Freelancing is one of the best ways to earn money while also utilising your time productively. In the present decade, freelancing has become a full-time job for many. The reason why so many people choose freelancing over becoming full-time employees is because of the flexibility freelancers have in terms of shifting between job roles, working hours, getting paid and more. Finding freelancing gigs is easy and has its own pros and cons and its demand has increased over the years. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated its growth by turning millions of people into virtual workers doing remote jobs for the first time.
Freelancing has become a common side-hustle or even a full-time job opportunity for many. In the year 2021 and especially after the Coronavirus pandemic it has become an even more common job role especially among the newest generation – Gen Z. This article will guide you through the basics of finding freelancing gigs in 2021.
Gen Z Guide to Finding Freelancing Gigs in 2021
Gen Z can be identified as the generation that currently is between the ages of 6 and 24 and was born between 1997 and 2012. Most students who have recently graduated from university or college belong to this generation and have popularized freelancing also known as ‘remote’ working. Here’s how you can easily find freelancing work in 2021:
Make A List Of The Skills You Can Offer
Freelancing is all about using your skill set to earn money. You must research the market and know which are the skills in demand and try your best to match them. For example, in the year 2013, the demand for graphic designers and digital marketers increased due to the rise of internet usage. As many businesses took the digital route to operate virtually, the demand for digital marketing also increased. As a result, there were many students who were able to benefit from this demand.
Once you are prepared and know which skills you can earn money from, the next step is to present yourself in the market. This can only be possible if you are an active member of relevant communities. But, how will you know where these opportunities lie? This is why you must research the job market.
Research & Become An Active Community Member
Once you know what your skills are, you must look for online communities that offer support and offer freelance opportunities. You can easily find such groups on social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. These groups have been created to organise freelancing opportunities and help students network with organisations. It will only be possible to find such active groups if you do your research well.
These groups and communities bridge the gap between students who are trying to find work and those who are offering work. Since a freelance gig can be a time-based project or a work-in-progress, you will have to keep looking for such opportunities on a regular basis. Unlike being a full-time employee of a company, freelancers are experts in their field and offer guidance on a need-based basis. In order to display and offer your expertise, you will need to be an active member of these freelancing groups. Since there are a number of people offering the same skills at a competitive price, you must know how to stand out in order to cut competition.
Make A Profile On Multiple Freelance Websites
Just like your chances of getting accepted into a university is directly proportional to the number of colleges you apply to, your chances of landing a freelance gig will depend on the number of places you apply to. Finding a freelance opportunity is relevantly easier than finding a full-time job opportunity because there are websites solely devoted to freelancing and getting paid per hour. In the present decade, freelancing has taken over the job market and has only been increasing in demand since 2010. Some of the best websites to find freelancing gigs are:
- Freelancer.com
- Toptal
- PeoplePerHour
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- We Work Remotely
- Simply Hired
- DesignHill
- Dribbble
- Guru
Commit to Working & Delivering On Time
Unless you’re passionate about working hard (and then partying harder), it’s probably not a great idea to start out freelancing as your primary source of income. In fact, many people who choose this career do so with the understanding that they will never replace their regular job income. Instead, focus on looking forward to the fringe benefits that freelancing offers. Benefits like flexible schedules, being able to work from home or go on vacation whenever you want. Not to mention getting paid money for something you love doing.
Tell a Senior That You’re Freelancing
It is your responsibility to get the word out that you are ready to take up freelancing projects. Many supervisors and seniors are under the assumption that everyone is a salaried employee just like them. However, if you are able to market yourself well, you will become the go-to person for projects related to your field of expertise. If you work as a freelancer, then it’s best to let those around you in on the secret. They will appreciate all of the extra manpower. They may also be willing to provide references and recommendations for future jobs if they know that you did your work well.
Work On Your Portfolio
One of the most common mistakes that beginner freelancers make is not regularly updating their CVs and resumes. It is not enough that you update your profile on freelance websites such as the ones mentioned above. The next step after getting in touch with you for a freelance project is checking your CV for past experiences and performance. It is important that you regularly update your portfolio in order to resonate with the job position.
Thank you for reading this blog on the Gen Z Guide to Finding Freelancing Gigs in 2021. If you’d like to read more, these blogs might be of interest to you:
