Freelance Experience in Resume

rlpzbeermoney Level 1

September 6, 2018, 12:50 am

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Is it okay to list your freelance experience in your resume? Won't these companies shun/think less of you if you include it in your resume and job interview?

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

Of course, you can. Why would potential employers think less of you? In fact, it would be more impressive. Freelance experience for me still counts as professional work. Whether it is online or offline, it counts as professional experience. I, myself, will include my freelance job experiences on my resume/CV if ever I need to shift jobs in the future. I hope not as I am happy with my current position at work, LOL.

8 years ago

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rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

If for example you worked in a job like say cleaning or maintenance (freelance not hired as employee), and what you're applying for is a professional job (IT specialist for example), you'll still include it in your resume? Even if it's entirely not related to your line of work?

8 years ago

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stbrians

stbrians

Relevance is what matters here. You cannot apply for a cleaning job and say you are a freelancer. The job you are applying must be relevant to freelancing or at least if freelancing will add weight to the application.

8 years ago

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Youngshark

Youngshark

True I also think that if it is relevant then you can include it in the cv. It would make zero sense if you include something which does not directly relate to what you are being hired for.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

Sure, who knows that your experience on your freelance cleaning job might have some relevance on the job that you are applying for at the time. You'll never know. You might be a salesperson before then venture into a position in customer service. Employers do not entirely look at someone's skills but also their work ethic. These small things may factor in and give you a good impression when applying. Just make it a point to keep it precise but concise (1-2 pages) and not borderline annoying to read.

8 years ago

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Youngshark

Youngshark

myself if I was in a position to employ I think I would not have a problem hiring a freelancer for the duty they have done freelancing for. As long as they have the perfect industry knowledge then they are a perfect hire. However don't get your hopes too much my friends I am not that big of an employer yet.

8 years ago

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superlicca

superlicca

As long as your freelancing job experiences are related to the job that you are applying for, it is good to add them in your resume. These experiences can impress the interviewer and a great proof that you already have a background in that field.

8 years ago

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overcast

overcast

Some companies like it and some dont'. So make sure to research the company before adding that in resume. Most companies dont like it because they consider freelancers as a competitor. So it's better to know about the company before adding the freelancer experience into the resume. I had argument with HR in one interview and she said, we don't hire people with freelancing background.

8 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

Whether the company you are applying likes your freelancing career or not depends on number of factors, the type f company you have applied, types of jobs you performed as a freelancer etc. If you are a freelance writer and you are applying for a publishing company your freelancing experience will definiately count. If you are a website developer your experience and knowledge will definitely count when you apply for a developer position in a company.

8 years ago

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overcast

overcast

I have seen a lot of companies in coding and the design domain don't like the freelancers. Because usually such companies are bidding in the freelance market. And they seem to be taking freelance jobs. So they are the one who avoid the hiring of freelancer and instead hire the full time workers for themselves. So they tend to don't like that in resume.

8 years ago

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EfficientNinja

EfficientNinja

It's best to only include any type of experience if it is related to the job position that you're applying for. It would be unnecessary to add skills and work experience that has nothing to do with the job and some HRs do not like reading very long resumes. So my personal rule is to keep it short and simple so they'll at least skim through what I wrote on my resume.

8 years ago

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NesMarcos

NesMarcos

Definitely you can. Companies won't think less of you thus they will think more of you because freelancing is not an easy job to do. Free lancers can work with less supervision than people who work in an office based. Also, free lancers are earning more than workers in an office set up.

8 years ago

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Youngshark

Youngshark

Many people have come to acknowledge freelancing as a real career nowadays. I think there are some who will even ask you for your work samples to know how qualified you are. Your skills could be prime and their demand does not depend on whether you were a freelancer or not.

8 years ago

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coolavender

coolavender

If your freelance experience is meaningful, it will probably impress your future employer even though it may have little to do with the job position you are applying for. Freelancing is a decent occupation and including it in your resume will help project the idea that you are an action-oriented person who doesn't allow the grass to grow under your feet. I have interviewed applicants for staff position in my previous jobs and I was always impressed with fresh graduates who did summer jobs, odd jobs, or selling jobs to support themselves while studying.

8 years ago

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mdayrit

mdayrit

Yes you can include it in your resume. I work in human resources before and I can tell you that it doesn't make employers think less of you. Freelancing is also an occupation. You put your talents and skills to work and get paid for doing it. I include freelancing in my resume too and I am proud of being one.

