1. How to Write a Freelancer CV (Tips & Template)

How to Write a Freelancer CV (Tips & Template)

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
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Crafting a freelancer CV can be as nuanced and varied as the gigs you tackle. Within these lines, you'll uncover practical advice, tailored examples, and industry-insider tips to elevate your freelance CV. Whether you're new to freelancing or seeking to polish your persona in the freelance market, this guide is your compass.

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Have a look at a professional freelance CV example in a text format below:

Freelancer CV example

Leonardo Brown

Freelance Graphic Designer

[Phone no.] 123-456-7890 

[Email] leonardo.brown@email.com 

[LinkedIn] linkedin.com/in/leonardo-brown2965 

Personal Statement

Creative and dedicated freelance graphic designer with over 5 years of experience in delivering digital and print materials. Eager to support Freelance Solutions UK Ltd. with innovative design solutions that engage and convert target audiences. Notably rebranded a major retail chain, resulting in a 30% increase in customer engagement. 

Key Skills

Graphic Design

  • Led a rebranding project for a major retail chain, which increased customer engagement by 30%. 
  • Developed custom graphics and layouts for over 20 clients across various industries, including retail, technology, and hospitality. 
  • Stayed abreast of industry trends and tools, implementing new technologies such as generative AI to enhance design efficiency and product quality. 
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) 

Communication

  • Liaised directly with clients to ensure design briefs were accurately captured and expectations were exceeded. 
  • Participated in brainstorming sessions with marketing managers and PR professionals to develop a coherent creative vision for new marketing campaigns.
  • Used a variety of communication methods, including in-person, email, and video calls to adapt to clients’ needs and expectations.

Time Management

  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines, prioritising tasks to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality work. 
  • Organised work time flexibly to suit clients’ schedules and improve efficiency.

Additional Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills 
  • Adaptive learner with the ability to quickly grasp new tools and technologies 
  • Effective team player and able to work independently 

Experience

9 Tails Publishing, London

November 2022–present

Fashion4You, London

January–December 2022

Dairy Now, Manchester

January 2021–December 2021

Heaven Rest Hotels, Cirencester

September 2020–January 2021

FlexWorks UK Ltd., London

January 2019–February 2021

Education

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

University of the Arts London, London 

September 2014–June 2018 

Relevant extracurricular activities 

  • President of the Graphic Design Society, organising workshops and talks 
  • Volunteer graphic designer for the university's annual charity event 

Academic achievements 

  • Graduated with First Class Honours 
  • Winner of the 2018 National Student Design Competition 

Certifications

  • Adobe Certified Expert, Adobe, 2020 

Awards

  • 2018, National Student Design Competition Winner, Design Council UK 

Memberships

Member of the Professional Designers Association since 2019 

  • Delivered a keynote on 'The Future of Digital Design' at the 2023 PDA Conference, Manchester 

Languages

  • English—Native 
  • Spanish—Intermediate 

Interests

  • Creating digital art and illustrations for my Instagram portfolio (15k followers) 
  • Regularly attending design and tech seminars to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies 

How to write a freelancer CV

Steering through the creation of a freelancer CV requires balancing personal brand flair with professional prowess. The following pointers serve as your roadmap, each highlighted with links to deepen your understanding and application.

  • Personal statement:

Sculpt a persuasive personal statement that matches your multifaceted expertise, landmark projects, accolades, and career aspirations to what the client needs, all while keeping it succinct and impactful.

  • Job description:

Follow the format of a skills-focused CV by creating a key skills section listing relevant achievements from various work opportunities. Below, make a short work experience section mentioning the companies you collaborated with.

  • Education:

Boost your freelancer CV with an education segment that outlines pertinent academic credentials. Format this as Degree Class, Degree Name, Graduation Year at University Name. Bolster this section with achievements, extracurricular involvement, and standout strengths, particularly if you're lighter on direct experience.

  • Skills:

Incorporate hard skills, soft skills, and technical competencies pertinent to your services. Select three or four key skills for the skill summary at the top of your freelancer CV, and feature other relevant competencies underneath.

  • Additional sections:

Elevate your freelancer CV with supplementary sections that showcase your well-rounded capabilities. Awards, certifications, and language proficiencies are prime examples. Avoid derailing recruiters’ attention with unrelated hobbies or interests.

  • Cover letter:

Your freelancer CV is complemented by a tailored cover letter that highlights your unique value proposition and genuine enthusiasm for each opportunity. After a succinct introduction, elaborate on key strengths and contributions, ending with an energetic call to action.

  • Format:

Innovate with your freelancer CV layout, making it easy to read by choosing an appropriate font and allowing plenty of white space. Also, make your CV applicant tracking systems-friendly by being mindful of the file format— PDFs might be safer unless otherwise specified.

Your freelancer CV is your professional narrative, a spotlight on your career path tailored for your next big opportunity. Showcasing your talents through this document effectively requires thought and care, but doing so will significantly increase your appeal to potential clients.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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Considering other positions? See CV examples for different jobs:

Thank you for reading this guide on crafting an impactful freelancer CV. If you have any questions on how to put freelance work on your CV, feel free to share them in the comment section below!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

About the author

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
LiveCareer UK Editorial Team

Since 2013, the LiveCareer UK team has shared the best advice to help you advance your career. Experts from our UK editorial team have written more than one hundred guides on how to write the perfect CV or cover letter.

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