How to List Contract Work on a Resume (Guide & Examples)

So you’ve done a few short-term jobs in your life. Maybe it was a necessity, or you enjoyed doing contract work. It doesn't matter much. The point is they can all work to your advantage. You only need to know how to list contract work on a resume in a way that compliments your professionalism, your knowledge, and your qualifications.

This guide will show you:

• A contract work resume example better than 9 out of 10 others out there.
• Reasons why to list contract work on your resume.
• How to put contract work on a resume to impress hiring managers.

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If you were an independent freelancer rather than a contractor, here's a better guide for you: Adding Freelance Work to a Resume

Need other resume examples for inspiration? Check these out:

• Contractor Resume Example
• General Resume Example 
• Career Change Resume Example 
• New Grad Resume Example 
• Entry-Level Resume Example 
• Students Resume Example 
• Executive Resume Example 
• Consulting Jobs Resume Example 
• Business Resume Example 
• Bad Resume Example

Contract Work Resume Example

Now, let’s get to the point:

What is Contract Work?

Contract work is a type of short-term employment. Contract jobs have a specified work period, such as a few weeks or months, and a defined end goal for services that a contract worker must perform. It’s a popular type of contract in creative fields and the IT industry.

Sometimes distinguishing between regular employment and contract work can be difficult. Check the Department of Labor’s guidelines to see if you’re misclassified and missing out on work benefits.

Also, did you know that around 45% of workers prefer being independent contractors? However, many contract workers worry that listing short-term employment on a resume can make them seem unreliable and indecisive. But there’s no need to worry about that! Contract work can actually boost your chances of finding the next job. Read on to learn how.

Working on short-term contracts and gigs has pros and cons for everyone. Learn more: The Truth About the Gig Economy

Is Listing Contract Work on a Resume a Good Idea?

Short answer: yes, it is! But only if it shows relevant experience to the job you want. Like any other type of job, contract work can be used to highlight your qualifications and make your professional achievements shine.

Here are five reasons why putting contract work on a resume is good for you:

• Shows you can respect tight deadlines.
• Proves you are focused on the end goal of the project you’re working on.
• Provides a chance to highlight a variety of skills, especially transferable abilities.
• Presents a bigger number of relevant accomplishments than periods of permanent employment.
• Shows you are flexible and open to challenges.

Sounds good, right? As you can see, being an independent, self-employed worker is something to be proud of.

You’ve heard over and over again that your resume must match the job advertisement. But how do you achieve that? Learn here: Tailoring a Resume to the Job Description

How to List Contract Work on a Resume?

First, you should decide which resume format you want to use. While the most common is a reverse-chronological resume, you can also go for a functional resume format or a combination resume.

Let’s consider the reverse-chronological format first. Instead of adding each contract job separately, you can add them all together—this way, a recruiter will not focus on the short work periods but on your experience.

Here’s how to list contract work on a reverse-chronological resume:

• Mention the name of the staffing agency and its location, or write independent contractor in your work experience section.
• Add a short description of the type of work you’ve done as a contract worker.
• List each relevant contract job with your position, the company's name, and the work period.
• Include 3–4 bullets highlighting your accomplishments for each position.

See the example below to get a clearer picture:

How to Add Contract Work on a Resume: Reverse-Chronological Resume Example

Hot damn, this is nice. So many accomplishments to be proud of!

Alternatively, if your work experience includes both permanent employment and contract work, you can add a separate resume section just for contract work. Here’s how to do it:

• Add Contract Work as the section header
• List the names of companies you worked for, along with the work period.
• Mention work-related achievements for each position.

Now, if you decide to go for a functional or a combination format, you should do it differently. Instead of going for multiple positions on your resume, just write an impressive skill summary section and mention the most relevant achievements from your contract jobs. Then, in the work experience section, you can add the name of the staffing agency or write independent contractor and list the businesses you collaborated with.

Check this example of a graphic designer resume with contract work:

How to Put Contract Work on a Resume: Functional Resume Example

As you can see, there are different options to choose from. Just remember that recruiters prefer a reverse-chronological resume, so if you don’t have a strong reason to use a different format, pick this one.

Need to brush up on the different types of resume formats? See here: The Best Resume Formats Out There

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Key Takeaways

Aaand we’re done! Need a quick reminder of the key points? This is how you list contract work on a resume:

• Add the name of the staffing agency and its location or write independent contractor.
• Write a short description of your work as a contract worker.
• Mention relevant contract jobs with your job title, company name, and work period.
• List 3–4 relevant achievements for each position.

That’s it!

Thanks for reading my article. Now, let me know in the comments below:

• Do you enjoy being an independent contractor, or would you prefer full employment?
• What’s your experience with getting a permanent job after contract work?

Feel free to share your thoughts!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/misclassification
• https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/05/06/2021-09518/independent-contractor-status-under-the-fair-labor-standards-act-flsa-withdrawal