Freelance Friday

Know how you make your money

Discover where your core competencies lie and what you do to make your money. Be able to answer clearly and concisely what you do in less than thirty seconds. Are you selling a product or a service?Know who you are selling to and who will be your primary consumer.When you are in the thick of things, remind yourself of your core business.

http://graphicdesignblender.com/17-tips-for-effective-freelance-business-planning

Tip of the Day

Who should you include in your career network?

Your career network should include anyone who can assist you with a job search or career move. It can include past and present co-workers, bosses, friends with similar interests, colleagues from business associations, alumni from your university, or acquaintances you have met via online networking services. Your network can also include family, neighbors, and anyone who might have a connection that will help.

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/networkingtips.htm
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Work Abroad Wednesday

How to choose where you want to work

Consider some of these points

1.Do you know anyone who lives abroad?This can be a major advantage to you when making contacts, finding accommodation and looking for work.

2.Do you want to travel around a bit?Choosing an initial "safe" destination (where you are not too far from home or know someone or have already secured employment) so if doesn't work out you can always head back home easily. It will also ease you in to a foreign culture, which will be valuable experience for further travels.

3.Look into the skills gaps in various destinations.Then see if your particular skills can fit into those gaps? You will find it much easier to get work that way.

4.What can you afford to spend?You may be lucky and have a job to go to or are able to find one quickly when you arrive. But you will still have to fork out rent and other expenses and may not be paid straight away.

http://www.jobseekersadvice.com/working_abroad/articles/working_in_europe.htm

Tip of the Day

Check your online profile

Google yourself to see what comes up — and what potential employers will see if they do the same. If you don’t like what you find, it’s time to do damage control.make sure that all online sites you join, are private or show the employers that you may be a strong asset to the company.

http://careerbrander.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/top-ten-online-job-search-tips-career-builder-revisited/
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Mentoring Monday

Keep expectations realistic

Assumptions or expectations can easily Ruin a relationship. To avoid this, you and your mentor should both discuss your expectations of each other and the relationship.
For example, discuss how often you'll meet or what areas you will work on. When there's a change in expectations, discuss this as well. Relationships grow and change and so do expectations, so those agreed upon early on may not be the same later. Have weekly conversations to discuss your mutual expectations.

http://www.management-mentors.com/resources/april-2009/
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Freelance Friday

Keep Your Customers Around with Better Customer Service for Your Freelance Business

Keeping in Touch With Your Clients Is Key,There are many things which business owners can do in order to boost their business. Perhaps one of the most important steps you should take in order to not only gain clients but to keep them is to exhibit top-notch client communication.

Notify Your Clients That Their Business Needs Are Being Met by keeping in touch with your clients on a continual basis you are letting them know that their current business needs are being met. Even though you may be in the middle of a project, keeping them abreast of this information gives them peace of mind in knowing that an upcoming deadline will be met in time.

http://www.allfreelance.com/freelancing_blog/
http://www.google.ca/imgres

Tip of the Day

Test Your Skills

If you're not sure what career you want, you might not be taking into account skills that you already have. Everybody is good at something, so try and brainstorm and write a list of as many of your qualities as you can. Think about factors like whether you prefer working alone or with others, and how these qualities can translate into a job.

http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-the-Right-Career
http://www.google.ca/imgres

Work Abroad Wednesday

Check your Qualifications

In some countries many standard university and further education qualifications translate like for like. Some professional qualifications however do not translate and different countries have different standards, working practices and governing bodies that people with certain qualifications operating in certain trades or professions will have to have translated. Alternatively they may have to apply to have their qualifications recognised or to take examinations or practical tests to prove their ability.

If you require certain qualifications and permissions to conduct your professional business, ensure you check out the rules for your trade in the country you’re interested in moving to.

http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/tips_for_working_abroad

http://www.google.ca/imgres

Tip of the Day

Attitude is everything

Employees with a positive attitude will always advance higher in the organization than those without a good attitude. Leadership involves the ability to motivate and inspire others to achieve. It is next to impossible to motivate and inspire others to achieve if you have a poor attitude yourself. Companies look for leaders that shine. Shining involves a positive outlook that rubs off on others around you.

http://workbloom.com/blog/career-advancement/three-tips-for-career-advancement-that-people-often-ignore/

Mentoring Monday

Begin mentoring relationships by discussing mutual goals and expectations

Maybe you and your mentor have Gotten together before--or Maybe not. Either way, it's important to understand the framework and assumptions that each of you brings to the "mentoring table." As you "set the table",you need to identify the tools and resources you will need to move forward. Be sure to encourage a discussion of each other's goals. You and your mentor(s) should have a frank discussion of expectations: Start with a discussion of how frequently you will meet in person and communicate via phone or e-mail and set up a means of contact in case of an urgent issue. Be sure to keep this discussion two-way, both mentee and mentor listening attentively and seeking to understand each other's unique perspective.

Addressing these issues at the beginning of a mentoring relationship helps avoid difficulties that can arise later on.

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2009_08_14/caredit.a0900101

Freelance Friday

Time Management

Time management is very important in every profession; in fact it is the most vital element of professionalism. History may vouch for the fact that success comes to the people who have managed time better in their personal and professional life. You have to meet deadlines to be a successful professional and this can only happen if you are good at time management.

When it comes to freelancers, time management is of utmost importance. Unlike employed professionals, who have a regular job, freelancers have all day and all night to work – meaning plenty of lose time. Thus freelancers cannot afford to lose their track on time management. They have so many random projects and time management is very important for them in order to finish them all.

http://www.smashingbuzz.com/2010/09/time-management-tips-for-freelance-designers/
http://www.google.ca/imgres

Tip of the Day

Stay Motivated


Read management books, listen to motivational tapes, and use positive reinforcement vehicles to keep up your spirits. Bad language, poor attitudes and lack of cooperation can kill branding and your reputation faster than anything. If given the choice to talk to a smiling person who's open or one who is angry with folded arms, who will you go to?

http://www.ehow.com/way_5154020_career-building-tips.html
http://www.google.ca/imgres

Work Abroad Wednesday

Get posted Abroad And Freelance

Find a company that is known for sending their employees abroad and work for them. Of course its no guarantee that you will be chosen when the next posting comes around so letting your manager know of your interest might help. Freelance

Everyone has their own skills that they could benefit from. What you can do here, you can most probably do overseas. You can freelance as consultants, technical writers, journalists, graphic artists, modeling, teach English or any language that you know. You will be surprised at how quickly your income generates by just freelancing.

http://www.overseasdigest.com/five-Tips-To-Get-That-Job-Abroad.htm