Niche job boards: The best job-search tool?

By Maggie Zahm

Just in case you didn’t already know, you made the right choice when you elected to search niche boards like Sologig.com to find projects that suit you best. In a recent study, 55 percent of respondents prefer niche geographic and industry job boards to more generalized job boards because they find them to be more effective overall. Why do people find niche job boards more effective? The answer is simple- they save time, provide you with quality projects relevant to you and help you land gigs faster! While it is important to diversify the methods you use in your job search, consider these concepts when deciding which online tools of which to take advantage.

Eliminate search result overload and save time

Job searching on common, generalized job boards can prove to be time-consuming and tedious. The process often starts out by the job seeker (you) creating a fool-proof (or so you think) search string and entering your location. As soon as you press the “find jobs” button, common job titles and skills flood the screen, even if you are only looking for a specific project. Sometimes a wealth of job opportunities is a good thing, but for those that specialize in a particular niche, unrelated results can be frequent and obtrusive. Sites like Sologig.com provide contractors and consultants with only projects that are relevant to them- no weeding through full-time and salaried jobs here!

Although large job boards generate more traffic and have more postings to choose from, they are also overloaded with resumes in their resume database. What does this mean? Employers that want to look for resumes have to sift through more potential candidates than ever before making it easy for your resume to get overlooked. Niche job boards provide employers with a smaller, more qualified candidate pool. Not only is this beneficial to them because they have less, more quality resumes to look through, but it is also favorable for the job-seeker because your resume will have a better chance of standing out.

Land gigs faster

Employers on niche job boards are looking for candidates with a specific skill set, and when they find that person, they want to hire them as soon as possible. Because employers have such a specific goal in mind, it is easier for them to fill positions immediately after they discover someone with the qualities and talents necessary to complete the project. This means when you apply to a job, you will get snatched up faster than if you applied on a general board.

Don’t forget…

While after reading this it may seem that if you simply register on a niche board you will have jobs falling into your lap, it is important to also remember these tips when searching for projects:

• Make your resume stand out by creating a title that will inform employers. Instead of using your name as the heading, try titling it something like “Experienced Graphic Designer looking for logo development projects.” Anything with relevant key words will help employers find you more quickly.
• Search wisely. Vary your search terms by using different industry terms to garner the most results. Also, include the location in which you are looking to help weed out projects that do not work with your situation. Don't forget, you can always browse by category to find an array of open projects in your area of expertise.
• Get noticed by employers by using industry buzz words in descriptions of past projects in your resume. By using a variety of key words, your resume will most likely appear in more employer searches. For ideas on what types of words to include, search for projects in which you are interested and tailor your resume to fit the skills and experiences for which employers are looking.

Why not take advantage of the benefits of niche boards and check out all of the new projects on Sologig.com today. >>

The Freelance Writer: Is it right for me and how can I find jobs?

By Mackenzie Rose

Almost anyone can do it, but only few excel at it; the job of a writer is to create a wide variety of written materials for an audience in any of a number of ways. Many professional writers are freelance. They are self-employed and sell their work to publishers, publication enterprises, manufacturing firms, public relations departments, or advertising agencies. Sometimes, writers contract with publishers first to write a book or an article. Others may be hired to complete specific short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing about a new product or contributing to an organization’s quarterly newsletter.

Writers fall into two main categories—writers and authors and technical writers.

Writers and authors develop original written materials for books, magazines, trade journals, online publications, company newsletters, radio and television broadcasts, motion pictures, and advertisements. Their works are classified broadly as either fiction or nonfiction and writers often are identified by the type of writing they do—for example, novelists, playwrights, biographers, screenwriters, and textbook writers. Some freelance writers may be commissioned by a sponsor to write a script; others may be contracted to write a book on the basis of a proposal in the form of a draft or an outline. Some may construct materials for publication or performance, such as songwriters or scriptwriters.

Recently, lucrative writing fields include those professionals known as Copy writers. Copy writers are a very specialized type of writer. They prepare advertising copy for use in publications or for broadcasting and they write other materials to promote the sale of a good or service. They often work with the client to produce advertising themes or slogans and may be involved in the marketing of the product or service.

