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

Key Points

• Adding contract positions to your resume is a fantastic method to showcase your projects and accomplishments.
• There are numerous ways to incorporate contract work into your resume, with the addition of "contract" to the job title being a common practice.
• You can easily format your contract work experience using AI-powered resume tools.

Perhaps you have taken on temporary employment to navigate the current volatile job market, or perhaps you simply enjoy the flexibility of freelancing. Regardless, it is not uncommon to have some experience with contract work. The question then becomes: should you include contract work on your resume?

Contract work represents valid experience, so it should not be omitted from your resume. Ensure, however, that it is properly listed within the work experience section. In this article, you'll discover how to present your contract work on your resume in a manner that highlights your adaptability, flexibility, skills, and achievements.

Ready to highlight your contract work? Create a resume that emphasizes your adaptability and accomplishments with an AI Resume Builder.

What is Contract Work?

Contract work refers to short-term employment roles, typically with a defined duration. These positions often have a specific objective or a pre-determined set of responsibilities. Companies engage contractors as external personnel, compensating them at an agreed-upon rate, either per project or on an hourly basis. As a contract worker, you might be known as an independent contractor, a freelancer, or a 1099 employee.

Contract Worker vs. Full-Time Employee

A full-time employee (FTE) typically works 40 hours per week for a single employer, receives benefits from that employer, and usually works at the employer's location. They can expect opportunities for advancement, salary increases, and professional development within the company.

On the other hand, a contract worker has the flexibility to set their own hours and may work for multiple employers, depending on the terms of the contract. They might work remotely or on-site. Contract workers often build a portfolio to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.

Because contractors are external employees, the following distinctions may apply:

• Usually do not receive company benefits
• Must handle their own taxes
• Might need to supply their own equipment
• Enjoy flexible or fixed working hours

Types of Contract Work

• Fixed-Term Contract: An agreement for a specific timeframe with a start and end date. As an independent contractor, you may receive certain benefits akin to those of an employee during the contract period, though not all. For instance, you might be hired as a technical writer for 40 hours per week to assist an IT team with a project for six months. These contracts are sometimes referred to as "contract-to-hire," meaning that the company may offer you a full-time position upon successful completion of the contract.
• Freelance Contract: An agreement for a specific project, outlining hours, project details, deliverables, compensation, payment terms, and other relevant information. For example, an IT company might hire you to help their internal team complete the code for a new application. In this scenario, you are considered self-employed and responsible for paying your own taxes and contributions.
• Agency Workers and Temporary Staff: Employers can hire temporary staff through agencies. As an agency worker, your contract and benefits are negotiated and managed by the agency.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Contract Work

Freelancers and independent contractors do not have the same entitlements as full-time employees, who are typically entitled to things like a minimum wage, paid time off, protection against unlawful discrimination, and parental leave.

In exchange, freelancers and contractors often enjoy greater control over their pay and schedule, which can mean a higher hourly rate, a flexible work schedule, and opportunities to explore new areas.

Why Showcase Contract Work on Your Resume?

Whether you've had a single contract position or several through an agency, it is important to showcase this experience. Potential employers don't view it as less valuable than permanent employment; in fact, it can be advantageous to your career. Here's why:

• Demonstrates Diverse Experience: Moving from contract to contract exposes you to various industries, proving your versatility.
• Demonstrates Adaptability: Contract workers must quickly adapt to different industries and environments, showing that you're a fast learner.
• Highlights Specific Skills: Many contracts are project-based, helping you emphasize specific, achievement-based accomplishments that may be appealing to hiring managers.
• Shows Initiative and Ownership: Managing your time and job progress on a contract basis demonstrates self-motivation.

How to List Contract Work on Your Resume

Here is a step-by-step guide to listing contract work on your resume. First, determine a listing method. The examples below are just that—examples. You can choose a listing method based on the clearest way to organize your experience. The essential details include the company you worked for, your position in each contract, and the contract duration. If you freelanced or worked independently, consider grouping those roles under one entry to show consistency. Knowing how to present self-employment on a resume—such as using a title like "Freelance Writer" or "Independent Consultant" along with a business name (or simply "Self-Employed")—can help present that experience professionally and cohesively.

