Freelancing
Self-employed professional work done for multiple clients on a project or contract basis, without long-term employment by any single employer. Freelancing can be a primary career, a side income, or a bridge strategy between full-time roles.
Freelancing means offering your professional skills independently to multiple clients, rather than working as a full-time employee for a single employer. Freelancers set their own rates, choose their clients, and manage their own business administration. **Common freelance fields:** - Writing and content creation - Graphic and UX design - Web and software development - Marketing and SEO - Consulting and strategy - Photography, video, and audio production - Accounting and bookkeeping - Legal and HR advisory **Platforms for finding freelance work:** - Upwork: General marketplace for professional services - Fiverr: Project-based, typically lower price points - Toptal: Vetted network for top-tier freelancers (developers, designers, finance) - 99designs: Design-specific - Direct network: Most successful freelancers source clients primarily through referrals and direct outreach **On a resume:** List freelancing as a role: 'Freelance [Title] | Independent | [Date Range].' Include 2-4 bullet points highlighting notable clients (by industry if not by name), projects, and measurable results. **Financial reality:** Freelance rates are typically higher than equivalent hourly employee rates because freelancers pay both halves of self-employment taxes (15.3% on top of income tax) and receive no employer-provided benefits. Factor this in when comparing freelance income to employee compensation.
Why it matters
Freelancing provides income, portfolio-building opportunities, and industry exposure between full-time roles — and for some professionals, it eventually replaces the full-time job entirely. Listing it well on a resume can turn a 'gap' into demonstrated initiative.
Candidate tip
When freelancing, get one testimonial or LinkedIn recommendation from each significant client — these become references and social proof for future clients and prospective full-time employers.
Related terms
Gig Economy
Job SearchA labor market characterized by short-term, flexible, and freelance work rather than permanent employment. Platforms like Uber, Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal facilitate gig work. Relevant for candidates navigating income between jobs or building skills in new areas.
Employment Gap
Resume & CVA period in your work history when you were not employed. Gaps are common — for caregiving, health, education, layoffs, or personal reasons. How you frame them on your resume and in interviews matters more than their existence.
Portfolio
Resume & CVA curated collection of your best work samples, projects, or case studies that demonstrates your skills beyond what a resume can describe. Essential for designers, writers, engineers, marketers, and other roles where showing beats telling.
Work Experience
Resume & CVThe core section of your resume listing your employment history: employer names, job titles, dates, and what you accomplished. This is where hiring decisions get made — it should lead with results, not responsibilities.