The Best Way to List Your Contracting Experience on Your Resume

Whether you're a seasoned freelancer or just starting your contracting journey, listing your experience on your resume is crucial for standing out in a competitive job market. Properly structuring and presenting your contracting experience can significantly impact your career prospects. In this article, we will guide you through the best practices for listing your contracting experience on your resume, ensuring it is both comprehensive and engaging.

Structuring Your Contracting Experience

When it comes to listing your contracting experience, it's important to present it in a clear and organized manner. You can create a dedicated section titled Contracting Experience above or below your employment history. This section should be structured similarly to any other employment stint, detailing the tasks you performed, key highlights, and relevant accomplishments.

A Checklist for Effective Resumes

1. Job Title

Use a relevant job title that is consistent with the role you're applying for. If applicable, you can use titles like Freelancer, Consultant, or Contract Freelancer to describe your contracting experience. Avoid using terms like Self-Employed or Independent Contractor as these may not resonate well with employers.

2. Duration

Mention the duration of your contracts in a clear, standardized format: Mon YYYY - Mon YYYY. For example, July 2022 - March 2023. This format helps readers quickly grasp the timeline of your work.

3. Company

Even if the companies were small or failed, include them on your resume. Highlighting your entrepreneurial spirit and the set of skills you developed, such as self-motivation and discipline, can be highly beneficial.

4. Responsibilities

Detail your responsibilities using the same structure as your employment sections. Include all the relevant and allied tasks performed, tools utilized, and projects worked on. To increase the credibility of your experience, provide quantified information whenever possible. For example:

Developed and implemented a project management system for a tech startup, resulting in a 20% increase in project completion times. Led a team of 3 developers in the development of a new mobile app, completed within 6 months, exceeding client expectations by 15%.

5. Highlights

Mention any notable work or accomplishments during your contracting stints. Use quantifiable information and tailor it to make it relevant to the positions you're applying for. For instance:

Successfully delivered over 10 high-profile projects in the last year, resulting in a 90% customer satisfaction rate. Received a commendation from XYZ Company for outstanding contributions to their project, saving them $50,000 in development costs.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Your Resume

To further enhance your resume and make it more appealing to potential employers, consider the following tips:

Use Action Verbs: Start your descriptions with strong action verbs like Developed, Managed, Implemented, to make your accomplishments stand out. Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job description to improve your resume’s SEO. For example, if a job description mentions project management, software development, or web development, make sure to include these terms in your resume. Recent Contracts First: Place your most recent contracts at the top of your resume, as these are the ones most relevant to current job applications. Format for Clarity: Use bullet points, headers, and subheaders for better readability. The use of bold and italics can also help emphasize key points.

Conclusion

List your contracting experience on your resume to showcase your skills and accomplishments effectively. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can present your contracting experience in a compelling and professional manner, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.