Okay, so let’s just be real for a sec—job hunting sucks. Like, nobody actually enjoys scrolling through job boards at 2am with a half-eaten bag of Hot Cheetos, wondering if they’re qualified to be a “Digital Brand Wizard” or whatever wild title companies are using now. And what makes it worse? When you don’t have a traditional 9-to-5 background yet. Maybe you’ve been freelancing, doing side gigs, or volunteering while figuring out what you wanna do with your life (which is, btw, completely normal and very Gen Z of you).
But here’s the thing: freelance and volunteer work absolutely counts. And not just in a “aww, good for you!” kind of way. Like, actually counts—on your resume, in your portfolio, and when you’re tryna convince someone to hire you instead of the 117 other applicants who probably also have a Canva resume with pastel icons.
So, if you’re sitting there wondering how to showcase volunteer or freelance work without it sounding like “I helped my cousin’s startup once and now I’m a CEO,” this post is for you.
Let’s dive in, friend 💻✨
First Off: Why This Work Matters
Okay, so here’s the truth no one tells you in school: skills are skills, no matter where you picked them up. Just because you didn’t get paid (or got paid in like… Starbucks gift cards) doesn’t mean the work isn’t legit.
Freelance and volunteer gigs teach you real-world stuff—communication, deadlines, dealing with that one client who ghosted you for three weeks and then asked for a full redesign “by EOD.” You’ve had to problem-solve, manage your own time, maybe even build a lil brand for yourself. That’s gold, tbh.
And employers? They’re not just looking for fancy job titles. They want to see that you’ve been proactive, that you can do the thing. Volunteering at a nonprofit? Freelancing on Upwork or Fiverr? Running your friend’s band’s TikTok? Yep. All of that can be turned into juicy resume material.
Turning Your Hustles into Resume Gold
Alright, let’s talk Resumes & Portfolios. The two heavy-hitters of job hunting. Both are super important, but they play slightly diff roles. Your resume is like your dating profile: quick, polished, and optimized to get someone to actually swipe right (aka, call you in for an interview). Your portfolio? That’s your IRL vibe check—it shows proof that you are, in fact, who you say you are.
So, how do you get that side work to shine? Here’s how:
1. Treat It Like a Real Job (Because It Was)
Even if you didn’t have a manager breathing down your neck, if you delivered work for someone, it counts. List your freelance or volunteer work like you would any other job on your resume. Use a job title, company/org name, and dates.
Example:
Social Media Strategist (Freelance)
Self-employed / Various Clients
March 2023 – Present
Then, under that, list 2–4 bullet points showing off what you did and what results you got. Numbers help. Always.
Bad:
- Managed Instagram for a local cafe
Better: - Grew local cafe’s Instagram by 150% in 3 months, leading to a 30% increase in in-store visits (according to owner—she was v hyped)
2. Clarify That It Was Freelance or Volunteer
Don’t leave recruiters guessing. Just be up front. Nobody’s judging you for not having a full-time job title with a Fortune 500 company. If anything, your initiative shows hustle. Labeling it as freelance or volunteer makes it clear you weren’t just unemployed and randomly Photoshopping stuff in your basement (even if, like, that was kinda the case).
3. Don’t Downplay It (Even If It Feels “Small”)
Here’s a big mood: you helped design flyers for your friend’s charity event, and now you’re wondering if that’s even worth putting on your resume. YES, IT IS.
Why? Because you practiced design. You worked with a client (even if it was your bff). You probably got feedback, iterated, and delivered. That’s the process employers wanna see. So even if it wasn’t paid or huge, it’s still part of your Resumes & Portfolios story.
What About Portfolios?
Ah yes, the visual part. Your portfolio is where your freelance or volunteer work can seriously pop. Whether you’re in design, writing, marketing, dev, or honestly even non-creative fields, a portfolio helps you stand out from all the PDF resume clones.
1. Make It Easy to Navigate (pls no chaos)
Ngl, I’ve seen portfolios that feel like a maze. Keep it simple. Make sections for freelance and volunteer work. Use clear labels like:
- Freelance Projects
- Pro Bono Work
- Passion Projects
If you’re using a portfolio builder like Notion, Wix, or Webflow, make sure your layout is intuitive and loads faster than a sad college WiFi connection.
2. Tell the Story
Don’t just drop screenshots and bounce. For each project, explain:
- What the project was
- What your role was
- What tools/skills you used
- What the result was
This is your chance to show how you think—not just what you made. Bonus points if you can talk about challenges you faced and how you solved them. That’s the juicy stuff hiring managers love.
3. Include Testimonials (Yes, Even Casual Ones)
Okay so maybe you didn’t get a glowing LinkedIn recommendation from your volunteer org’s founder. But if they said something nice in an email or text, ask if you can quote them. People trust people. Even a simple “They were amazing to work with—super communicative and creative” goes a long way.
Pro tip: If you’ve ever gotten “thank you” DMs or nice feedback on a gig, screenshot that and save it. You never know when you’ll wanna flex a bit 😏
But What If It Was Just… a Tiny Project?
You know the ones. The “I helped my friend’s band get on Spotify” type stuff. Or maybe “I wrote blog posts for a niche website that doesn’t exist anymore.”
Even if it feels small, it can still show value. Just be honest and frame it well. For smaller gigs, consider creating a section on your resume or portfolio called Selected Projects or Freelance Highlights. It keeps things casual and flexible while still showing your range.
Also: don’t underestimate the power of side projects. If you designed your own website, started a newsletter, created a meme page, coded a mini game, whatever—it counts. If it shows skills relevant to the job you want, toss it in there.
Don’t Let Imposter Syndrome Block You
Let’s get a lil real. One of the biggest things that holds people back from showing off freelance or volunteer work is the dreaded imposter syndrome. That voice in your head that says, “Does this even count?” or “Am I just faking it?”
I feel you. Truly.
But the answer is: YES. It counts. You’re not faking anything. You did work. You delivered value. You learned things. And that’s all a job is, really.
So stop waiting for some imaginary “real” job before you start acting like a professional. You already are one.
Quick Tips (Like a Life Hack Thread, But for Resumes & Portfolios)
- Tailor everything. Just like you wouldn’t send the same Tinder message to everyone (hopefully?), don’t send the same resume everywhere. Customize for the job.
- Quantify stuff. Numbers = ✨ credibility ✨
- Keep it fresh. Update your resume and portfolio every few months so you don’t forget the cool stuff you’ve done.
- Use verbs. “Led,” “Created,” “Managed,” “Designed,” etc. It sounds active and confident.
- Link out. Got an online portfolio? GitHub? Behance? Add those links to your resume header or footer so people can creep on you (in a good way).
Wrapping It All Up (Like the Ending of a Chill Podcast Episode)
So yeah, showcasing volunteer or freelance work might not be as straightforward as listing a job at Target or Meta, but honestly? It can be even more powerful. It shows creativity, initiative, and that you’re not just sitting around waiting for life to happen to you.
Whether you’re just starting out, switching industries, or tryng to survive the current chaos that is adulting, your non-traditional experience is part of your story. Own it.
Next time someone says “So what have you been working on lately?” you won’t have to freeze or mumble something awkward. You’ll have a dope answer—and the resume + portfolio to back it up.
You got this. Seriously.
Now go update your Resumes & Portfolios, friend. Even if it’s just one bullet point or one project today. Baby steps are still steps. 🚶♀️🚶
Catch ya later (probably still job hunting but with ✨confidence✨).
