How to Present Freelance Work or Side Gigs on Your Resume

In today’s job market, freelance work and side gigs are more common than ever. Whether you’ve been freelancing for years or took on a side project to expand your skill set, these experiences can significantly boost your resume—if presented correctly.

Hiring managers value candidates who demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and a broad skill set, all of which can be gained through freelance work or side projects. The challenge lies in how to present this type of work in a way that highlights your contributions and skills while making it relevant to the job you're applying for.

In this blog post, we’ll go over how to present your freelance work or side gigs on your resume effectively, whether you’re transitioning to a full-time role or showcasing your diverse experiences to land your next project.

1. Create a Dedicated Section for Freelance Work

If freelancing or side gigs have been a significant part of your career, it’s essential to give them a dedicated space on your resume. This ensures they stand out and are given the attention they deserve.

You can either include them under a specific section titled "Freelance Experience" or "Consulting Work," or you can place them under a broader "Work Experience" section.

Why It Matters: A dedicated section lets hiring managers see that your freelance work is as substantial as your traditional job roles. It also shows that you’ve been proactive in building your career and skill set independently.

2. Use a Job Title That Aligns with Your Skills

When presenting your freelance or side gig work, choose a job title that clearly defines the role you played and aligns with industry standards.

If your freelance work covered multiple aspects (like project management and graphic design), consider using a hybrid title, such as “Freelance Project Manager & Graphic Designer,” to accurately convey the scope of your work.

Why It Matters: A clear job title makes it easier for hiring managers to understand what you did and how it fits into the broader industry context. It also reduces the chance of your freelance work being misunderstood or overlooked.

3. Focus on Achievements, Not Just Tasks

When describing your freelance or side gig work, emphasize what you accomplished rather than just listing your duties. Use concrete numbers or specific outcomes to demonstrate the impact of your work.

For example, instead of saying “managed social media accounts,” say “increased social media followers by 30% over 6 months.”

Why It Matters: Quantifiable achievements provide proof of your capabilities and results. Hiring managers are more interested in what you’ve achieved rather than the daily tasks you performed. Numbers help demonstrate the value you brought to the table.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to List Multiple Clients

If you’ve worked with several clients as a freelancer or have juggled multiple side gigs at once, list the different clients or projects you worked on. This not only shows your versatility but also demonstrates that you can manage different expectations and projects simultaneously.

However, make sure that the list is relevant and adds value to the resume. If you have too many clients to list, focus on those that best align with the job you’re applying for.

Why It Matters: Listing multiple clients shows that you’ve built a diverse portfolio and can handle various projects. It also demonstrates that you're capable of managing different relationships and expectations.

5. Frame Freelance Work as Entrepreneurial Experience

Freelancing is, in essence, running your own business. If you have experience managing client relations, marketing yourself, negotiating contracts, and handling business finances, frame your freelance work as entrepreneurial experience.

Emphasize skills like business development, negotiation, time management, and customer service.

Why It Matters: Presenting your freelance work as entrepreneurial shows that you have a diverse skill set, including business acumen, which can be valuable in any job. It also demonstrates your independence, initiative, and drive.

6. Use the Right Format for Your Resume

The format of your resume should be clean, organized, and easy to navigate. Consider using a functional or hybrid resume format that emphasizes skills and achievements over job titles or chronology.

This is especially helpful if you’ve had several short-term freelance or side gigs, as it allows you to focus on the value you’ve delivered rather than the timeline of your work history.

Why It Matters: A clear, organized resume helps hiring managers quickly see the value you bring. A hybrid format that emphasizes achievements and skills makes your freelance work stand out even more.

7. Consider Including a Portfolio or Online Presence

Freelancers often have online portfolios, personal websites, or LinkedIn profiles that showcase their work. If you’ve created any such materials, be sure to include links to these in your resume.

Adding a portfolio link not only demonstrates your work but also gives hiring managers a way to easily access examples of your skills.

Why It Matters: A portfolio is a powerful tool for demonstrating your abilities and making a stronger case for your qualifications. It provides concrete evidence of your work and sets you apart from candidates who may only list job titles without providing examples.

8. Be Honest About Your Freelance Status

It’s important to be transparent about your freelance status. If you were working full-time for a client or running your own business, be upfront about it. Misleading hiring managers into thinking you were in a different type of employment situation can backfire, especially if you’re asked to elaborate during an interview.

Why It Matters: Being honest about your freelance work builds trust and credibility with potential employers. It also ensures you’re accurately representing your career history.

9. Use Freelance Work to Fill Gaps in Employment

If you’ve had gaps in your traditional employment, presenting your freelance work or side gigs can be a great way to fill that gap and demonstrate that you were still being productive. Highlight the projects you worked on during those periods to show that you were active and contributing.

Why It Matters: Employers are more likely to view you positively if you can show that you were still working and gaining relevant experience during employment gaps.

10. Include Freelance Work in Your Cover Letter

When submitting your resume, your cover letter is the ideal place to elaborate on your freelance work or side gigs. This is where you can discuss how these experiences have helped you develop skills relevant to the job you're applying for.

Be sure to explain why you’re excited to transition to a full-time role and how your freelance background has prepared you for this change.

Why It Matters: The cover letter is your opportunity to provide context for your resume and show how your freelance work makes you a strong fit for the position.

Conclusion

Presenting freelance work or side gigs on your resume can be a powerful way to highlight your skills, versatility, and initiative. Whether you're looking for a full-time job or trying to showcase your broad experience, it's important to frame your freelance work in a way that aligns with the job you're applying for.

By focusing on achievements, providing concrete examples, and framing your freelance experience as entrepreneurial, you can effectively present your freelance or side gig work in a way that will make you stand out to hiring managers.