What should an independent contractor put on a resume?

An independent contractor should put information that showcases what makes you a great candidate for a job or project on a resume.

An independent contractor is a freelance position, meaning they are self-employed, typically working on a project-by-project basis under a contract rather than working under one certain employer. They help showcase your independent contractor work on your resume. There are a few simple steps you can take.

First, give yourself a title rather than just stating independent contractor. This will help create a clear description of the type of independent contracting work you do. Consider coming up with a job title for yourself.

For example, you might describe yourself as a freelance web designer or a contract photographer. Giving yourself a title shows potential employers what kind of work you do in a single phrase, making your resume clear and cohesive.

Next, you're going to want to demonstrate your work experience by linking your portfolio. As an independent contractor, a portfolio of past projects can add credibility to your resume.

Consider including a link to your online portfolio or website in your resume's contact information section. For example, if you are a photographer, you may want to add a link to your website that includes a page with samples of your best photos and client testimonials.

It's also good to highlight right away in your profile summary that you're an independent contractor. Include the profile summary near the top of your resume to highlight your top skills and experiences, as well as what types of positions you are seeking.

As an independent contractor, try to narrow in on a specific area of services that you offer, such as portrait photography or game application design. For example, "Experienced web developer skilled in Java, HTML, and CSS. Seeking remote, contract-based web development positions."

Next, you're ready to provide specific details on key projects in the resume's work experience section. This section may be a list of projects for independent contractors rather than a detailed employment history.

You can choose which of your past projects you want to include in your experience section. One way to do this is by listing the client you worked with, the dates you worked, and a bulleted list of your responsibilities and accomplishments for each relevant project you completed.

Alternatively, if you have completed a large number of small projects with similar tasks or did the same kind of project for a variety of companies, you can group them into sections.

For instance, in your resume's experience section, we recommend including a contractor role with a bulleted list describing different tasks you completed throughout various projects. This shows your relevant experiences without cluttering your resume.

Finally, it's important to list the skills learned during your career as an independent contractor. Listing your skills is an opportunity to prove what you have learned from your contracting experience and show that you are qualified for the job you desire. In your skills section, you can include both hard and soft skills.

Top skills to include on an independent contractor resume include:

• Understanding of the business and how the services should be delivered to support and improve the business

• Subject matter and industry expertise to champion his supplier effectively and set expectations within his organization about what the contract can realistically deliver

• Negotiation and influencing smarts

• Effective communication and project management skills

• Ability to inspire and manage change

• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills

• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Driven, self-motivated disposition