With the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on our lives, an amazing growth in those who are unemployed has occurred.<\/p>\n
MANY employers have been forced to shut their doors, hopefully only temporarily.<\/p>\n
Working from home is the new normal for many professionals.<\/p>\n
Finding a job is not easy, even though some employers are still hiring.<\/p>\n
No doubt, you have become discouraged by searching relentlessly for for full-time positions that are very hard to find.<\/p>\n
So, perhaps<\/em> it is time for a change in your job search strategy.<\/p>\n Consider directing your energies toward freelancing (also known as “contracting”), where you can find project based, skill-centric, time-specific positions, which are usually paid well and by the hour.<\/p>\n Contract positions are available across industries, fields, experience levels and salary ranges.<\/p>\n While they may not present the ideal situation, these jobs allow you to stay in touch with the professional world, pay the bills, and show prospective employers that you\u2019ve remained active and engaged in the workforce.<\/p>\n They\u2019re not just for lower-level candidates or Millennials, either.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n If you\u2019re worried that you will be put in the \u201cpermanent freelancer\u201d box, it\u2019s worth noting that while a small percentage of businesses do offer contractors full-time positions, the job market is changing radically, and the way we work is far more diverse than it\u2019s ever been. Contracting may be what we all do in the future.<\/p>\n [MORE: Is Freelancing Your Future Career?<\/a>]<\/p>\n Finding contract jobs is a bit different than a full-time search. Here are some tips to get you started.<\/p>\n A solid contractor resume should be shorter and more focused than your standard version, and targeted specifically to the position you\u2019re pursuing. Include a brief personal profile \u2013 the equivalent of your elevator pitch<\/a> \u2013 along with a list of skills, certifications, achievements and your career history.<\/p>\n Make sure to sell yourself in both the resume and cover letter. Your approach should be honed in on the value you can bring to the table today, as opposed to what you did in the past.<\/p>\n Because a lot of contract work is sourced via agencies and websites that focus on non-employee positions, it\u2019s critical to research which ones are appropriate for your resume<\/p>\n Find out which recruiters specialize in filling independent positions in your area of expertise and make contact. Also, tell recruiters you already know that you\u2019re available and looking to work outside the box.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be afraid to approach hiring managers directly at companies looking to fill contract positions. You can also connect with businesses you\u2019d like to work with and pitch yourself as a cost-effective alternative for short-term projects.<\/p>\n Be sure that your LinkedIn Profile<\/a> supports your contracting work expertise.<\/p>\n Now, turn to the job boards. Search using terms like \u201ccontract,\u201d \u201ccontracting,\u201d \u201ctemporary,\u201d “remote,” and \u201cfreelance.\u201d Many employers don\u2019t realize there can be differences between these descriptions, so their positions could be misidentified in the title.<\/p>\n Read carefully<\/em>, and apply accordingly.<\/p>\n [MORE: How to Find Part-Time or Project Work<\/a>.]<\/p>\n As an independent contractor, you are not considered an employee. You would likely be hired for a single project and a specific timeframe, and you will most likely be paid by the hour.<\/p>\n You may make more than you would at a comparable full-time position because you\u2019re being hired for expertise exclusive to a project.<\/p>\nThe Contracting or Freelancing Option<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Starting Your Contracting Work<\/h2>\n
\u00a0 Create a Contractor Resume \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\u00a0 Get on the Radar \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\u00a0 Search Broadly \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n
\u00a0 More Pros than Cons \u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n