{"id":4590,"date":"2021-05-11T17:14:48","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T17:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobhunt.fj-dev.com\/finding-high-quality-jobs\/"},"modified":"2022-02-18T08:36:10","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T15:36:10","slug":"finding-high-quality-jobs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.job-hunt.org\/finding-high-quality-jobs\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find High-Quality Gigs and Freelance Jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you\u2019re a seasoned freelancer or just starting out with contract work, the freelance job market can be a challenge to navigate when you are getting started.<\/p>\n

One major reason is that there isn\u2019t an easy-to-recognize definition of freelancing or freelance jobs.<\/p>\n

The language often gets intermingled with other forms of work like that found in work-from-home, temping, and sharing.<\/p>\n

While those aspects of the job market are similar to freelance work, they\u2019re not exactly the same.<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019re in the market for high-quality, professional-level freelance work, where should you focus your attention and energy?<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll go over leveraging your network to find and grow your client base plus the different types of freelance job sites, their pros and cons, and what freelancers should look out for when searching for freelance jobs.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Reach Out to Your Past Employers and Networking Contacts<\/h2>\n

What\u2019s one of the best sources of freelance work? Past employers!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ended your previous employment on good terms, and you maintain a decent networking relationship with the people you used to work with, it\u2019s worth it to reach out and offer your freelance services to former employers.<\/p>\n

They already know what you\u2019re capable of, and they may have some projects that could use your expertise.<\/p>\n

Pitch Yourself to Potential New Clients<\/h2>\n

While you\u2019ll find a good amount of opportunity in online job ads and with previous employers, it\u2019s also important to pitch yourself to new clients.<\/p>\n

As a freelancer, your success is based on growing and deepening your client base. Clean up your professional online image, create a simple website, blog, or portfolio, and start reaching out to potential clients. They might be local businesses, companies you find through online research, or connections you have in common with your current network.<\/p>\n

Leverage LinkedIn<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, and other social media carefully<\/em> and professionally<\/em>. Be visible, making your expertise visible, but protecting your online reputation<\/a>. As employers are recruiters research job candidates, so do employers who are in the market to hire freelancers<\/p>\n

3 Types of Job Sites to Find Freelance Work<\/h2>\n

Job sites can be helpful for finding freelance work, which surprises many people.<\/p>\n

1. “Big Box” Job Sites<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

These are the \u201cone size fits all\u201d job boards that list millions of open jobs, including both freelance and employee jobs.<\/p>\n

While it can be nice to find all sorts of listings in one place, it can also be overwhelming. And because it\u2019s fairly easy for employers to post jobs to these sites, it\u2019s also easy for scammers to post fake positions.<\/p>\n

2. “Task” Job Sites <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

These sites do have a lot of freelance jobs, but they probably aren\u2019t the professional-level jobs you\u2019re interested in. Instead, they are quick tasks ranging from helping someone pack their house for a move, to mowing a lawn, to decorating for a birthday party.<\/p>\n

Most claim to help you find a job in minutes, but only if you\u2019re looking for quick, one-time projects involving chores and related tasks.<\/p>\n

3. “Niche” Job Sites<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Now we\u2019re getting to the good stuff. There are thousands of smaller, niche job sites that cater to a specific group of people to help them find jobs.<\/p>\n

Niche job sites might focus on people of a certain profession, location, age, job flexibility, or job status — including freelance jobs. These smaller sites won\u2019t have millions of listings, but they\u2019ll probably have more jobs you\u2019ll actually want to see.<\/p>\n

What to Look for to Find High-Quality Freelance Jobs<\/h2>\n

Without a strategy, you’ll be overwhelmed with options. Follow these steps to focus your attention where you have the greatest likelihood of success.<\/p>\n

Narrow Your Search Parameters<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most job search websites will have an option to narrow your search results by selecting “freelance” or “contract” in the search criteria. Other keywords and search options to look for include:<\/p>\n