Technical writers, on the other hand, put technical information into easily understandable language. They prepare product documentation, such as operating and maintenance manuals, catalogs, assembly instructions, and project proposals. Technical writers primarily are found in the information technology industry writing operating instructions for online Help and documentation for computer programs.

Most writers and editors have at least a basic familiarity with technology, regularly using personal computers, desktop or electronic publishing systems, scanners, and other electronic communications equipment. Many writers prepare material directly for the Internet. For example, they may write for electronic editions of newspapers or magazines, create short fiction or poetry, or produce technical documentation that is available only online. These writers also may prepare text for Web sites. As a result, they should be knowledgeable about graphic design, page layout, multimedia software, and even some basic HTML. Additionally, it is helpful to be familiar with interactive technologies of the Web so that they can blend text, graphics, and sound together.

A college degree generally is required for a position as a writer. Good facility with computers and communications equipment is necessary in order to stay in touch with sources, editors, and other writers while working on assignments, whether from home, an office, or while traveling.

Writers must be able to express ideas clearly and logically and should enjoy writing. Creativity, curiosity, a broad range of knowledge, self-motivation, and perseverance also are valuable. Writers must demonstrate good judgment and a strong sense of ethics in deciding what material to publish. In addition, the ability to concentrate amid confusion and to work under pressure often is essential. High school and college newspapers, literary magazines, community newspapers, and radio and television stations all provide valuable—but sometimes unpaid—practical writing experience. Many magazines, newspapers, and broadcast stations have internships for students. Interns write short pieces, conduct research and interviews, and learn about the publishing or broadcasting business.

Advancement for writers, especially freelancers, often means working on larger, more complex projects for better known publications or for more money. Building a reputation and establishing a track record for meeting deadlines also makes it easier to get future assignments. Experience, credibility, and reliability often lead to long-term freelance relationships with the same publications and to contacts with editors who will seek you out for particular assignments.

In 2007, writers and authors held about 135,000 jobs and more than one-third were freelance and some made upwards of 100,000 dollars. Writing can be a very lucrative job and makes for an exceedingly flexible work schedule. If you are serious about pursuing a writing career, take an unpaid internship somewhere and get the experience you need; who knows, maybe one day you’ll have a book on the shelves and an article on the front page of the New York Times. You will never know unless you try it, so visit Sologig.com now and find freelance writing opportunities today!

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A Reader’s Perspective

By SologigFreelance Reader and Sologig user T. Crump

We typically receive quite a few responses to SologigFreelance and appreciate your continued interest in our blog. While we do not traditionally accept outside submissions for our blog, one recently caught our interest and we thought we would share it with you. Thanks again and enjoy!

“I have been reviewing Sologig for some time now and I was enthusiastic about the direction and objectives Sologig had in mind when it started the website. Innovation is essential when you want to be the leader and set the standards for the rest to follow. I have been doing a majority of my contract work through agencies in the accounting field, which was the norm after the surge of mega-mergers and the expansion of corporate giants and alliances. Prior to that, most hiring went through HR and I was generally requested and interviewed by the hiring manager. Now with the monopolies, restructuring and various other corporate reorganizations, employers are wondering how to best suit their hiring demand.

Previously it was cost effective to minimize the tax burden of direct hire and use an agency; saving the time involved with sifting through thousands of applications/resumes to find, hopefully, five suitable candidates. Times are changing. Now there are more job boards/sites, outsourcers and more agencies than you can shake a stick at; who vie for the revenue of placing their candidate for the position. Agencies are coming out of the woodwork and it seems that there are as many agencies as there are job seekers, who will get them the right or perfect candidate?

I've been in the accounting field for some 15 years, and I have yet to find an agency that can sell my skills better than myself. Generally, the recruiters have brief or no knowledge of the accounting field and their competitiveness is only driven by their expected income, which leads to a decline in trust by individuals they need to fill the position. That's when Sologig becomes the solution to the problem. There are a lot of accountants seasoned to utilize their experience without guidance to work through a 1099 agreement, tax saving benefits remain the same, and most accountants that provide business and employment references will only seek opportunities that will succeed in and strive to deliver the best. They are representing themselves, and they are rewarded with completion bonuses, business referrals and the direct communication and daily contact with the person who matters the most, the client.

