Struggling to get interviews?
Your contracting experience can be a valuable addition to your resume, but listing temporary work on your resume can be tricky. Follow the tips and examples below and learn how to highlight your contract work experience like a pro.
Listing contract work adds to your resume by:
- Highlighting your versatile experience
- Demonstrating your adaptability and self-motivation
- Showing off industry-specific skills
Tips for listing contract work on your resume
Use a consistent job title format
Using a consistent format in your work experience section makes each entry easy to read. For each position, include the following information:
- Job title
- Freelance/Remote/Contractor
- Company name
- Location of company (optional)
- Dates you worked with the company
Graphic Designer (Contract) – Apple
June–August 20XX
Group similar contracts together
If you’ve had several contracts in a similar field, group your achievements under the same entry in your experience section.
This approach keeps your resume concise and demonstrates your specialized experience in a particular field.
Marketing Consultant (Freelance) – Various Clients | January 20XX – Present
- LinkedIn: Developed and executed a LinkedIn advertising strategy, resulting in a 35% increase in lead generation
- FormulaVeg500: Created and managed digital marketing campaigns, contributing to a 25% increase in user engagement over six months
- Samsung: Designed a social media strategy that boosted online brand awareness by 40%, leading to improved customer retention
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.”
Temporary Administrative Assistant – Kelly Services | March 20XX–Present
- Pfizer: Provide administrative support for HR streamlining the onboarding process for 50+ new employees (September 20XX–Present)
- Apple: Organized and coordinated corporate events resulting in successful execution with 100+ attendees (May 20XX–July 20XX)
- Google: Managed office supply inventory and handled front desk operations (April–August 20XX)
Note the type of contract work
Label your contract roles clearly on your resume.
Alternatively, if you’re adding freelance experience to your resume, list your job title as “Freelancer” or “Independent Contractor” to indicate the nature of the job.
This clarification ensures employers understand that the roles were temporary by design.
Freelance Graphic Designer – Independent Contractor | February 20XX – Present
- Provided contract-based illustration services for GrubHub, creating infographics that enhanced user education and improved onboarding efficiency
- Worked as a temporary contractor with Mailchimp on their digital marketing campaigns, designing visuals for social media and email templates, contributing to a 15% increase in engagement
What information to include when listing contract work
Include the following in your contract job description:
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%.”
Relevant skills
Clearly mention the skills you used and developed during your contract work in your experience section.
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.
Tailored descriptions to the job you’re applying for
Customize each contract job description to align with the job you’re applying for by emphasizing the skills and experience that match the job requirements.
For example: if the job ad says the role requires collaboration, highlight how you collaborated with different teams in your contract work.
Examples of contract work on resumes
Freelance Graphic Designer – Independent Contractor | January 20XX–Present
- Developed branding and marketing materials for Paper Source, resulting in a 20% increase in client traffic
- Designed and implemented web graphics for Etsy e-commerce shops, leading to improved user engagement and higher conversion rates
- Collaborated with clients like Shutterfly to create custom illustrations and layouts for digital and print media, enhancing brand presentation
IT Consultant (Contract) – TechSavvySolutions | June 20XX–December 20XX
- Provided technical support and managed software installations for corporate clients, including WeWork and Stitch Fix
- Led data migration projects for Bumble that improved system efficiency by 25%
- Assisted in developing cybersecurity strategies for TaskRabbit, reducing company risk by 15%
Independent Marketing Contractor–BrightPath Marketing Agency | March 20XX-October 20XX
- Created and executed targeted digital marketing campaigns for Warby Parker, increasing leads by 10%
- Conducted market research to inform campaign strategies for Glossier, optimizing conversion rates
- Managed social media platforms and developed content for Casper, significantly improving brand visibility
Frequently asked questions
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. List the most relevant contracts that demonstrate your experience for the job you’re applying for. Unrelated short-term work can be left off your resume, unless omitting it would create an employment gap.
When to include short-term contracts
Include short-term contracts as long as they are relevant to your target position or industry. Even short stints demonstrate 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. It demonstrates adaptability, versatility, and the ability to work on diverse projects. Employers value candidates who show they can thrive in different environments and roles.
About the Author
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, especially people with nonlinear career paths.
Nathan graduated from the University of Nevada with a double B.A. in French and Music. His articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, offering insights into resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.
