7 Strategies to Build Your Freelance Writing Career CareerMetis.com

7 Strategies to Build Your Freelance Writing Career â€" CareerMetis.com Photo Credit â€" Pexels.comSo you want to be a freelance writer?I can’t blame you. There’s a lot of freedom in it. You can go where you want, work during the time of day that suits you and be your own boss.At the same time, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. To get to where you can actually live off it can be challenging. It’s a bit of a catch-22 where you can’t get gigs until you’ve proven yourself, but you can’t prove yourself until you have some gigs.evalFortunately, there are ways out of this predicament. Here we are going to cover some of the better strategies for you to employ to get your Freelance writing career going.1) Start a WebsiteevalIt doesn’t have to be a blog, but you’ve got to have some place out there where you can showcase the work you’ve done. This is particularly true as it has never been easier to start something like this and make it look pretty good.Why go through the effort when you can just send links to prospective editors?For several r easons:It means you’re far easier to find and it gives you a place that you can link to in all the articles that get put online in your name.On a website, you decide how it looks, what pictures get associated and the general layout. And though you might not think that matters, it does. We are subconsciously influenced by a wide number of characteristics.A website means that when people Google you, chances are a great deal better that they see what you want them to see, rather than whatever else is out there. And that is an effective bit of personal branding.If you’re at the beginning of your career, this is where you can post articles, for example by starting a blog, to showcase your expertise. People are far more likely to hire you if they’ve got some kind of work sample to look at.2) SpecializeParticularly when you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to focus on one area. That doesn’t mean you can’t write about other areas. If the opportunity presents itself, by a ll means, do. But when possible aim to write in your area.The reason for this is quite straightforward. When an editor is looking to fill a job, they generally don’t think about generalists. They think about specialists who’ve demonstrated expertise in that area before.As a specialist you can take your area of expertise and put a big fat equals sign behind it, followed by your name in the minds of your audience.3) Accept rejectionIf you’re not getting regularly rejected as a freelance writer, you’re not trying hard enough. It’s part and parcel of the job.evalDon’t take it personally. Don’t see it as a sign of failure.Instead, see it as the dead bodies that you’ve got to climb over to get where you’re trying to go. Sure, it isn’t nice, but it’s necessary.There are even people that argue that you should aim to be rejected. I’m not sure I’d go that far. I personally just shrug my shoulders and move on. Often I’ll even take the idea that got rejected, re-imag ine it and shoot if off to the next publication.4) Aim highOkay, not every attempt at a writing job should be at the upper echelon of writing opportunities. At the same time, don’t always aim for the D-grade publications. Consistently and constantly keep applying for the higher level jobs.evalSure, they’ll reject you and reject you and reject you; until the day when they don’t. And the moment that happens you’ll have a publication at one of the higher level publications, which in turn will open so many doors that you can’t believe.At that point, you might even be able to leave the D-grade publications behind entirely.And what have those rejections cost you? Absolutely nothing as long as you can take them in stride and accept that they’re par for the course.eval5) Have a steady contractFor me, the steady work that I’ve gotten from one or two clients has been a life-saver. Sure, I don’t always enjoy the work and it doesn’t pay as well as some other gigs, but it means that I’ve got a basic income.From there I’ve got the freedom to shoot for the moon, work on longer term projects and more.In fact, I think that I wouldn’t have written some of the most successful articles if I wouldn’t have had this job to back me up, as I would never have had the courage to try for them. I’d have been too busy finding ways to get food on the table.Note that there is one big risk to these contracts. You can get complacent and stop aiming for better-paid jobs. In that case, you can get stuck in a rut. Don’t let that happen. My advice is to set a goal that you’re approaching at least so many new publications and editors with ideas a week.6) NetworkKeep in touch with the people that have given you jobs. Say ‘thank you’ and ‘hello’ to anybody and everybody that might be interested in your work. You never know where you might meet them again and in what positions.Has somebody that shares your interests?evalThen definitely keep in touch with them! S ure, they might not be able to use you at the publication they’re at, but people don’t stick in jobs forever. They might move on and if you’ve built up a good relationship, then they might remember you in the next place they’re at. And that can mean new writing opportunities and new clients.7) Keep working at itWriting is something that you can keep getting better at. So, make sure you keep working at your career and that you keep working at getting good writing skills.As long as there is a rising line, you shouldn’t give up â€" even if you do need to get the occasional day job to keep you going

