How to list contracting on resume

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How do I list contracting on my resume?



Specifically, I'm paid by company B (a staffing agency) to do work for company A. Company A is much more impressive than company B -- everyone locally will have heard of A and likely be at least mildly impressed. But they don't directly pay me -- they pay company B, who pay me. Company B also provides my benefits and so on. Is it appropriate to list company A and put my job title as "contractor"?



ETA: Specific concerns are a) taking up too much space detailing the situation (since in the US I'm told I can only have one page and I have a lot of skills), and b) letting potential employers know I've worked at a large, established company rather than giving them the impression I worked at a small startup (since the staffing agency has a name that sounds like it's in the industry I work in)







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    up vote
    39
    down vote

    favorite
    13












    How do I list contracting on my resume?



    Specifically, I'm paid by company B (a staffing agency) to do work for company A. Company A is much more impressive than company B -- everyone locally will have heard of A and likely be at least mildly impressed. But they don't directly pay me -- they pay company B, who pay me. Company B also provides my benefits and so on. Is it appropriate to list company A and put my job title as "contractor"?



    ETA: Specific concerns are a) taking up too much space detailing the situation (since in the US I'm told I can only have one page and I have a lot of skills), and b) letting potential employers know I've worked at a large, established company rather than giving them the impression I worked at a small startup (since the staffing agency has a name that sounds like it's in the industry I work in)







    share|improve this question
























      up vote
      39
      down vote

      favorite
      13









      up vote
      39
      down vote

      favorite
      13






      13





      How do I list contracting on my resume?



      Specifically, I'm paid by company B (a staffing agency) to do work for company A. Company A is much more impressive than company B -- everyone locally will have heard of A and likely be at least mildly impressed. But they don't directly pay me -- they pay company B, who pay me. Company B also provides my benefits and so on. Is it appropriate to list company A and put my job title as "contractor"?



      ETA: Specific concerns are a) taking up too much space detailing the situation (since in the US I'm told I can only have one page and I have a lot of skills), and b) letting potential employers know I've worked at a large, established company rather than giving them the impression I worked at a small startup (since the staffing agency has a name that sounds like it's in the industry I work in)







      share|improve this question














      How do I list contracting on my resume?



      Specifically, I'm paid by company B (a staffing agency) to do work for company A. Company A is much more impressive than company B -- everyone locally will have heard of A and likely be at least mildly impressed. But they don't directly pay me -- they pay company B, who pay me. Company B also provides my benefits and so on. Is it appropriate to list company A and put my job title as "contractor"?



      ETA: Specific concerns are a) taking up too much space detailing the situation (since in the US I'm told I can only have one page and I have a lot of skills), and b) letting potential employers know I've worked at a large, established company rather than giving them the impression I worked at a small startup (since the staffing agency has a name that sounds like it's in the industry I work in)









      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Apr 19 '12 at 16:23

























      asked Apr 19 '12 at 16:01









      Yamikuronue

      4,18073348




      4,18073348




















          6 Answers
          6






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          16
          down vote



          accepted










          For classical Job Shopping (contract Engineering), the standard has always been to list the dates and the client, with a notation to indicate that it was a contract position.



          For example, from my own resume:



          Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Under Contract To) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



          Some people will list the contract firm's name in parentheses, instead of saying "under contract to". For example:



          Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Global Group) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



          or MAYBE something like:



          Jan 1984-Oct 1987 Global Group, Fort Worth Tx. Under contract to General Dynamics/Fort Worth Division.



          With this form, direct positions appear without the parenthetical note, viz.



          Mar 1983-Jan 1984 UTL Corporation, Dallas TX.



          Classical Job Shoppers are well-known for having short-to-medium gaps in their history, if they were between jobs. This is considered perfectly normal for them. (If you are in this category, and you run into a hiring manager or a recruiter who doesn't understand this, RUN AWAY!) If you are a long-term employee of one firm, and they rent you out to various clients, and keep you on the payroll while you're "on the beach", you probably want to list them as your employer, and say something in the description about various assignments for various clients.






          share|improve this answer



























            up vote
            14
            down vote













            On resumes, I usually list the contracting company first, then the client company second.



            For example, I worked for Bob's Bodyshop as a contractor, and they placed me at Big Shiny Corp, I usually put something like:




            1/2011 to 12/2011 - Bob's Bodyshop / Big Shiny Corp.




