Navigating the Gig Economy Tips for Independent Workers

Navigating the Gig Economy Tips for Independent Workers You’ve heard of the gig economy â€" a buzzword otherwise known as the sharing economy, on-demand workforce or independent workers. These days it’s reshaping the way many people work and opening employment doors that weren’t available a decade ago. Workers are shifting from working a classic 9 to 5 job to freelance work, making the transition from being employed by a company to work for themselves. This shift in employment puts workers in control of their work environment, all the way from when they work to what types of jobs they choose to do. A free-market system at its core, the gig economy is comprised of temporary, flexible jobs. Companies bring on independent contractors and freelancers instead of full-time employees, and in many cases, for short-term engagements. While many people are familiar with the gig economy as the on-demand platforms like Uber, Lyft, Postmates and Amazon Flex, traditional examples of gig employees in the workforce have included freelancers, independent contractors, project-based workers, and temporary or part-time hires. In today’s tech-reliant age, this basically means that anyone with a smartphone and unlimited data plan (or a good indie café with fast wifi and a power outlet) can work anywhere. Gig Economy: The Facts The gig economy is taking hold around the world as workers redefine what it means to be employed. Across the U.S. alone, 57 million people â€" or 36 percent of workers â€" call themselves gig workers. A further 24 percent of workers have an alternate work arrangement that they consider their primary job. The gig economy has become so popular that 30% of Americans would quit their current job to go work the gig economy if that meant they could make the same amount of money. And many people can. But just like anything, being successful as a gig worker takes time, practice and some trial and error. Below, are some best practices and tips for you’ll want to implement if you plan on making the leap. Know What Type if Gig Worker You’ll Be Gig workers fall into one of two categories â€" the independent worker or the contingent worker. Independent workers or freelancers are their own manager, submitting invoices and billing for the services and skills they provide to individuals and businesses. On the flip side, the contingent worker is employed by a company but has fewer benefits than regular employees and has little if any job security. Gig workers, as a whole, usually fit into one of the four categories: Freelancers â€" When working as a freelancer, gig workers provide a service or skill, such as design, photography, or writing. Freelance marketplace â€" Gig platforms such as Uber, Airbnb, and Upwork let gig workers provide a service on-demand for hire. Self-employed gig workers â€" Small business owners and tradespeople fall into this category. “Other” â€" Still a big part of the gig economy, this “other” area encompasses freelance positions such as affiliate marketing, Etsy, and eBay as platforms for people to be self-employed. Establish Routines Routines don’t have to be associated with boring bureaucracy. In fact, they’re your best friend when it comes to enhancing focus and performance â€" ask any successful freelancer and they will tell you so. Establishing routines in your work might mean keeping a schedule; following to-do lists; starting the day with the most challenging work; or taking care of that client call first thing. However, not all routines need to be work-related. Successful freelancers often find improved productivity and focus by incorporating self-care (sleep, nutrition, exercise) into one’s life. Both enhance people’s sense of order and control in uncertain circumstances â€" which often arise when you’re working for yourself. Find Purpose in Your Work This might seem like a no brainer but doing purposeful work is a driving force behind the success of independent workers. Everyone wants to be happy at their job, but purpose creates a bridge between personal interests and a need in the world â€" it can be a big distinction between successful independents and the ones who aren’t. Connect With People One of the biggest complaints that independent works have is the lack of human connection in their work. In the traditional workspace, connections happen in a physical office, taking lunch with co-workers or attending a weekly happy hour on Fridays. Since this is not a readily available option for many independent workers, it’s important to go out of your way to develop working relationships. Try collaborating with contacts in your field or take your workflow to a co-working space where there more of a sense of community than your home office. Create a Place to Work Being able to work anywhere is both one of the biggest benefits and biggest pitfalls for independent workers. Even though there’s beauty in portable work, creating a space for productive work will help prevent feelings of rootlessness. This need for a “place” to be productive is also a driving factor in the rise of coworking spaces around the globe. Learning to navigate the gig economy is not without its challenges. But just like anything it can take practice and some trial and error to figure out what works best for your working style. To learn more about why more people are making the switch from traditional employment to the gig economy and tips to get started as an independent worker. Embroker created this comprehensive guide complete with tips and best practices to navigate gig work. About the author: Keilah Keiser is a freelance writer and content creator based in San Diego, CA. Shes covered topics in a variety of industries ranging from startups to travel. When shes not on the computer, youll find her hiking with her dog.

