How I Submit 2500 Job Applications Each Day: Crafting a Freelance Resume That Stands Out

The life of a freelancer is full of hustle: constantly firing off dozens of applications in the hopes that one of those will get your résumé in front of prospective clients or employers. How do we make certain our résumé is the one that stands out in such a sea of talent?

A standout resume can be the key to landing your dream job, helping you create tailored applications that catch the eye of specific employers.

Imagine if your resume just didn’t name your skills but told your unique story. Designing my resume with my personal touch changed the game for me significantly, helping me land multiple gigs.

Let’s look at the different facets of building a meaningful freelance resume.

Creating a Standout Freelance Resume is crucial

An outstanding freelance resume is important in ensuring that you stand out from other applicants. Just listing your job duties or your employment history will not do; it’s about how you show freelance work uniquely to your prospective employers using as few words as possible to make your resume impactful.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Freelance Resume

Step 1: Job Description Analysis: The first step while starting to make a resume is to focus on the job description. This is what I do:

• Identify major responsibilities: Emphasize what the job role is and what kind of skills it requires.

• Tailor to job postings: Align your resume with the specific requirements outlined in job postings to enhance your chances of standing out.

Step 2: Extracting Keywords: Keywords are critical to be filtered by the applicant tracking system; that’s the only way to get by them and in front of hiring managers. Here’s my process:

• Use ChatGPT: Copy-paste the job description in ChatGPT and ask for the top 5 keywords. These should include the skills and experiences that are relevant for your resume particular to this job.

Step 3: Customize Your Resume: Take these keywords and use them to customize the resume. Here’s how:

• Work in keywords: The keywords need to be integrated organically into the resume, especially in the skills section, job title, and industry experience.

• Highlight special experiences: Emphasize specific freelance projects that point to the job description. Express with action verbs and quantify wherever possible.

What should you do to go above and beyond to make your resumes perfect?

1. Add an Objective and Achievements Section

Your resume objective should be a concise, well-defined statement relevant to the position to be filled. However, consider replacing the traditional 'resume objective' with an 'Engagement section' or 'Activities' to better showcase your career vision and current pursuits. This approach is more appealing and relevant, as it allows freelancers to highlight their proactive engagement in their fields, rather than just stating their goals or objectives. Let’s look at an example:

“Results-driven freelance graphic designer with 5+ years of creating compelling visual content for diverse clients. I seek to leverage my talent in Adobe Creative Suite and project management acumen to join a dynamic team.”

Include an Achievements section to highlight your major accomplishments. This will invariably be job-application specific and needs to be tailored accordingly. Example:

• Managed a 5-member design team working on a $50,000 project to deliver quality work ahead of schedule.

2. Use Professional Resume Templates

A professional resume template will guarantee proper formatting and readability. Here are some pointers:

White space: The amount of white space on the resume should be such that it is easy to read.

Clean formatting: Maintain a clean and contemporary-looking template with clear headings and bullet points.

Proofreading: Proofread your resume diligently to ensure there's not even a single typo. A neatly done-up, error-free resume will leave a positive impression in the reader's mind.

3. Emphasize your Soft Skills and Work Experience

You should highlight both your hard skills as well as your soft skills. Here's how you can do it:

Skills section: Include technical skills such as proficiency in particular software, and soft skills like communication or time-management.

Work experience: Describe freelance work that is relevant to completing the duties of the job.

For Example:

• Freelance Graphic Designer | January 2018 – Present

• Designed and executed visual content for over 50 unique clients across many various industries.

• Managed project timelines and client communications to deliver 100% client satisfaction.

• Created impactful marketing materials through the use of the Adobe Creative Suite.

4. Management Using Automation Tools

Lazy Apply: If you're really looking to shotgun your job applications, then Lazy Apply is your tool. Here's why:

• Set application limits: With this tool, set the limit at over 500 applications per day to apply for tons of jobs.

