By now, we’ve all heard the stat that 40% of the US workforce will work as freelancers by 2020. It seems that new platforms and co-working spaces are popping up every day in order to cater to the trend towards independent work. Before you decide to swap your cubicle for a coffee-shop, take some time to build a thoughtful profile that will really resonate with potential clients. Unsure of where to start? Below are helpful tips from industry veterans, Kristy Nittskoff and Michael Waitzman.
Kristy is the Founder and CEO of Talent-Savvy; she has interviewed thousands of candidates and reviewed countless resumes and profiles. Michael is the Founder of Lyghtning, the newest innovation in the gig economy where Independent Consultants are matched with Client Organizations through self-serve technology to deliver project-based work. Together, their tips will ensure that your profile tells the right story and lands in the hands of a hiring manager looking for someone with your exact capabilities and career goals.
Photo
Do not skip this step! LinkedIn profiles that include photos receive 21x more views than profiles without photos - consulting profiles are no different. Hiring Managers want to attach a person to a profile; a recent photograph is the perfect way to help them attribute human qualities to your technical skills. Your photo can be the same one that you use for other online profiles and should only include your headshot. Profile pics with significant others, friends, or pets are better left for personal profiles. As cute as your puppy may be, YOU are the one that will complete the work and it’s YOU who Hiring Managers want to connect with. Profiles without photos leave the Hiring Manager wondering if you have something to hide, or if you are too lazy to complete your profile. Why let their mind wander when they could be focusing on how amazing a fit you are for their need?
Skills
Hiring Managers use keywords to narrow down their search for the right candidate. Help them find your profile by only including skills that you could walk off the street and complete. If it’s something that you’ve had some exposure to, but would need a heavy refresher to complete, don’t include it here. Add anything from specific programs and disciplines to softer skills like management or team leadership. Keep in mind that, depending on the platform, once you are onsite the Hiring Manager will evaluate you on the skills you list. There is no limit to the number of skills you can list, but don’t go overboard. Profiles can lose credibility if they are overloaded with keywords or things that are unnecessary to detail (think: MS Office or Written Communication).
Zip Code / Distance Willing to Travel
List the zip code of your home address to be matched with local opportunities. If you are open to a project that requires overnight travel, indicate a greater distance radius as a preference. Looking to stay close to home? Make sure that your distance parameter reflects that. Be realistic here, the silliest reason to leave a company is because the commute is too long. Unless you moved after accepting a role, this is something that you know up front. Be honest with what is doable for you.
Minimum Hourly Rate
It’s natural for job seekers, as well as employers, to have a range of acceptable hourly rates. The ultimate rate depends on the type of work, length of the project, and degree of difficulty the project requires. List out the minimum hourly rate that you’ll accept; keep in mind that the employer typically won’t see this. The rate you list simply allows the system to match your profile with opportunities that fit your rate. Not sure how to calculate your rate? Below is a simple equation to help you figure it out:
(annual salary + annual bonus + value of benefits) / 2080
annual bonus = monetary amount that you can expect each year
value of benefits = typically 20-30%, factoring in health benefits, 401k contribution, stock options, etc
Work History
This can be a direct copy and paste from your resume, assuming that your resume accurately showcases your skills and accomplishments. Bullets should begin with action words - things like developed, managed, optimized, or created. Use specific stats, when possible. Did downtime decrease by 50% due to your efforts? That’s awesome - highlight your achievement!
Portfolio / Personal Website
Hiring Managers want to know that there is more to you than what they see on your professional profile. While including a link to your personal Facebook account is likely taking things too far, feel free to point them towards your online portfolio or twitter feed. Provide greater insight into your interests, and hobbies - show that you have a life outside of work (even if that life includes writing more code for personal projects). Recruiting departments work hard to give you a an idea of what it’s like to work at their organization, give them a glimpse into your personality, as well.
Education
This one is pretty straight forward; list your universities and degrees received. If you are a recent grad, feel free to include a GPA (if it’s over 3.0), as well as any clubs or activities in which you participated while attending. Typically, it’s great to include any community-oriented or extra-curricular activities since Hiring Managers like to see well-rounded candidates. That said, it’s less important when working with consultants / contractors.
The continuous movement towards a gig-economy will change the corporate landscape. Consultants will be in constant job-search and networking mode in order to keep their calendars full and their bank accounts happy. Let your profile do some of the heavy lifting so that you can enjoy some of that new found freedom to work at your pace and desired location.
About The Authors
Kristy Nittskoff has over 10 years of HR experience and is the Founder of Talent-Savvy. She consults with growing companies to help them achieve their recruitment and retention goals through implementing innovative talent attraction and employment branding strategies. She coaches executives, corporate recruiters, and HR managers on the nuances of recruitment in order to set them on a path to crush their goals and scale efficiently. Connect with Kristy on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Michael Waitzman is the Founder of Lyghtning.com. As a Certified SAP Consultant, he has delivered work for some of the largest organizations in the world. To that end, Michael is well positioned to bring value within a project/program/operational setting. He built Lyghtning to support the execution of projects and transform the way Consultants and Client connect. Find Michael on LinkedIN and Twitter as well as the Lyghtning Facebook Page.
