5 Proven Strategies for Freelancers to Conquer the Job Hunt
Are you trying to land your dream job as a freelancer – with sometimes limited access to the same tools and resources as a traditional job seeker? The job search can be a long and sometimes discouraging process, but there are plenty of strategies you can use as a freelancer to increase chances of success in your search for a new job. Read on for 5 proven strategies for freelancers to conquer the job hunt:
Leverage Online Platforms and Networks
It goes without saying, but online platforms and networks are essential for any freelancer looking to gain visibility and promote their services. Registering on key job sites and platforms like LinkedIn, Upwork, and freelance boards can be an incredibly efficient way to get your profile in front of recruiters and employers.
By taking advantage of the features that sites offer, like creating an eye-catching professional profile and staying active in relevant groups, you can make your presence known to recruiters and potentially pick up some great opportunities.
Optimize your Resume
Your resume is arguably one of the most important resources during a job search. Ensuring it is professional, up to date, and gets the right points across can make a huge difference in landing an interview. Frame your resume in a way that allows recruiters to easily see the value that you can bring to the job, and don't forget to include keywords from the job description.
As a freelancer you may also find it useful to add a ‘freelance experience’ section to your resume to specify your expertise and the work you have done – this can help to demonstrate your valuable skills and experience more effectively. Remember to be honest, as any exaggerations can easily come back to haunt you during the job hunt.
Refine your Interview Technique
Having a good resume and online profile can go a long way, but when it comes to the interview, you need to make sure that you’re polished, confident, and well-prepared. Make sure to practice for your interview and refine your answers to possible questions that you might face.
Prepare a series of stories and anecdotes that demonstrate your skills and experience, or share successes from your freelancing career that illustrate the potential value you can bring to the employer. The most important thing here is to remember to be your true self, and let your personality shine through during the interview process.
Monitor Opportunities on Multiple Platforms
As an HR technology company, we highly recommend jobseekers to monitor job postings and leads on multiple job sites. The best strategy is simply to keep an eye open on job sites, blogs, social channels, and inbound leads. Be sure to prioritize the highest-quality jobs and respond to those first.
You can use our services to easily review and filter job postings, as well as to create a ‘job hunt’ portfolio, where you can keep track of relevant job postings, opportunities, and the progress of your applications (which is especially useful for freelancers who can often work on multiple applications at once).
Take an Active Role in your Job Hunt
Your job search shouldn’t be a passive process. While online postings are a great starting point, your job hunt is more likely to be successful if you put effort into it. One way you can take an active role in your job search is to create valuable content, such as industry articles, comment on relevant blogs, and connect with industry experts on social media.
Remember to never spam contacts, but start by introducing yourself and expressing your interest in a certain topic or job position. Creating content can also be a great way to demonstrate your expertise and potentially become a thought leader in your chosen industry.
As a freelancer, your job hunt can be a daunting process, but if you keep these strategies in mind, you’ll be sure to stay ahead of the curve, maximize your chances of success, and more importantly, land the job you’ve been aiming for. Good luck with your job hunt!