Worlds funniest flight attendant - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Worlds funniest flight attendant - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog This flight attendant is funnier than most stand up comedians. I just love how his coworkers cant help but laugh along. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Non-profits are hiring; are you a good fit -

Non-profits are hiring; are you a good fit - Theres reason to be optimistic about hiring in the non-profit sector. In a recent post for Forbes.com, Kerry Hannon shares information about a new Idealist.org survey of 3,000 U.S. nonprofit organizations. Organizations are planning on hiring more people. Of those who replied, 42 percent plan to hire new positions and nearly half will fill positions that become vacant. Program or service staff are top of the list. Administrative, communications, accounting and finance personnel, and technology experts are on the to-be hired scrolls too. She notes that Idealist, which specializes in non-profit postings, has had a significant jump in job postings in 2011. If you are interested in making a switch to non-profit work, Laura Gassner Otting, author of Change Your Career, Transitioning to the Non-Profit Sector, and founder and president of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, an executive search firm helping identify candidates for the non-profit sector, is an experienced authority on hiring in the mission-driven space. She explained how current trends affect how non-profits and their boards hire and what skills job seekers wishing to transition to non-profit jobs should highlight. Gassner Otting explained several seismic changes in non-profits in the past five to 10 years that affect hiring practices for non-profit organizations. Read her comments on my U.S. News World Report blog. photo by Felix the Cat

The Best Resume Writing Service

The Best Resume Writing ServiceWith so many companies offering the best resume writing service Chicago Engineers, it can be difficult to choose which company to use. Before you select a company, there are a few things that you need to consider.First of all, you should make sure that the resume writing service is not only professional but also has years of experience. Make sure that the company is able to handle your resume and ensure that the staff and other professionals have the skills necessary to put together the perfect resume. Also, make sure that the company has the necessary licenses and certifications for doing resume writing.Since so many companies offer the best resume writing service, it can be hard to pick out the best company. You should know what you are looking for in a resume. Take into consideration whether or not the resume would be relevant to the job position you are applying for. For example, if you are looking for a job in accounting, you would probably want to write a business-related resume instead of one that focuses on education.It can be overwhelming at first when you are trying to decide what company to choose from a long list of companies. However, do not panic. There are many things that you can do to make sure that you are happy with the resume and the services that you receive. Start by hiring a professional resume writer to help you choose the right one.You should also check the credentials of the professional resume writer. This is done by asking for references and by going online to see what type of qualifications the resume writer has. The resume writer should also have years of experience in the resume writing industry. Once you have done this, you will know that you are getting the most out of your resume writing service.When you are choosing the best resume writing service Chicago Engineers, try to take their recommendations. The resume writer you choose should be someone you can trust. When choosing a company, be sure th at you take their recommendation and experience into consideration.When you are ready to start writing your resume, make sure that you also consider the best resume writing service Chicago Engineers and hire them. Then, when you apply for your new job, you will already know exactly what to say about yourself to get the job you are applying for.