Should agencies be a thing of the past? Absolutely; it’s our time to prove that the independent contractor/freelance does not need a voice piece or middleman - that's so nineties. All the agencies who go through Sologig are proof we the Independent Contractor/Freelancer are the future; sites like Sologig will be the conduit that will make agencies obsolete.”

Source: T. Crump-Houston Free Press

Careers: Is Free-Lancing for You? (From The Wall Street Journal)

"If you feel like you've hit a dead end with you employer and aren't having any luck finding a telecommuting friendly new job, one of the quickest remedies is to strike out on your own as a free-lancer.

In their new book 'The Work from Home Handbook: Flex Your Time,' due out next month, attorneys Diana Fitzpatrick and Stephen Fishman cover the nuts and bolts of becoming a free-lance at-home worker.

First, the authors say, evaluate whether free-lancing is for you. While free-lancing can be a wonderful opportunity to earn a living from your home and enjoy the freedom that comes with choosing only projects that you find appealing or financially worthwhile, the lifestyle is not for everyone. It means losing many of the comforts of being someone else's employee, such as regular paychecks, paid vacations, and health insurance benefits. Even long-time, successful free-lancers can't say for sure how much they'll earn in any given month. You'll also give up the peace of mind and promotion potential that comes with a steady job at a stable employer.

Then, if you've already made that decision but are having trouble identifying the type of work that a company or a client would be interested in outsourcing to you, consider projects that are labor-intensive or that require specialized knowledge. Common types of free-lance assignments include architectural drafting, bookkeeping, preparing public relations materials, proofreading, writing and editing, illustrating, researching, even assisting with international agreements."

"But scoring quality assignments is only half the battle. You'll also need to set appropriate free-lance rates sothat you earn a fair profit after paying all of your business expenses. Negotiating a good hourly rate is the safest bet, because you won't bear the risk that the project will take longer than expected. By contrast, fixed-fee arrangements can prove lucrative if you're an unusually speedy worker as well as reassure the company that hires you that your services can be written into a predictable budget.

No matter how you charge, Fitzpatrick and Fishman caution, be careful not to undersell yourself. Remember, the hours you spend on a project don't represent your whole investment in it -- you still have to pay your business expenses, cover your own benefits and factor in the unpaid time spent on billing, marketing, and bookkeeping. (You should figure that 25% to 35% of your working hours will be spent on nonbillable tasks.)

Finally, whenever you take on a free-lance assignment, be sure to get the terms in writing. Discussing and drafting a written agreement will avoid misunderstandings and differing recollections regarding issues like project scope and pay. A basic letter agreement should include a detailed description of the project or services you'll perform, a deadline for completing your assignment, the schedule of hours you'll work each week (if applicable), the hourly rate or fixed fee you will charge, and how and when you will be paid."

Source: Loeb, Marshall. "Careers: Is Free-Lancing for You?" The Wall Street Journal 11 Mar. 2008, Online edition

Network now, land new gigs later

By Maggie Zahm

As a freelancer, contractor or consultant, one of the best strategies to implement in your daily routine is networking. Jeff Altman, also known as The Big Game Hunter, attests that this strategy is invaluable when trying to land new gigs. Altman works as an independent head-hunter and has had years of experience placing contract workers.

“Networking now is a full time job- it is 365 days a year, whether you’re on-going or you’re off-assignment, you’ve got to network constantly.”

The idea of continually networking is not a new idea, but at Sologig.com we have a few tips for you to make it a little easier.

Stay in Touch

Networking can be as easy as staying in touch with past clients. Writing newsletters and sending them out to your professional contacts can be a great way to keep everyone up to date on your skills and new types projects you are working on. Feel free to take the newsletter a step further and include personal notes in the mail to past clients. Altman suggests always addressing your contacts and past clients as a friend would. It is important to ask what they are up to, while concentrating on your ability to help them when they are in need. The key aspect of networking is being generous and genuine.

