Latest news with #freelance
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Add Consulting Work To Your Resume Without Raising Red Flags
How To Add Freelance Or Consulting Experience To Your Resume (Without Raising Red Flags) I've been consulting for the past year and I wasn't sure how to put it on my resume. I know that employers don't like to see that. – Accountant Your resume is an important part of your job search, so it's good that this accountant is thinking about how to maximize each item they include. However, overly generalized assumptions (such as, employers not liking consulting experience) are not good. See previous post, The Reason Your Job Search Isn't Working Is Not What You Think, for a more detailed explanation, but essentially the wrong assumption can derail your search, and even a correct assumption likely doesn't apply to every job you're targeting. Why Employers Care About Consulting Experience If your most recent experience has been consulting (or freelance), then employers care about it because employers prioritize what you have been doing most recently. Listing all of your experience (including the consulting) ensures that you don't leave employment gaps that you'll need to explain. A prospective employer might skip over resumes with gaps, assuming that the candidate hasn't been doing anything. Add consulting experience to your resume as soon as you confirm that you'll be consulting, rather than working a traditional job, for several months, certainly at the one-year mark. Consulting projects give you results to discuss in your interviews and networking meetings. You can point to skills and expertise you have developed and used firsthand. Make sure your resume sells your consulting experience by itemizing specific software and other technical skills you are using. If you are concerned that sharing quantitative information will betray your client's confidentiality, then share less specific information (e.g., % improvement rather than the actual result). If you work with brand-name clients that your target employers know, then your clients give you a halo effect – i.e., if your work is good enough for them, it's probably good enough for the employer. If you have worked with a variety of clients, you can sell your diversity of experience and access to multiple strategies and best practices as a competitive advantage. If you are concerned about listing specific client names, then list a description that still gives readers a sense of the type of client you served (e.g., industry, size using terms like 'small business' or 'Fortune 500', tenure using terms like 'start-up' or 'established'). How To Avoid Raising Red Flags When Looking For A Full-Time Job After Consulting Or Freelancing That said, a move from consulting back to full-time employment can raise red flags if positioned incorrectly. Employers may question your motivation because consulting work and the consulting life is different from being a full-time employee. You need to convince prospective employers that you are genuine in why you're making the change, ideally focusing on why you want to be an employee and not on why you don't want consulting. Motivation is not something that comes across in the resume, so make sure to attach a cover letter framing your transition into consulting as temporary. Focus on networking where you can tell your story prior to sharing a resume. Tell your story in the About section of your LinkedIn profile to preemptively address any questions about your motives. You can't be unemployed for a year, do a day of pro bono work and call yourself a consultant to paper over an employment gap. While you don't need to have worked 40 billable hours each and every week to match a full-time schedule, you should have multiple clients, or multiple projects for a single client, to point to, so your experience is taken seriously. On your resume, if you have multiple clients or projects to showcase, dedicate a separate bullet in your consulting experience section to detail each client or project. Employers are tuned to WIIFM radio (i.e., What's In It For Me). You may have impressive results-focused consulting experience but until you show how it's relevant to your target employer, they may discount it. Don't just list your experience, and assume your prospective employers will see the value. Promote your value by talking about the specific needs they are facing and showing how your experience, expertise and skills are the solution. This is best done in a cover letter or in a networking meeting. On the resume, include details that your target employer cares about. For example, if you are targeting accounting jobs at large companies and you have large company consulting clients, when you describe your consulting, be sure to include the sizes of your clients. What Career Changers Can Do To Get Past The Resume Screen And Into The Interview Process The change from consulting to full-time employee is a career change, even if you're returning to a similar function, like accounting, and/or returning to the same industry you worked in before (e.g., media, retail, banking, etc.). Generally, employers prefer people who have done the exact role before. In a choice between someone who had been in-house versus a consultant, they may feel the in-house candidate is a safer bet. If your consulting work was taking over for a full-time employee and essentially filling that role, just not on the payroll, then emphasize this for future employers. You're positioning yourself as an employee who happened to be a consultant, minimizing the change. If your work wasn't structured like that, find other similarities between your work and the in-house staff, such as working closely with them, using the same processes, or interacting with the same senior leaders. Resumes make it easy to filter candidates out, not invite them in. Employers look for gaps in dates, search for keywords (and note their absence), scout for recognizable names (and discount ones they don't recognize) and skim years or decades of background in seconds. Relying on a resume to make your case cedes control of your job search to the resume reader (if anyone reads the resume at all!). Spend more time reaching out to decision-makers and other working professionals than sending out unsolicited resumes. If you haven't made it known to your consulting clients that you would prefer a traditional job, do that ASAP. Your clients know, like and trust your work so if there is an ongoing need, they may convert you to a full-time employee. If there isn't, they can at least be strong references for you and may have opportunities to refer. Once they see how serious you are about leaving for a traditional job, they may create something for you in order to keep you. Your consulting experience is a lead generator for your job search, not a detractor. When looking for a job, consider both consulting and traditional jobs.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
The number of U.S. highway deaths is horrifying. But we can reduce it.
