Tag: jobs

Future of Freelancing: How to Sell Your Knowledge

Freelance work has become incredibly popular over the past few years. Radical shifts in the job market during the pandemic gave workers more free time and flexibility to pursue intendend interests. For many, they turned to freelancing as a way to leverage their knowledge, skills, and experience to earn extra income during their own time.

Even if you’re already employed full-time, freelancing on the side can allow you to supplement your income on your own terms. You decide what jobs to accept work for based on what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at. Whether you’re a graphic designer or uniquely skilled at setting up Shopify accounts, there’s likely a profitable freelance niche that you can start pursuing today.

As freelance work has become more competitive, it’s more important than ever to find ways to differentiate yourself from the crowd. If you’re considering freelancing, here are some top tips to help your gigs stand out.

Identify Your Unique Knowledge and Skills

The first step on your freelance journey is to identify what you’ll actually be selling. Think about the work you’ve done in the past. What are you particularly good at? Don’t limit yourself. Even something as seemingly mundane as setting up an Excel worksheet can be sold as a freelance gig if presented in the right way. In addition to your skills and experience, what do you actually enjoy doing? Remember, you’re committing to selling your time, so you might as well enjoy what you’re offering.

The next step is to identify your target market. If you’re selling graphic design services, for example, your target market may be small business owners looking for logos. If you’re talented at photography, your market may be individuals looking for wedding, engagement, or family photos in your area. Identifying who you will be selling your services to will ultimately help you craft a unique offering and know where to network and spend your time.

Promote Your Services Far and Wide

So you’re ready to start selling your services, but how will people know you’re offering them? Now’s the time to start marketing yourself. Many freelancers start with family and friends. Let people in your in-person and online networks (e.g., Reddit, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) know that you are now offering freelance services and invite them to recommend people who may be interested. Ultimately, this will help you grow your network as word-of-mouth is a uniquely strong marketing tactic in the world of freelancing.

You should also strongly consider developing your own website or profile on a freelance site. Once you have a prospective client, you can point them to your page to help them better understand your background, what’s included in your services, and what your rates are. You can also “show and tell” by sharing or uploading a portfolio of work you’ve done in the past. This can help prospective customers understand your unique style and what you will ultimately be delivering to them once they purchase services from you.

Find and Pitch Work at Every Opportunity

There’s a world of people out there looking for freelancing services (even outside your own network). One opportunity is online job platforms such as ScaleFront. Individuals and organizations large and small are constantly hiring freelancers to work on short-term projects or fill temporary roles. Start by browsing these job markets for freelance work in your niche. Usually, you can simply apply with just your resume and be hired quickly by recruiters. Some job portals even allow you to post your resume to help recruiters better find freelancers with your unique skills.

At every opportunity, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Take time to practice your pitch. What will you be offering, what makes you unique, and how can you help your clients achieve their personal or business goals? Once someone has indicated they are interested, never sell yourself short. Be sure to negotiate pricing and terms for your work as you feel comfortable. Your time is valuable. Although sometimes it helps to keep rates low initially to attract work, never compromise on a price you don’t feel comfortable with.

Continually Learn and Improve

Like any professional opportunity, success in freelancing is a direct result of your knowledge and effort. Regardless of your niche, always find ways to improve your skills and expertise. Stay on top of trends and take time to learn new things in an effort to expand your offerings. For example, if you’re a programmer, perhaps consider learning an additional programming language. If you’re a graphic designer focusing on logos, expand your offerings to website design or advertising. Investing in yourself will help you grow as a freelancer, allowing you to attract a wider pool of clients and grow your income at the same time.

There are even freelancing communities and organizations that you can join that are devoted to supporting individuals like you. Freelancers Union, for example, offers networking opportunities, mentorship, events, and support to help freelancers grow and develop themselves as solopreneurs. There are even organizations that offer health insurance to freelancers who have left their full-time roles in pursuit of freelancing.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering starting work as a freelancer, there’s no better time than the present. By reaching out to your immediate network and establishing your own online presence, you’ll land your first clients and be on your way to establishing a successful side hustle. Over time, investing in yourself as an individual and broadening your skillset will allow you to expand your offerings and make your freelance work even more fulfilling.

