How to List Freelance Graphic Design on Your Resume

Listing freelance graphic design work on your resume is crucial in showcasing your skills and achievements to potential employers. When you present your freelance experience effectively, it highlights both your expertise and your potential contribution to a company. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you effectively include your freelance graphic design on your resume.

1. Treat Freelance Employment as a Formal Job

When listing your freelance graphic design on a resume, treat it as if it were a formal job. This means that you should include the client or project name, your role, and a brief description of your responsibilities or achievements. This approach ensures that your experience is presented in a professional and organized manner.

2. Highlight Specific Skills and Achievements

It’s important to highlight specific skills or accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise and value as a graphic designer. This could include the types of design projects you’ve completed, the tools you’ve used, any awards or recognitions you’ve received, and any challenges you’ve overcome. These details will help potential employers understand your capabilities and experience.

3. Include Freelance Experience in a Professional Manner

To make your freelance experience stand out, consider the following steps:

Provide Detailed Descriptions: For each project, provide a brief description of the project, the client, and your role. Use bullet points to make it easy for readers to scan through the information.

Use Clients’ Names: Including the names of well-known clients can add credibility to your resume. This can give potential employers a quick understanding of the scope and quality of your work.

Include Achievements: Mention any achievements or results that you’ve achieved through your freelance work. This could include improving a client’s brand awareness or successfully delivering projects on time and under budget.

4. Leverage Online Platforms for Portfolio Visibility

If your freelance work has been published somewhere, provide links to the projects in your resume. Alternatively, you can upload your projects on BEHAVNE and link to your resume. This allows potential employers to view your portfolio and understand your work without having to click through multiple links. Ensuring that your portfolio is visible and easily accessible can significantly enhance your chances of landing an interview.

5. Design a Customized and Professional Resume

Your resume should represent your value and how the company could benefit from working with you. Here are some components to include:

Contact Information: Include your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.

Education Information: List your degree(s) and relevant educational background.

Portfolio Information: Consider creating a link to your online portfolio or including a brief description of your top projects.

Relevant Experience: Include freelance and other relevant experience, highlighting key achievements and responsibilities.

Professional Summary: Write a brief summary that encapsulates your career highlights and value proposition.

Skills: List your key design skills and tools, such as Adobe Creative Suite, graphic design software, etc.

6. Take a Creative Approach

Your resume doesn’t have to be a cookie-cutter document. As a freelance graphic designer, you should showcase your creativity both in your work and in your resume. Consider designing your resume using a visually appealing layout that reflects your design sensibilities. Ensure that it remains professional and easy to read, though.

7. Proofread and Customize

Before submitting your resume, ensure that it is free of errors and tailored to the specific job you are applying for. Use keywords from the job posting to help your resume stand out in the applicant tracking systems (ATS) of potential employers. Customize your resume for each application to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.

Being prepared with a well-crafted resume can make a significant difference in landing your next freelance graphic design opportunity. By following these steps and tailoring your resume to each application, you can effectively highlight your freelance graphic design experience and demonstrate your value to potential employers.