How to List Freelance or Self-Employment on a Resume

Give it structure

List it like a job: "Independent Consultant, Self-Employed" with dates, then bullet specific projects and outcomes rather than a generic "did freelance work" description.

Name real clients where you can

If confidentiality allows, naming recognizable clients or project types adds credibility that a vague description can't.

Address the transition back to full-time honestly

If you're moving from freelance back to a full-time role, a brief, confident line about why (seeking more stability, wanting to go deeper on one team) heads off the question before it's asked.