How to Effectively Include Freelance Work in Your Tech Resume

Freelance work can significantly enhance your tech resume by showcasing your skills and versatility. This article discusses how to effectively highlight your freelance experience, ensuring it complements your overall professional narrative.
By Jamie

Why Include Freelance Work?

Freelance work demonstrates your initiative, adaptability, and ability to manage multiple projects. It can help fill gaps in employment and showcase your technical skills in a practical environment.

Structuring Your Freelance Experience

When including freelance work in your tech resume, consider the following structure:

1. Create a Separate Section

Example:

### Freelance Experience

2. List Your Freelance Projects

Use bullet points to detail each project. Include the project name, your role, technologies used, and the outcomes achieved.

Example:


- **Web Developer**  
  *Freelance Project: E-commerce Website for XYZ Retail*  
  - Developed a fully responsive e-commerce platform using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.  
  - Increased client sales by 30% within three months through optimized user experience.

3. Highlight Key Skills and Technologies

Make sure to emphasize the skills and technologies that are relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

Example:


- **Mobile App Developer**  
  *Freelance Project: Fitness Tracker App*  
  - Utilized React Native to build a cross-platform mobile app, resulting in a user base of over 5,000 in the first month.  
  - Implemented Firebase for real-time data synchronization.

4. Quantify Your Achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your success. This adds credibility to your freelance experience.

Example:


- **Data Analyst**  
  *Freelance Project: Market Research for ABC Corp*  
  - Analyzed data sets leading to a 15% cost reduction in marketing expenditures.  
  - Created visual reports that were presented to stakeholders, improving decision-making processes.

5. Keep It Relevant

Make sure to tailor your freelance work to align with the role you are applying for. Only include projects that highlight skills applicable to the job.

Final Thoughts

Including freelance work in your tech resume can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing your hands-on experience and technical capabilities. Structure it effectively, highlight key skills, and quantify your achievements to make a lasting impression on potential employers.