            I know many folks say "1 page!" but I find that one cannot trim a resume to one page and get any meaningful details across. One of my friends uses a functional resume, and his is 8 pages long. Mine is chronological, and I try to keep mine to 3 pages. We are both in our 50s.






            share|improve this answer
















            • 2




              Maybe I should ask about the "one page myth" in another question?
              – Yamikuronue
              Apr 19 '12 at 17:00










            • @Yamikuronue Absolutely. I have a contrary opinion to Tangurena on the one-page (double-sided) rule and I'd love to have a good place to exchange views.
              – voretaq7
              Apr 19 '12 at 17:07










            • I have 30+ years of experience and a 2 page resume, anything more than that will get thrown in the trash or not read by most hiring officials.
              – HLGEM
              Apr 19 '12 at 17:29






            • 3




              I also use a similar format to this: StartDate - EndDate: Consultant at BigCompany International (via Small Consulting Shop). I like to specifically call out that I was a consultant through another company because I find it easier when I'm hiring and checking references: "I see Mr. Smith worked for you at BigCompany International" (to the consulting firm) and "I see Mr. Smith was part of your consulting team from Small Consulting Shop" (to the Big Company).
              – voretaq7
              Apr 19 '12 at 17:51






            • 2




              My resume is 3 pages long. The first half page is a summary of skills/achievements. The next 2 are the most recent 5 years of experience with details on accomplishments. The last half is a summary list of previous experience with one line per job with a list of skills used/learned there. I can't think of a job/contract I've applied to in the last 3 years that didn't get at least an interview.
              – Michael Brown
              Apr 19 '12 at 18:36

















            up vote
            5
            down vote













            I do a very simple sub list under the consulting/contracting company that I work for and limit it to 1-3 bullet points of highlights about what I did for the client.



            Sample contracting layout



            Two important things to remember to protect yourself:



            1. Make sure to lay out your resume so that it's clear that you were a contractor and not employed by the clients. You don't want anyone claiming you lied on your resume.

            2. Get permission to list clients on your resume! Some contracting companies have rules about not publicly disclosing clients or clients contracts might have provisions restricting you from saying you did contract work for them.





            share|improve this answer



























              up vote
              2
              down vote













              If you are finding work for yourself or through recruitment agencies, I'd say list who you did the work for. However, if the staffing agency finds you the work and actually holds the contract with the "more impressive" company then that's a different situation.



              In that case I'd say that I was employed by the staffing agency (company A) and I worked at Company B, Company C, etc, for these times with these responsibilities. That way your prospective employer can contact the right HR department for the relevant references etc.






              share|improve this answer




















              • I believe I'm in the situation you describe int he latter half of your post -- the staffing agency pays me and provides benefits. However, I do not plan to continue with them after this contract ends, so there'd only be one company listed. Won't that look strange?
                – Yamikuronue
                Apr 19 '12 at 16:12










              • @Yamikuronue - it's always better to be honest on your CV. If you lie, or even mislead (even unintentionally), it will get found out which could cost you your new job.
                – ChrisF
                Apr 19 '12 at 16:18











              • I'm not trying to mislead anyone; I just don't want to give people the impression I don't have experience where I do or take up too much space (since I'm told in the US I can only have one page for a resume)
                – Yamikuronue
                Apr 19 '12 at 16:20











              • @Yamikuronue - I'm not saying you are doing it deliberately with the intention to deceive, just that it could be seen that way.
                – ChrisF
                Apr 19 '12 at 16:21

















              up vote
              2
              down vote













              I agree with @Tangurena , for most contact jobs. One case I would also like to share is when you work contract to hire and you get hired. I have several of these on my resume and I show them like this:



              Big Well-Known CompanyA - Aug 2005-Jan 2008 (Aug 2005-Dec 2005 - temporary hire working for Name of agency)



              This gets several points acoss, it shows the total time I worked for the well-known company and it lets the employer know that I was a temp to hire and I got hired and it makes sure the HR refernce check into my employment dates won't conflict with what I said on my resume.






              share|improve this answer



























                up vote
                1
                down vote













                In the US, when I have worked for contracting companies they tend to dislike giving their competition credit. For that I list the company where I did the work, my title and append - Consultant. HR understands what that means usually. And when so long as you make it clear you were working as a consultant(contractor, external, whatevertheirtitleforoutsidecontractorsis) few companies are going to care.



                This is often different in Europe, or anywhere they prefer a more accurate CV. On a CV always list the company you actually employed by.






                share|improve this answer




















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                  6 Answers
                  6






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes








                  6 Answers
                  6






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes









                  active

                  oldest

                  votes






                  active

                  oldest

                  votes








                  up vote
                  16
                  down vote



                  accepted










                  For classical Job Shopping (contract Engineering), the standard has always been to list the dates and the client, with a notation to indicate that it was a contract position.



