? (Use numbers if you can!)

Example:

Freelance Web Developer | ABC Company | January 2022 - Present

• Situation: ABC Company needed a new website to make it easier for people to use and get more customers.
• Task: I had to design and build a website using React and Node.js.
• Action: I talked to the marketing team to understand what they wanted and made a website that was easy to use.
• Result: The new website got 30% more leads and people spent 20% more time on the site!

Even if you're making a resume for gig workers, this section is key. Use numbers to show your results. Numbers are powerful! If you don't have exact numbers, focus on how you helped the client.

5. Education

List your degrees, certifications, and classes you've taken. If you don't have a lot of formal education, talk about online courses, workshops, or skills you taught yourself that are related to your freelance work.

6. Portfolio

Your freelance portfolio is your best tool. It shows off your work and proves you can do the job. Here's how to make a great one:

• Select Your Best Work: Pick projects that show your skills. Focus on quality, not quantity.
• Showcase a Variety of Projects: Include different kinds of projects to show you can do many things.
• Write Clear Descriptions: Explain each project and what you did.
• Include Testimonials: Good words from past clients help a lot.
• Make it Easy to Navigate: Make sure your portfolio is easy to use and looks good.

You can create a portfolio on your website, on sites like Behance or Dribbble (for designers), or in a simple PDF. Put a link to your portfolio on your freelance resume. A great freelance portfolio will help you get hired.

7. Certifications and Awards

List any certifications or awards you've earned. This adds to your credibility and shows you're serious about your work. For example, a Google Analytics Certification, or awards for design or writing.

8. Recommendations and Testimonials

Include short recommendations from past clients right on your resume. Or, link to online reviews on LinkedIn or your website. Good reviews can really help clients choose you.

9. Projects and Side Hustles

Don't forget to mention personal projects! These show you're motivated, passionate, and can work on your own. Include a short description of each project, the skills you used, and what you achieved. This is especially important if you're new to freelancing and don't have a lot of work experience.

Formatting Your Freelance Resume

How your freelance resume looks is just as important as what it says. A well-formatted resume is easy to read, looks good, and highlights your skills. Here are some tips:

• Use a Clean and Professional Font: Choose a font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid fancy fonts.
• Use Clear Headings and Subheadings: Use headings to organize your resume into sections.
• Use Bullet Points: Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and skills.
• Keep it Concise: Aim for one or two pages. Focus on what's most important.
• Proofread Carefully: Mistakes make a bad impression.

Optimizing Your Freelance Resume for Online Platforms

A lot of freelancers find work on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn. To get your resume seen, you need to optimize it for these sites. Here's how:

• Use Keywords: Find out what words clients use to search for freelancers in your field. Use those words throughout your resume.
• Tailor Your Resume: Change your resume for each site. Focus on the skills and experience that are most important on that site.
• Complete Your Profile: Fill out all parts of your profile completely.
• Get Reviews and Ratings: Ask happy clients to leave reviews on your profile.

Knowing how to make a freelance resume is just the start. You need to understand each platform. Some sites prefer certain skills or experience levels. Take time to learn about each platform and change your resume to fit.

Example Resume Sections

Here are some examples for different freelance jobs.

Example for a Freelance Writer:

Summary: Experienced freelance writer who specializes in creating great content for all kinds of industries. I can research tough topics and deliver high-quality articles, blog posts, and website copy on time and on budget. I know SEO writing and content marketing.

Skills: Content Writing, Copywriting, SEO Writing, Blog Writing, Article Writing, Research, Editing, Proofreading, AP Style, Content Marketing, Keyword Research.

Experience:

• Freelance Writer | ABC Company | January 2022 - Present
  • Created over 100 blog posts, which increased website traffic by 20%.
  • Developed website copy that increased leads by 15%.
  • Researched and wrote white papers on complex topics.

Example for a Freelance Graphic Designer:

Summary: Creative freelance graphic designer with 5+ years of experience creating great designs for print and online media. I can understand what clients need and deliver new solutions. I know Adobe Creative Suite.

Skills: Graphic Design, Logo Design, Web Design, Print Design, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience (UX) Design.

Experience:

• Freelance Graphic Designer | XYZ Company | January 2022 - Present
  • Designed logos, brochures, and marketing materials for clients.
  • Developed website designs that improved user engagement.
  • Created social media graphics that increased brand awareness.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes freelancers make on their resumes:

• Generic Resumes: Change your resume for each job.
• Lack of Quantifiable Results: Use numbers to show what you've achieved.
• Typos and Grammatical Errors: Proofread!
• Outdated Information: Keep your resume up-to-date.
• Ignoring Keywords: Use relevant keywords.

Conclusion

Making a great freelance resume is key to success. By following these tips, you can show clients your skills and what you offer. Remember to change your resume for each job, use numbers, and optimize your resume for online sites. With a strong resume and a great freelance portfolio, you'll land your dream freelance jobs. Good luck!

And remember, the perfect resume for gig workers is always improving! Keep it updated and relevant, and keep showing off your wins!