Find Freelancing Opportunities

Regardless of your industry, the full-time job market can be competitive.

Rather than looking for a full time job, keep your eyes open for opportunities for freelance work.

Freelancing will also force you to practice your hard skills.

For example, my friend had started a promotions company and heard I knew how to use Photoshop.

He asked me to design some promotional posters for him.

He loved it, paid me, and asked for more.

As I created more, posters became much easier, and I got much more familiar with Photoshop.

I also became a lot more confident in my now-validated skills.

Better yet, you don’t have to leave your day job or school tostart freelancing.

Lastly, freelancing forces you to learn aboutnegotiating and pricing.

You’ll be able to connect with a greater range of people.

Additionally, you could also volunteer for an informal internship.

The feasibility depends on certain industries, though.

Similar to freelancing, side projects can force you to develop new hard skills.

For example, a few years ago, I created an ebook to explore internet marketing.

The ebook connected me with a ton of students andsurprisinglyentrepreneurs.

I designed the book myself in InDesign (based on skills acquired from freelancing, actually).

My friend helped me design the website and code it in HTML.

I learned how to use MailChimp to generate leads.

I picked up more hard skills in that three-week push than I had in a full year at school.

You’ll thenmeet them and make a great impression.

That’smucheasier said than done, so let’s unpack this a bit further.

Firstly, don’t go to information sessions or networking events.

For the most part, they’re ineffective.

They may seem compelling because all your friends and peers are going, but that’sexactlythe problem.

If you’re not comfortable with cold emailing people, cold call an office or show up in person.

I realize this sounds unconventional, but I actually did this myself when looking for a job in advertising.

Be forewarned, though: this plan could backfire if you are particularly aggressive or assertive.

It’s also overlooked far too often.

The best of your peers have probably acquired a ton of information while you didn’t.

That’s alright, because books and other people’s experiences can help you catch up.

You’ll learn from other people’s mistakes, and the history of your trade.

Look for freelance work and non-school volunteering opportunities.

Work on side projects and meet new people.

Read both the news and books, because information is crucial.