Treat Your Career Like a Labyrinth Not a Ladder - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Treat Your Career Like a Labyrinth Not a Ladder - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Our school system teaches all of us to fit in. We go to high school to prepare for college, just like the army trains in boot camp before landing on the battlefield. College is supposed to educate, prepare and guide us into a corporate job. Entry-level corporate workers are instructed on how to climb the corporate ladder to have a successful career. From the water boy or girl, to the cubicle warrior, to an office and finally, a private jet, or so were told. This system is completely broken in a world where technology has shattered corporate hierarchies, and given everyone free speech and visibility. Other factors include the generational gap and the false promise of job security. So how do we treat our careers in this new environment? The dreaded corporate ladder The corporate ladder exists because it has for generations and it has worked well, until now. The fact that your intern has just as much as a voice as your CEO means that there is a shift in power and platform. Putting in decades worth of service in exchange for a pension, stock options, a company car, and an executive salary doesnt work anymore. The best way to move up a corporate ladder is to switch companies, get higher salaries each time, with more experience, and then progress from there. People who try to stay at a company too long actually dont move up the ladder, they stay where they are or are forced to quit because someone else can be hired to do their job cheaper. Millennials are going to spearhead this career management change because they job hop and because many people this age can start online companies, without having to be rich now. A corporate ladder moves up in one direction. You go from an entry-level worker, to a manager, to a director, to a vice president, to the CEO. Larger companies have Sr. and Jr. level positions for each career phase as well. The problem is that you cant get to the top anymore by moving in one direction, and the economy has given corporations leverage so that its even harder and more competitive to go on that journey. The ladder is created by people that dont share your goals. Companies care about their hierarchies, not the way in which you manage your career. Thats up to you! If we dont treat our careers like a ladder anymore, then what should we do? The mysterious labyrinth maze You might have heard the word labyrinth from the old Greek mythology, where a legendary artificer Daedalus built a Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete at Knossos. It held a Minotaur, which is a half man and half bull, which was eventually killed by Theseus. In this case, it was a maze that was almost impossible to get out of. There is no right or wrong way to navigate through this kind of maze and everything in unpredictable. In the Greek example, the Minotaur could almost appear out of nowhere and kill you. Your career should be treated like a labyrinth, and it already is. Aside from Greek mythology, labyrinths are symbolic for moving toward salvation or enlightenment. In your career, its the journey that you should be excited about, not false promises of corporate promotion. The journey isnt one directional or linear. Instead, its a path that you have to create and experience. The labyrinth way of thinking about your career illustrates that change is constant, nothing is guaranteed and you decide which path to take, not someone else. Besides, wheres the thrill in climbing a ladder that has a system and politics around it? Why not a labyrinth with surprises, failures, learnings and achievement! Your turn How are you managing your career? Are you trying to climb a corporate ladder or are you in a labyrinth?

4th of July Weekend Wrap-up and Update - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

