How To List Contract Work On Your Resume (With Examples)

In 2026, contract work has gained significant traction as a flexible employment option, providing professionals with a viable income source and an opportunity to hone their skills. Accurately listing contract work on your resume is crucial for showcasing your diverse experience and filling any employment gaps.

Whether you’re a freelancer, a virtual assistant, or a remote contract worker, this guide will explain how to effectively list contract work on your resume, provide illustrative examples, and offer essential tips for success.

Key Takeaways:

• For multiple contract jobs, create a distinct section on your resume.

• Include all relevant contract work, including temporary positions.

• Craft a narrative around your contract work to enhance your work experience story.

How to List Contract Work on Your Resume

When listing contract work, aim to narrate your work experience and highlight your accomplishments. Here’s a detailed guide on how to incorporate contract work into your resume:

1. Tell a story. The key to including contract work is crafting a compelling narrative. While long-term employment naturally creates a storyline, you must weave together your diverse projects into a cohesive narrative.

2. Organize your contract work. Effective organization is vital. Centralize all contract work in one section, allowing any interviewer to easily review your experiences. Group by industry or job type, listing in reverse-chronological order. For multiple projects at the same company, consolidate under that company’s name.

3. Be clear with your formatting. List each position separately, indicating both the contracting agency and the specific company you worked with. Make it evident that the agency was your employer, showcasing any notable companies you collaborated with.

   Consider using the functional resume format if you lack extensive full-time experience, as it emphasizes skills over chronological work history.

4. Customize your resume for each prospective employer. Tailor your experience to match the desired qualifications in the job description. Highlight contract work that aligns closely with the role, enhancing your chances of success.

5. Emphasize your accomplishments. Your achievements reflect the impact of your contract work. Use action verbs and quantify results where possible. Instead of stating, “Designed webpage for company X,” say, “Revamped webpage, increasing traffic by 23% within two months.”

   Your objective during the hiring process is to convince the hiring manager or recruiter of the tangible value you bring.

6. Focus on your skills. Review the job posting for essential skills and incorporate them into your contract work descriptions. Your cover letter can further elaborate on these skills, but a few key terms should also appear in your resume.

Examples of Listing Contract Work on Your Resume

Here’s a straightforward example of how to list a single entry of contract work on your resume:

1. Single Contract Work Entry Example

   Marvel Studios, LLC; Burbank, CA
   Content Writer and Personal Bodyguard to Stan Lee; Contract (July – Dec 2017)

   • Conceived, developed, and executed ideas for both inline and blog content.

   • Ensured the safety of renowned comic book author Stan Lee amidst various threats.

   Note: When listing multiple projects under the same company, you only need to mention the company’s name and address once.

2. Full Resume Example with Contract Work

   John Pilgrim
   Birmingham, NY | 999-876-5555 | JohnPilgrim@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/john-pilgrim/

   SUMMARY STATEMENT
   Skilled writer, copyeditor, and editorial manager with a strong background in technology and science. Delivers high-quality, customized SEO web content, marketing materials, and newsletters for clients. Thrives in high-pressure environments while supporting sales goals and client-focused projects.

   SKILLS

   • Proficient in HTML/CSS

   • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

   • Expert in Google Suite and Excel

   • Proficient in WordPress

   • Adept at simplifying complex topics into easily digestible content

   WORK EXPERIENCE
   XYZ Consultancy | Birmingham, NY
   Calico Tech | Johnson City, NY
   Lead Editor: Science and Tech Blog; Contract (Sep. 2020-Present)

   • Increased blog traffic by 67% over four months

   • Copyedited 40 articles weekly, ensuring consistency in style, tone, and graphics

   • Led a team of 8 writers and 2 designers to meet deadlines, develop new content ideas, and create tailored graphics

   • Developed and updated the blog style guide

   Heya Science | Park Terrace, NY
   Content Writer: New Science Newsletter; Contract (May 2020-Oct. 2020)

   • Produced 2 long-form newsletters weekly, totaling 5,000 words and reaching over 10,000 subscribers

