How to List Contract Work on Your Resume (With Examples)

Contract work usually doesn’t last as long as a full-time job, but that doesn’t make your achievements any less relevant.

Listing contract work on your resume is a great way to:

• Highlight your versatile experience
• Demonstrate your adaptability and self-motivation
• Showcase industry-specific skills
• Avoid glaring employment gaps

Here are four tips on how to highlight contract work on your resume:

Use a consistent job title format

When listing contract work in your work experience section, it’s important to use a consistent job title format because it makes each entry easy to read.

For each job title, include the following information:

• Job title
• Freelance/ Remote/Contractor
• Company name
• Location of company (city and state) (optional)
• Dates you worked with the company

Group similar contracts together

If you’ve had several contracts in a similar field, group your achievements under one entry in your experience section.

This approach keeps your resume concise and demonstrates your specialized experience in a particular field without creating a cluttered work history.

Include time frames for each contract

Include the dates for each contract job to provide a clear timeline of your employment.

If you worked on multiple short-term contracts, group them by year or month, such as “January 20XX-May 20XX” or “June 20XX-Present.”

Including time frames gives potential employers a sense of how long you’ve worked in each industry.

Note the type of contract work

Make it clear on your resume which roles were contract positions by labeling them as such.

For example, use terms like “Freelancer,” “Independent Contractor,” or “Temporary Worker” to indicate the nature of the job.

This clarification ensures employers understand that the roles were temporary by design and that the nature of your work involved contracts.

What information to include when listing contract work

Now that you know how to list contract work so your resume stands out, here are some tips on what to include in your contract job description:

1. Accomplishments and impact

When describing your contract work, focus on your achievements rather than just listing duties.

Highlight specific accomplishments that show how you contributed to the company or project.

For example, instead of just stating “designed marketing materials,” say “designed marketing materials that increased client engagement by 30%.”

2. Relevant skills

Contract work often provides opportunities to develop new skills. Make sure to showcase these skills in your job descriptions.

Whether you’ve learned new software, enhanced your project management abilities, or developed industry-specific expertise, highlight how these skills can benefit the company you’re applying to.

3. Tailored descriptions to the job you’re applying for

Customize each contract job description to align with the job you’re applying for. Emphasize the skills and experience that match the job requirements.

If the role you’re targeting involves a lot of collaboration, highlight how you worked with cross-functional teams in your contract work.

Examples of how to list contract work on your resume

Frequently asked questions about how to list contract work

We’ve answered some of your most common questions about listing contract work on your resume below:

Should I list all contract work?

No, you don’t need to list all contract work on your resume. Focus on the most relevant contracts that demonstrate your experience for the job you’re applying for. Short-term or unrelated work can be left off unless it adds value.

When to include short-term contracts

Include short-term contracts if they are relevant to the position or industry. Even short stints can showcase key skills and experience, especially if you made a significant impact or gained valuable knowledge.

Does adding contract work look bad on my resume?

No, listing contract work doesn’t look bad on a resume. In fact, it can demonstrate adaptability, versatility, and the ability to work on diverse projects. Employers value candidates who have shown they can thrive in different environments and roles.