8 years ago

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mark8625

mark8625

You can definitely include it. Freelancing is still a job experience. I believe that nothing wrong with that.

8 years ago

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edencaga

edencaga

Well for me, you can include it especially if your first experience is freelance work. Besides it can be still considered as job. And yes, i think there's nothing wrong if you include freelancer in resume, it's up to you though but I suggest you include it.

8 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

You are a freelancer does not mean you are inferior to the people who have regular job. What actually matters is your skill and experience. I was once accepted for a job just because I had a lot of experience with freelancing work. However, I did not join the job because I was not satisfied with the pay rate.

8 years ago

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overcast

overcast

I have to agree with this that we are not inferior to add the freelancing. But the thing is that often business consider freelancers as a competitor and they try to avoid them. So often using freelancer in the resume is going to cost you a lot. I'd say avoid adding freelancing if the employer is a bit paranoid on that.

8 years ago

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superlicca

superlicca

I really agree with your statement that being a freelancer does not mean that we are inferior to the people. It is still a decent job and for you to get a freelancing job, some skills are also required. It means that we are also the same as employees. The difference is that we are self-employed and not committed to an employer which is also great since we can many jobs that we can.

8 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

If you have relevant experience, you can always add that in your resume and can talk about your freelance career with the employer. For instance, if you have done a lot of freelance writing, it can be an added advantage if you are applying for a writer's job in a newspaper. Likewise, if you have build websites as a freeelancer, it can be useful experience for your web designer job. However, if you are mainly doing earning sites like GPT sites, forum posting etc. that does not count as a freelance experience.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

I think there are a lot of great things about listing your freelance work on a resume. Personally I think it shows a lot of initiative and the ability to self motivate, and when I'm looking for employees those characteristics are really important! I think freelancing also gives people the ability to think outside the box and come up with great ideas - another couple of skills I think are hugely useful.

8 years ago

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mark8625

mark8625

I definitely agree with you on that. When the employer will see the freelance job you did I am sure he will impress to you and hire you eventually because he will see your perseverance to work and earn money and not just sitting the whole day in your house. He will see your eagerness to find ways of earning money by doing freelance job.

8 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

Absolutely! Freelancing is not for the faint of heart and I think it definitely shows a commitment to hard work. As long as you've got some examples of freelance work you've completed for portfolio pieces, I say put it on your resume! Freelance Experience in Resume

Freelance Experience in Resume

8 years ago

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mark8625

mark8625

That is completely right. Freelance is a good job and tough job as I may say and this is not a easy work. So no need to embarrass or feels like it should have not in the resume because I am 100% sure that it should be listed there.

8 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

Well, I guess if you have your freelance experience on your resume, it's a thumbs up for the employer. Because they know that you are finding a way on how to earn money even you don't have a regular job. And also working as a freelancer, can add skills for you that you can tell the employer that they need to hire you for their company.

8 years ago

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rlpzbeermoney

rlpzbeermoney

But what do you guys do if they question what you've been doing XX years after graduation? Surely they'd ask about the freelance job even if it's unrelated. You'll be forced to explain about it and it might affect their job hiring decision. Like you guys said, only include it if it's related.

8 years ago

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ballyhara

ballyhara

Honestly, I rather explain that I was doing Freelance, instead of letting them think, that I was doing nothing at home. That will show them you are a productive person, proactive, you don't stop even if you are not employed by any company. So, you weren't unemployed and doing nothing, you were fighting for an earning online, and that's important too.

8 years ago

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NerdIndeed

NerdIndeed

It's best always to be honest about the interview. However, let's say I was unemployed for a year, I would say I am studying at the time or honing my skills to better myself to be more qualified in future job applications.

8 years ago

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ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

I suggest that you should put your experience from your freelance jobs. It is a proof that you are flexible person that could adapt to an environment especially when you really needed a source of income. It could be a good impression for your interviewer that you are an industrious person. Your experience could also add up highlights of your capabilities and abilities on that field that they could use for their company. So yeah, you can put your freelance experiences on your resume.

8 years ago

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romyter013

romyter013

Why not? Its best they know what you put on your resume are specialties you are good at. These can add points on you and you are giving the company the idea what is the right position you are capable of so they can put you to the right position they have to their company so better add your freelance experience on your resume - this can be a big help for you.

