Freelance, contract and short-term work is real experience. Listed well, it shows initiative and a range of skills. Listed badly, it can look like a string of short jobs.
Group it as one entry
Use one heading such as “Freelance graphic designer, self-employed, 2022–present”, then list your main clients or projects underneath with a result for each.
For contract jobs
Write “contract” next to the job title, for example “Project administrator (12-month contract)”. This tells the reader that the job was meant to end, so it does not look like you left early.
What to include
- The kind of work and the industries you served.
- Named clients or projects, if the client is happy for you to name them.
- Numbers: projects completed, repeat clients, results you delivered.
- A link to your portfolio or work samples, if your field uses them.
Builder tip: add freelance work as one job in the builder, with your best client results as the bullet points.
Avoid: naming clients who expect confidentiality, listing every small job separately, and leaving out dates, which makes it look like a gap.