August 15, 2012

Career Q&A: Freelancer wants success to show on resume

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By Joyce E.A. Russell / Special to The Washington Post
Q: I became a freelancer through someone else's choice when I moved to take a job, then was laid off. After struggling with being legitimately unemployed for about two years, I've come out the other side and now have so much work I have to turn it down sometimes.

I'm happy to keep this lifestyle going for a while longer, but I'm sure I will be interested in a full-time staff position at some time. But my resume will still say "freelancer," and I know that potential employers (from my experience) don't love this. How can I make it say "freelancer who was in demand" so that I get the respect I deserve from potential employers?

A: I'm not sure you can refer to yourself as "freelancer in demand," although that certainly sounds like it fits for you. You might instead just list the various projects you have worked on or clients you have had. This could show the breadth and depth of things you have been doing so it doesn't look like you just kept doing the same work for one client.

You should also make sure to bring this up in any interviews you have with firms. I think your confidence in the interviews based on being "in demand" will probably come through to employers so they can see this part of your strengths.

Joyce E.A. Russell is the director of the Executive Coaching and Leadership Development Program at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. She is a licensed industrial and organizational psychologist.

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Resumes and Job Hunt, featured, resumes, self employment

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