It can be overwhelming to navigate the freelance market. Of the<a href="https://ddiy.co/freelance-statistics/"> </a><a href="https://ddiy.co/freelance-statistics/">3.38 billion</a> people in the global workforce, 1.57 billion are freelancers. It can seem like a wild world! But breathe. We'll tell you how to continue earning a good income by freelancing today. Feeling that "you are not alone" might be scary initially, but that is also an assurance. Why? Because we are in a gig economy.
Because you are in demand, because you have the skills, now you need a roadmap. This article will give you that and more. Let's go! 
<h2>Who is a Freelancer? </h2>
A better term for a "freelancer" is a "solopreneur." A freelancer does not work with just one employer or company but instead works independently on a project-by-project basis.
They're the cool cats of the working world, with the freedom to set their hours, choose their projects, and work from wherever they want. They're a little bit entrepreneur, a little bit artist, and their own bosses. 
<h2>The Perks of Being a Freelancer in 2023 </h2>
<ul>
<li> You have flexible working hours. You decide when you want to work. All you need to take care of is meeting deadlines. You are your boss (and can be in pajamas!)</li>
<li> You are location-independent, so travel and become a digital nomad! You can still keep that stream of income coming. You also save time and money on intercity travel.</li>
<li> You can undertake a diverse range of projects. This will also keep you interested and ward off monotony. </li>
<li> There is no limit to how much you can earn. The more work you take on, the more money you make.</li>
<li> You can have a<a href="https://www.gettinghired.com/blog/4539/benefits-of-remote-jobs-from-flexibility-to-work-life-balance-or-getting-hired"> </a>better work-life balance and more time for things you are passionate about. For example, 70% of freelancers, who were part of a<a href="https://ddiy.co/freelance-statistics/"> </a>survey, said they were doing what they were for an improved work-life balance. There is a flip side to this too. You can overwork yourself and have weekend deadlines. You should know where to draw the line. </li>
<li> No workplace politics!</li>
</ul>
 
<div><img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/kyvEK13SR1GPfeOh4zeg"> </div>
<h2>10 Tips to Navigate the Freelance Market in 2023</h2>
<h3> Find Your Niche</h3>
Being a Jack or Jill of all trades might not work in your favor. So instead, pick a niche and become an expert at what you do. This will help you stand out from the crowd and get you gigs constantly. 
<h3>Look Up</h3>
Not many understand the importance of having a positive attitude toward freelancing. Stay positive, have a good attitude, and nothing can stop you. What do we mean by a good attitude? Let's explain that with an example.
Let's say a client rejected your assignment without an explanation. Taking the rejection to heart might not work out well for you. If you understand they are rejecting your work and not rejecting you, you can deal with it better. Ask for detailed feedback and move on! 
<h3>Networking</h3>
Not all freelancers are comfortable with going out and talking to people. But that is not all that we mean by networking. Networking today can also mean having an online presence, interacting with people online, and posting on platforms like LinkedIn to get to know others.
You can also get to know people at events that are not meant for that purpose -- say, story sessions or open mics. 
<h3>Consistency</h3>
You may have to start small, but the important thing is to keep going. Don't slack off because you do not have someone to oversee your work. Self-discipline is the keyword! 
<h3>Upskill Constantly</h3>
Learning and growth should never stop. You can never know everything. Having that modesty and a curious mind will not only help you increase your skill level but also help you stay relevant. For instance, if you are a writer, take a course in a different writing genre.
Take a grammar assessment. Learn another language. 
<h3>Build a Good Portfolio</h3>
Have a portfolio ready of what you can do, what you have done, and a brief about yourself. Having a website is a must today. Build one and upload your articles there. 
<h3>Choose Strategically</h3>
In the beginning, you may take up anything that comes your way to make a buck. Change that with time. Choose what you are interested in and what also pays well.
What tasks would look good on your portfolio? What would you really enjoy working on? 
<h3>Set Your Goals</h3>
One of the biggest mistakes most freelancers make is to work without a goal instead of towards one.
The plan could be anything. To work with 100 clients in 5 years. To have USD 10000 to travel. To save up for retirement. To have x number of followers. To become an expert in your field. This would help you get some perspective. It will also keep you motivated. 
<h3>Seek Mentorship</h3>
There are people in every profession who have been there and done that. Seeking their advice can help you avoid making the mistakes they had. They can guide you when you are stuck, help you network, and more. 
<h3>Bonus</h3>
<ul>
<li> Collect client testimonials and showcase them wherever you can. People trust other people more than ads. </li>
<li> Have a blog (text, audio, or video), even if you are not a writer. For example, if you are an SAP expert, write thought leadership posts on that. Show that you know what you are doing. </li>
<li> Lastly, ALWAYS deliver. Meet deadlines. Understand the brief. And exceed expectations. This helps in cultivating trust. </li>
</ul>
 Challenges are another essential thing you need to be aware of while navigating the freelance job market. Brace for those. Expect the worst and prepare for that so you are not caught off guard. 
<hr>

<h4 style="text-align: center;">Searching for a new position or switching careers? To apply and discover more about opportunities that are HIRING NOW, create an account at <a href="https://www.careercircle.com" rel="follow">careercircle.com</a>! </h4>

Are you a freelancer with a great set of skills? All you need is a roadmap to navigate that market. We've got that for you.