• As a Full-Time Employee at a Staffing Agency or Consultancy: If you worked for an agency that placed you with multiple clients or contracts, you can group them under the agency. This format is similar to a traditional full-time role and is easy for recruiters to read. List the employer (the staffing agency), and optionally, add a blurb to clarify the work's nature. List a job title (either the one given to you or a standard title you choose), and add "contractor" or "consultant" if necessary. List the contract dates and add bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Listing multiple clients and bullet points under one job title can help keep your resume uniform.
• As a Full-Time Self-Employed Contractor: If you undertook numerous contract and freelance roles over several months or years, consider creating your own firm (if you haven't already) and listing your experience under that heading. This approach allows you to include many jobs under a single heading. Give your company a name, such as "[Your Name] Consultancy," and add a brief description of your duties as a full-time contractor. List a job title or client name for each contract, along with the dates and bullet points. Listing multiple job titles and dates under your own agency or consultancy is useful if you've worked on many unique projects.
• As a Single Contract Position: If you held one contract position between full-time jobs, it's easy to include this experience on your resume. List the job as you would any other, but clearly label the job title with a modifier such as "Temporary," "Temp," or "Contract."

Tips for Highlighting Contract Work Achievements

If you've had many short-term contract positions (six months or less), hiring managers might worry that you haven't seen many projects through to completion. Address this concern by listing achievement-based bullet points. Here are some tips for highlighting achievements in your bullet points:

• Use action verbs (e.g., Developed, Implemented, Managed, Designed, Optimized).
• Include numbers to illustrate your impact (e.g., Reduced expenses by 10% within a fiscal year).
• Discuss completed projects or accomplishments (e.g., Secured five major partnerships for a media campaign).

If you've written extensively during your contract work, consider adding publications to your resume. You can also add a portfolio to your LinkedIn profile and include the link on your resume.

How to Format a Contract Job Title on Your Resume

Since contract work often involves multiple job titles under one employer, you might wonder how to list it. Traditionally, resumes are formatted by employer, with the date range indented to the right. Since you might need to list multiple jobs under one employer, you can list date ranges next to the job titles as well.

Resume builders can simplify the process of properly listing work experience and offer multiple ways to format freelance work dates on a resume.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Contract Work on Your Resume

The key to a clean, compelling resume is proper formatting. Focus on grouping your work under specific employers or job titles so that recruiters can easily understand what you do in seconds. Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid:

• Inconsistency: Use the same format throughout your resume. If you call your contract work "temp" or "contract," use that terminology consistently.
• Irrelevant Information: Don't include all your contract work. Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for.
• Resume Gaps: Gaps in your resume can hurt your chances of getting an interview, so use contract work to your advantage. Include any freelance work to fill employment history gaps.

Contract Work Matters

Contract work is a great way to fill resume gaps, explore new roles, enjoy a flexible schedule, and more. Although it differs from traditional full-time employment, formatting your resume to highlight your contributions during contracts is key to capturing hiring managers' attention. Resume builders can simplify this process, allowing you to add your contract experience quickly, use different formatting methods, and tailor your resume for each job application, bringing you closer to your dream role.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you put a few temporary or contract positions on a resume?

When adding contract work, you can add "temporary," "temp," or "contract" next to the job title in the Work Experience section of your resume.

Does contract work look good on a resume?

It can showcase resourcefulness, flexibility, and adaptability. If you have relevant contract experience, it's worth including on your resume.

Does contract work look bad on a resume?

As long as the work and skills are relevant, it won’t look bad on a resume. It can be helpful to explain the nature of the contract work and list your achievements.

How do you add that you are working for a new contract at the same job on your resume?

If the duties are the same and the contract has been extended, you can keep both contracts under the same job title. If the nature of the work changed, list them as two separate job titles, including the date ranges, under the same employer.

How do you mention a big name company on a resume when you were a contractor?

Unless you were hired through a staffing agency and signed a contract with anonymity clauses for customers, you can include the big name company as your employer and add “contractor” or “contract - Staffing Agency” for clarity.