                  For example, from my own resume:



                  Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Under Contract To) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                  Some people will list the contract firm's name in parentheses, instead of saying "under contract to". For example:



                  Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Global Group) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                  or MAYBE something like:



                  Jan 1984-Oct 1987 Global Group, Fort Worth Tx. Under contract to General Dynamics/Fort Worth Division.



                  With this form, direct positions appear without the parenthetical note, viz.



                  Mar 1983-Jan 1984 UTL Corporation, Dallas TX.



                  Classical Job Shoppers are well-known for having short-to-medium gaps in their history, if they were between jobs. This is considered perfectly normal for them. (If you are in this category, and you run into a hiring manager or a recruiter who doesn't understand this, RUN AWAY!) If you are a long-term employee of one firm, and they rent you out to various clients, and keep you on the payroll while you're "on the beach", you probably want to list them as your employer, and say something in the description about various assignments for various clients.






                  share|improve this answer
























                    up vote
                    16
                    down vote



                    accepted










                    For classical Job Shopping (contract Engineering), the standard has always been to list the dates and the client, with a notation to indicate that it was a contract position.



                    For example, from my own resume:



                    Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Under Contract To) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                    Some people will list the contract firm's name in parentheses, instead of saying "under contract to". For example:



                    Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Global Group) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                    or MAYBE something like:



                    Jan 1984-Oct 1987 Global Group, Fort Worth Tx. Under contract to General Dynamics/Fort Worth Division.



                    With this form, direct positions appear without the parenthetical note, viz.



                    Mar 1983-Jan 1984 UTL Corporation, Dallas TX.



                    Classical Job Shoppers are well-known for having short-to-medium gaps in their history, if they were between jobs. This is considered perfectly normal for them. (If you are in this category, and you run into a hiring manager or a recruiter who doesn't understand this, RUN AWAY!) If you are a long-term employee of one firm, and they rent you out to various clients, and keep you on the payroll while you're "on the beach", you probably want to list them as your employer, and say something in the description about various assignments for various clients.






                    share|improve this answer






















                      up vote
                      16
                      down vote



                      accepted







                      up vote
                      16
                      down vote



                      accepted






                      For classical Job Shopping (contract Engineering), the standard has always been to list the dates and the client, with a notation to indicate that it was a contract position.



                      For example, from my own resume:



                      Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Under Contract To) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                      Some people will list the contract firm's name in parentheses, instead of saying "under contract to". For example:



                      Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Global Group) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                      or MAYBE something like:



                      Jan 1984-Oct 1987 Global Group, Fort Worth Tx. Under contract to General Dynamics/Fort Worth Division.



                      With this form, direct positions appear without the parenthetical note, viz.



                      Mar 1983-Jan 1984 UTL Corporation, Dallas TX.



                      Classical Job Shoppers are well-known for having short-to-medium gaps in their history, if they were between jobs. This is considered perfectly normal for them. (If you are in this category, and you run into a hiring manager or a recruiter who doesn't understand this, RUN AWAY!) If you are a long-term employee of one firm, and they rent you out to various clients, and keep you on the payroll while you're "on the beach", you probably want to list them as your employer, and say something in the description about various assignments for various clients.






                      share|improve this answer












                      For classical Job Shopping (contract Engineering), the standard has always been to list the dates and the client, with a notation to indicate that it was a contract position.



                      For example, from my own resume:



                      Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Under Contract To) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                      Some people will list the contract firm's name in parentheses, instead of saying "under contract to". For example:



                      Jan 1984-Oct 1987 (Global Group) General Dynamics / Fort Worth Division, Fort Worth TX.



                      or MAYBE something like:



                      Jan 1984-Oct 1987 Global Group, Fort Worth Tx. Under contract to General Dynamics/Fort Worth Division.



                      With this form, direct positions appear without the parenthetical note, viz.



                      Mar 1983-Jan 1984 UTL Corporation, Dallas TX.



                      Classical Job Shoppers are well-known for having short-to-medium gaps in their history, if they were between jobs. This is considered perfectly normal for them. (If you are in this category, and you run into a hiring manager or a recruiter who doesn't understand this, RUN AWAY!) If you are a long-term employee of one firm, and they rent you out to various clients, and keep you on the payroll while you're "on the beach", you probably want to list them as your employer, and say something in the description about various assignments for various clients.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered Apr 20 '12 at 3:25









                      John R. Strohm

                      5,16221823




                      5,16221823






















                          up vote
                          14
                          down vote













                          On resumes, I usually list the contracting company first, then the client company second.



                          For example, I worked for Bob's Bodyshop as a contractor, and they placed me at Big Shiny Corp, I usually put something like:




                          1/2011 to 12/2011 - Bob's Bodyshop / Big Shiny Corp.




