Independent Contractor Resume Samples

Need a resume that matches your exact role? Browse over 2,500+ resume examples tailored to job titles, industries, and experience levels—so you can find inspiration that actually fits your career path.

Creating an independent contractor resume can be hard. Do they want to see your diverse skills or your portfolio?

Including both will get you the best results. But, how do you write an independent contractor resume without making it too long?

Follow this guide and we will show you how.

How to Write an Independent Contractor Resume?

To write a professional Independent Contractor resume, follow these steps:

• Select the right Independent Contractor resume template.
• Write a professional summary at the top explaining your Independent Contractor’s experience and achievements.
• Follow the STAR method while writing your Independent Contractor resume’s work experience. Show what you were responsible for and what you achieved as an Independent Contractor.
• List your top Independent Contractor skills in a separate skills section.

Struggling to make your independent contractor resume stand out? Let our AI resume tool do the hard work—analyze job requirements, optimize your content, and create a resume that gets noticed.

How to Write Your Independent Contractor Resume Header?

Write the perfect Independent Contractor resume header by:

• Adding your full name at the top of the header.
• Add a photo to your resume if you are applying for jobs outside of the US. For applying to jobs within the US, avoid adding a photo to your resume header.
• Add your current Independent Contractor related role to the header to show relevance.
• Add your current city, your phone number, and a professional email address.
• Finally, add a link to your portfolio to the Independent Contractor resume header. If there’s no portfolio link to add, consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile instead.

Make sure to add a professional looking email address while writing your resume header. Let’s assume your name is John Doe - here is a formula you can use to create email addresses:

• firstnamelastname@email.com - johndoe@email.com
• lastname.firstname@email.com - doe.john@email.com
• f.lastname@email.com - j.doe@email.com
• l.firstname@email.com - d.john@email.com
• firstnamelastname12@email.com - johndoe12@email.com
• firstname.lastname@email.com - john.doe@email.com

For an Independent Contractor email, we recommend you either go with a custom domain name (john@johndoe.com) or select a very reputed email provider (Gmail or Outlook).

How to Write a Professional Independent Contractor Resume Summary?

Use this template to write the best Independent Contractor resume summary: Independent Contractor with [number of years] experience of [top 2-3 skills]. Achieved [top achievement]. Expert at [X], [Y] and [Z].

How to Write an Independent Contractor Resume Experience Section?

Here’s how you can write a job winning Independent Contractor resume experience section:

• Write your Independent Contractor work experience in a reverse chronological order.
• Use bullets instead of paragraphs to explain your Independent Contractor work experience.
• While describing your work experience focus on highlighting what you did and the impact you made (you can use numbers to describe your success as an Independent Contractor).
• Use action verbs in your bullet points.

Independent Contractor Resume Example

Independent Contractor with 10+ years of experience

• Enhance security and redundancy of key network infrastructure systems.
• Deploy and manage the multi-layered disaster recovery plan for the enterprise.
• Provide local and remote support.
• Administration and support for the Windows systems.
• Contribute to decision-making regarding the future technology use.

Independent Contractor Resume Example

Independent Contractor with 3 years of experience

• Contract technical writing services provided for customers such as BBVA Compass, Amerex, etc.
• Web development and implementation services to small businesses.
• Online content writing for various online publications.
• Ebook writing/publishing.

Top Independent Contractor Resume Skills for 2022

1. MS Office
2. Google analytics
3. Adobe
4. Six Sigma
5. Time management
6. Goal-oriented
7. Problem solving

How Long Should my Independent Contractor Resume be?

Your Independent Contractor resume length should be less than three pages. Unless you have more than 25 years of experience, any resume that’s more than two pages would appear to be too long and risk getting rejected.

We advise you to keep the resume length to a maximum of two pages.

Specific Metrics/KPIs to Include in a Independent Contractor Resume

Clearly demonstrate your value and quantifiable achievements by incorporating specific metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your independent contractor role. These could include:

• Project timelines completed ahead of schedule or within agreed deadlines
• Cost savings achieved through efficiency improvements or negotiations
• Number of clients served, projects managed or hours worked
• Revenue generated or profit margins improved as a result of your work

Certifications for a Independent Contractor Resume

Highlight any industry-specific certifications that set you apart from other independent contractors. These might include:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Scrum Master or Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) credentials
• Software development certifications, such as Oracle, Microsoft, or AWS certifications
• Relevant technical certifications related to your area of expertise, like Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or CompTIA Security+

Tools and Platforms for a Independent Contractor Resume

Demonstrate proficiency in the tools and platforms commonly used within your industry by listing them on your resume. This could include:

• Project management software, such as Asana, Trello, or Jira
• Collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams
• Development tools like GitHub, Visual Studio Code, or IntelliJ IDEA
• Communication platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Skype

Methodologies and Frameworks for a Independent Contractor Resume

Showcase your adaptability and problem-solving abilities by highlighting your knowledge of various methodologies and frameworks applicable to independent contractors. These might include:

• Agile or Scrum development methodologies
• Waterfall, Lean, or Kanban project management techniques
• Quality Management Systems (QMS) like ISO 9001, Six Sigma, or Total Quality Management (TQM)
• Design Thinking and User Experience (UX) practices

Choose the Right Resume Format for Your Independent Contractor Career

Optimize your resume format to effectively showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments as an independent contractor. Consider using a combination of the following:

• Functional resume format, which emphasizes your skills and expertise over work history
• Combination resume format, which highlights both skills and work experience in separate sections
• Chronological resume format, which lists work history in reverse chronological order to demonstrate career progression and longevity