How Your Bad Job Makes You Poor

How Your Bad Job Makes You Poor In the mid-1990s, I accepted a position at a large consulting firm in suburban Chicago. This was only my second “real” job post-college and I was delighted because this single career move bumped up my salary 20%. I realized my mistake quickly. My very first day on that sprawling corporate campus confirmed the place was a terrible fit. I hated every minute of it… two years worth of minutes, to be exact. Looking back, that job may have made my paychecks a little fatter and put a shine on my resume, but it cost me a lot, too. If you find yourself in a similar situation, it might be time to ask if all that misery is actually costing you money. Here are six ways that job you hate just might be keeping you poor. 1. It Keeps You Busy Even a job you hate has a way of consuming your day. It’s nearly impossible to find time to explore higher paying opportunities, invest in your education, network with other professionals, or properly plan for the future. In the end, what keeps you busy can easily keep you stuck. (See also: 8 Ways to Take a Break at Work and Still Look Busy) 2. It Stresses You Out Working at jobs we hate can be particularly stressful and exhausting. We often cope by trying to eliminate all other stressors and pursuing a life of absolute convenience. Forget taking public transit to work; drive and pay to park instead. Forget packing your lunch; dine out. Forget housework and yard work; just hire it done. It all adds up to this cold, hard fact: Stress is expensive. (See also: 13 Cheap Ways to Beat Stress) 3. It Might be Making You Sick The connection between mental and physical health has been proven time and again. If you’re unhappy at work, it affects other parts of your life, including your physical well-being. And (surprise!) being sick is usually bad for your budget. 4. It’s a Constant Punishment That Requires a Constant Reward If you’re dragging yourself to a job you hate day after day, you deserve some sort of pay off, right? And the more the job seems like a punishment, the bigger the reward needs to be. A new car, an indulgent vacation, and a bigger house may feel like fair compensation for your efforts. But unchecked, those things can create a debt trap that keeps you poor and limits your choices. 5. It Saps Your Motivation I call it the Who Cares? Syndrome. If you’re in a job you hate, it’s extremely hard to motivate yourself. Who cares if you get promoted? Who cares if you get a raise? Who cares if you spend too much money? Who cares if you fund your 401K? Without that primary motivator â€" being invested in a job you care about and enjoy â€" everything else becomes less important. Plans don’t get made and all sorts of goals fall by the wayside. 6. It Feeds Your Fear People stay in jobs they hate for a number of reasons, and I don’t want to suggest that everyone has the luxury of choice. But often fear can keep us stuck in negative situations both personally and professionally. Over time, we lose confidence, stop looking for new opportunities, and settle for a life of less. From how we work, to how we love, to how we manage our money â€" fear limits our potential. I still remember the afternoon my phone rang with a job offer â€" a new job that allowed me to bid a final, enthusiastic farewell to the one I’d detested for two whole years. I think a few joyous expletives were involved… and maybe an air punch. I gave my required two weeks’ notice immediately and never looked back. And though there have been the inevitable ups and downs since, moving on enriched my life in more ways than one. More From Wise Bread: 10 Words to Never Use in a Job Interview Using Times New Roman on Your Résumé Is Like Wearing Sweatpants to an Interview 10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Become More Hirable 10 Words to Never Use in a Job Interview Using Times New Roman on Your Résumé Is Like Wearing Sweatpants to an Interview 10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Become More Hirable Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

How To Answer Surprise Interview Questions - Work It Daily

How To Answer Surprise Interview Questions - Work It Daily Many interviews, whether they are for jobs in IT or jobs in admin, will contain surprise interview questions. Normally, they will be questions about experience and motivation, but that won't always be the case. Unexpected questions will sometimes be asked to see how someone thinks on their feet, rather than having a prepared response for an expected question. Testing A Person's Character For interviewees who have attended many interviews at similar jobs, for instance, their questions are often ready before the questions are posed. For the prospective employer the answers may reveal a lot about a person's experience and motivation, but not necessarily much about a person's character or how they will fit in with fellow employees. The unexpected question will often take an interviewee by surprise, especially when an interview begins in a stereotypical way. An interviewee will often seem confident when the questions asked are the expected ones, but when something unusual is thrown at him or her the confident exterior will sometimes vanish, and they may become flustered. On the other hand, the interviewee, who takes even the unexpected in their stride, may well have done enough to have landed the job. An interviewer may ask questions of a personal nature that revolve around your beliefs, to determine signs of prejudice or unethical views. They may also make an outrageous comment to see how you react. Bearing this in mind, you should always give an honest response. Unexpected questions are used to test how a person would react to something happening unexpectedly or in an emergency. Something unexpected could be an argument between colleagues or the sudden loss of an important order. An emergency could be a fire breaking out in an office, or someone becoming very ill at work. Employees will sometimes see the unexpected question as a way of determining how an employee would deal with these types of difficult situations. Be Prepared For The Unexpected In all aspects of life, quick and more instinctive decisions have to be made, and no amount of qualifications can fully cover unexpected events. The perfect applicant to many employees is someone with knowledge and experience, and who has the ability to be flexible in challenging situations. Anyone going to an interview should always be prepared, but they should also be relaxed. An interviewee should remember that it's an interview and not a trial. The calmer the interviewee is the easier they will find it to deal with all the various types of questions asked. If a question throws you, take your time in answering it, and try and appear unflustered. Always be prepared for the expected questions at an interview, but always be aware of what's round the corner and take as long as you need to answer. Deliberation is better than giving a quick and inappropriate response. Try and appear cheerful throughout - even if you feel you have given the wrong response to some interview questions. Your perception of how things are going are often going to be different to the interviewer's. Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