   • Conducted competitor analysis and presented findings at weekly marketing meetings

   • Awarded best writer in June 2020

   Big Tech Jr. | Philadelphia, PA
   Marketing Assistant; Contract (Nov. 2019-June 2020)

   • Planned and promoted new content on social media platforms

   • Boosted app engagement by 39% within the first three months

   • Streamlined marketing/engineering protocols, reducing project turnaround time by 16%

   Johnson and Johnson | New York, NY
   Junior Marketing Assistant; (May 2017-Nov. 2019)

   • Supported the marketing team by gathering data and reporting weekly

   • Utilized organizational skills to create tracking spreadsheets for various marketing campaigns

   • Increased traffic to the science and tech blog by 12%

   EDUCATION
   B.S. in Marketing (May 2017); GPA 3.8
   University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
   Dean’s List for 8 semesters

Should You Include Contract Work on Your Resume?

Yes, you should generally include contract work on your resume. Any relevant work experience that demonstrates your skills is worth showcasing.

• It showcases your experience. Contract work indicates to recruiters that you can quickly adapt to new work environments, a desirable trait in candidates.

• It fills employment gaps. Including contract work that bridges gaps in your employment history is vital. It shows that you remained active and resourceful during periods between jobs.

  As the gig economy thrives, concerns about contract work are less pronounced, but some employers may still view it skeptically.

• It demonstrates your work stability. In general, hiring managers prefer candidates with steady work histories, as they want to ensure their investment in training will pay off.

• It counters perceptions of job-hopping. A resume filled with numerous contract or seasonal roles may raise red flags for employers, suggesting that you might not remain with their company for long.

Formatting Tips for Listing Contract Work on Your Resume

When formatting your resume to include contract work, follow these guidelines:

1. If you’re an independent contractor, use your business name. This could be as simple as “Sam White Marketing,” or you can create a unique business name. Using your own brand can enhance clarity in your contract work.

2. If you’ve had a few temporary jobs, list them like your permanent roles. Indicate them as temporary by adding the word “temporary” in parentheses after the job title.

3. If you have multiple contract jobs, consider creating a separate section. This is especially useful if you need to clarify your activities during any gaps in permanent employment.

4. If uncertain about formatting, trust your instincts. The primary goal of formatting is clarity. Ask yourself what would enhance understanding for the reader and make choices accordingly.

FAQs on Listing Contract Work on Your Resume

1. Can you list independent contracting on a resume?

   Yes, independent contracting is valid work experience and should be included on your resume. Describe your responsibilities and achievements to showcase your skills.

2. Does a contract job count as employment?

   Yes, a contract job is considered employment. While some hiring managers may undervalue it, many recognize it as legitimate experience.

3. Should I include temporary jobs on my resume?

   Yes, you should include temporary jobs. The experience gained in these roles is valuable and should be represented on your resume.

   Ensure you connect the skills learned in these temporary roles to the position you are applying for.

4. What type of work qualifies as contract work?

   Contract workers, often called independent contractors or freelancers, are hired for specific projects. Their contracts typically specify the duration and payment for their services, utilizing their expertise in specific areas.

5. What is contract work?

   Contract work, also known as independent contracting, refers to hiring professionals to complete tasks for a predetermined price. Frequently, contract workers are freelancers brought in for their specialized skills on short-term projects.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to listing contract work, including it is often more advantageous than omitting it. Job hunting can be challenging, but with these tips, you can create a standout resume alongside your effective cover letter.

Even if you’re apprehensive about how a series of temporary or contract roles might be perceived, remember that most recruiters and hiring managers agree that contract work is preferable to having no work experience at all.

Utilize strong action verbs, highlight your achievements, and customize your resume for the specific job posting. By showcasing the impressive skills you’ve developed through your contract work, you’ll be poised to receive job offers in no time.

References

1. TopResume – Ask Amanda: How Do I List Temp Jobs on My Resume?

Expert Opinion

Author

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.