How to Create a Freelancer Resume
Having an updated resume is hugely important when it comes to applying for jobs, and freelance work is no different. A resume is the perfect way to showcase your skills and experience as a freelancer, as well as any other information that shows that you are the ideal candidate for a job.
In this article, we will take a look at why having a freelancer resume is essential, as well as the steps to creating the perfect freelance resume.
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The Importance of Freelance Resumes
As a freelancer, you likely have a lot more experience than the average person in your field. What better way to showcase this to potential employers than by compiling a freelance resume?
There are many more benefits to having a resume as a freelancer, such as:
- Attracting new clients: A well-crafted resume will showcase your skills and experience, which can help you to attract new clients. By highlighting any relevant past projects that you have completed, a potential employer can gauge whether you will be the right fit for their project.
- Demonstrating professionalism: Having a professional-looking freelancer resume can show the potential client that you are organized, capable, and committed to your freelancing career. This can also help you stand out from freelancers who opted not to create a resume.
- Saving time: When applying to work with a client, it would be time-consuming to list and discuss your relevant experience during the initial conversation. Having a well-crafted resume at hand will save time for those clients when trying to determine your skills and experience.
- Building credibility: A well-written freelancer resume can help you build credibility as a freelancer. By showcasing your skills, experience, references, and achievements, you can demonstrate to potential clients that you are a reliable and trustworthy professional.
How to Create a Freelancer Resume
There are a few things to keep in mind when creating your freelancer resume, as it does differ from a traditional resume in a few key ways.
Step One: Find a Good Template
There are many great, free resume and CV templates available online. Websites such as Canva will allow you to choose a template that you like and personalize it for free. Alternatively, you can search for examples of resumes online, use the templates available in Google Docs or Microsoft Word, and create your own based on those.
Step Two: Tailor Your Resume
One of the most important things to remember is to tailor your resume to the specific job description. As a freelancer, you likely have a lot of experience with a variety of different jobs. However, only list the ones that are relevant to the work you are applying for so that the client or recruiter does not have to sift through your resume to find what they are looking for. In fact, studies have shown that including experience that is not relevant to the job description is the cause of up to 73% of resume rejections.
Step Three: Add Your Contact Details & Portfolio
Your name, contact information, and a link to your portfolio (if applicable) should all be at the very top of your resume. Potential employers will appreciate your information being easily accessible in the event that they want to contact you or view some of your past projects.
Step Four: Include a Summary of Your Most Relevant Skills
Directly below your contact details, include a short summary of your relevant skills and why they make you the best candidate for the project. You can also include your career objectives and explain how they align with the objectives of the business.
Step Five: List Both Soft & Hard Skills
It is important to include both your hard skills, such as graphic design or copywriting, as well as your soft skills, such as integrity or good time management. Recruiters may not only be looking for your hard skills, but also how well you would fit in with the business’ values.
Step Six: Keep it Short and Sweet
90% of recruiters say that the optimal length for any resume is 2 pages. Try to keep it as short as possible while including all necessary information. Any additional information can be accessed through a portfolio or discussed during an interview.
Step Seven: Link Your Social Media
If you have any social media profiles that showcase your work, link them in your resume. According to ResumeGo, those who include a link to an active LinkedIn profile receive up to 71% more interviews than those who don’t.
Template
Here’s a simple template for a freelancer’s CV that we think might be helpful for you.
Conclusion
Having a well-crafted freelancer resume is essential for showcasing your skills and experience in order to attract new clients. It is crucial to know how to best construct your resume to increase your chances of being hired.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create the perfect freelance resume that demonstrates your professionalism and helps you to stand out from the crowd in a competitive market.