4 Common Networking Mistakes To Avoid

4 Common Networking Mistakes To Avoid Networking can be fun, I promise. Its about finding your tribe and helping one anotzu sich advance in your careers. In fact, lets start a movement where we eliminate the word networking and replace it with tribe cultivation. Ill bet people wont cringe when we suggest a tribe cultivation event.There are a few common mistakes and misconceptions that drive the negative views toward networking. Be sure to avoid behauptung networking mistakes when attending your next networking event or meeting. Youll enjoy yourself more and see better results.1. OverperformingNetworking is about building relationships and staying at the forefront of peoples minds for the right reasons. Present the best version of yourself, not your best guess as to what the person youre speaking with wants to see. Most of us can spot inauthenticity and schmoozing a mile away, so know your value and practice your pitch to authentically present yourself in the best possible light.2. T hinking one meeting is enoughWouldnt it be nice if networking was one and done? Its not. I regularly share a story of an experience I had early on in my career. A woman whom I didnt know reached out and invited me for coffee. We hit it off and I was really impressed by her experience and professionalism. I promptly recommended her for a job at a company where I had strong relationships. The next time we were supposed to get together, she didnt show up. Excuses persisted for subsequent meetings and I quickly learned that I had recommended her before ensuring she was someone I could put my name behind. This story is a lesson for both sides. As a candidate, be sure to follow up, show up, and provide value. As a potential referrer, ensure you know as much as you can about the candidate before you make a recommendation. Your name is on the line.3. Winging itAlways have an behuf before walking into a networking event or conversation and be ready for a contact to ask how she can help. Netw orking meetings and events can be a whirlwind of activity and your mind will probably be going a mile a minute. In preparation for the meeting, perfect your pitch so you know what information youd like to share and consider practicing with a friend or trusted colleague to be sure your message is striking the intended tone. Before you walk in, think about what you want to get from the meeting so you can drive discussions toward that end.4. Overlooking your current networkYour network is much larger than you think. Your current and former colleagues are just the tip of the iceberg. You may have a small network as a systems analyst, but that isnt the only thing that defines you. Are you a weekend volleyball player? Mother? Friend? Volunteer? Pianist? You know lots of people through those avenues, in addition to your professional life, and they should be labeled as important contacts. A client recently shared with me that her close friend is a famous Spanish guitarist. I never would hav e known or guessed that she had that connection, but its there. It would have been a mistake to dismiss her as someone with no connections in the music industry only because she works in Human Resources. Share your search and the value you provide with everyone. You just never knowNetworking er, tribe cultivation is an essential part of job searching and career advancement. Stay away from these four very common pitfalls and youll be on your way to building authentic relationships that can help you in your career and beyond.--Alyson Garrido is passionate about helping people advance their careers and find jobs they will enjoy. As a career coach, she partners with her clients to identify their strengths and create a path toward a more fulfilling career. Learn more at www.alysongarrido.com.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer