How to List Contract Work on Resume

Do you possess exceptional skills as a freelancer, contractor, or consultant? Businesses are looking for your valuable knowledge and expertise! However, determining how to include contract labor on your resume might be difficult. The customer's name should be included, shouldn't it? What about smaller projects? You are not alone, so don't fret!

This is a problem for many job seekers. The good news is? Having dealt with contracts is a big plus. It demonstrates your ability to adjust, learn quickly, and produce outcomes. With the help of this guide, you'll be able to highlight your outstanding contract experience on your resume with ease, allowing you to secure the position of your dreams!

Let's get started and transform your contract history into a compelling success story.

Why Your Contract Work Is a Goldmine (and Must Be on Your Resume!)

Never underestimate the importance of contract work over a full-time position. Sometimes, it's much more remarkable! This is why it's so important to include it accurately:

• Demonstrates a Variety of Talents: You probably picked up new skills quickly while working on a wide range of tasks.
• Fills in the Gaps: Your employment experience remains complete and current.
• Highlights Adaptability: This demonstrates that you can quickly integrate into new teams and overcome obstacles.
• Shows Initiative: Contractors are frequently self-motivated and adept at finding solutions.

Let's discuss how to include that priceless experience on your resume.

Essential Details for Every Contract Position

Whatever strategy you choose below, be sure that these essential pieces of information are included in every contract entry:

• Job Title: What did you do? (for example, "Marketing Consultant," "Web Developer," or "Project Manager - Contract")
• Name of Company/Client: For whom did you work? Use their name if they are a direct client. If you use an agency, you can name the agency and the client (see examples).
• Dates of Employment: When did you start and when did you finish? (month, year - month, year)
• Significant Accomplishments and Responsibilities: Tell me what you accomplished and what you did. Use verbs that express strong action!

Approach 1: Treat It Like Any Other Job (The Most Popular Way)

This is the easiest and sometimes the greatest approach, particularly if your contract jobs lasted for a longer amount of time (such as six months or more) or if you only had a small number of customers. It's listed exactly like any other position.

When to Use: When you want to emphasize the stability and depth of certain positions.

For instance:

Experience

Marketing Consultant (Contract) | Acme Innovations | New York, NY | March 2022–December 2023

• Created and implemented a digital marketing plan that boosted website traffic by 35% over the course of six months.
• Was in charge of making SEO improvements, which resulted in a 20% improvement in organic search results for our top goods.
• Developed interesting material in partnership with the sales team, which led to a 15% rise in high-quality leads.

Method 2: Group Similar Contract Positions (When You Have a Lot of Them!)

If you've had a lot of short-term contracts or worked with a lot of clients in the same industry (like "Freelance Writer" for various publications), grouping them together might make your resume look more professional and effective.

When to Use: When the sheer amount of similar contract labor would make your resume too lengthy if listed separately.

For instance:

Experience

Freelance Web Developer | Self-Employed / Numerous Clients | Remote | January 2020–Present

• Provided front-end and back-end web development services to more than ten clients in the e-commerce, education, and nonprofit industries.
• WordPress, Shopify, and unique HTML/CSS were used to create and deployed responsive websites, which resulted in an average increase of 25% in user interaction.
• From idea to implementation, oversaw client communication, project schedules, and quality control.

Approach 3: Establish a "Projects" Section (Ideal for Certain Jobs)

This approach is successful if your contract work was really project-based or if you want to emphasize certain notable accomplishments without paying too much attention to the specifics of the "employer." Particularly in creative or technical industries, this is useful.

When to Use: When client names are subject to an NDA or for projects with a rapid and significant impact.

For instance:

Projects

Lead UI/UX Designer (Contract) | Alpha Solutions Project | Remote | April 2023–July 2023

• Oversaw the redesign of a mobile application interface, which led to a 40% increase in user satisfaction ratings.
• Carried out user research, developed wireframes and models, and conducted usability testing with a variety of user groups.
• Worked with a cross-functional group of product managers and developers to guarantee a smooth implementation.

The Best Advice for Making Your Contract Work Shine!

• Prioritize Impact Over Responsibilities: Demonstrate the outcomes of your efforts rather than merely listing your tasks. For instance, "Managed social media, growing followers by 50% and increasing engagement by 30%" as opposed to "Managed social media."

• Employ Strong Action Words: Begin each bullet point with strong verbs like "Developed," "Managed," "Led," "Created," "Implemented," or "Analyzed."

• Adjust to the Task: Make sure your resume is always tailored to the particular position you're applying for. Emphasize the most pertinent contract experiences.

• Be clear about the status of your contract: You may use "(Contract)," "(Freelance)," or "(Consultant)" beside your job title to prevent misunderstandings.

• Dealing with Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): When you can't name a client, use a generic term like "Confidential Tech Client" or "Leading E-commerce Platform." Concentrate on the specifics of the project and your accomplishments.

• Keep Your Resume Simple and Readable by Using a Consistent Approach for All Similar Contract Positions: Choose One Method and Follow It.

Typical Errors to Steer Clear Of

• Omitting it: This is, without a doubt, the greatest error! Your contract experience is worthwhile.
• Don't say "Freelancer." Be vague: Give specifics, even if they are broad.
• Too Much Detail for Brief Agreements: Group very short projects (lasting a few weeks) together or just emphasize the one that stands out the most.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Ensure that all of your entries, whether they are for contract or full-time employment, are formatted in a consistent manner.

In Conclusion

Working on contracts fosters a strong work ethic, flexibility, and great talent. You may demonstrate your freelance and contractual experience on your resume with assurance by using these straightforward techniques, demonstrating to prospective employers that you are a valuable addition.

Keep in mind that your resume is the narrative of your achievements. Ensure that it is clear, compelling, and precisely crafted to open up new opportunities for your career. Best of luck!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Imagine I had a lot of contracts that were only a few weeks long each.

A1: If they are all comparable, use Method 2 (Group Similar Roles). Use bullet points to outline your overall accomplishments throughout these small projects, without naming each one separately, under a broad title like "Freelance [Your Role]".

Q2: When doing contract work, should I include the client firm or the recruiting firm?

A2: If at all feasible, name the customer firm since it demonstrates firsthand familiarity with their brand. The agency may also be listed in a smaller font or in parenthesis, such as "Marketing Specialist | Client Name (via [Agency Name])". When you are only permitted to list the agency due to stringent regulations, be sure to emphasize the kind of clients or projects you worked on.

Q3: If I am unable to disclose the client or project specifics, how should I deal with an NDA?

A3: Use broad terminology! Say "Project for a Leading Financial Services Company" or "Confidential Tech Startup Client" instead of "Project for XYZ Corp." Without disclosing sensitive information, concentrate on the kind of job you performed, the talents you employed, and the quantifiable outcomes you accomplished.

Q4: May I use "Contractor" or "Freelancer" in my job title?

A4: Absolutely! This makes it clear to hiring managers that it was contract employment, preventing future misunderstandings. Titles such as "Consultant," "Freelance Graphic Designer," or "Project Manager (Contract)" can be used.

Q5: On my CV, may I mix full-time and contract work sections?

A5: Yes, and it is often advised in order to have a clear timeline. In reverse chronological order (most recent first), list all of your employment experience, whether full-time or contractual. Using the methods outlined above, clearly label and format your contract roles so they seamlessly integrate with your full-time jobs.