Keeping in contact with past clients will deliver significant results to you, although it may take time. From experience, Altman knows that people often change jobs, and the likelihood that a past client’s new work will also entail outsourcing is high. If you keep in touch with them, even when you are not necessarily looking for new work, they will be more likely to remember you when projects arise.

At the end of the day, Altman stresses, “You can’t wait until you need your next assignment to start working on finding it.”

Jeff Altman in an independent head-hunter, and is also associated with Concepts in Staffing. His websites http://www.jeffaltman.com and http://www.thebiggamehunter.net further explain his career and give advice to those currently seeking jobs.

The home office: Get organized and increase your productivity

By Maggie Zahm

Arguably, one of the best aspects to working independently is being able to work from home. Not having to pay high gas prices, having a flexible schedule and being able to work in pajamas all contribute to the lure of freelancing and consulting. On the other hand, this freedom can present potential problems if it is not approached properly. It is imperative that home offices be organized and that you keep your work and personal life separate. Staying organized and comfortable while working at home can help you get the most out of your work, and the writers at Sologig.com are full of great ideas to help maintain the balance.

Choose the location wisely

Before you can roll out the “Home Sweet Home” mat in front of your office, you need to find a suitable location. Ask yourself the following questions to help determine where the best place is for you:

• Can you work in an existing room in your house? If you have small children, pets or anything else that could be a distraction, be prepared to handle unexpected visits from them.
• Is the room is near a lounging area like a family room or den? Make sure you have enough willpower to resist the urge to flip through the channels of the TV instead of dealing with your mass of unanswered emails.
• Do you need people around to help motivate you during uninspired times? Office mates can sometimes help keep you on track when you are feeling like you are fresh out of ideas.

If after answering these questions you feel like you can work from an area you already have in your home, congratulations! You are ready to start organizing. If not, consider putting on an addition to your house or creating a new space in your basement or attic. If you are building a new space be sure to include doors to keep sound and distractions out. If expanding space at your home is not feasible, or if you live in an apartment, look into leasing or purchasing a shared office space. Even though you will have to commute, this could be beneficial for you if you need others to help stimulate you or you just like to have the company around when you are working. Leasing a shared office space is also a smart choice if you know you will not be able to separate your personal and work life easily.

Decorate appropriately

Now that you have chosen the best place for you to work, it is time to decorate!

• Choose the right color. If you need a boost to get working, consider painting your office a stimulating and invigorating color like yellow. Do you feel stressed when you work? Maybe a soft lavender or cool blue will help you relax. Green is always a smart choice for a work space as it is known for being a calm yet rejuvenating color. Green is also thought to help people get their creative juices flowing.
• Consider lighting. Lighting is an important aspect to an office. Choose something too bright and you could get migraines easily or not be able to focus. Choosing something too dim may put you to sleep and hinder productivity. The best thing to do is vary your lighting. An incandescent lamp has a lot of yellow in it, while a halogen lamp has more bluish white to it. If you use a mix of different bulbs, the effect will be more pleasing and stimulating to the eye.
• Add a personal touch. Make your office more home-like by adding picture of loved ones. This will keep you from feeling too stressed as you remember fun and relaxing times with family and friends. Paintings or professional photographs can also help to decrease your anxiety.

Get Organized

The most important day-to-day aspect of a home office is staying organized. Organization will help increase your productivity and help you feel less overwhelmed.

• Keep only the essentials on your desk. Your computer, phone, card holder and perhaps some paper/ folder files should be the only things on the top of your workspace. Put everything else in folders or other bins and store them drawers or cabinets.
• Use a variety of containers to organize your office supplies. There are plenty of stores that carry bins and containers for every shape and size from paper clips to hanging files. Managing papers and files can be made a lot simpler if you color code them or organize them alphabetically. Information is a lot easier to find if you know where to look!
• Keep an up-to-date calendar and to-do list. Having these simple organizers in a place that is easy to see will help make things easier when you need to set an appointment. To-do lists are key tools to use to make sure you keep setting goals for yourself.