Navigating the Freelance Market | Getting Hired

Navigating the Freelance Market

Remote work has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years. While it was already growing, the COVID-19 pandemic caused it to skyrocket out of necessity. However, many people are still working remotely thanks to the benefits it brings. For employers, remote work means reduced overhead, greater productivity, and happier workers. For employees, it allows for <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/real-estate/our-insights/americans-are-embracing-flexible-work-and-they-want-more-of-it" rel="noopener" target="_blank">greater flexibility</a> and the opportunity for a healthier work-life balance. 
But, the popularity of remote work has caused the job market to become somewhat &ldquo;saturated&rdquo; with potential candidates. Even if you have experience and skill, you might have a hard time standing out if you don&rsquo;t take a few extra steps. 
So, what can you do to get ahead in a candidate pool that seems to be ever-growing? How can you be the candidate a potential employer looks at and wants to interview right away? Let&rsquo;s cover a few effective and helpful tips that can make your remote work job search more successful. 
<h2>Understand Common Hiring Practices</h2>
More companies are hiring remote workers across the globe. Not only is it cost-effective for businesses, but it allows them to pull candidates from a larger talent pool, so they can ensure they&rsquo;re getting the best people for each role. You might be that person for a specific job, but it&rsquo;s important to understand the hiring processes of companies doing a lot of remote work. 
For example, some companies practice cluster hiring, where they recruit several remote workers from one specific area of the country. Some of the benefits of this practice for businesses include: 
<ul>
<li> Increased diversity</li>
<li> Greater inclusivity</li>
<li> Boosted collaboration</li>
<li> Better connection and communication</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Take a look at companies that might be looking for employees in your area. By showcasing where you&rsquo;re from and how close you are to the &ldquo;cluster&rdquo; you&rsquo;re looking for, you could stand out and become a part of a smaller pond of candidates, rather than competing against an entire ocean of prospective recruits. 
<h2>Leverage Remote Skills</h2>
Once you have an idea of what a company is looking for and how they&rsquo;re hiring, it&rsquo;s time to leverage your skills to fit the needs of a business that&rsquo;s going remote. The skills you&rsquo;ve built that are necessary for a specific role will always be important. However, leveraging skills that will help you stand out as a remote employee is just as necessary if you want to be desirable. Some of those skills include: 
<ul>
<li> Working independently</li>
<li> Maintaining productivity</li>
<li> Strong communication</li>
<li> Time management</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Including those things in your resume and cover letter will likely cause an employer to give you a second look. It can also help if you have some of the current in-demand skillsets for landing a remote job. Things like marketing, web design, HR skills, finance, and customer support are all trending right now in the remote world. While you don&rsquo;t need to be an expert in those areas, you might consider capitalizing on those skills if you&rsquo;re having trouble standing out from the crowd. 
<h2>Foster Strong Connections</h2>
One of the greatest benefits of remote work can also be a potential drawback, depending on the people involved. We&rsquo;ve seen great advancements in technology over the last several years. That&rsquo;s what has made remote work possible for so many people. In fact, <a href="https://telegramd.com/why-the-trend-toward-digitalization-is-a-great-equalizer/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">technology has become a great equalizer</a> in recent years, allowing businesses to level the playing field for disadvantaged and <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/blog/post/building-confidence-in-the-job-search-a-guide-fo" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">underrepresented groups</a>. That&rsquo;s great for employers as it allows them to choose from a more diverse group of candidates, but it also means more competition for recruits. 
The advancements in technology haven&rsquo;t just made remote work more accessible for everyone. They&rsquo;ve also made it easier for people to stay connected. However, some remote employees have a hard time feeling like they &ldquo;belong&rdquo; if they&rsquo;re not getting enough human interaction. 
You want to find a healthy balance that works for you from the start. As you&rsquo;re trying to network throughout your job search, don&rsquo;t be afraid to reach out to people and start conversations. If you get selected for an interview, prepare yourself for a video chat or phone call. Get comfortable using different modes of communication to connect with people, because you might never actually meet them face to face. 
By showing that you&rsquo;re comfortable using technology to communicate (and showing that you can use it well), you&rsquo;re more likely to stand out to a potential employer. No matter where people are working, strong communication in the workplace is essential. When you understand how to use technology to your advantage and know how to communicate across multiple channels, an employer will not only see you as a great team player, but a potential leader in the future. 
The rise of remote work is a good thing, but you&rsquo;ll have to reach a little further to stand out as a candidate than you would have five years ago. Thankfully, with a few extra steps, you can prove to any potential employer that you&rsquo;re the right person for the job, and stand out in your hiring pool no matter how many people you&rsquo;re competing against. 
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Searching for a new position or switching careers? To apply and discover more about opportunities that are HIRING NOW, create an account at <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/candidates/signup" rel="follow">careercircle.com</a>!&nbsp; </h4>
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<hr>

Content Contributor:
Ainsley Lawrence is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She is interested in better living through technology and education. She loves traveling to beautiful places and is frequently lost in a good book.

