4 Tips to help you land great Freelance Jobs!
Opportunities to freelance have grown significantly over the last decade, as more and more work is being outsourced to “non-traditional” workers. Along with the increase in opportunities, there has been an increase in freelance candidates, who know that freelancing is a perfect way to supplement their income — or, in some situations, replace a 9-to-5 job.
If you’re looking for freelance work, you know how important it is to stand out from the crowd. With that in mind, here are a few crucial factors brought to by resume writers at ResumeWW — to assist you in successfully landing new gigs.
1. Find What You’re Good at
It might seem intuitive, but it is important to consider the strengths you carry to the table. Knowing your weaknesses and abilities will help you sell yourself more effectively. Make a list of all the skills you have that are marketable. You’re a journalist, aren’t you? If you have some photography experience? Make a list of everything you think you should get paid for and then put it aside for a day or two. When you return to it, narrow it down to those where your passions and strengths overlap — think “skill meets will.”
2. Brush Up That Resume
When applying for freelance gigs, you’ll need a strong resume to stand out from the crowd, just like you would for traditional roles. Freelancing job opportunities, on the other hand, differ from traditional jobs in that potential clients nearly often order samples of your work. Consider doing some free work if you’re just starting out. For example, if you’re applying for a writing job, offer to write some unpaid guest posts, choose a news article and summarize it, or write a book or movie review.
Set up a website to highlight your work and experience is another way to convince prospective employers that you take freelancing seriously. When selecting sample jobs to submit or email, keep in mind the sort of job for which you are applying. For example, if you’re looking for a job in web design, don’t fill your portfolio with blog posts.
3. Know Your Worth
Undercharging is one of the most important mistakes people commit while starting out as freelancers. Pricing the work at the low end may initially draw more clients, but it may actually backfire. Lower budgets, paradoxically, also result in more demanding clients, since $100 usually means more to a small company than $1000 to a larger one. Raising the prices would, by extension, exclude those potential clients that are most price sensitive. Of course, overpricing can be a problem, particularly if you are a novice. To have a clear idea of how much to price, study the average cost for freelance work.
4. Work on that Cover Letter
Another error that inexperienced freelancers make is underestimating the importance of the cover letter. A solid cover letter can pique the readers’ interest and remind them of what distinguishes you from the competition. Identify the basic need you can fill to solve a client’s dilemma wherever possible. Avoid using a generic letter — clients will identify them, so personalization is important. Also, always reread the cover letter to ensure it is free of typing errors.
Happy Freelancing!
Hopefully, the advice given above would facilitate the shift into freelancing easier. You will most definitely face ups and downs — and rejection! — as for any new venture, so don’t give up. Stick with it, and before you know it, you’ll have clients calling you and a choice of jobs to take on.
Want more insights on the same? It is important to have a professional resume whilst searching for freelance jobs. Get in touch with professional interview prep and resume help providers at resume.
