How to List Freelance Work on Your Resume Without Looking Unprofessional

How to List Freelance Work on Your Resume Without Looking Unprofessional

Let me tell you a story.

A few years ago, I sat at my tiny kitchen table, laptop open, coffee in hand, heart pounding. I was applying for a job after freelancing full-time for almost three years. I had no traditional employer. No fancy company names to drop. Just a long list of clients, late nights, and work I was proud of.

But I stared at my resume… and panicked.

“How do I even put freelance work on here without looking like I was unemployed the whole time?”

If that sounds like you — you’re not alone.

Whether you’re a designer, developer, writer, marketer, or juggling gig work on the side, this guide will help you showcase your freelance experience with confidence — and make recruiters take you seriously.

Step-by-Step: How to Put Freelance Work on Your Resume

1. Pick the Right Job Title

You’ve got options:

• Freelance Writer
• Independent Graphic Designer
• SEO Consultant (Freelance)
• Self-Employed Web Developer

Choose what best reflects the work you do .Why Freelance Experience Is Totally Resume-Worthy?

Here’s the truth: freelance work is work. And often, it takes more discipline, creativity, and responsibility than a 9-to-5.

When I freelanced full-time, I wasn’t just writing blog posts. I was managing clients, creating proposals, handling invoices, fixing tech issues, and yes, still delivering top-notch work.

So before anything else, own it. You weren’t unemployed — you were self-employed.

id and how you want to be seen.

Quick Tip: Use “Freelance” or “Independent” in your title to be clear.

2. Use a Professional Format

Format your freelance work just like any other job:

Example:

Freelance Digital Marketer
Self-Employed | Remote | Jan 2020 – Present

- Helped 10+ small businesses grow organic traffic by 150% using SEO, email marketing, and content strategy.
- Built and managed Facebook Ads campaigns with ROIs over 3x.
- Designed and launched 6 WordPress websites for clients in healthcare and education.

This isn’t fluff. These are real results — and they show impact.

3. Group Similar Projects

If you worked with many small clients, group them into a single entry instead of listing each one. You’re not making a client list — you’re telling a story.

Better:

Worked with 15+ clients across industries including tech, health, and education, delivering tailored branding and content strategies.

4. Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Tasks

Don’t just say you “wrote blog posts.”

Say this:

Wrote 40+ SEO blog posts for SaaS startups, increasing traffic and lead generation by 30%.

Numbers = Power.

Even if you don’t have exact data, you can describe improvements or feedback:

Clients consistently praised clarity, creativity, and delivery ahead of deadlines.

5. Add a Portfolio Link

A killer portfolio is your best friend.

Drop a link to your personal website, Behance, GitHub, or even a Google Drive folder — whatever showcases your work best.

Example:

Portfolio:www.YourName.com/portfolio

6. Mention Tools and Skills

This is your chance to flex.

Did you use:

• Adobe Creative Suite?
• Trello?
• SEMrush?
• HTML/CSS?
• Canva?

But Wait — What If You Only Freelanced Part-Time?

That side hustle still counts.

Put those tools in your skills section and/or job bullets. Tools show that you’ve been in the trenches.

Treat it like any other job. Just clarify in your description that it was part-time or alongside another job if needed.

And yes — freelance projects, even small ones, can beef up your resume if you’re between jobs or just starting out.

When I was job hunting after college, I listed a single website I built for my cousin’s bakery. It helped me land my first full-time role.

Remote Work? Gig Work? Own It.

These days, remote work is mainstream. Don’t be shy.

Add “Remote” to your job location. Use phrases like:

• Collaborated remotely with international clients via Zoom and Slack.
• Delivered projects asynchronously while managing my own schedule.

This shows independence and communication skills — gold in today’s job market.

Bonus: Resume Format for Freelancers

Here’s a layout that works beautifully:

1. Header

Name, email, phone, LinkedIn, portfolio

2. Summary

Brief 2–3 sentence pitch (what you do, who you help, and results you deliver)

3. Skills

List of your tools, soft skills, and specialties

4. Freelance Experience

Title + Role + Description (bullets with outcomes)

5. Other Work Experience (if applicable)

6. Education / Certifications

Keep it clean. Keep it relevant.

Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Listing “Self-Employed” with zero description
• ❌ Not linking to your portfolio
• ❌ Writing “Various Clients” without any context
• ❌ Using too much jargon or vague statements

Your freelance work is proof that you can get hired, solve problems, and deliver — make sure your resume says that loud and clear.

Real Talk: Do Recruiters Take Freelancers Seriously?

Absolutely — especially when your resume is clear, results-driven, and backed by real projects.

Hiring managers don’t care if you worked from a coworking space or your couch. They care about the value you bring.

And guess what?

You’ve already proven that you can manage your own time, deliver results, and communicate like a pro. That’s huge.

FAQs (Real Answers, No Fluff)

Q: Should I list freelance work as self-employed or freelance? A: Either works, but be consistent. “Freelance [Role]” is clearer for recruiters. “Self-Employed” is fine if you ran a business or brand.

Q: How do I show multiple freelance clients on one resume? A: Group them under one role (e.g., Freelance Graphic Designer) and summarize the types of projects and industries you worked in.

Q: Do recruiters take freelance experience seriously? A: 100% yes — if it’s presented clearly and shows results. Freelancing demonstrates initiative, flexibility, and real-world skills.

Q: What if I only did freelance work part-time? A: Still include it! Just mention it was part-time or project-based in your bullet points.

Q: How do I include freelance work on LinkedIn and my resume together? A: Add the freelance role as a position on LinkedIn, just like you would on your resume. Include a description, client highlights, and a portfolio link.

Q: What resume format works best for freelancers? A: Combination format — blend of chronological and skills-based. It lets you highlight both projects and experience.

Q: Should I include unpaid freelance projects or just paid ones? A: If the work is quality, relevant, and shows your skills — include it. Paid or unpaid, results matter more than paychecks.

Hey, if you’re reading this and feeling unsure — take a breath.

Your freelance work matters. You’ve built something on your own. That’s powerful.

Now it’s time to show the world.

And your resume? It’s just the beginning.