Tips for writing a great CV as a freelancer
12th Oct 2023
In the dynamic world of freelancing, where there are many opportunities but the competition can be very fierce, it’s crucial to have a standout CV that shows off your skills in style. A credible, compelling CV can be the difference between landing the jobs you deserve and missing out on them. Before we give you our top tips on how to write a great freelance CV, let’s take a look at the key benefits of having one to show potential clients.
The benefits of having a quality freelance CV
A CV is one of the first things people see when they’re considering hiring someone. It should give a snapshot of your background, skills and qualifications and make the best first impression possible. If your CV is designed well, it can exude professionalism and attention to detail. It also gives you the chance to present important information about yourself to clients or employers quickly.
Your CV gives you the chance to highlight your achievements and show the impact your work has had. This enables employers and clients to understand what you can bring to their organisation. It also shows how your skills and experience have grown over the years and can be great for online and offline networking. A freelance CV can also help you to stand out in a global market. It’s a universally recognised document that can help you find opportunities that you may have never otherwise heard about. Your CV can also help you to take advantage of passive job opportunities when you upload it to an online platform or recruitment database, even when you’re not actively seeking a job.
A CV is a highly versatile tool which is much more than just a job application document. It acts as a powerful representation of your professional career and can play a big role in supporting career advancement.
What are the main elements of a CV?
Before we delve into the writing process, let’s have a look at the key elements which make up a freelancer CV. These can include:
Contact Information: Make sure your CV begins with up-to-date contact details. These should include your full name, phone number, email address and a link to your professional portfolio or website if you have one – which you should.
Professional summary: Your freelance CV should include a concise and convincing summary which focuses on your skills, experience and what sets you apart as a freelancer.
Skills: Make sure your skills are clearly listed. Emphasise skills which are relevant to the kind of freelance work you’re seeking.
Experience: Add information about your freelance work including names of the projects you have worked on, client names (if this is possible), what your role was and what the outcome of your work was.
Education: You also need to add information about your educational background. This could include degrees, other qualifications and any certifications that you feel are relevant.
Portfolio: It’s also a great idea to add links to your portfolio or samples of your work. This ensures clients can see the quality of your work for themselves.
References: It’s also important to include references on your CV. These can be from your previous clients or employers who can support your claims about your skills and what you can bring to the table.
How to write an effective freelancer CV and what are the basic steps to creating one?
Creating an effective freelancer CV requires a blend of effective communication and strategic thinking. Here’s a step-by-step guide to penning an effective CV that wins work.
Understand your audience
Make sure you’re tailoring your CV for each job application. Carry out research into the client or company that you want to work for. This will help you to understand their needs. Highlight the skills and experience that are the most relevant to them.
Craft a compelling professional summary
Create a professional summary that will help you stand out from the crowd. Your summary should be concise and focused on appealing to the specific client’s needs.
Showcase your skills
Make sure your skills are clearly described on the page and emphasise the most valuable ones. It’s a good idea to use specific examples to support this.
Create a bespoke experience section
You don’t need to list each and every project you have ever worked on. Instead, select the experiences which are the most relevant to the assignment or role you’re applying for. Talk about what the role entailed, what the challenges were and how you overcame them.
Highlight continuous learning
You’ll also need to show evidence that you are keeping up with the latest trends in an ever-changing landscape. If you have attended any workshops or courses recently, talk about these on your freelance CV.
Keep your CV concise
It can be tempting to add a huge amount of information to your CV. However, employers don’t always have time to read CVs that span several pages. Try to focus on your most important and relevant skills and experiences.
What is the best writing style for a freelancer CV?
When you’re writing your CV, aim to strike a balance between professionalism and personality. Aim to keep a formal tone but try to inject some personality into your CV too. Consider using action verbs when you start bullet points as this can create a sense of accomplishment. Try to avoid jargon, especially if certain people reading your CV might not be familiar with the terms that you are using.
Try to talk about specific examples of things that you have achieved as this can make your CV more appealing. Use an enthusiastic tone to show that you are passionate about the work you have done and plan to do in the future. You also need to proofread your CV several times. Errors including typos can make your CV appear less professional than it needs to be. Get someone else to read over it too in case you miss certain errors.