The Freelance Customer Service Representative: Is it right for me and where can I find work?

By Mackenzie Rose

It may be surprising to some but, by next June, growth within the customer service sector is expected to be among the highest of all occupations. Most customer service representatives need a High School Diploma to enter the field as well as strong verbal communication and listening skills. Of the 2.2 million currently employed customer service representatives, some 17 percent work part-time, or freelance. Customer Service professionals are employed by many different types of companies serving as a direct point of contact for customers. They are responsible for ensuring customers receive an adequate level of service or help with their questions and concerns. These customers may be individual consumers or other companies, and their service needs can vary considerably. In fact, the customer service industry is so expansive today that it is hard to find somebody who has not spoken with a customer service representative sometime in their lives.

Training requirements vary by industry. Almost all customer service representatives are provided with some training prior to beginning work. This training generally includes customer service and phone skills; information on products and services; information about common customer problems; the use of the telephone and computer systems; and company policies and regulations. Length of training also varies, but usually lasts at least several weeks. Because of a constant need to update skills and knowledge, most customer service representatives continue to receive training throughout their career. This is particularly true of workers in industries such as banking, in which regulations and products are continually changing. This training helps develop necessary work place skills that are helpful in all jobs giving customer service professionals valuable skills for future freelance positions.

Because customer service representatives constantly interact with the public, good communication and problem-solving skills are a must. Verbal communication and listening skills are especially important. For workers who communicate through e-mail, good typing, spelling, and writing skills are necessary. Basic to intermediate computer knowledge and good interpersonal skills also are important qualities for people who wish to be successful in the field.

The biggest perk of a customer service position is the opportunity to advance within the company/ industry. If you work hard at it, you can move up within the company into supervisory or managerial positions or into areas such as product development. Your part-time freelance work may easily turn into a budding career opportunity.

The freelance opportunities within the field, however, are not limited to working in a high rise office; many work from home. The advantages of such a move are obvious and with multiple companies already cutting off their offshore customer service, the demand for local representatives is high. In fact, most of those working from home earn better hourly rates than those working in a call center. Such an opportunity is perfect for stay-at-home parents or any freelancer looking for extra income. Moreover, use of a home phone for such a job may allow for large tax deductions come April.

Employment of customer service representatives is expected to increase 25 percent from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. It will have one of the largest number of new jobs arise, about 545,000 over the 2006-16 projection period with excellent prospects. Some of the best at their jobs can earn upwards of 20 dollars an hour and look forward to probable advancement. Don’t expect to earn that much at first, especially on a freelance basis and you may need another full-time or part-time job on the side.

Get your name out there! Visit Sologig.com to find great freelance customer service opportunities.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Time to Vacation!

By Maggie Zahm

As we move into July, warm weather and sunshine will continue to boost Americans’ desire to get outside and relax. The limitless amount of outdoor festivals, holidays and summer activities provide a perfect opportunity to escape the office and take a few personal days. While many employees fail to use at least one-third of their vacation time each year, it is important to remember that taking time-off is vital in the success of your career and personal well-being. Even if you work from home, it is important that you take a break once in a while and enjoy your time off and contractors, consultants and freelancers in particular should not consider themselves exempt from vacation time.

Time to rest and recharge

Despite the fact that many people neglect to take vacations because they are afraid they will fall behind in their work, taking time-off is actually crucial for those who work independently. It is easy to get burned out when you’re continuously working long hours on similar projects, which can lead to irritability, ineffectiveness and even an increased amount of time to complete projects. In order to keep referrals and work load up, freelancers need to be well-rested to carry out their best work.

Plan Accordingly

Before planning a vacation, it is important that you plan ahead and budget for time off.

• Save up enough money to cover the time you will not be working to cover your day to day expenses as well as the expenses you will accrue during your trip.
• Be sure to let your clients know when you will be gone. This not only gives them a heads up that you may not be able to be accessible to them if something comes up, but also gives them time to prepare for your absence should they need anything completed or any questions answered before you go. Letting your clients know well in advance that you will be gone will ensure there will be no misconceptions of your availability.