8 years ago

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ballyhara

ballyhara

I used to have the same doubt, considering my freelance job is completely different from my regular job, so I was concerned how a boss could take it. However, I decided to include it, because freelancing has become a very important part of my life, it has taken a lot of effort and learning, and it has show me another side of me. So, that has a value, and it shows that I can do more than just my regular job.

8 years ago

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jaymish

jaymish

I think this is a good idea. I think also that any employer who shuns your resume for having this experience is not worth working for. Having the courage to pursue freelancing is actually a good quality to have in an employee. It shows that they are self-driven and ambitious. Some employers may be threatened by this, but you really don't want to be working for such people. Those kind of people will hold you back from becoming the best you can be.

8 years ago

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Barida

Barida

There is no big deal as long as you are applying for a company that are really serious about what you can offer them. I have come to realize that it is always important for us to believe that we should always try to put every of our experience into our CV since it is going to go a long way to make us feel better and special among them.

8 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I think that you should include freelance online work and freelance physical work to your resume. I mean why wouldn't you? Freelance work whether online or physical ones are work and there's nothing to be ashamed off with regards to working.

8 years ago

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stbrians

stbrians

Freelance is a job like any other and employers will love it. Including it in your resume is not bad. We should be proud of freelance work and not ashamed.

8 years ago

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esteban123

esteban123

I think it depends on the company or work that you want to apply with, if freelancing experience is related to what you are currently applying then it might be a good points or advantage over the other applicants. But for instance it is not related to what you are applying for then I suggest that don't anymore include it in your resume since it will be of no use at all.

8 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Every experience matters as long it's going to be vital in making you look better qualified for the job you are applying for. Not everyone can work well as a freelancer, so I believe it's an added advantage to your resume.

8 years ago

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kinja90

kinja90

You can include it whether it's related or not on the work that you'll be applying to. It will be a plus since you've some skills other than the required job. It'll really help you in getting the job. Working online/freelance is a hard task and you should be flexible. It's really an advantage when you include it on your CV/resume.

8 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

That's gonna be a high chance of a employer to hire you because they know that you have a potential and determined to earn income by doing it on your own.

8 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

Exactly, that's very true. Freelancers are self motivated, dedicated, passionate and determined people who wouldn't stay idle when there are opportunities to exploit and make money. So, on getting to have the opportunity to work for a firm, the freelancer will definitely give his or her very best to the job. It's a plus value to one's resume.

8 years ago

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deejaycee

deejaycee

I strongly believe that your freelance experience is very much appropriate to include in your resume. It just shows your persistence to make a living. Besides doing freelance jobs gives us new knowledge and enhances our skills as well. It is not a negative impression to include that in your resume. Sometimes, it can even be an advantage. You just have to be really good in explaining things and relating it to your growth as a person.

8 years ago

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DenisP

DenisP

There’s absolutely no reason that you shouldn’t include freelance work in your resume. The fact is that freelance work is work like any other, and is a field where you can grow and learn valuable skills through opportunities that might not even arise in regular work.

If anything, I’d say it’s an asset. It’s particularly valuable if you’re keeping a list of your clients. If you can include your clients as references, then most employers will pretty much treat it like you were working at a regular job, because they can call them for a performance assessment and can get an idea for how you’d fit in at their establishment.

8 years ago

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sgdadu

sgdadu

If I am to employ anybody in future, then I would really appreciate seeing freelancing in the applicant's CV. This is because it clearly shows how this person is self driven and exploits every opportunity presented before them. Freelancers have a characteristic of not being choosy, thus provided they make a living from anything, then its worthy doing! Of which it's a character employers would appreciate having in their workforce; one who rises to every opportunity, however small, to make something out of it. I thus strongly agree and encourage all Freelancers to be bold enough and be true to employers by including freelancing as part of their resumes. There is nothing important that an employer appreciates like a TRUE employee. This is because many job applicants lie in their resumes only to be absorbed and prove otherwise.

8 years ago

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anchoreztin

anchoreztin

I think it depends on the job or company that you are applying for. If you believe that your freelance experience is not significant with the job you are applying for then you can omit your freelance experience in your resume. When applying to any type of job, may it be corporate or freelancing, always highlight what is important and omit what is not. Out of the hundred of applicants, the HR or the hiring officer doesn't really have all the time in the world to scrutinize your resume.

8 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

If it adds value to your resume then go on and add it but if you really don't have worthy accomplishments to mention then it's best to leave it out.