Josh Max is a freelance auto and traffic safety writer in Colorado. I've been an auto journalist for 25 years. In that time, I've test-driven more than 1,400 cars, trucks, SUVs and exotics, the classics and the clunkers, the sublime and the absurd. It's a great job, of course, one I'm still grateful for every day.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This attorney left the US for Mexico when his pandemic-era side hustle exploded — now he rakes in more than $350K/year
When COVID-19 brought Derrick Morgan Jr.'s legal career to a standstill, he looked for a way to make money from home — and found one that changed his life. Today, Morgan works full-time as a trademark attorney offering services directly to clients through online platforms. He lives primarily in Mexico City, pays himself $350,000 a year and has traveled to more than 60 countries, all while setting himself up for early retirement. 'My goal isn't necessarily to just be rich,' Morgan told CNBC Make It. 'My goal is just to have options.' Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how Turning trademarks into a thriving business In 2020, Morgan was working on a contingency basis at an Indianapolis law firm. But when the courts shut down during the pandemic, so did his income. That's when a cousin asked for help registering a trademark. Though Morgan had studied intellectual property in law school, he hadn't practiced it in his day job. Still, the work came naturally and sparked an idea. He began offering trademark services on Fiverr, a freelance marketplace. His straightforward communication and customer-friendly style helped him stand out. Within a few months, his side hustle became a full-fledged business. Today, Morgan offers everything from trademark searches and filings to brand enforcement, charging between $600 and $800 per client. With the help of a paralegal and an AI assistant, he's scaled down from 90-hour workweeks to about 45 to 50 hours. Since trademark law is federal law, Morgan says he can work from anywhere as long as he has a U.S. license with a state bar. This allows him to pursue his passion for travel. He's visited more than 60 countries so far, and splits his non-travel time between Dallas and Mexico City, where he lives for nine months each year. The other three months? 'Wherever the wind takes me,' he told CNBC Make It. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it How he manages and invests his money Morgan expects to earn about $500,000 this year and pays pay himself $350,000. He supplements that with $440 in monthly rental income from a Chicago condo. He spends about $2,000 on rent, and about $1,085 per month on dining out, mostly at his favorite taco spots. He doesn't own a car; instead, he relies on Uber, paying about $170 a month. He doesn't carry a balance on his credit cards and his only debt is $42,000 in student loans. Inspired by the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early), Morgan hopes to retire in his 40s and sets aside at least 40% of his income each month. His investment strategy includes: Tax advantaged accounts: Solo 401(k), SEP IRA and HSA Taxable brokerage account: Allows early access to funds before age 59.5 Real estate: Including a stake in a boutique hotel development in Mexico 'I invest in real estate because I don't want all my wealth tied to the stock market,' he said. Morgan's hard work has paid off as he earns substantially more than the 2024 median pay of $151,160 per year for a U.S. lawyer. He's also setting himself up for a comfortable life moving forward by prioritizing his savings and diversifying his investments in tax-advantaged and taxable accounts. Want to follow in his footsteps? Here's how to start Morgan's story is inspiring, but replicating it starts with identifying your own skills and building a business around them. Then, you can layer in smart money moves to create long-term financial stability. How to turn your skills into a successful solo business: List out what you're good at: Include formal training, hobbies and tasks people come to you for help with. Look for overlap with market needs: Search freelance platforms or social media to see what services are in demand. Start small and test your offer: Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork or social media are great for validating your niche. Refine your process: Streamline your workflow, get help (like Morgan's paralegal or AI assistant) and raise your rates as demand grows. Build flexibility into your business: Choose a service or model you can do from anywhere. Smart investing tips for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs: Open a solo 401(k): Contribute as both employer and employee to maximize retirement savings. In 2025, solo 401(k) contributions can total up to $70,000 — or more with catch-up contributions, which raise the limit to $77,500 or $81,250 depending on your age. Consider a SEP IRA: Easy to set up, with high annual contribution limits. They allow employer contributions of up to 25% of your income or $75,000 in 2025. Just be sure your combined SEP and solo 401(k) contributions stay within IRS limits. Diversify beyond stocks: Like Morgan, consider real estate or alternative investments if they align with your goals. Morgan's success came from leaning into what he already knew and using discipline and smart planning to scale it into something life-changing. After years of 90-hour workweeks and committed saving, he's now built a life of freedom and a future of financial security. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This attorney left the US for Mexico when his pandemic-era side hustle exploded — now he rakes in more than $350K/year