Commit to your Plans

• As soon as you have worked out when would be the best time to take a vacation, book it immediately! Make reservations as soon as possible so you can solidify your plans. Firming up your plans will keep you from cancelling your much deserved trip to work on projects that can truly wait until you return.
• Decide to leave all work-related technology at home. You will not get the most of your vacation if you are constantly checking your email and talking on your cell phone while you are supposed to be relaxing.
• Set up an out-of-office reply message on your email and update your voicemail with the dates you will be away. It is important to do this so everyone knows when you will be gone, when you will be back, and how they can contact you (or someone else who can help) if a really important issue emerges.

Making the Most of your Vacation

Since all vacations are unfortunately for just a limited amount of time, make sure you take full advantage of your situation.

• Bring a friend or your family. Sharing fun times with people you love will surely help you to de-stress, wind down, and make the most of your trip.
• Bring a book for the plane/ car ride. If you keep yourself busy reading, you won’t be tempted to turn on your Blackberry or laptop to do work or find new projects on Sologig.com.
• Take lots of pictures. When you get home, you can hang them up in your work space so even during times of stress, you will remember what it feels like to be relaxed.

Vacations are an important aspect of contract and freelance work. Make sure you take time each year to rejuvenate so you can be more productive in both your personal and professional life. When you come back from your time off, hopefully you will have a renewed perspective that may even help you land new clients!

A guide to hiring contractors, consultants and freelancers

By Maggie Zahm

OVERVIEW

Occasionally companies abstain from hiring independent talent because of uncertainty concerning the details of what they do, how they are paid, where to find them, etc. This confusion, however, should not deter companies from hiring consultants, contractors, and freelancers. This comprehensive guide will help shed light on the details of hiring independent talent, while explaining why now is an opportune time to begin.

Benefits

• With a slowing economy, the trend to hire independent talent is growing. In a recent study, 55% of companies said they currently, or plan to, use contract workers. The reason for this high number is because it is often times more beneficial for a company to hire independent talent in order to save costs. Because contract workers do not have the legal status of employees, companies reduce expenditure by eliminating expenses such as federal payroll taxes, the contractor’s Social Security and Medicare taxes, and their full-time benefits packages, among others.
• Companies are able to save time by hiring independent talent versus employees. The search for full-time employees can become a lengthy process when looking for someone that will be a perfect fit. Hiring independent professionals can alleviate stress and reduce time, thanks to niche job boards like Sologig.com. These job boards are ideal in quickly and efficiently connecting top contractors and consultants with quality employers looking to fill contract and consulting positions.

When to hire independent talent

• You have a project that does not necessitate a permanent or full time employee
• You need objective advice/ help
• You need someone with expertise in a specific field
• You do not have time to train an employee; you need someone who can be productive immediately
• You need temporary assistance

Before you choose a contractor

In order to reduce risk of confusion it is essential to complete the following tasks before you commit to hiring a contractor.

• Define and plainly state your specific goals of hiring. This way, neither you nor the candidate will be unclear about your needs.
• Discuss past projects potential hires have completed. This will give you insight into details such as how organized they are, if they demonstrate the ability to handle situations similar to the job you need completed, and if they have the experience to understand your company’s goals and the skill set to meet those goals. Be wary of candidates who avoid details or fail to explain things clearly.
• Ask to see samples of the work if possible. Samples are a great way to assess their quality of work.
• Check the potential hire’s policies. It is important to examine things like their rates, added rewrites or design fee, turnaround time, etc. before you sign a contract.
  Time to hire

After you have concluded that your company could benefit from the hiring of independent talent and taken all the necessary precautionary steps, you are ready to being the hiring process. Sologig.com is a valuable website that can help you connect with quality consultants, contractors, and freelancers. It is especially easy to search by keywords or location in order to simplify your contracting experience. Good luck getting started!

Check it out>> This article can also be used as a great resource for current consultants, contractors or freelancers or those looking for work so they know where to search for projects and know what to expect!