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Getting from Ideas to Concrete Projects with Potential Clients

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Being a freelancer sounds so glamorous to my full-time, gainfully employed friends.  And I agree that the flexibility and versatility is pretty sweet.  But what often gets forgotten, is that I actually have to find my work in order to have work.  So how does a freelancer truly move from concepts to actual paying work with a potential client?  There are a few things that I do that help make an initial vision turn into an actual real project.

Similar to an effective interviewing strategy when job hunting, you need to research the company that is interviewing you.  Go beyond learning the mission and the year the company was founded.  Go beyond finding out who runs the company.  Instead, figure out how this particular company ranks in the industry.  Determine the influencing factors that are shaping the industry. Learn what trends are happening that could effect the company.  So rank, influencing factors and trends are key to crafting a solution that could lead to a project.

Then determine if the particular company you want to work with is a cutting edge company or just follows standard practices. Being cutting edge or run of the mill is not right or wrong, but it does indicate how zany or normal your suggested ideas should be.  For example, if the company you are targeting likes to be a leader in their industry, do not dare suggest boring solutions that everyone else is doing, too.

Another research practice I use is to visit Glassdoor.  Often, job seekers use Glassdoor, but I contend that even as a freelancer Glassdoor can provide you with valuable insight to help aid in the solutions strategy that you must develop.  Glassdoor tells you what is working well and not-so-well at most any company you can think of.  Reading the employee comments helps you see any emerging themes and again, can guide you in your solutions.

Finally, LinkedIn is another valuable research tool.  First, see what the company is posting.  The information will give you insight on what is important to the company.  Secondly, review how you are connected to the company.  Determine if there is anyone you might know and if so, reach out to them and ask any lingering questions you might have.

So examining the industry trends, reviewing Glassdoor and researching LinkedIn are three great ways to find out more about a prospective client.  The information you glean, can help you create a solutions strategy that should be insightful, targeted and educated.  What things have you done when crafting a strategy to learn more about your client and its business?

The Power of LinkedIn

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Almost everyone in the professional world is familiar with and uses LinkedIn (at least I hope so!).  I was recently updating my profile and noticed a few new things I could do and thought I would share.

  1. There is now a headline area.  Oftentimes, it is just a person’s job title, but you can actually write an attention-grabbing line.  If done correctly, a reader can immediately figure out what you are passionate about or where you add value.  Pretty cool.
  2. A background photo can now be added.  So in addition to a profile photo (head shot) you can add a background picture.  Again using this feature, is a great way to tell the recruiter or who ever is viewing your profile, what you are all about or passionate about.
  3. In the experience section, you can add a link to the employer’s site.  This can add credibility.
  4. Make sure you add your volunteer experience (this is not a new feature) but show’s the world you are a well-rounded individual.
  5. Under Interests, there are some features including Pulse, Companies, Slide Share, Online Learning and Groups.  Some of this I am using and some I am still exploring.  It’s pretty robust!

What features of LinkedIn do you use?

Taking a Break From the Workplace

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Lately I have been coaching several stay-at-home moms that are considering going back to the workplace now that their kids are older. It is a big decision and lifestyle change. Although, the decision can be daunting, I believe that there are several employ-able skills that happen when you stay-at-home.  But re-entering the workplace takes some active participation, on your part, and even some soul-searching.

First of all, consider your goals. Ask yourself, “What do I want to accomplish by going back to work?” It is money? skills? purpose? being a part of a team? Whatever your answer is, understand what is driving the call to action.

Next, consider what type of role you want. Do you want to return to your previous career or try something different? Know that if you are re-entering your previous career, things have changed.  You need to find out what has changed.  Keep in mind that trying something completely different is not impossible, but certainly a more difficult road to take.

It might be a little to late for this bit of advice, but do not let your network dry up while you are on the mommy-track.  Keep in touch with your business contacts.

Most schools are begging for volunteers, so it is likely that you have done lots of volunteering.  Write out how that volunteer work tied to business results.  Take on some leadership volunteer roles, work on a team, raise funds etc.  Ensure there are transferable skills from all your hard-earned volunteer hours!

Keep up your resume.  I worked with someone recently that had not updated their resume in 10 years!  Yikes!  By keeping it current, you are always ready for a potential gig and by having to update your resume consistently, you are reminded of all those business-related skills you are using.  And when you are updating your resume, think about accomplishments, quantifiable numbers and successes.

Keep up your LinkedIn profile.  What?  You don’t have one?  Yikes!  Get to work on it immediately. Linked In is a very important recruiting tool.

Related to LinkedIn, you need to keep up with technology.  What are the productivity tools being used in the workplace?  You need to know, and further more, you need to know how to use them.

Hopefully you have been doing this all along, but make sure you are subscribed to (and reading) industry magazines.  Again, you need to have current information on the hot topics in your industry (or the one you aspire to make a leap to).  On that note, read at least one business book a year.  Again, you need to speak the current business lingo and know the hot topics in today’s competitive market.

Working with temp agencies are a great way to make a foray into the working world while you are trying to figure out your next step.  Make some calls and schedule some informational meetings so that you can learn what types of jobs and skills are in demand.

Hopefully,  I have given you plenty of ideas to get you started.  Feel free to contact me if you want to hire me for some one-on-one coaching.