                          I know many folks say "1 page!" but I find that one cannot trim a resume to one page and get any meaningful details across. One of my friends uses a functional resume, and his is 8 pages long. Mine is chronological, and I try to keep mine to 3 pages. We are both in our 50s.






                          share|improve this answer
















                          • 2




                            Maybe I should ask about the "one page myth" in another question?
                            – Yamikuronue
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:00










                          • @Yamikuronue Absolutely. I have a contrary opinion to Tangurena on the one-page (double-sided) rule and I'd love to have a good place to exchange views.
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:07










                          • I have 30+ years of experience and a 2 page resume, anything more than that will get thrown in the trash or not read by most hiring officials.
                            – HLGEM
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:29






                          • 3




                            I also use a similar format to this: StartDate - EndDate: Consultant at BigCompany International (via Small Consulting Shop). I like to specifically call out that I was a consultant through another company because I find it easier when I'm hiring and checking references: "I see Mr. Smith worked for you at BigCompany International" (to the consulting firm) and "I see Mr. Smith was part of your consulting team from Small Consulting Shop" (to the Big Company).
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:51






                          • 2




                            My resume is 3 pages long. The first half page is a summary of skills/achievements. The next 2 are the most recent 5 years of experience with details on accomplishments. The last half is a summary list of previous experience with one line per job with a list of skills used/learned there. I can't think of a job/contract I've applied to in the last 3 years that didn't get at least an interview.
                            – Michael Brown
                            Apr 19 '12 at 18:36














                          up vote
                          14
                          down vote













                          On resumes, I usually list the contracting company first, then the client company second.



                          For example, I worked for Bob's Bodyshop as a contractor, and they placed me at Big Shiny Corp, I usually put something like:




                          1/2011 to 12/2011 - Bob's Bodyshop / Big Shiny Corp.




                          I know many folks say "1 page!" but I find that one cannot trim a resume to one page and get any meaningful details across. One of my friends uses a functional resume, and his is 8 pages long. Mine is chronological, and I try to keep mine to 3 pages. We are both in our 50s.






                          share|improve this answer
















                          • 2




                            Maybe I should ask about the "one page myth" in another question?
                            – Yamikuronue
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:00










                          • @Yamikuronue Absolutely. I have a contrary opinion to Tangurena on the one-page (double-sided) rule and I'd love to have a good place to exchange views.
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:07










                          • I have 30+ years of experience and a 2 page resume, anything more than that will get thrown in the trash or not read by most hiring officials.
                            – HLGEM
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:29






                          • 3




                            I also use a similar format to this: StartDate - EndDate: Consultant at BigCompany International (via Small Consulting Shop). I like to specifically call out that I was a consultant through another company because I find it easier when I'm hiring and checking references: "I see Mr. Smith worked for you at BigCompany International" (to the consulting firm) and "I see Mr. Smith was part of your consulting team from Small Consulting Shop" (to the Big Company).
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:51






                          • 2




                            My resume is 3 pages long. The first half page is a summary of skills/achievements. The next 2 are the most recent 5 years of experience with details on accomplishments. The last half is a summary list of previous experience with one line per job with a list of skills used/learned there. I can't think of a job/contract I've applied to in the last 3 years that didn't get at least an interview.
                            – Michael Brown
                            Apr 19 '12 at 18:36












                          up vote
                          14
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          14
                          down vote









                          On resumes, I usually list the contracting company first, then the client company second.



                          For example, I worked for Bob's Bodyshop as a contractor, and they placed me at Big Shiny Corp, I usually put something like:




                          1/2011 to 12/2011 - Bob's Bodyshop / Big Shiny Corp.




                          I know many folks say "1 page!" but I find that one cannot trim a resume to one page and get any meaningful details across. One of my friends uses a functional resume, and his is 8 pages long. Mine is chronological, and I try to keep mine to 3 pages. We are both in our 50s.






                          share|improve this answer












                          On resumes, I usually list the contracting company first, then the client company second.



                          For example, I worked for Bob's Bodyshop as a contractor, and they placed me at Big Shiny Corp, I usually put something like:




                          1/2011 to 12/2011 - Bob's Bodyshop / Big Shiny Corp.