When COVID-19 brought Derrick Morgan Jr.'s legal career to a standstill, he looked for a way to make money from home — and found one that changed his life. Today, Morgan works full-time as a trademark attorney offering services directly to clients through online platforms. He lives primarily in Mexico City, pays himself $350,000 a year and has traveled to more than 60 countries, all while setting himself up for early retirement. 'My goal isn't necessarily to just be rich,' Morgan told CNBC Make It. 'My goal is just to have options.' Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how Turning trademarks into a thriving business In 2020, Morgan was working on a contingency basis at an Indianapolis law firm. But when the courts shut down during the pandemic, so did his income. That's when a cousin asked for help registering a trademark. Though Morgan had studied intellectual property in law school, he hadn't practiced it in his day job. Still, the work came naturally and sparked an idea. He began offering trademark services on Fiverr, a freelance marketplace. His straightforward communication and customer-friendly style helped him stand out. Within a few months, his side hustle became a full-fledged business. Today, Morgan offers everything from trademark searches and filings to brand enforcement, charging between $600 and $800 per client. With the help of a paralegal and an AI assistant, he's scaled down from 90-hour workweeks to about 45 to 50 hours. Since trademark law is federal law, Morgan says he can work from anywhere as long as he has a U.S. license with a state bar. This allows him to pursue his passion for travel. He's visited more than 60 countries so far, and splits his non-travel time between Dallas and Mexico City, where he lives for nine months each year. The other three months? 'Wherever the wind takes me,' he told CNBC Make It. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it How he manages and invests his money Morgan expects to earn about $500,000 this year and pays pay himself $350,000. He supplements that with $440 in monthly rental income from a Chicago condo. He spends about $2,000 on rent, and about $1,085 per month on dining out, mostly at his favorite taco spots. He doesn't own a car; instead, he relies on Uber, paying about $170 a month. He doesn't carry a balance on his credit cards and his only debt is $42,000 in student loans. Inspired by the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early), Morgan hopes to retire in his 40s and sets aside at least 40% of his income each month. His investment strategy includes: Tax advantaged accounts: Solo 401(k), SEP IRA and HSA Taxable brokerage account: Allows early access to funds before age 59.5 Real estate: Including a stake in a boutique hotel development in Mexico 'I invest in real estate because I don't want all my wealth tied to the stock market,' he said. Morgan's hard work has paid off as he earns substantially more than the 2024 median pay of $151,160 per year for a U.S. lawyer. He's also setting himself up for a comfortable life moving forward by prioritizing his savings and diversifying his investments in tax-advantaged and taxable accounts. Want to follow in his footsteps? Here's how to start Morgan's story is inspiring, but replicating it starts with identifying your own skills and building a business around them. Then, you can layer in smart money moves to create long-term financial stability. How to turn your skills into a successful solo business: List out what you're good at: Include formal training, hobbies and tasks people come to you for help with. Look for overlap with market needs: Search freelance platforms or social media to see what services are in demand. Start small and test your offer: Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork or social media are great for validating your niche. Refine your process: Streamline your workflow, get help (like Morgan's paralegal or AI assistant) and raise your rates as demand grows. Build flexibility into your business: Choose a service or model you can do from anywhere. Smart investing tips for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs: Open a solo 401(k): Contribute as both employer and employee to maximize retirement savings. In 2025, solo 401(k) contributions can total up to $70,000 — or more with catch-up contributions, which raise the limit to $77,500 or $81,250 depending on your age. Consider a SEP IRA: Easy to set up, with high annual contribution limits. They allow employer contributions of up to 25% of your income or $75,000 in 2025. Just be sure your combined SEP and solo 401(k) contributions stay within IRS limits. Diversify beyond stocks: Like Morgan, consider real estate or alternative investments if they align with your goals. Morgan's success came from leaning into what he already knew and using discipline and smart planning to scale it into something life-changing. After years of 90-hour workweeks and committed saving, he's now built a life of freedom and a future of financial security. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Accredited investors can now buy into this $22 trillion asset class once reserved for elites – and become the landlord of Walmart, Whole Foods or Kroger without lifting a finger. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Freelance or Full-Time? How to Choose Your Next Career Move