If you’re looking for a short-term freelance assignment now, online tools are available to help. One popular option is ScaleFront, an online recruitment platform that utilizes a unique referral network. Simply register and search for opportunities within your skillset, and you’re sure to find a flexible, short-term assignment that meets your immediate freelancing goals. Get started today!

Laid Off From Work? Here’s What To Do Now

News of recent layoffs at industry giants including Goldman Sachs, Twitter, Stripe, and Microsoft have rocked the job market in recent months. As the threat of a recession looms, companies are looking to slash payrolls in anticipation of lower-than-expected earnings in the near future. While that may be good for the bottom line, thousands of workers are finding themselves without a job or under threat of imminent unemployment.

If you’ve recently been laid off, know that you are not alone. Many have been where you are now and have come out stronger on the other end. This is temporary. And although the feeling can be jarring, it’s important to take some steps now to be sure you’re ready to start your next opportunity when the time comes.

Get All Your Ducks in a Row

Receiving a notice of termination or furlough isn’t the end of the story. If you’ve already been laid off, be sure you have all the documentation from your former employer. Do you have insurance in order? Are you entitled to any type of compensation or benefits as part of your severance? Have you checked on your final paycheck and reviewed your 401(k) contributions?

Ensuring you have the proper documentation from the HR department and filing for unemployment are crucial for your own security. You’ll also want to do some research to be sure your employer was compliant with local employment law in their actions. While these steps can be daunting, they are the most important and time-sensitive tasks to ensure you’re able to get back on your feet.

Think Positively

There’s no sugarcoating it – layoffs suck. But, it’s important to remember that they’re not indicators of your skillset or performance as an employee. Oftentimes, they are the end result of things beyond your control. When thinking back to your time at your previous employer, focus on what went well and what you’re looking for in the future.

Many people use this time to reset and go after new opportunities that they’ve long been interested in. Set some time aside to consider what makes you happy and how you’ll achieve what’s next for you. Although this feels like an uncertain time, it can be a time of personal growth and opportunity. Don’t wallow; embrace it.

Leverage Your Network

You’ve spent years working hard and building a network. Now’s the time to put it to use. Even if you feel like you don’t have strong connections, there are likely dozens of former coworkers, managers and even friends who would be more than willing to connect you with new opportunities.

You don’t have to even reveal that you were laid off or ask outright for help. You can simply mention that you’re interested in something new and ask if they know of any options that might be a good fit. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but, if you don’t put yourself out there, you may miss out on the support your network can offer. Services like LinkedIn and ScaleFront can also provide you with easy access to online professional networks where you can exchange resumes and connect with others who are searching for talent.

Consider Freelance in the Interim

While job searching can feel like a full-time job, don’t feel like you have to wait for a job offer before you can actually start working. Freelancing can be a great way to add some extra cash to your pocket while also allowing you to hone existing skills and learn new ones. Some laid off workers have even built whole new careers as a result of freelancing following severance from full-time employment.

Whether you’re a developer, content writer, or social media expert, there are plenty of freelance websites where you can get started. If you’re looking for project work, ScaleFront has options from top tech companies who are recruiting for these services right now. You can choose from short or long-term assignments that match your skills, earning you extra income and, in some cases, a path to permanent employment.

Use ScaleFront to Find Your Next Opportunity

If your industry has reported recent layoffs, it’s understandable that you may be worried about your future. Whether you’ve already been laid off or are bracing for it, the good news is that work opportunities still abound in all sectors. It starts by knowing where to look.

ScaleFront is one great option. With an integrated recruiting platform and talent marketplace, you’ll be able to connect with qualified professionals from around the world who are looking for talent with your unique skills. And with customized filtering and an intelligent search platform, you’ll quickly find the exact open roles that match your background and interests.