                          I know many folks say "1 page!" but I find that one cannot trim a resume to one page and get any meaningful details across. One of my friends uses a functional resume, and his is 8 pages long. Mine is chronological, and I try to keep mine to 3 pages. We are both in our 50s.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Apr 19 '12 at 16:37









                          Tangurena

                          5,0401936




                          5,0401936







                          • 2




                            Maybe I should ask about the "one page myth" in another question?
                            – Yamikuronue
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:00










                          • @Yamikuronue Absolutely. I have a contrary opinion to Tangurena on the one-page (double-sided) rule and I'd love to have a good place to exchange views.
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:07










                          • I have 30+ years of experience and a 2 page resume, anything more than that will get thrown in the trash or not read by most hiring officials.
                            – HLGEM
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:29






                          • 3




                            I also use a similar format to this: StartDate - EndDate: Consultant at BigCompany International (via Small Consulting Shop). I like to specifically call out that I was a consultant through another company because I find it easier when I'm hiring and checking references: "I see Mr. Smith worked for you at BigCompany International" (to the consulting firm) and "I see Mr. Smith was part of your consulting team from Small Consulting Shop" (to the Big Company).
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:51






                          • 2




                            My resume is 3 pages long. The first half page is a summary of skills/achievements. The next 2 are the most recent 5 years of experience with details on accomplishments. The last half is a summary list of previous experience with one line per job with a list of skills used/learned there. I can't think of a job/contract I've applied to in the last 3 years that didn't get at least an interview.
                            – Michael Brown
                            Apr 19 '12 at 18:36












                          • 2




                            Maybe I should ask about the "one page myth" in another question?
                            – Yamikuronue
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:00










                          • @Yamikuronue Absolutely. I have a contrary opinion to Tangurena on the one-page (double-sided) rule and I'd love to have a good place to exchange views.
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:07










                          • I have 30+ years of experience and a 2 page resume, anything more than that will get thrown in the trash or not read by most hiring officials.
                            – HLGEM
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:29






                          • 3




                            I also use a similar format to this: StartDate - EndDate: Consultant at BigCompany International (via Small Consulting Shop). I like to specifically call out that I was a consultant through another company because I find it easier when I'm hiring and checking references: "I see Mr. Smith worked for you at BigCompany International" (to the consulting firm) and "I see Mr. Smith was part of your consulting team from Small Consulting Shop" (to the Big Company).
                            – voretaq7
                            Apr 19 '12 at 17:51






                          • 2




                            My resume is 3 pages long. The first half page is a summary of skills/achievements. The next 2 are the most recent 5 years of experience with details on accomplishments. The last half is a summary list of previous experience with one line per job with a list of skills used/learned there. I can't think of a job/contract I've applied to in the last 3 years that didn't get at least an interview.
                            – Michael Brown
                            Apr 19 '12 at 18:36







                          2




                          2




                          Maybe I should ask about the "one page myth" in another question?
                          – Yamikuronue
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:00




                          Maybe I should ask about the "one page myth" in another question?
                          – Yamikuronue
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:00












                          @Yamikuronue Absolutely. I have a contrary opinion to Tangurena on the one-page (double-sided) rule and I'd love to have a good place to exchange views.
                          – voretaq7
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:07




                          @Yamikuronue Absolutely. I have a contrary opinion to Tangurena on the one-page (double-sided) rule and I'd love to have a good place to exchange views.
                          – voretaq7
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:07












                          I have 30+ years of experience and a 2 page resume, anything more than that will get thrown in the trash or not read by most hiring officials.
                          – HLGEM
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:29




                          I have 30+ years of experience and a 2 page resume, anything more than that will get thrown in the trash or not read by most hiring officials.
                          – HLGEM
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:29




                          3




                          3




                          I also use a similar format to this: StartDate - EndDate: Consultant at BigCompany International (via Small Consulting Shop). I like to specifically call out that I was a consultant through another company because I find it easier when I'm hiring and checking references: "I see Mr. Smith worked for you at BigCompany International" (to the consulting firm) and "I see Mr. Smith was part of your consulting team from Small Consulting Shop" (to the Big Company).
                          – voretaq7
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:51




                          I also use a similar format to this: StartDate - EndDate: Consultant at BigCompany International (via Small Consulting Shop). I like to specifically call out that I was a consultant through another company because I find it easier when I'm hiring and checking references: "I see Mr. Smith worked for you at BigCompany International" (to the consulting firm) and "I see Mr. Smith was part of your consulting team from Small Consulting Shop" (to the Big Company).
                          – voretaq7
                          Apr 19 '12 at 17:51




                          2




                          2




                          My resume is 3 pages long. The first half page is a summary of skills/achievements. The next 2 are the most recent 5 years of experience with details on accomplishments. The last half is a summary list of previous experience with one line per job with a list of skills used/learned there. I can't think of a job/contract I've applied to in the last 3 years that didn't get at least an interview.
                          – Michael Brown
                          Apr 19 '12 at 18:36




                          My resume is 3 pages long. The first half page is a summary of skills/achievements. The next 2 are the most recent 5 years of experience with details on accomplishments. The last half is a summary list of previous experience with one line per job with a list of skills used/learned there. I can't think of a job/contract I've applied to in the last 3 years that didn't get at least an interview.
                          – Michael Brown
                          Apr 19 '12 at 18:36










                          up vote
                          5
                          down vote













                          I do a very simple sub list under the consulting/contracting company that I work for and limit it to 1-3 bullet points of highlights about what I did for the client.