4th of July Weekend Wrap-up and Update - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I want to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. This post wraps-up a lot of whats going on in my personal branding universe.   Below is some event listings, books, news and of course, The Dark Knight Movie for your weekend viewing.   I hope you enjoy it and look forward to more posts next week.   Enjoy the fireworks! Next Level Executives keynote Ill be speaking to the Next Level Executives group next Tuesday (July 8th) about personal eBranding.   John Job-Guy Bates will be opening up the conversation with his presentation on the general concept of personal branding, explaining how an individual is connected to a corporate brand.   John is the #1 career coach in Boston and it will be a pleasure to speak alongside him on Tuesday.   The event is listed on Facebook and Eventbrite if you want tickets and it is being held at the Marriott Courtyard hotel in Marlborough at 6:00 PM EST.   As usual, I will be recording the performance and posting the slides for you to view post-event. Personal Branding Magazine update First, I want to welcome our new co-editor, Miriam Salpeter, who has risen to the occasion already by reviewing the next issue (Volume 2 Issue 1).   Miriam takes the well respected and wonderful Rebecca Thorman, who will still be aligned to the magazine at some level in the future.   Also, please not that on July 28th, you will no longer be able to download the free sample of Issue 4 because it will be replaced by Issue 5.   I look forward to published the next issue and it is by far the best one yet. David Allen and team have a new website David is the best-selling author of Getting Things Done, which the majority of millennials enjoy reading because we are crazy multi-taskers and thrive on accomplishing the most in the lease amount of time.   His book has inspired a website dedicated to the GTD philosophy called GTDtimes and Oliver Starr is the editorial manager who has already made a very compelling blog.   If youve read the book or are just interested in learning something knew, this is the place for you. Jay Conrad Levinsons Guerrilla Marketing Business University Jay is the famous author of the Guerrilla marketing series that you will find in any bookstore.   He is holding a two day live event on August 28th and 29th at the Gaylord Palms Hotel Convention Center in Orlando Florida.   If you have any interest in going to this event, contact Daniel Huffman at danielhuffman@aol.com or by phone at 352-454-4624.   By attending you will learn the truth about marketing, how Guerrilla Marketing can help you increase your profits and about 200 crucial and innovative weapons that you can use today. Media queen Marta Tracy launches her new blog / podcast Television executive, Marta Tracy, who helped create both The Style Network, as Senior Vice-President of Programming, and E! Entertainment Television, as VP of Talent and Development, has produced hundreds of hours of lifestyle and reality shows and segments.   She has now extended her reach on the web, with a brand new blog and podcast series, where she interviews entrepreneurs and media personalities.   Im very excited to see this property grow and you should all subscribe through RSS.   The production quality is superb and the people she has on are very interesting. Jenny Block releases her book Jenny is a freelancer who writes about arts and culture for a wide variety of regional and national publications.   She writes for The Huffington Post, as well as Tango Media.   Her new book Open: Love, Sex Life in an Open Marriage explains her story of the many ups and downs she had, as well as the consequences and lessons she learned from having made the decision to open her marriage. Block explores the nature of the open relationship, why it works for her, why it makes sense for her and her husband, and why it makes so many people uncomfortable. Batman, The Dark Knight Ive been quite obsessed about Batman since I was 6-years-old.   I collected comics, cards and action figures.   My favorite part about Batman was the fact that he didnt have super powers.   Anyone can be Batman, maybe not physically or emotionally, but we all have his vulnerabilities and can be as strong and confident as him.   We can be righteous and do for others, saving and changing lives.   The movie arrives in theaters on July 18th and promises to be the highlight of the summer and worth the overly priced $10 fee to see a movie these days. SPOILER ALERT Two-Face in the final scene [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=YRjpfMHB2IE]

How Do You Keep Yourself Healthy While Working Overseas

How Do You Keep Yourself Healthy While Working Overseas When it comes to working abroad or making your new home in an entirely new country, keeping yourself healthy may be the farthest thing from your mind. After all, you’ve got a lot to worry about already, right? Even so, your health and well-being should always be one of your main priorities, if not at the forefront of your concerns â€" otherwise your overseas career may end more abruptly than you think. Here are some tips to keep yourself healthy while working overseas or moving abroad, besides getting expat medical insurance. Get vaccinations. Working in another country will always be an exciting change, but we have to remember that with a change of scenery also comes with the risk of being infected with serious diseases, especially when tropical countries are involved. As such it’s always a good idea to get vaccinations. Visit your doctor and ask about specific vaccinations that you can take, such as those that protect against malaria, hepatitis, and typhoid. Hydrate regularly. It’s very easy to forget about drinking water when you’re working, especially if your job involves manual labor. So if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking during your trip, make sure you hydrate regularly. Never go outside without a bottle of purified water or two in your bag, preferably purchased from a reputable convenience store as regular tap water may not agree with your constitution. Also, if you’re going to be working outside in hot weather, be sure to bring something along to protect you from the heat, such as a cap or an umbrella. Watch what you eat. One of the most exciting things to do when traveling or working abroad is sampling the local cuisine and delicacies, especially on your first few days in your new host country. There’s nothing wrong with being adventurous when it comes to food.   In fact, it’s a great way to experience the culture.   You just need to watch   exactly what you’re eating and how the food itself is prepared. Otherwise, you may be looking at some gastrointestinal issues that could confine you to your hotel room or even in a hospital if you’re not careful. To prevent this, always eat at reputable and clean-looking restaurants and food outlets. Avoid street food at all costs, especially those that involve seafood or shellfish. Also, wash your hands before and after every meal. Be sure to get enough rest. When it comes to working abroad, it’s always tempting to work long hours just to get the job done. Not only do we end up impressing our bosses, but we also get paid extra in the process. However, always remember it’s not just your own personal time suffering for every hour of overtime.   It can affect your health as well. For every day that you end up having little to no quality rest, the more stress and fatigue builds up in your system.   And that   could lead to all sorts of health problems. Always make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep, no matter what. Make sure to pack enough sunscreen and mosquito repellent. If your new job is somewhere sunny or tropical, then you’re sure to encounter not just hot, sunny weather.   And likely a lot of biting mosquitoes. Avoid the painful sunburn as well as itchy mosquito bites by regularly applying sunscreen and mosquito ointment whenever you’re working outdoors. Youll be able to concentrate on work without being burnt to a crisp or itching all over. And you’ll also be avoiding serious mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Don’t let your overseas career suffer because of sickness or disease. By practicing these simple tips you’ll ensure your good health and well-being wherever you go.