Should You Go Freelance Or Hold Out for Full-Time? I was recently laid off with some severance, which gave me some cushion in the job search. I know the job market is a slog though, so I wanted to make sure my skills are kept sharp not just for my next job but really in the long run. I am considering setting up an editorial and content strategy consultancy, so that at least I have recent projects that can continue to be valuable to potential employers. Would setting up a whole new business get in the way of actually seeking a job? Is that dividing my attentions/efforts into competing buckets? In a perfect world, if I knew I could not fail, I would set up my own consultancy offering fractional editorial leadership, from content strategy to execution, but I also don't know if I have what it takes to be a solo entrepreneur. – Experienced Journalist The best next career move is not a one-size-fits-all. It depends on your interests and priorities, as well as your runway for how long you can hold out for what you want (e.g., money you have to support yourself, emotional capacity to live in the uncertainty). It also depends on opportunities available to you – if you're an AI expert and getting multi-million dollar offers, you may want to ride that wave. This journalist asks about launching a business or looking for a job. When you're unemployed, that is your first fork in the road. Do you hedge your bets and try both? Or go all-in on one option? Why You Should Focus On One Option – Either Freelance Or Full-Time A big part of landing your next opportunity will come down to networking -- whether you're establishing a business and pitching your first clients or interviewing for jobs and pitching prospective employers. If you're pursuing both, you risk sounding undecided and therefore less attractive to either clients or employers. Even friendly networking contacts may be hesitant to refer you or just get confused about what you want help with (i.e., new business or job leads?). In addition to networking confusion, your branding may seem unfocused if you're speaking to clients and employers at the same time. Your LinkedIn profile plays a prominent role in your next move, and you have only one public profile. Your resume, networking pitch, and even professional references also need to be tailored to a next step. Why You Don't Have To Choose And Should Pursue Both Freelance And Job Search That said, there are professionals at different levels, in different roles and across industries who have managed to hold a traditional job and build a side hustle at the same time. The potential networking and branding hurdles are not insurmountable. You will need to show that you can perform as both a consultant and in-house and that you're genuinely interested in both. A big benefit to you of pulling that off and pursuing both business launch and traditional job search is that you broaden your chances for finding your next thing. If you're like this journalist who is not 100% sold on entrepreneurship, pursuing both is a way of experimenting before having to decide. Another big benefit is a speedier route to getting hired. Your next business client as a freelancer or next employer as a full-timer might be the same organization, so making yourself available to both a consulting assignment and traditional job can make it easier for that organization to say Yes. It gives them options, in case their budget is for outside vendors or for a permanent headcount. It gives the organization a try-before-you-buy option, as they can bring you in for a limited time or single project and then convert from temp to permanent, full-time. It also gives you a try-before-you-buy option, and you might decide to stick to consulting or hold out for another employer. How To Maximize Your Career Potential In Today's Job Market Today's job market has been linked to chaos, competition and uncertainty (yikes!). This gives the edge to Team Both – pursue freelance and look for a job. For each opportunity you consider, make your pitch less about the mechanics of consulting versus in-house and all about the best way to solve the problem your client/ employer is facing. Preview your solution, and emphasize your expertise – whether you come in as a freelancer or full-time employee is secondary to the fact that you will help them. In your networking and branding, keep the focus on your results – how you get paid is secondary to getting results. As you build up your business, you may find that landing a job is something you can layer on top of your existing business. In an uncertain market, having options is critical for moving forward. In a chaotic market, multiple sources of income is the foundation of career security.