Discover the benefits and challenges of remote work and learn how to thrive in a virtual environment. Stay productive with our tips.

Be a Stand-Out Candidate: Remote Work Search | Getting Hired

Be a Stand-Out Candidate: Remote Work Search

Professional culture in the US continues to evolve as the world around us grows and expands, and many of the most significant areas of development grow out of our DEI spaces. Conversations have moved from focusing on inclusion and equity to including language around intersectionality. A concept originally coined by US legal scholar Kimberl&eacute; Crenshaw in the late 1980s, is the theory that our various social identities (gender, ability, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, etc.) create unique overlap that can contribute to increased risk of oppression or discrimination. 
According to the World Economic Forum, for example, the gender wage gap in the US is predicted to close for white women in roughly thirty years, this number is estimated at over one hundred years for black women and over two hundred years for Hispanic women. The same article tells us that &ldquo;more than half of lesbian, bisexual, and trans-Black and minority ethnic women (54%) reported unwanted touching (in the workplace) compared to around one-third of white women (31%). 
Imagine a typical in-person interview scenario. The candidate is brought into an office to meet with the interviewer. They may shake hands, make strong eye contact, and smile at one another. Sitting across the desk from one another, they engage the interview material through conversation. Once concluded, more handshaking and smiles before they go their separate ways. Most interviewers will consider many &ldquo;soft skills&rdquo; when evaluating how the interview went &ndash; was the person friendly, did they appear confident, did they seem like a strong team player? These impressions can go a long way in sifting out who will or will not be considered moving forward for the role. If the interviewee has autism, however, they could be uncomfortable with eye contact or physical contact. A person requiring a communication device or with an accent might need additional time to process question-and-answer discussions. A gender-fluid individual may have a physical presentation that doesn&rsquo;t appear to align with more conservative binary dress code expectations. Any of these biases could exclude a strongly qualified candidate based strictly on hiring criteria that don&rsquo;t reflect the position&rsquo;s needs. When you start combining these attributes, the likelihood that the bias will be prohibitive only increases. These same obstacles can be seen not only in recruiting but also in considering who to promote, include in development opportunities, exposure to higher level leaders, and ultimately can impact retention and employee satisfaction. 
Those within the LGBTQ+ community continue to face policies and systems that inherently encourage invisibility in the workplace. More than 40% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and almost 90% of transgender people have experienced employment discrimination, harassment, or mistreatment according to Getting Hired. When this identity is layered with gender, race, neurodivergence, ethnicity, or ability it is clear we still have a lot of work to do. However, organizations&rsquo; continued commitment to progressive, systemic DEI initiatives ensures that we are moving in the right direction as we continue to important questions:
<ul>
<li>Can we rethink our physical locations to increase accessibility? Should this include alternate work schedules or remote possibilities?</li>
<li>Are our evaluation matrices influenced by factors that aren&rsquo;t truly performance-based?</li>
<li>Do we carve out opportunities for development and advancement for the underrepresented?</li>
<li>How can we invite the voices of those impacted by our policies to inform the changes we need to make?</li>
</ul>
 In the meantime, whatever our role we can work individually to create space for others to be seen, heard, and met as they are to promote authenticity that impacts our day-to-day excellence in the ever-changing corporate landscape of America.
&nbsp;
Sources &ndash; Learn More:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/diversity-inclusion-equality-intersectionality/">How intersectionality affects diversity and inclusion at work | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hbr.org/2022/06/an-intersectional-approach-to-inclusion-at-work">An Intersectional Approach to Inclusion at Work (hbr.org)</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp; Content Contributor: <a aria-label="Mandy Kampen - opens in new tab" data-uw-rm-brl="exc" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-kampen/" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Mandy Kampen LinkedIn Profile" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-kampen/$mandykampen"> Mandy Kampen</a>&nbsp;is a Program Specialist with AGS's Caterpillar team. She is an avid hobbyist, a self-proclaimed "indoor cat" who loves all things dedicated to nerdiness, spirituality, or wellness. Her current home is in Peoria, IL with her fianc&eacute; Angela and their two furbabies, Baxter and Sir Henry Fancypants the Third.&nbsp; 
<hr>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">Searching for a new position or switching careers? To apply and discover opportunities with our inclusive partners that are HIRING NOW, create an account at <a href="https://www.careercircle.com/candidates/signup" rel="follow">careercircle.com</a>! </h4>

Gain valuable insights on fostering inclusive work environments that goes beyond stereotypes & embraces the power of diversity.

Beyond Labels: Celebrating Intersectionality and LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace | Getting Hired

Beyond Labels: Celebrating Intersectionality and LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace

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Keep up to date with CareerCircle's latest blog posts on keeping an inclusive workforce.

Navigating the Freelance Market

Be a Stand-Out Candidate: Remote Work Search

Beyond Labels: Celebrating Intersectionality and LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace

Navigating the Freelance Market

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