The Lady Programmer

Freelancing is similar to a corporate job which is geared to climbing up the ladder towards management. If you have tried your hands in being the rank-and-file employee, then being a supervisor, then being a manager – freelancing jobs is very much similar in that degree. Freelancing starts with competing with a big crowd of applicants, then doing well for the first job and as your job experience and reputation grows, you price yourself a bit higher when you feel experienced enough.

photo credit: coniferine (SXC)

The sad thing is that there are so many freelancers out there who are also starting out just like you. If you are marketing yourself in a global marketplace then you will soon realize that competition can be very tough as there are so many people who can do the job. The client would always prefer the one who is well experienced to do a particular job to those who are still out to get their feet wet.

If you are a new freelancer, then how would you make yourself stand out?

1. Identify the strongest skills that you can use in freelancing.
2. Polish your profile and write down relevant experiences.
3. Speak to the client with a custom cover letter.
4. Always learn new things through continuous trainings and self-learning.
5. Give yourself a good market price for your skill.
6. Do not sell yourself cheap.
7. Do not overprice yourself either.
8. Follow up with clients who expressed interest.
9. Write thank you letters after an interview.
10. Respond promptly through interview invitations.
11. Create a profile around your special skills.
12. Put some effort in creating a professional-looking profile.
13. Be prepared for possible questions that the client may ask during an interview.
14. Have several means of communicating through the client – voice, chat, email.
15. Compose a tag line or title that you think will catch the client’s eye.
16. Be focused on the needs of the client, rather than your own.
17. Find jobs that really fits your skill.
18. Put something in your portfolio. If necessary, do some sample work to fill in something for that portfolio.
19. Prove your skills by taking online tests and listing down acquired certifications.
20. As much as possible, be one of the earliest applicants for the job.

My list here is not limited to this. If you have something to share, then let the world know through the comments below.

photo credit: DaleEu (SXC)

I have tried my hands learning Java, Visual Basic, Perl, C, C++ and other programming languages but I still consider Visual Basic as the fastest way for me to develop databases. If you are in a corporate setting who needs databases written out, then Visual Basic is the way to go. When I was learning that language, the first database that I had connected with it was with MS Access. Not long I was learning how to create and secure databases in MS SQL Server as well.

However, if you are considering smaller databases instead, do away with Visual Basic and just create the entire thing in MS Access – if you do not need so much network connectivity with other users.

I believe each language or technology has its own strengths: comparing Java applets and ActiveX technologies, many would go on developing Java applets instead. But with Java applets versus Flash, there are so many developers who would choose the latter. With so many technologies that are used in creating web pages, then there are so many options that would make it easier for an IT developer to create applications within the specified deadline.

Too often programmers would like to get their hands dirty in writing code. Oftentimes though, the project manager still overseas and controls how the IT personnel is able to meet deadlines and come up with superb work that will truly make an accomplishment for the IT department. This makes it a truly challenging feat for a developer to create such programs in the nick of time.

Unlike an employed job, freelance is more like having a batch of jobs to juggle and then nothingness. It is like a roller coaster ride to the top – where you earn a great deal and to the bottom – where you get all the time to sleep and eat and earn nothing.

photo credit: hopee (SXC)

If you are stuck with nothing to do for a longer time, then this is probably the time that you can be able to do other things that may be related to your job interest. Consider the following:

1. Get additional relevant trainings. You can learn by yourself or get some training to further upgrade your skills. If you like to learn Java then you might want to get interested in their free online courses.
2. Take new tests and certifications and retake old ones. Online tests offered by sites like Brainbench is an easier way for you to prove your skills.
3. Spice up your profile. Take a long hard look at your existing profile. Rewrite parts that need to be reworded. Update your profile so that it reflects your accomplishments. I have written some tips on this. Do not forget to update your portfolio.
4. Apply to jobs. There are several freelance sites to look around. This strategy can keep you busy with work rather than keeping a single site around.
5. Learn new skills, or monetize your hobby. With the internet around, this is at all possible. There are too many hobbyists who have turned themselves entrepreneurs because of their hobbies. Remember that freelancing makes you an entrepreneur in many ways and one of the main formula for a successful business is a deep liking for the product or service that you offer.
6. Keep up with friends. Networking skills is a must for successful freelancing because this opens up more potential opportunities and fruitful contacts. In my case, I always find opportunities from friends of my friends.
7. Rest. This is very important. If you know you will be having nothing to do for quite a while and have enough money to go around, then traveling may help you gain fresh insights and even put more important contacts on your list. If you are a homebody, then lots of sleep will do.

There are truly more possibilities to this. Freelancing need not to be confined to simply finding the next job, or catching some sleep. This kind of lifestyle needs a lot more creativity to be successful in this endeavor.

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Don’t lose hope when a buyer decides to put you up on a low rating! Being given a low rating for your latest job does not mean that you will not be able to get freelance jobs in the same freelance company in the future. Giving up on a single job means accepting defeat on the first try.

Successful freelancers in freelance sites have stayed through with the site even with their low ratings. Some even stayed for a year or two, and despite having a low feedback rating, they were able to take on more jobs and have gotten higher feedback ratings, very satisfied client base backed up with very moving positive comments.

photo credit: xlucas (SXC)

If I were to experience this situation, this is what I would have to do if the feedback really applies to me:

1. Pursue additional training to enhance my skill in this area. I might have to come up with sample work after the training to be able to justify what I had done with the previous job. Also, certifications can be a lot helpful to this one. Self-training can also be done if there is no available trainings around.
2. Apply to jobs where I am really good at. If I am better at programming than writing then I would have to pursue programming jobs instead. If I am better at doing VB.NET projects rather than Java programming projects, then I would have to pursue VB.NET projects instead.
3. Build a job experience on a specialization. In freelancing, it is better to specialize at a skill rather than knowing too many skills. In VB.NET you can be a database developer, an embedded programmer, a graphics expert in that single language. Just the same if you are striving to be a database expert, then be a database developer in several languages instead.
4. Find other clients. Many clients are open-minded and would still give chance despite a negative feedback rating.
5. Improve other areas that might have led to this incident. Most likely poor communication skills are the culprit. Consider several ways to communicate to a client, such as using voice communication, the Japanese HORENSO communication system, making regular daily reports, using email and of course, using instant messaging.

What if the feedback does not really apply to me? If a potential client notices it then you will have to explain why the feedback is so. Be honest, but it is not necessary to divulge all the juicy details. Perhaps you might tell him that you agreed to disagree about some details of the job. Try justifying that the feedback is false through some of your sample work, certifications, employment history and test scores. The client will easily see how you are able to justify yourself and will likely be convinced to hire you for their job.