Thursday, January 8, 2009

Finding Legitimate Freelance Opportunities

By Craig Calvin

Freelancing it's the dream of many. Being your own boss, setting your own hours, and being able to come and go as you please. It definitely has its upside. And with the world at our fingertips via the Internet, finding legitimate freelance work has never been easier. If you've got some marketable skills that translate well into the freelance arena, it's a venture definitely worth considering. You may be concerned about the stories you've heard regarding work-from-home scams. The scams are out there, to be sure. But on the bright side, there are quite a few legitimate freelance sites as well.

For example, there is www.sohojobs.org, a site that offers a variety of opportunities directed towards those seeking administrative, secretarial, or data entry work. Virtual assistants/secretaries can find long-term work at www.homebasedsecretaries.com. Both sites offer extensive job listings. Compensation generally ranges from $9 up to $35 per hour. Freelancers must apply and interview for these positions in order to be awarded the job.

Positions in a wide variety of fields such as engineering, legal, web development and multimedia design are also available. At some such sites, freelancers actually bid for the jobs they want to land. These types of sites have long been popular with freelancers who don't mind paying a nominal registration fee to cover administrative costs, since the sites are legitimate and offer real workng possibilities.

When first beginning the search for freelance jobs, you'll likely be surprised at the sheer volume of jobs available online. But you must remember that you are competing in a global economy and American citizens are not your only competitors. You'll face competition from India, China, Australia, Mexico and more. In order to present yourself properly, you need to know a few things.

First you should create a new resume that is freelance career specific. Adding a picture and including a portfolio is important in the freelance field. Be sure to have your skills tested and certified at a skills assessment site. Some job websites will also verify your past employment and credentials for a small fee. Doing these things will help level the playing field as you compete for freelance jobs online. - 16747

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