                          Sample contracting layout



                          Two important things to remember to protect yourself:



                          1. Make sure to lay out your resume so that it's clear that you were a contractor and not employed by the clients. You don't want anyone claiming you lied on your resume.

                          2. Get permission to list clients on your resume! Some contracting companies have rules about not publicly disclosing clients or clients contracts might have provisions restricting you from saying you did contract work for them.





                          share|improve this answer
























                            up vote
                            5
                            down vote













                            I do a very simple sub list under the consulting/contracting company that I work for and limit it to 1-3 bullet points of highlights about what I did for the client.



                            Sample contracting layout



                            Two important things to remember to protect yourself:



                            1. Make sure to lay out your resume so that it's clear that you were a contractor and not employed by the clients. You don't want anyone claiming you lied on your resume.

                            2. Get permission to list clients on your resume! Some contracting companies have rules about not publicly disclosing clients or clients contracts might have provisions restricting you from saying you did contract work for them.





                            share|improve this answer






















                              up vote
                              5
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              5
                              down vote









                              I do a very simple sub list under the consulting/contracting company that I work for and limit it to 1-3 bullet points of highlights about what I did for the client.



                              Sample contracting layout



                              Two important things to remember to protect yourself:



                              1. Make sure to lay out your resume so that it's clear that you were a contractor and not employed by the clients. You don't want anyone claiming you lied on your resume.

                              2. Get permission to list clients on your resume! Some contracting companies have rules about not publicly disclosing clients or clients contracts might have provisions restricting you from saying you did contract work for them.





                              share|improve this answer












                              I do a very simple sub list under the consulting/contracting company that I work for and limit it to 1-3 bullet points of highlights about what I did for the client.



                              Sample contracting layout



                              Two important things to remember to protect yourself:



                              1. Make sure to lay out your resume so that it's clear that you were a contractor and not employed by the clients. You don't want anyone claiming you lied on your resume.

                              2. Get permission to list clients on your resume! Some contracting companies have rules about not publicly disclosing clients or clients contracts might have provisions restricting you from saying you did contract work for them.






                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Apr 19 '12 at 22:49









                              Alan Barber

                              86759




                              86759




















                                  up vote
                                  2
                                  down vote













                                  If you are finding work for yourself or through recruitment agencies, I'd say list who you did the work for. However, if the staffing agency finds you the work and actually holds the contract with the "more impressive" company then that's a different situation.



                                  In that case I'd say that I was employed by the staffing agency (company A) and I worked at Company B, Company C, etc, for these times with these responsibilities. That way your prospective employer can contact the right HR department for the relevant references etc.






                                  share|improve this answer




















                                  • I believe I'm in the situation you describe int he latter half of your post -- the staffing agency pays me and provides benefits. However, I do not plan to continue with them after this contract ends, so there'd only be one company listed. Won't that look strange?
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:12










                                  • @Yamikuronue - it's always better to be honest on your CV. If you lie, or even mislead (even unintentionally), it will get found out which could cost you your new job.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:18











                                  • I'm not trying to mislead anyone; I just don't want to give people the impression I don't have experience where I do or take up too much space (since I'm told in the US I can only have one page for a resume)
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:20











                                  • @Yamikuronue - I'm not saying you are doing it deliberately with the intention to deceive, just that it could be seen that way.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:21














                                  up vote
                                  2
                                  down vote













                                  If you are finding work for yourself or through recruitment agencies, I'd say list who you did the work for. However, if the staffing agency finds you the work and actually holds the contract with the "more impressive" company then that's a different situation.



                                  In that case I'd say that I was employed by the staffing agency (company A) and I worked at Company B, Company C, etc, for these times with these responsibilities. That way your prospective employer can contact the right HR department for the relevant references etc.






