When you’re a freelancer, your resume is one of the most important tools to sell your skills and experience to potential clients. A well-written resume will not only list your relevant experiences and skills but will also highlight why you are the most qualified candidate for the job. Here are some tips on how to write an effective resume as a freelancer.
Start with a professional summary. A professional summary, which appears at the start of a resume, briefly describes your experience, abilities, and accomplishments. It is meant to give hiring managers a quick overview of your qualifications to decide whether to read the rest of your resume. When writing a professional summary, you should focus on your most relevant experience and skills directly relevant to the position for which you are applying. It would be best if you also used strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments. Generally, a professional summary should be no more than 4-6 sentences long.
However, the length will vary depending on the job requirements you are applying for. If you have a lot of relevant experience, you may need to write a longer summary. On the other hand, if you are a recent graduate with limited work experience, you may simply need to write one or two sentences. Regardless of your experience level, your professional summary should be clear, concise, and free of grammar or spelling errors.
Your professional summary should be a brief (one to two sentences) overview of your skills and experience. This is your opportunity to pitch yourself to prospective clients, so highlight your most relevant qualifications.
1. List your relevant skills and experience.
In the body of your resume, list your relevant skills and experience in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the company or client you worked for, your job title, and dates of employment. If you have a lot of relevant experience, you may want to consider creating separate sections for each type of work (e.g., “freelance writing,” “editing,” etc.).
Relevant skills can be drawn from paid and unpaid work and other activities such as volunteering, hobbies, and interests. For example, if you are applying for a job in customer service, including customer service experience on your resume would be considered relevant. However, even if you do not have direct experience in the field, you may still be able to highlight transferable skills that would make you a good candidate. For example, these would also be relevant if you have experience working in a fast-paced environment or excellent communication skills. In short, when writing a resume, it is important to think about relevant skills and experience to create the most effective document possible.
2. Use concrete examples and numbers.
Resumes are often seen as dry, boring documents, but they don’t have to be. One way to make your resume more interesting and engaging is to use concrete examples and numbers. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities, highlight your accomplishments using specific figures. For instance, if you managed a team of people, including the number of employees you supervised. If you increased sales or profits, by how much? You may give potential employers a clearer understanding of your talents and achievements by giving actual examples. In addition, using numbers can help to quantify your impact and make your resume more persuasive. So next time you’re revamping your resume, don’t be afraid to get specific and use concrete examples and numbers to showcase your skills and accomplishments.
When describing your work experience and accomplishments, be as specific as possible. Use concrete examples and numbers whenever possible to illustrate the impact you made in each role. For instance, if you increased website traffic by 20% after implementing SEO best practices, be sure to mention that!
3. Highlight your unique selling points.
What distinguishes you from other freelancers in your specialty? Are you bilingual? Do you have experience working with a particular industry or type of business? Be sure to highlight unique selling points that make you stand out from the competition.
Your resume is your opportunity to sell yourself to potential employers. You must highlight your unique selling points to make the most of this opportunity. These qualities make you stand out from the other applicants and demonstrate that you possess the talents and abilities that the employer seeks. Focusing on your achievements is one way to do this, rather than simply listing your job duties. For example, include information on your resume if you increased sales by 10% in your last position. Another way to highlight your unique selling points is to use keywords relevant to the position you are applying for. By including these keywords, you can ensure that the hiring manager will give your resume serious consideration. With a little effort, you can ensure that your resume makes a strong impression and helps you land the job you want.
4. Keep it short and sweet.
A resume is like a first impression. The document gives employers their first look at your work experience, skills, and education. So, it’s important to ensure your resume is persuasive and well-written. However, you may be wondering how to do this when there’s so much information you want to include. The answer is simple: keep your resume short. A short resume is easier for employers to read and digest. It’s also more likely to stay focused on the most relevant information to the job you’re applying for. So, if you’re looking to persuade employers and land the job you want, keeping your resume short is a great way to start.
While it’s important to include all relevant information on your resume, don’t get too carried away – remember, less is more! Aim for a length of one to two pages, with a font size between 10-12 points. Any more than that, and you risk losing the reader’s attention completely.
Conclusion:
A well-written resume is essential for any freelancer looking to land new clients. By following these tips, you can guarantee that your resume is clear and simple and that it emphasizes why you are the ideal applicant for the job!