We asked our freelance experts to help you build a toolbox for getting your next gig.

Should you have a resume? What about a standard cover letter? Are there are other tools that will help?

Two of our experts weigh in today – and we’ll have more tips to help you fill your gig-getting toolbox this week!

A Portfolio Could Be the Key

I work on a freelance basis regularly, as well as hire freelancers. I don’t have a resume and I don’t ask the freelancers I work with for a resume. That’s because that particular document rarely showcases what a freelancer can do. I find that from both perspectives, a good portfolio is more effective at landing a gig.

– Thursday Bram, Founder, Enhanced Freelance

 

Do You Know Who YOU Are?

Whether you are job seeker or a freelancer, your resume or “About Me” document or cover letter should include an idea of what you are seeking and your work experience PLUS a bulleted or easy-to-scan inventory of your services, strengths, and skills.

In my book The Intentional Networker, the first few chapters aren’t about networking per se but about the importance of knowing yourself, your strengths, and what you want. THEN it’s your job to communicate these via an authentic and appropriate brand, which in some cases begins with your resume or a cover letter. People can’t determine if they want to know, hire, work with, or help you unless they clearly see these things on paper and in your presence.

– Patti DeNucci, Author of The Intentional Networker: Attracting Powerful Relationships, Referrals & Results in Business

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Thanks to Thursday and Patti for those tips!

A portfolio is a great way to showcase the work that you’ve done – it will definitely help show potential employers that you not only have thes skills, but that you’ve actually done the work.

And Patti has a great point about figuring out who you are and what kind of gig you want to get. That will help you refine your resume, portfolio, website or any other tool you have in your toolbox for getting your next gig.

 


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