Objective. Photo by Army.mil.

Many freelancers may think that a resume is a thing of the past—something only used to get a corporate job. So if you’re done climbing the corporate ladder, why would you need a resume?

Two reasons: Resumes can help you get freelance gigs and they offer a quick profile so potential clients can assess you.

I know, I know: The last thing you probably want to focus on is a resume. But the truth is many freelancers need them to apply for gigs. And having an updated resume is always a plus for your website because it gives clients a little insight into where you’ve come from and what you have to offer at a quick glance. A lot of freelancers I know don’t think they need this document, or think they’re too artsy for a resume—but it does lend a professional tone to your overall brand. Creating a professional resume that follows the norms can be a huge advantage.

That said, I realize many freelancers don’t know the new rules of resume writing. And yes, there are some new tricks. So I’ve put together this three-part guide to help you compile a winning resume, even if you never intend on applying for another job again.

(I’ll start by referencing my own resume, which is here.)

Ditch the objective—go with a profile.

The objective is a thing of the past. It is only used for new graduates or those with less than a year of professional working experience. So instead of writing a generic, broad statement about what you want to do (for example, “To get a job that enables me to utilize my background in graphic design,”) you should instead create a profile. A profile differs from an objective because it focuses more on who you are as a professional and what you have to offer.

To help you grasp the concept of a profile, here’s the profile on my resume:

Creative copywriter generating sales-boosting marketing collateral that enhances organizational image. Communicative leader interacting with clients to ensure objectives are met on projects including brochures, website content and newsletters. Detail-oriented editor with exceptional command of the English language; leverages AMA, AP and Chicago styles to maintain editorial consistency. Esteemed professional growing career as a copywriter and editor while advancing thriving profession as an author and journalist.

It works because it focuses on who I am and touches on all of my strengths: I’m creative, I communicate well, I’m detail-oriented, and I’m always advancing my career.

Highlight your best attributes.

Another thing that makes a powerful profile is some meat. Instead of saying that you’re a strong worker that likes challenges, pull out some of your strengths and highlight them. Are you good at speaking? Begin a sentence with “Dynamic presenter…” Or are you really analytical? Try “Critical thinker…” You don’t have to start your profile sentences with adjectives but it is an effective idea.

Make sure when you are highlighting your characteristics and strengths that it relates well to what you do. Most freelancers aren’t trying to break into another area, so we have experience in design, development or writing. So what kind of designer/developer/writer are you? I’m a quick writer, but I did not want to put that on my resume because it could be misconstrued to mean that I rush jobs. I’m creative and I think up new concepts, so “creative” worked for me. Don’t want to go mainstream with words? Get synonyms. Words like innovative or imaginative would have worked in my case, too.

Include some of your services.

Once you’ve made it your goal to write a new profile instead of using that tired, old objective—and you have highlighted your qualities, too—it’s time to add one more thing. You don’t have to do this, again, but I find it very effective: Toss in some keywords regarding what you do.

As you can see from my profile, I included the types of marketing collateral that I work on most: brochures, website content and newsletters. I have also thrown in other keywords that show what I do. For example, I provide editing services so I have referenced that, and I also devote time to writing and promoting my books…and I included that, too. In my industry, style guides are important and knowing an editorial style is a fantastic professional skill, so I meshed those in as well.

You can also include some of the technologies and applications you use, but be careful not to give a laundry list of the basics that any technical professional would use. (Don’t reference that you know how to use a Mac. Even I know how to use a Mac and I have hardly any technological skill. You get the point.)

A note on objectives: Always write in third person, which means that you cannot use any “I” statements. And I love contractions, too, but don’t use them in your resume or cover letter—at all.

Next time, we’ll explore more writing tactics for your resume as a freelancer. Stay tuned.

Kristen Fischer is a copywriter and author living at the Jersey Shore. She also writes resumes on a regular basis for a top global resume-writing service. Find out more at http://www.kristenfischer.com.