How to Write a Freelancer CV (Example & Template)

Freelancers often juggle multiple projects, clients, and skills—so your CV must clearly communicate your expertise and adaptability. Whether you're applying for contract roles, pitching to clients, or building your freelance brand, a well-structured CV is key.

This guide includes a freelancing CV example, expert writing tips, and practical advice to help you craft a compelling CV for freelancing that wins work and showcases your strengths.

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Freelancer CV example

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.

1. Start with a personal statement

Your personal statement is the first impression your freelancer CV will make, so it needs to be concise, relevant, and tailored to the freelance opportunities you're targeting. It's a short, sharp summary that captures who you are, what you specialise in, and how you bring value to clients or contract roles.

In this section, highlight the core elements of your freelance CV profile:

• Your areas of expertise (e.g. freelance graphic design, copywriting, software development)
• Key accomplishments or standout freelance projects
• The types of clients or industries you typically work with
• Any notable achievements, certifications, or accolades
• Your professional approach or unique selling points

Make sure to align this content with the needs of the client or recruiter reading it. If you're applying for a specific contract, tailor the language to mirror the job description, using keywords from the listing when appropriate.

2. Show accomplishments in the job description

Freelancers often work across a range of industries, clients, and contract types, which means a traditional chronological CV doesn’t always do justice to your professional journey. Instead, structure your freelancer CV using a skills-focused CV format that brings your core competencies and achievements to the forefront.

Begin with a key skills section listing relevant achievements from various work opportunities—each supported by a specific result or accomplishment. This not only showcases your abilities, but also demonstrates the tangible value you’ve delivered through your freelance work.

Below, make a short work experience section. Instead of listing every short-term project, group your freelance engagements under a single heading such as Freelance Digital Marketing Specialist or Self-Employed Graphic Designer, then include the names of notable companies, clients, or platforms you’ve worked with—either as bullet points or within a brief narrative.

3. Showcase Your Education With Purpose

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.

Even if your degree is not directly related to your current freelance work, use this space to highlight transferable skills—research, time management, problem-solving—that show your readiness for client-focused roles.

4. Highlight additional freelancing skills

Your freelancer CV should clearly reflect the range of abilities you bring to each project—and that includes both technical know-how and interpersonal strengths.

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.

Be strategic: avoid overloading this section with too many buzzwords or irrelevant abilities. Focus on freelance-relevant skills that directly contribute to your ability to deliver high-quality results, meet deadlines, and work independently or with remote teams.

5. Enhance your freelancer CV with bonus sections

To truly stand out in a competitive market, your freelancer CV should go beyond the basics. Well-chosen supplementary sections can reinforce your credibility, highlight specialised knowledge, and show clients that you’re not only skilled, but invested in your craft.

If you work in a field like writing, design, or research, add a curated list of standout freelance projects, articles, or portfolio pieces. Keep it concise and link externally if needed.

 Awards, certifications, and language proficiencies are other prime examples. Avoid derailing recruiters’ attention with unrelated hobbies or interests, and don't include a CV references list unless asked for.

6. Cover letter

Your freelancer CV is complemented by a tailored cover letter that highlights your unique value proposition and genuine enthusiasm for each opportunity.

Begin your freelance cover letter with a clear and engaging introduction that states the position or opportunity you're applying for and briefly explains why you're interested. Follow with 1–2 paragraphs that highlight your most relevant skills, successful freelance projects, and the results you’ve delivered—always linking back to the client’s needs or brief.

Use the cover letter to:

• Personalise your application
• Emphasise flexibility, responsiveness, and reliability—traits clients value in freelancers
• Demonstrate your understanding of the company, project, or industry
• Show genuine enthusiasm and professional tone

End with a clear call to action, inviting further conversation or an interview. Even in freelance roles, proactive communication signals professionalism and commitment.

Format:

Your freelancer CV layout should reflect both your professionalism and your attention to detail. A clean, visually balanced design not only helps your freelance CV stand out, but also ensures it's easy for clients, hiring managers, and applicant tracking systems (ATS) to read and process.

Use a legible CV font such as Arial, Calibri, or Georgia, and maintain a font size between 10 and 12 points for body text. Allow for plenty of white space between sections and headings to guide the reader’s eye and prevent your CV from feeling cluttered, especially important if you’re showcasing a variety of freelance projects and roles.

Stick to a consistent layout:

• Use bold for section headings (e.g. Work Experience, Skills, Certifications)
• Align dates and locations neatly
• Use bullet points to break up text and highlight key achievements
• Keep your CV to a maximum of two pages unless your experience is extensive

When it comes to CV file format, a PDF is usually the safest choice. It preserves your layout across all devices and platforms, and it’s typically ATS-compatible—provided you avoid excessive graphics, columns, or text boxes. However, always check the job or client listing for specific instructions, as some online portals may request a Word document instead.

A polished, well-formatted freelancer CV not only makes a strong first impression but also ensures that your hard work doesn’t get lost in formatting errors or technical glitches.

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:

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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.