Whether you’re looking for a long-term opportunity or something during a transition period, give ScaleFront a shot today!

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Is Now a Good Time to Job Hunt?

As we approach the end of 2022, it’s important to examine the current job market within the context of the broader economic environment. Sure, we’ve all seen the headlines that some large tech companies have implemented workforce reductions or hiring freezes in recent weeks. As the economic outlook dims, these firms are making sound business decisions to evaluate their workforce strategies.

The fact remains, however, that the job market still remains attractive to candidates. Opportunities abound in fields including technology, finance, and health services. Workplaces also continue to see structural changes in our post-pandemic work, and employers have not stopped seeking skilled talent to capitalize on market opportunities.

At the same time, candidates are in the driver’s seat more than ever before. They have access to more “insider” information and networking opportunities, giving them an edge in negotiations. So while it may seem like things have chilled recently, now is still a great time to find your next white-hot opportunity.

The Job Market Is Still Favorable

While the headlines might be scary, the reality is that tech layoffs aren’t as massive as the news has portrayed. According to a count by TechCrunch, 44,000 tech jobs were lost in October 2022. That’s not a lot in the grand scheme of things.

The overall job market still remains very attractive to job seekers. The U.S. economy added more than 260,000 jobs in October 2022 for a historically low unemployment rate of 3.7%. That means there are still many more jobs available for every candidate looking. Wages also increased 7.7% in October 2022 compared to a year ago, which is great news for job seekers looking to offset inflationary price hikes.

Not only is the labor market still growing, but an increasing number of individuals are looking for new opportunities as well. It’s estimated that 40% of workers are considering leaving their current role in the next six months. This is good news. It means they are confident enough that they will find something else, and it means that existing roles will continue to open up for prospective candidates.

Pay Is Becoming Even More Transparent

More than ever before, candidates are applying to roles with an exact understanding of how much they can expect to earn. Job search and review sites such as Glassdoor and Indeed display self-reported salaries for anyone to see. And now, local governments are getting involved too in an effort to promote pay transparency.

Several states and jurisdictions already have laws in place that require employers to publicly share information related to base pay, bonuses, benefits, and other compensation. New York City joined this list on November 2. California and Washington state are set to follow in January 2023. That means that a sizable number of jobs available from Fortune 500 firms, including tech businesses, will display a pay range alongside the job description. This grants prospective workers important insight into what jobs are worth applying for and what they can expect to receive at the end of the negotiating process. Employers can no longer benefit from the ignorance of candidates.

Recruiting Practices Are Shifting

As the bargaining power shifted to candidates in recent years, recruiters were forced to change their approach in order to attract top talent. More recruiters now focus on building relationships and nurturing candidates, which benefits those looking for new positions. With fewer people applying to jobs, candidates now have more direct access to HR teams who are more willing to understand their experience and match them with the best available open roles.

And as workplace flexibility continues to evolve, candidates now have more options to meet with recruiters and hiring managers and perform interviews. Most interviews, at least in the initial stages, now take place remotely on platforms such as Zoom and Teams. What used to be a stressful in-person interview process is now taking place from the comfort of the interviewee’s home. This also enables candidates to conduct more interviews without taking too much time away from their current work.

Find Your Next Opportunity With ScaleFront

If you’re a job seeker, it’s understandable that you may be wary of the current market. However, indicators suggest that now is still a great time to seek employment. Whether you’re plateauing in your current role, need a shift in your career, or are new to the job market enitrely, ScaleFront is a great place to start your search.

ScaleFront is a top recruiting platform and talent marketplace. Our proprietary referral network enables qualified professionals from around the world to connect with job seekers just like you. Our platform is open and transparent, ensuring that recruiters and candidates have access to comprehensive profiles and insights for better opportunity matching. With customized filtering and an intelligent search platform, you’ll quickly find the exact open roles that match your talent and interest.

Start your next job hunt with ScaleFront today!