All posts filed under: career advice

How to be a Marginally Successful Freelance Writer

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Whilst we all know freelance writers exist, becoming one sounds almost impossible. Surely being paid to work from home, never having to get out of your pajamas and effectively being able to stay in bed all day is too good to be true? Note: This article refers to non-fiction writing and is for people who want to be professional journalists, bloggers etc. Fiction writing is probably similar and some of these tips will still apply, but if fiction is your thing you will have a slightly different process. This also refers quite exclusively to online writing, journalism, blogging etc. My office The bad news Becoming an online freelance writer is easier than you think, but if you’re expecting immediate riches (or any substantial money at all for the first few months) then you’ll be disappointed. Unless you are very, very lucky you won’t instantly become a respected writer for a well-known website. Don’t expect regular wages When you do start getting paid (and you will if you keep at it) it won’t be a substantial …

10 Highly Recommended Conferences for Young Entrepreneurs in 2016

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There are many events geared towards entrepreneurs that take place throughout each year. Here are 10 events worth looking into in 2016.

5 Skills You Should Consider Adding To Your Resume

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As history demonstrates, the working force is constantly changing. Given the technology of our current age, there are a few skills you should strongly consider adding to your resume.

How Do You Protect Yourself From Bad Clients

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Originally posted on MiddleMe:
I am always talking about putting yourself out there, pushing yourself forward to meet your clients’ needs, while there are plenty of great clients out there, there are nasty ones as well, right down to scammers who would, without a blink of an eye, take your work and not pay you. Worst case, they blacklist you. To me, a loss of profits is a part of doing business, however, it is a matter of integrity and your precious time, effort and work that does not get the appreciation it deserves. So to all the freelancers out there, today I am going to run some tips on how to protect yourself. Use 3rd Party Platforms When you are communicating with your clients, unless you are a company, it is probably hard to pursue a lawsuit if your client decides not to pay you in the end. Using 3rd party platforms will protect you as they most likely adopt the escrow system where they will charge your client first and hold on to…

What to Wear to an Interview: A Fashion Guide

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Like many others, you may be fresh out of college wanting to show off your skills and personality to a prospective company, but have your elders in your ear telling you how to dress the part even though it’s completely outdated. You may also have several years of experience in a particular field and are looking to make a career change, but haven’t touched up on what is appropriate to wear to that interview. It’s no secret the times have changed and in large part, thanks to our generation. We are bold, fearless, and determined. Some may categorize our efforts as lazy or unprofessional, mainly in the way we dress or carry ourselves, but we see our clothes and style telling a different story. Just decades ago jeans were more common for a relaxing Saturday morning or a night out at the local country club. Today they are found in many workplaces due to the comfort, diverse style changes, and revised fashion trends. That being said, our generation is making its way through the professional …

A Guide to the Millennial Job Search: Making Opportunities

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Originally posted on The Nonprofit Millennial.:
For millennials with their limited work experiences, looming student debt and conflicting timetables, it seems nearly impossible to find meaningful work these days. As a job searcher myself, I’m starting to feel this strain more than ever. But rather than falling into a hole of self-pity and despair (which is totally acceptable and bound to happen from time to time), I decided to take the words of Madam C.J. Walker – a hair-care entrepreneur and the first female self-made millionaire in America – to heart. “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them!” -Madam C.J. Walker So with this empowering message in mind, let’s talk about my new, Walker-inspired job search approach, and how its going so far. Changing my mindset: “It’s not you, it’s me.” A few weeks ago, it became apparent my job-seeking strategy wasn’t working. I was applying to dozens of jobs online with no responses from recruiters. The…

How to Know The Ins and Outs of Your Employer

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Originally posted on Sex and Living with Your Parents:
I think one of the best things people can do for themselves is to know everything there is to know about their employers and profession. With crushing, overwhelming student loans and no job security, Millennials must push forward in an era where it is all too common for the big employer to take advantage of the little man. Some people might feel uncomfortable with conversations like this. I get that. The simple act of doubting the employer is considered an act of defiance. George Carlin admonished governments when he said, “Governments don’t want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking,” and I say employers don’t want that either. Notwithstanding, it’s not all on the employer. True enough, even the most undeserving, reprehensible employer is made that much stronger by its loyal, passive, ignorant employees that either don’t or can’t seem to believe they work for a company that isn’t about good work, it’s about getting worked. I wish people my age talked about this…

Do What You Love, Even When It Sucks

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Originally posted on Ellie Hartleb:
Acclaimed sportswriter Red Smith said, “Writing is easy; you just open a vein and bleed.” As it turns out, Red was right — writing is a lonely, sometimes soul-sucking battle. Throughout my writing history, the main players have been myself, a pen, a legal pad and a laptop. After years of trying to master the craft, I have learned only a few things: Mastery is impossible, My best writing is first produced by hand in the middle of the night, and I love this, even when I hate it. On the eve of my fourth semester of college, I have realized that growing up to do what I love is more difficult (and more expensive) than I ever imagined. College has taken a lot of mental, physical and financial strain lately. It has both affirmed that my lifelong love of writing will one day be my full time job, and has made me question, more than ever, whether I really belong in this atmosphere. As it turns out, loving what I…

Keeping up the good work one step at a time.

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Originally posted on F R E E D O M:
First you dream it, then you build it. That’s something I believe in, deeply. Especially now that my goals are clear cut and while I admit there’s resistance – both internal and external – I also know that more than half of the fun is in the struggle and the eventual achievement of these personal goals. The worst case scenario would be having time pass and nothing happen. The best case scenario would be being where I want to be in life, geographically, physically and mentally. However, this won’t be my ‘new year resolution’ as I believe I’ve already started this ongoing journey. From first discovery to formulating the ideas in daydreams which I tried to talk myself out of due to ‘difficulties’ and ‘realistic expectations’ – but then I realized. Life doesn’t have to be ‘realistic’ there’s no guarantee if life would pan out even if you played by society’s recommended ‘guidelines’. So I’m doing the opposite. I’m going about it my way. And I’m…

The secret to surviving long work weeks

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Originally posted on F R E E D O M:
? I can’t lie. I’m totally looking forward to my day off tomorrow. I’ve logged exactly 60 hours at my ‘day’ job, not including the portion of the paper work which I do not bill for. Needless to say, tomorrow will just be a great big blank out day for me. A day to run errands I so desperately need to run and see friends I need to see before I start my travels again. But what’s the secret to surviving? Impeccable organization skills is definitely one, but so is commitment and ironically flexibility, improvising on the spot, and having no expectations at all – as long as if something runs (yes, there’s no standards here) and I realized, this only works in short bursts. Because even the best slip up at times, and because there’s no cushioning time to fix mistakes, it’s very easy for one small mistake to snowball into major problems. On top of that, your health will probably take a hit…