Engineering Writing Resume For College Students

Engineering Writing Resume For College StudentsDid you know that engineering writing resume for college students can help you get into a very reputable company? There are many companies out there that offer paid placements for college students so they can gain work experience.Unfortunately, not all companies will offer placements for college students. These companies are often times the same companies that offer their own graduates a job, which makes it very difficult to break in. It is up to you to take your time and consider carefully before you submit your resume to these companies, as if you send a resume to the wrong company, it could cost you a lot of money.If you are looking for some good career opportunities, then you have come to the right place. We are going to be discussing how you can write a great, detailed resume for college students, with all the necessary details listed. Let's go!You have three things that you need to include on your engineering writing resume for col lege students: your name, your position, and your education. These things will be provided to you by the company you are applying to, and they will require this information, if you are accepted.Education is the first thing they want to see. Why? Because they will want to make sure that you have all of the requirements that are required to work in their industry. So, it is important that you make sure that your education is up to date, even if it is not an accredited degree.They want to see your previous positions, too. This is so they can tell what you are qualified for, and what your abilities are. In order to prove to them that you can do the job, you should have some experience in the field.Other than that, the only other thing they would want to see is your previous work experience. Not all of us have been working in the same field, for years on end, so it is important that you let them know that you have recently finished a specific project.Well, that was the first step towards helping you get into a very exciting career. Please remember that if you send a resume to any company that you do not believe in, it is very likely that you will not be accepted. It is important that you keep this in mind and do everything in your power to help you get a perfect resume that shows them why you are the best candidate for the job.

Ask the CHO Whats with all this happiness crap - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Ask the CHO Whats with all this happiness crap - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Allengirl4 asked how you can spruce up an otherwise boring workplace and Mack came back with this question in the comments: Sorry I just dont get this!! Work is work play is play. I cannot stand it when people decorate their cube etc. this is not kindergarden it is a place of work treat it as such. Grow up! This constant moaning from people really annoys me. If you are not happy at your Job leave. How about this for a motivation to do your job, your SALARY!! Look at people in the third world and their plight and get some perspective! Be glad you have a Job! I believe there is relevance to Macks question. Why do we want to be happy at work? Why is it not enough to go to work and get paid for it? Why do we want work to be more engaging, playful and fun? Whats your take? Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Introducing the Career Solvers Free Job Search App

Introducing the Career Solvers Free Job Search App Career Solvers is pleased to announce our new mobile app for job search and career management. This app brings together career growth tools and techniques into a one stop mobile educational format. Designed for the serious professional, this app provides guidance to help turn career stumbling blocks into career stepping stones through its interactive tools. These tools include:Resume guidebook with sample resumesResearch section to help professionals be better prepared for next career opportunitiesNetworking techniques and guidesInterview workbook that guides a candidate through the toughest interview questionsNegotiation techniques to improve an offerEach section contains thought provoking questions, samples, techniques and notes. In addition, our app includes books and resources that are hidden treasures in today’s professional world. Share the app with like minded colleagues and keep track of your network through the app.This app is designed to be an interactive resource for pro fessionals who are serious about growing their career. Much more than simply a PDF reader, we have included tools to promote real thinking in preparation for that next career step. Thoughts and answers can be saved on the app and even recorded and sent to a coach or colleague, and questions can always be sent to Career Solvers for deeper career guidance. Our app is designed to be updated with new content and will be often as the professional landscape is always changing. You can download your free app for your Android, iPhone, or iPad here:Career Solvers Free Job Search Mobile App for Android Career Solvers Free Job Search Mobile App for iPhone and iPad