• Automation: Since this tool automates the application process, you will be free to really put your personal touch into the resume and cover letter tailoring for each job posting.

Apollo for Follow-Ups: Following up on an interview is an integral part of the process. Apollo helps you streamline this process.

• Email Sequences: Fill in the details about who the interviewers are. You can set up a 5-email sequence for automated follow-up emails. This keeps you on their radar, increasing the chances of getting job offers.

Enhance your resume with additional elements

Cover Letters

A killer cover letter can be the difference maker. Here's how you can make it:

Customization: Customize every letter based on the type of job. Use the company name and position applied for.

Sell Your Story: Your cover letter presents a great opportunity for you to tell your story. You should highlight your experience and skills to position yourself as the perfect candidate for this position.

Example: "Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I am interested in applying for the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. With 5+ years of my self-progressive skill development in the field of — makes me adept for this job, particularly by [mention 2-3 key skills]. What really attracts me to working with [Company Name] is [some specific part of their work that made you admire them].

Eagerly looking forward to your response so that we can discuss the next steps regarding this role.

Sincerely, [Your Name]"

Online Portfolio

An online portfolio is a page that can be used to show your work history and freelance projects. This is what it should contain:

• Visual samples: Add high-quality images or videos of your work.

• Case studies: Write brief case studies that give the details of the process and the results.

• Client testimonials: Add relevant client reviews. This develops trust amongst your potential clientele.

LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile should be an extension of your resume. Here are some tips:

• Profile picture: The picture should look professional.

• Headline: Describe your profession and key expertise.

• Summary: Should contain a summary of your entire career. It should include experience and objectives.

• Experience: Work experience in the relevant area and all freelance project details.

How can you make the various elements in your resume more meaningful?

Networking

Networking, if utilized properly, can be an extremely powerful tool for freelancers. Here's how to network efficiently:

• Participate in industry events such as webinars, conferences, and workshops that are relevant to you.

• Join online communities pertaining to your niche and increase your network.

• Establish personal connections with potential clients or influential industry leaders on LinkedIn.

Learning continuously

Staying up-to-date with industry trends and skills is non-negotiable. Here's how:

• Take courses on Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning, which will help you stay up-to-date.

• Complete certification in your area of specialization, which will add more value to your resume.

• Keep up with industry blogs; read books and newsletters.

Time Management

Good time management skills can add to your productivity. Here's what I recommend:

• Have a schedule for your workday and strive to stick to it.

• Use tools such as Trello, Asana, or Todoist that aid you in task management.

• Make sure that you take regular breaks so that you don’t burn out.

Managing Client Relationships

Maintaining good relationships with your clients can help you more than you can imagine. The following steps will tell you how:

• Ensure that your communication with clients is clear and prompt.

• Your professionalism comes through, particularly when you can maintain your demeanor even during disagreements.

• Feedback: Request and act on client feedback to improve your services.

How can you effectively use keywords in your resume?

The effective use of keywords is important in optimizing your resume for both Application Tracking Systems (ATS) and human readers. Here is how to do it:

Job Titles and Responsibilities

The keywords should, most importantly, feature in your job titles and descriptions. For example, if the posting mentions "content marketing," make sure this phrase appears in your work history.

Skills Section

Devise a section for the listing of relevant keywords on skills. This may not only enhance your resume's ATS ranking but also provide a reference point for hiring managers.

Professional Experience

Integrate naturally the keywords within the professional experience descriptions. To avoid readability issues, never stuff your resume with keywords.

Here’s an example:

Freelance Content Marketer | June 2019 – Present

• Ran content marketing strategies across multiple clients to increase organic traffic by 30%.

• Partnered with design and development teams in the production of relevant content aligned with brand guidelines.

• Made sure that content optimization is conducted using the best SEO practices to drive greater search engine ranking for the desired keywords.