8 years ago

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fishbate

fishbate

I think its an addition of your skills and it is vital on your resume. The skills and knowledge you have and experienced is always an asset. But it all depends on what job you are looking for, your resume should also be fit with the type of job your going for. So it's wise to have your resume personalized for certain jobs your attaining.

8 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

The employer will be happy because you are finding a way on how to earn money on your own.

8 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

That's actually a great point. It all depends on the employer. We don't know what every employer would think though if you would put your freelance job experiences on your resume even though the line of work that you're applying for is very different. One may view it positively, the other would be negatively. It all depends.

8 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

Good job experiences both offline and online should be included in your resume. Employers always goes for applicants with a variety of successful professional experiences.

8 years ago

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Martinsx1

Martinsx1

No working experience in the world today is useless, so in as much as some people would say that freelance work experience isn't supposed to be recognized, I have a very different stern view about that assertion because it's not an easy job to work as a freelancer with the kind of competition you see in the market today.

8 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

I would have to include it now as I have worked at home for so long. However, I am not sure it is a great idea. It depends on the job you are applying for. I would have to talk about writing Christian stuff and some employers hate that. Better to use what you can make relevant to the application. I would miss off my Christian stuff and talk about the reviews I have written for companies. At one time I worked in situations where I was the person looking at the C.V and choosing who would be interviewed. So many C.V's went in the bin because the person told us about their, dog, horse, grandma, a book they were writing about a holiday they took in 1953 etc. If you are going to put anything on a C.V in the two pages an employer will look at (3 and it goes straight to the bin,) then make it look professional and prove a skill. What the employer wants to know in as short a time as possible is "could this person do the job and do they have the right skill set and personality for the kind of work we want them to do?"

8 years ago

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TheArticulate

TheArticulate

Absolutely, especially if your freelance work corresponds to the field you're apply to. I work in digital media production, and my freelance work is almost exclusively videography, which really helps strengthen my resume and portfolio. If anything, freelance work shows that you're dedicated to what you do and that you probably aren't doing it simply for a paycheck. You're driven to reach your goals and finish your projects without a supervisor or even a guarantee of a steady income.

8 years ago

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thejoyrevolutio

thejoyrevolutio

I guess you can put your freelance works in your application. But I think you have to consider what type of freelance job you put. I think as long as the past freelance work is related to the job you are applying it might even help you get a the job.

8 years ago

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anyone01

anyone01

It is similar to any other job from home or outdoor the corporate world and can be a little greater tough in terms of your accomplishments. but, this truth should in no way stop you from following your dream. While you apply for any job, consider to be unique. display your skills through sharing your work.

8 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

Yes, you can. However, you must ensure that your freelance job experiences that you want to put on your resume goes with the job that you are applying for. I think it would be just a waste of time to put them there if you would be applying for a totally different line of work.

8 years ago

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Judas2018

Judas2018

I would. Any work experience unless it was off the books, shady or at some illegal or dubious place of employment - should be included in ones resume.

8 years ago

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jessie271

jessie271

All job experiences you had, you can put it in your resume. It shows that you know lots of things. More skills, the better. The more skills you have, the more chances that you will get more job offers. But make sure that what you are applying for really suits you and that you can perform the job properly as your employer is expecting from you.

8 years ago

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chrisbarett

chrisbarett

In fact, it is clear that what the special companies that offer quality career counseling coaching services do, can't be done by any simple person because the people employed in such companies are professionals in this field and know some secrets due to which your CV can become something super extraordinary.
I have read in other forums many positive opinions and comments about such companies and my opinion is that it is worth calling them if you want beautiful results.

6 years ago

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M1ndPrototype

M1ndPrototype

Nowadays, freelancers gained a lot of popularity among online jobs. And luckily for them, they stand on high tops as workers. My husband recently opened his online business, and he was looking for great freelancer developers. During several searches, he found a reliable website that gives hire developers opportunities. It's known that a great and excellent freelancer is hard to find, but this main website helped my husband a lot, and he found a fantastic team with specialists in the domain.

5 years ago

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AmandaSwon

AmandaSwon

Of course, like a few years of freelancing experience, hundreds of clients and completed projects can hurt your resume. In my opinion this is a great experience and I always add it to the resume builder when I create such paper

5 years ago

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milaniagreen

milaniagreen

You can have a really great freelancing experience and be a really cool person because of it. Such moments must be indicated in the resume. This is exactly what will set you apart from other applicants. You can find many suitable jobs in Dubai here

5 years ago

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