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Can’t Find A Job? Be a Free Agent.
During a job search, many people consider
consulting or project work. Unfortunately, finding interesting
consulting work isn’t always easy, however here are few ideas to
get you started as a successful independent contractor.
If you are out of work, your former
employer or other companies in your industry may be interested
in having you do some consulting work. It's good for the
employer because someone familiar with the company and/or
industry is doing the work. The work may be steady and the pay
good for a specified period of time, but inevitably, like most
project work, it will end. So be sure to continue your job
search or look for new consulting projects even when you are
busy on your current project.
Project or consulting work can often lead
to a permanent position, or at least allow ample time to job
search if you are careful about which jobs you accept. Ask
yourself: Is the opportunity with a good company? Could the
temporary work lead to full-time employment? You may even want
to get two or three outsourced jobs, putting you in touch with
two or three prospective employers. of the fact is, most
temporary work can turn into a full-time position if you are
able to make a positive impact and prove your long-term value.
Don’t forget however, job searching is in itself can be a
full-time job. If you are temporarily working at a company where
there is no future for you, you could be wasting your time, and
taking valuable energy and effort away from the important task
of getting a full-time position.
When doing consulting work, ask if the
company is hiring full time at that office or other company
locations. If the person you are directly consulting for is not
hiring, he or she may know of someone else in the company who
is. Take advantage of your time in the company's office.
Personally visit the people who may be hiring. You will have a
head start on your competition because you are already working
for the company and have the trust of someone at the firm.
Even if you cannot find someone hiring full
time, you still have expanded your list of job-lead contacts.
Ask them if they know other people you could meet.
Project work also allows you to expand your
job search and apply your skills to other industries. Let's say,
for instance, you are a laid-off copywriter for an advertising
agency. You can consult not only for other agencies but also for
businesses that have their own in-house advertising departments.
Through consulting work, you can get exposed to the client side
of the business.
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