Working freelance can be a rewarding career path and a freeing experience. The environment allows you to be in charge of your own activities, and you can set your own pace of work. However, it doesn't mean it's always a smooth process.

It may be necessary for you to take on a second, non-freelance job at some point. Maybe economic uncertainty has caused you to reduce your freelance workload. It may be that you have chosen to be more selective about which freelance jobs you accept to avoid burning out. No matter the reason, getting a second job isn't about quitting your freelance career, but rather about making sure that you have enough money to support yourself while following your dreams.

In this article, we'll discuss some of the aspects to take into consideration when taking on a second job, and how to approach them effectively.

The Search Process

It can be challenging to search for a job. You may find it difficult to return to this process after a while being a freelancer - it's much different than pitching your services to prospective clients. In order to find the work you are looking for, you need to have a solid idea of what you want. If you are interested in working in certain industries, roles, or environments, keep your options open. Do not limit yourself to the same kinds of work you usually freelance in - the change could be a welcome change of pace.

You may be interested in this second job primarily for financial reasons, but don't ignore the opportunity it could offer for your other goals. Consider asking yourself some questions when reading job advertisements, just as you would do before taking a freelance gig. Does it allow for more creative input? Do you have a flexible schedule or can you work from home? Understanding what you want will help you better direct your search.

Another factor you need to be aware of regarding job search today is how employers narrow down their candidate pool. We will talk about resumes and skills shortly. A major change that has occurred over the past several years has been the addition of recruitment software to the job search process. With this, companies can create algorithms that find the most suitable candidates based on data about the industry, the needs of the company, and even career mobility. For this reason, when setting up your LinkedIn profile or job search websites, you need to include keywords associated with the business and industry you are applying for. Your goal is to get the software to notice your resume, so that a human can then view it.

Presenting Your Skills

You can successfully gain a second job along with freelancing if you showcase your abilities well. This is a challenging task. In writing your employment history, you might appear to have been your own boss for some time and your skills have remained the same. However, as a freelancer, you have developed skills in a variety of fields that will be valuable to any employer. It's just a matter of learning how to present those skills effectively.

Your resume is the first step. Even though you have a lot to offer, you will be successful in your job search if you keep it simple. Format your resume so that you can easily see the most relevant skills for the job, whether you're applying online or via a physical copy. Highlight your experience and responsibilities that are relevant to the position you're applying for. It is standard for a resume to provide a chronological account of your previous jobs. You can however, if you've been working as a freelancer for some time, provide some examples of the projects you were involved with and the responsibilities you performed.

Remember, however, that your resume is primarily to land you an interview. The interview is an opportunity to dig into the skill sets you have - not just your technical skills, but also the soft skills like communication, leadership, and project management. Be sure to practice how you can talk about these without sounding overly self-aggrandizing, but still demonstrate the value you could bring to their business. Before the interview, you might want to practice with a friend so that you are more comfortable with your ability to describe your skills to an external party.

Seeking Support

It is also crucial to understand that a job search doesn't always happen quickly. Finding a second job that works with your freelancing work, applying for jobs and attending interviews can be quite time consuming. When your freelance business has slowed down and your income has been stretched, this is obviously a bad idea. Meanwhile, it might make sense to investigate some alternative sources of financial support.

In conclusion

Regardless of how successful your freelancing career is, there may come a time when you will need a second job, even temporarily. As you know, it is not always easy to accomplish, and you may need financial assistance. In contrast, if you take the time to refine your search approach and develop a resume that truly showcases your range of skills, you can find a position that will facilitate your future career aspirations.

Also Check: 5 freelance interview tips that will boost your chances of success.


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