Guest post written by Fabio Rosati
Fabio Rosati is CEO of Elance.
Fabio RosatiFor years, Americans have been subjected to a steady drumbeat of doom-and-gloom news about employment and the state of the economy. Scratch below the surface, and you’ll find a revolution in the job market that’s quickly changing the way people find and complete work.
Just a generation ago, a typical employee could land a job right out of college with a big company, and reasonably expect to stay there for his or her entire career. Contrast that with this startling statistic from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: as of 2010, the average time an American worker stays at a job is less than four and a half years.
What’s more, the old way of matching available jobs with qualified employees is riddled with inefficiencies. Companies are limited to employees who live close enough to commute, and workers are forced to adapt their unique skills to whatever opportunities they happen to find in the local help-wanted ads. Employees and employers alike end up trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
As the idea of a pension and gold watch at retirement fades away, an increasing number of workers are taking matters into their own hands by becoming a “business of one.” By declaring their independence – and joining the growing number of freelance workers – they can match specific skill sets with an endless global pool of opportunities. Independent workers are offered the flexibility of working on their own terms, setting schedules and controlling workloads that fit their lifestyles.
None of this would have been possible just a few years ago. Freelancers used to rely on exchanging business cards at networking events, putting up flyers at local shops and sending out postcards to nearby businesses. “Freelancers 1.0” marketed themselves locally and their reach was limited to how far they could drive in a day. Workflow could be inconsistent, and billing was a constant nightmare. The risk/reward profile of leaving steady employment kept all but the most intrepid workers from striking out on their own.
Today, the opportunities for independent workers have exploded. With a few keystrokes, freelancers can build a professional online presence and connect with business opportunities anywhere, at any time. Contractors can set up virtual storefronts and “offices” that impress potential clients with project portfolios and enthusiastic reviews from satisfied customers, even if their real office is a spare bedroom or local coffee shop. And all the paperwork and red tape that used to give freelancers fits is now handled automatically by many online services, freeing contractors up to focus on growing their businesses.
But as with new companies of all sizes, building a successful “business of one” takes time and careful planning. Relying on the Internet for business leads opens contractors up to a world of opportunity, but also a world of competition. The most successful freelancers are the ones who stand out from the crowd. Here are a few tips if you’re looking to get started:
Every hiring decision is a personal one, so make sure your personality comes through when you contact potential employers. You are much more likely to be hired if you’re enthusiastic about why the position is right for you. At the end of every job is another person who wants to know what it’s like to work with you, so don’t make them guess about who you are.
The traditional resume is dying. Talented professionals can’t do justice to their skills on a single sheet of paper, which is why many are turning to digital portfolios that go well beyond the written word. Free sites abound that allow you to showcase your portfolio and highlight your expertise; you’re a three-dimensional talent, so stop relying on a two-dimensional resume.
In the past, freelancers relied on word of mouth and reference letters to land new business. The Internet works in much the same way, except that everything is magnified. Contingent, project-based work allows freelancers to assemble a varied work history with verifiable feedback from past clients. It’s never been easier to show off your track record of meeting or exceeding your clients’ needs.
One of the myths of the Internet is that if you build a Web presence, people will come. As a “business of one” you can’t sit back passively; instead, be proactive and contact the job poster to ensure you are considered for the positions you want. Most employment sites allow you to contact the job poster directly to show your interest and explain why you are a great fit for the position.
Embrace the new job marketplaceThe Web is a tailor-made platform for freelance workers. Online employment sites effectively connect contractors with companies in need of specific talents, allowing freelancers to secure a relatively steady stream of work, while making billing easy. Freelancers can also gain a real-time view of market trends, the skills that are most in-demand and the competition they face. These efficiencies mean less time marketing, and more time working. And as the online employment marketplace matures, independent workers can find demand for practically any white-collar skill.
If the old way of working feels out of date in today’s digital world, it may be time for you to take the leap and become a “business of one.” The opportunities are limitless and while you’ll still have to work hard to gain an edge, the tools to help you succeed have never been more accessible.
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