Listing freelance work on the resume

[shadeofgreen]

I've been doing some work for different companies outside of my regular nine-to-five, and this outside stuff is more in line with things I'd like to do career-wise than the crap I do at my day job. I want to put this experience on my resume, and I'm not sure where to fit it in. I've done some writing and photography for a couple of different magazines, and some fact finding and proofreading/copy editing for a website. I was thinking I should put a separate header for freelance work, but then do I name the companies I did work for, or just keep it vague?

Also, I already have an "additional skills and experience" section which lists certifications and the software I'm proficient with and all that. Could I integrate this with the freelance work, or keep it separate?

[TinyDancer]

I would make a separate freelancing section. . . I'm not sure what the benefit of being vague is unless you don't have much space or don't want to talk about a particular project. If you think it was good work, and it will bolster your credibility, add it!

[ugarachel82]

Definitely include it! Especially if it is more relavant to what type of job you are looking for. I'm having a similar issue myself. In all my research on resumes I have yet to come across one standard format. I've heard that its best to have a master resume, and then tailor each resume you send out to fit the job you are applying for. I have been grouping all of my related experience together, and then I have the other time-filler stuff down at the bottom. I don't think it matters too much which style you use, so long as your headings and format are consistent and make sense so that yout potential employer can easily understand who you are and what you do the first time he/she glances at a resume.

[Adam Strange]

I’d make a separate freelance section. If it’s big and diverse, it’d certainly give the impression that type of work is a big part of your life.

[shadeofgreen]

Okay, I'm going to add it as a separate section between the "employment history" and the "additional skills and experience" sections. I've started it as a bulleted list without naming the specific companies, as opposed to putting in the company and dates worked followed by a description like I do with employment history. Does that make sense? I've tried to find examples online, but no luck.

[rootlessAlex]

I put my free-lance work on my resume, largely out of necessity - I am a grad student and free-lancing is how I´ve earned most of my income the last few years.

As for naming companies, I don´t know of (if there is?) any official advice on this, but my rule of thumb is if I have a continuing relationship w/ a company or client and/or worked for them often (say, more than 3 projects), and there is no reason not to name them (i.e. worked "under the table" or they were dissatisfied with my work) I do name them. If they are well-known, all the better! What I don´t do is list each one seperately; rather, I outline my freelance activities and then state at the end, companies x and y are regular clients. After all, isn´t received wisdom that your resume should be max 1-2 pages?