                                  share|improve this answer




















                                  • I believe I'm in the situation you describe int he latter half of your post -- the staffing agency pays me and provides benefits. However, I do not plan to continue with them after this contract ends, so there'd only be one company listed. Won't that look strange?
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:12










                                  • @Yamikuronue - it's always better to be honest on your CV. If you lie, or even mislead (even unintentionally), it will get found out which could cost you your new job.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:18











                                  • I'm not trying to mislead anyone; I just don't want to give people the impression I don't have experience where I do or take up too much space (since I'm told in the US I can only have one page for a resume)
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:20











                                  • @Yamikuronue - I'm not saying you are doing it deliberately with the intention to deceive, just that it could be seen that way.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:21












                                  up vote
                                  2
                                  down vote










                                  up vote
                                  2
                                  down vote









                                  If you are finding work for yourself or through recruitment agencies, I'd say list who you did the work for. However, if the staffing agency finds you the work and actually holds the contract with the "more impressive" company then that's a different situation.



                                  In that case I'd say that I was employed by the staffing agency (company A) and I worked at Company B, Company C, etc, for these times with these responsibilities. That way your prospective employer can contact the right HR department for the relevant references etc.






                                  share|improve this answer












                                  If you are finding work for yourself or through recruitment agencies, I'd say list who you did the work for. However, if the staffing agency finds you the work and actually holds the contract with the "more impressive" company then that's a different situation.



                                  In that case I'd say that I was employed by the staffing agency (company A) and I worked at Company B, Company C, etc, for these times with these responsibilities. That way your prospective employer can contact the right HR department for the relevant references etc.







                                  share|improve this answer












                                  share|improve this answer



                                  share|improve this answer










                                  answered Apr 19 '12 at 16:10









                                  ChrisF

                                  8,56423957




                                  8,56423957











                                  • I believe I'm in the situation you describe int he latter half of your post -- the staffing agency pays me and provides benefits. However, I do not plan to continue with them after this contract ends, so there'd only be one company listed. Won't that look strange?
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:12










                                  • @Yamikuronue - it's always better to be honest on your CV. If you lie, or even mislead (even unintentionally), it will get found out which could cost you your new job.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:18











                                  • I'm not trying to mislead anyone; I just don't want to give people the impression I don't have experience where I do or take up too much space (since I'm told in the US I can only have one page for a resume)
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:20











                                  • @Yamikuronue - I'm not saying you are doing it deliberately with the intention to deceive, just that it could be seen that way.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:21
















                                  • I believe I'm in the situation you describe int he latter half of your post -- the staffing agency pays me and provides benefits. However, I do not plan to continue with them after this contract ends, so there'd only be one company listed. Won't that look strange?
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:12










                                  • @Yamikuronue - it's always better to be honest on your CV. If you lie, or even mislead (even unintentionally), it will get found out which could cost you your new job.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:18











                                  • I'm not trying to mislead anyone; I just don't want to give people the impression I don't have experience where I do or take up too much space (since I'm told in the US I can only have one page for a resume)
                                    – Yamikuronue
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:20











                                  • @Yamikuronue - I'm not saying you are doing it deliberately with the intention to deceive, just that it could be seen that way.
                                    – ChrisF
                                    Apr 19 '12 at 16:21















                                  I believe I'm in the situation you describe int he latter half of your post -- the staffing agency pays me and provides benefits. However, I do not plan to continue with them after this contract ends, so there'd only be one company listed. Won't that look strange?
                                  – Yamikuronue
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:12




                                  I believe I'm in the situation you describe int he latter half of your post -- the staffing agency pays me and provides benefits. However, I do not plan to continue with them after this contract ends, so there'd only be one company listed. Won't that look strange?
                                  – Yamikuronue
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:12












                                  @Yamikuronue - it's always better to be honest on your CV. If you lie, or even mislead (even unintentionally), it will get found out which could cost you your new job.
                                  – ChrisF
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:18





                                  @Yamikuronue - it's always better to be honest on your CV. If you lie, or even mislead (even unintentionally), it will get found out which could cost you your new job.
                                  – ChrisF
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:18













                                  I'm not trying to mislead anyone; I just don't want to give people the impression I don't have experience where I do or take up too much space (since I'm told in the US I can only have one page for a resume)
                                  – Yamikuronue
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:20





                                  I'm not trying to mislead anyone; I just don't want to give people the impression I don't have experience where I do or take up too much space (since I'm told in the US I can only have one page for a resume)
                                  – Yamikuronue
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:20













                                  @Yamikuronue - I'm not saying you are doing it deliberately with the intention to deceive, just that it could be seen that way.
                                  – ChrisF
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:21




                                  @Yamikuronue - I'm not saying you are doing it deliberately with the intention to deceive, just that it could be seen that way.
                                  – ChrisF
                                  Apr 19 '12 at 16:21










                                  up vote
                                  2
                                  down vote













                                  I agree with @Tangurena , for most contact jobs. One case I would also like to share is when you work contract to hire and you get hired. I have several of these on my resume and I show them like this:



                                  Big Well-Known CompanyA - Aug 2005-Jan 2008 (Aug 2005-Dec 2005 - temporary hire working for Name of agency)



                                  This gets several points acoss, it shows the total time I worked for the well-known company and it lets the employer know that I was a temp to hire and I got hired and it makes sure the HR refernce check into my employment dates won't conflict with what I said on my resume.