Write an Effective Skill Section

The section on skills in your resume needs to contain not just hard but also soft skills relevant to the position you applied for. Here is how you should format it:

Technical Skills: Mention specific software tools and technologies where you have expertise. Example:

Technical Skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

• SEO and Content Marketing

• HTML/CSS and WordPress

Soft Skills: Mention interpersonal skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Example:

Soft Skills:

• Effective Communication

• Project Management

• Team Collaboration

Enhance your resume with impactful case studies

Case studies as part of your resume will give clear examples of your work and its impact. Here is how to do this:

Overview of the Project: Give a brief description of the project, client expectations, and your role in it.

Process: Describe what you did to see the project through to completion.

Results: Identify the outcome of your work using specific metrics whenever possible. Example:

Case Study: Website Redesign for ABC Company

• Overview: The client, ABC Company, required a redesign of their website to enhance user experience and increase conversions.

• Process: Conducted user research, developed wireframes, and worked with developers to put up the new design.

• Results: 25% increase in conversion rates and 15% decrease in bounce rates in the new design of the website.

Leverage influential references and meaningful testimonials

Testimonials of satisfied clients or professional references can add much power to your resume. This is how you incorporate them:

Select relevant testimonials: Testimonials must be chosen that emphasize the required skills and accomplishments for the job applied.

Add them separately to a Testimonials section or include them in work experience descriptions. Example:

"Working with [ Name] completely changed the very way our project functioned. Their SEO and Content Marketing skills yielded 30% more organic traffic in less than three months."-Jane Doe, Marketing Director at XYZ Corp.

Here are some advanced tips for better freelancing.

Creating an Online Presence

Having an impressive online presence is absolutely crucial for a freelancer in this digital world. Here is how you do it:

• Personal Website: You should have a personal website that reflects your portfolio, services, and contact information.

• Social media: Keep professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram profiles updated.

• Blogging: Share your expertise and insights through a blog, which can attract potential clients and help in establishing you as an industry thought leader.

Adding Value to Your Services

Considering the number of freelance bidders you are likely to be competing with - you should look at adding other value-added services. The following are examples:

• Consulting: Offer consulting services where you help the client strategize and plan out their project.

• Training: Offer training sessions or workshops in areas where you have expertise.

• Retainer Agreements: Offer retainer agreements to clients for recurrent services—what this means is that you will be offering your client consistent, ongoing support, while for you, it secures an income on a regular basis.

Managing Finances

Critical to freelancing is sound financial management. I recommend the following:

• Invoicing: Implement invoicing software, like FreshBooks or even QuickBooks, which makes the collections process easier.

• Budgeting: Make a budget that allows for effective expense and savings management.

• Tax Planning: Make provisions for taxes by saving money on a regular basis and keeping proper records of your income and expenditure.

Skill Development

The continuous development of one's skill set can open doors to new opportunities and make the person more marketable. This is how you can do it.

• Cross-training: This means training in skills which supplement your major skill. For example, web development if you are a graphic designer.

• Specialization: Develop high-demand niche skills in data analysis or UX/UI design.

• Language Learning: If you learn a new language, you will be able to take up international clients.

Seeking Feedback and Improving

By seeking feedback regularly in freelance careers, not only can you move towards improvement but also strive for it. Here's how:

• Client Feedback: Seek client feedback after every project completion and improvise upon the services provided.

• Peer Review: Interacting with fellow freelancers; the more experienced individuals review the work of less experienced ones, and in turn, provide feedback on their own projects.

• Self-Appraisal: The process of rating one's own skills levels and actual performance at periodic intervals, setting targets for improvement.

Automate wherever possible including process of application and follow-ups that can be much easier with tools like Lazy Apply and Apollo. Presentation is important. Use professional templates that have proper formatting and are error-free. Highlight technical and soft skills to let others know the whole dimension of your abilities. Following up with potential employers keeps you in their mind.

Using these strategies will help you to express your unique story through your resume and help you soar in your career as a freelancer.

Crafting a Freelance Resume That Stands Out