In today’s dynamic job market, it’s becoming increasingly common for professionals to take on contract roles and freelance gigs. This type of flexible work arrangement can provide valuable experience and income. However, some job seekers worry that having a resume filled with contract work may raise red flags with hiring managers.
The Pros of Contract Work
Contract and freelance positions have a number of potential advantages for job seekers:
- Gain exposure to various industries and companies
- Build a wider range of skills and experience
- Have flexibility in schedule and work location
- Pad resume during periods of unemployment
- Network and make new professional contacts
- Increase earnings potential compared to a single part-time job
The nature of contract work means you often have the opportunity to gain experience across multiple companies and industries. This can help build a diverse and adaptable skill set. And the flexible schedule of contract gigs allows you to work around gaps in full-time employment.
Potential Downsides of Contract Work
However, there are some potential downsides hiring managers may consider with a resume full of contract roles:
- Perception of job instability or inability to hold down a permanent job
- Concerns about commitment level and loyalty
- Lack of career progression within one organization
- Short tenures and frequent job changes
- Gaps between contracts
- Narrow focus without opportunity to handle broader responsibilities
While you gain wide exposure working with various clients, some employers may see contract work as a red flag if you appear unable to secure or hold down a permanent position. And moving from contract to contract can make it harder to demonstrate growth within an organization.
Strategies to Improve Perception of Contract Roles
If your resume is filled with contract gigs and freelance projects, don’t panic. There are strategies you can use to frame your experience in a positive light:
- Focus on results – Emphasize your achievements and value added as a contractor, not just the basic duties.
- Show progression – Group related contracts together to demonstrate growth in expertise and responsibilities over time.
- Highlight flexibility – Present yourself as an adaptable contributor able to thrive in organizations of all sizes and industries.
- Combine with permanent jobs – Integrate select long-term positions throughout your work history to show stability.
- Explain gaps – Provide context for periods of unemployment between contracts.
- Leverage clients as references – Get positive endorsements from companies you previously contracted for.
Additionally, you can include freelance work and major contract roles within the “Experience” section of your resume, rather than in a separate “Freelance Projects” section which diminishes their significance. If you have a particularly long and impressive contract gig, consider listing it as a standard full-time job on your resume.
The Takeaway on Contract Work and Your Resume
Here’s a quick recap on navigating contract roles:
- Contract and freelance work can provide useful professional experience but may raise some hiring concerns.
- Emphasize achievements over duties, show career progression, and explain employment gaps.
- Integrate contract roles within your standard work history to improve perception.
- With the right framing, contract work likely won’t be viewed negatively by most hiring managers.
Given the rise of the gig economy and shifting labor market dynamics, most employers today understand that various types of contract arrangements are part of many professionals’ careers. So contract work itself is unlikely to be a deal-breaker if you effectively demonstrate your skills, results, progression, flexibility and work ethic throughout the resume.
With a mix of full-time and contract roles, along with quantified achievements, you can tell a cohesive story of continually expanding capabilities. This will allow hiring managers to focus on the quality experience you gained in various contract assignments. So leverage contract work to your advantage by crafting a resume that emphasizes versatility, progression and concrete impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some good ways to explain employment gaps from being between contracts?
Here are some effective strategies for explaining gaps between contracts:
- State you were consulting or freelancing – This shows you were still active even if not in a permanent role.
- Say you were looking for and selectively accepting new opportunities – Demonstrates you weren’t settling for just any job.
- Note you were completing a certification or training program – Conveys you were enhancing your skills.
- Indicate you were handling family obligations – Caregiving duties are often understood.
- Explain you were traveling – Provides a reasonable justification for a break.
Should I include very short-term contract jobs (e.g. 1 month) on my resume?
Use your judgment when deciding whether to include very short contract stints on your resume. Including too many brief gigs can make you appear unfocused or flaky. But highlighting very short-term contracts can demonstrate adaptability. If the role or client was prestigious, be sure to list it. For other ultra-short gigs, consider just including them in your overall freelance or consulting experience summary if needed to account for time gaps.
What’s the best way to list contract work on my resume – within the experience section or separate?
The consensus among most career experts is to list contract roles within your standard work experience section rather than separated into their own “freelance” or “contract” section. Integrating contract positions makes them appear equally valued. But make sure to note “(Contract)” or “(Freelance)” next to the job title so the hiring manager understands the nature of the work arrangement.
Should I explain why I chose to pursue contract roles?
A brief explanation can be helpful if you have a logical reason for pursuing contract work for a significant portion of your career. For example, you can note if it was necessary to accommodate school schedule, gain experience after being out of the workforce for a period, or allow time for family obligations. But avoid over-explaining a long string of unrelated contract gigs. Focus on highlighting achievements rather than reasons for the work arrangement.
How can I get good references if I frequently change jobs from contract to contract?
Great references are still possible even if you change contract jobs frequently. The key is maintaining your professional network. Get LinkedIn recommendations from colleagues at each gig. Collect references from managers of your best contract roles early on before losing touch. Check back with past clients periodically to confirm they will continue serving as references. And if needed, expand references to include coworkers (not just managers) who can endorse your skills.
Key Takeaways
- Contract roles allow exposure to a variety of industries but some hiring managers may see frequent job changes as a red flag.
- Effectively explain gaps, show career progression, and integrate contract work within your standard employment history.
- Emphasize achievements over basic duties and present yourself as a flexible, adaptable contributor.
- With the right resume framing, contract work should not necessarily limit your job prospects.
Conclusion
The stigma once associated with contract and freelance gigs has diminished in today’s dynamic job market. By implementing resume strategies focused on showcasing your progression, flexibility, and concrete results from contract work, you can overcome concerns related to perceived job instability or lack of focus. Frame your contract experience effectively and most hiring managers will recognize the diverse skills and adaptability such roles can provide throughout your career.