                                  share|improve this answer
























                                    up vote
                                    2
                                    down vote













                                    I agree with @Tangurena , for most contact jobs. One case I would also like to share is when you work contract to hire and you get hired. I have several of these on my resume and I show them like this:



                                    Big Well-Known CompanyA - Aug 2005-Jan 2008 (Aug 2005-Dec 2005 - temporary hire working for Name of agency)



                                    This gets several points acoss, it shows the total time I worked for the well-known company and it lets the employer know that I was a temp to hire and I got hired and it makes sure the HR refernce check into my employment dates won't conflict with what I said on my resume.






                                    share|improve this answer






















                                      up vote
                                      2
                                      down vote










                                      up vote
                                      2
                                      down vote









                                      I agree with @Tangurena , for most contact jobs. One case I would also like to share is when you work contract to hire and you get hired. I have several of these on my resume and I show them like this:



                                      Big Well-Known CompanyA - Aug 2005-Jan 2008 (Aug 2005-Dec 2005 - temporary hire working for Name of agency)



                                      This gets several points acoss, it shows the total time I worked for the well-known company and it lets the employer know that I was a temp to hire and I got hired and it makes sure the HR refernce check into my employment dates won't conflict with what I said on my resume.






                                      share|improve this answer












                                      I agree with @Tangurena , for most contact jobs. One case I would also like to share is when you work contract to hire and you get hired. I have several of these on my resume and I show them like this:



                                      Big Well-Known CompanyA - Aug 2005-Jan 2008 (Aug 2005-Dec 2005 - temporary hire working for Name of agency)



                                      This gets several points acoss, it shows the total time I worked for the well-known company and it lets the employer know that I was a temp to hire and I got hired and it makes sure the HR refernce check into my employment dates won't conflict with what I said on my resume.







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered Apr 19 '12 at 17:37









                                      HLGEM

                                      133k25227489




                                      133k25227489




















                                          up vote
                                          1
                                          down vote













                                          In the US, when I have worked for contracting companies they tend to dislike giving their competition credit. For that I list the company where I did the work, my title and append - Consultant. HR understands what that means usually. And when so long as you make it clear you were working as a consultant(contractor, external, whatevertheirtitleforoutsidecontractorsis) few companies are going to care.



                                          This is often different in Europe, or anywhere they prefer a more accurate CV. On a CV always list the company you actually employed by.






                                          share|improve this answer
























                                            up vote
                                            1
                                            down vote













                                            In the US, when I have worked for contracting companies they tend to dislike giving their competition credit. For that I list the company where I did the work, my title and append - Consultant. HR understands what that means usually. And when so long as you make it clear you were working as a consultant(contractor, external, whatevertheirtitleforoutsidecontractorsis) few companies are going to care.



                                            This is often different in Europe, or anywhere they prefer a more accurate CV. On a CV always list the company you actually employed by.






                                            share|improve this answer






















                                              up vote
                                              1
                                              down vote










                                              up vote
                                              1
                                              down vote









                                              In the US, when I have worked for contracting companies they tend to dislike giving their competition credit. For that I list the company where I did the work, my title and append - Consultant. HR understands what that means usually. And when so long as you make it clear you were working as a consultant(contractor, external, whatevertheirtitleforoutsidecontractorsis) few companies are going to care.



                                              This is often different in Europe, or anywhere they prefer a more accurate CV. On a CV always list the company you actually employed by.






                                              share|improve this answer












                                              In the US, when I have worked for contracting companies they tend to dislike giving their competition credit. For that I list the company where I did the work, my title and append - Consultant. HR understands what that means usually. And when so long as you make it clear you were working as a consultant(contractor, external, whatevertheirtitleforoutsidecontractorsis) few companies are going to care.



                                              This is often different in Europe, or anywhere they prefer a more accurate CV. On a CV always list the company you actually employed by.







                                              share|improve this answer












                                              share|improve this answer



                                              share|improve this answer










                                              answered Apr 19 '12 at 21:56









                                              IDrinkandIKnowThings

                                              43.9k1398188




                                              43.9k1398188






















                                                   

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