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How to Build a Freelancing Team That’ll Benefit Your Business in Every Way

There’s no doubt about it – remote teams are the way of the future. However, it’s freelancers in particular that are benefiting businesses in a myriad of ways. So if you’re dead set on building your dream freelancing team for the ultimate benefit of your business, here is some helpful advice on how to go about it. 

Need to find skilled local employees or freelancers for your business? Mapertunity allows you to connect with job seekers in your area.

Identify your skills’ shortage

Here, you’ll want to be specific about the specific skill set your business requires. Once you are able to accurately identify and define the particular skill set you are looking for, this will make finding the right freelancer to suit your requirements that much easier. 

Where to look

The beauty of finding freelancers nowadays is that it is quite easy (not to mention cost-effective) to do with the accessibility of the internet at your fingertips. Many freelancers advertise their services on popular job boards. So if your business is active on social media, then you’re likely to come across a pool of qualified candidates with a simple search. 

Types of freelancers

Interestingly, there are many types of freelancers that fall under the freelancing umbrella. Thus, it is important to manage your expectations by sourcing the most suitable freelancers for your projects. The different kinds of freelancers you’re likely to come across include:

Contractors

Independent contractors lend their skills and expertise on a contractual basis to companies looking for their particular skill set. 

Moonlighters

Moonlighters usually have a steady full-time career, but lend knowledge or expertise to businesses on a part-time or after-hours basis as a means to supplement their income. 

Freelance businesses

Sometimes, you’ll encounter freelance businesses rather than individuals acting in their own capacity. These companies are typically the result of freelancers who have outgrown their capacity to provide their services on an individual basis and have opted to build a freelance business instead to keep up with demand. 

Communication is vital

Building a successful team of remote freelancers requires a highly functional communication system that works well at keeping the lines of communication open at all times. Moreover, because remote work is not limited to a physical location, there are many communication tools available online to keep your team members in the loop at all times, such as Slack or Asana, for example. 

Payment methods

Payment in lieu of freelance services received is not always as simple as a basic bank transfer. While this can work in some instances if you share common banking services, there are other times when you may have to consider alternative means, such as international payment platforms such as Payoneer or PayPal, for example. 

Deciding on a business structure

As with starting any business venture, you’ll have to first take care of certain admin tasks beforehand such as sorting out the accounting side of things, getting your freelancers to work according to a set schedule, drawing up contracts, etc., you also need to decide on the structure of your freelance business.

An LLC, for instance, is a good example of a flexible and simple business structure that is relatively easy to create. Furthermore, it has distinct benefits that make it a popular choice that include tax advantages, less paperwork to manage, and more. But always check the filing requirements for your state, as these may differ from state to state. If you’d rather avoid all the preparation work beforehand, a formation service can assist you with this (and often charge far less than lawyer services would).

In conclusion, starting your own freelance business is likely to come with many benefits. The process is fairly simple, too. It’s no wonder, then, why this is such a popular business venture that many are buying into. 

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How to Follow Up After an Interview Without Sounding Pushy

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You just finished interviewing for a job you really want, and you think it went well. How do you follow up after the interview – without coming across as too overbearing?

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What is Mapertunity?

Mapertunity is the art and science of using Google Maps to locate candidates and jobs.  It is unlike any other job board, such as LinkedIn, Indeed or Monster.  It has been engineered to eliminate the middle man that frequently prevents employers from finding the right candidate and the candidate from finding the right employer. 

What are the Key Features of Mapertunity?

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Before You Leave the Interview, Ask About Next Steps

The first thing you need to do while you’re still in the interview is to ask about what happens next. Let the interviewer lay out the next steps in the process to find out what you should expect and what is expected of you. It’s important to know when they’re making their decisions and when it’s appropriate for you to follow up.

You should also collect business cards from the people you met at the company. You’ll need to know those names and contact info so you can follow up with each person afterward.

Send a Thank You Note via Email

How soon should you follow up after an interview? The answer is: immediately! As soon as you get home, write a thank you note to the person with whom you interviewed. This is an important step; a study by resume-writing firm TopResume reveals that 68% of hiring managers say that receiving a thank you note has an impact on who they hire. Not writing a thank you note could seriously harm your chances of getting hired.

In the past, most thank you notes were handwritten and delivered via postal mail. Today, however, email thank you notes are the norm unless you’re dealing with a very traditional firm.

What should you include in your thank you note? This should be a short and sweet follow up email after the interview.

First, thank the person you talked to. Express your appreciation for taking the time to talk to you and reiterate your interest in the position and the company.

Next, take a few sentences to promote yourself. Remind the interviewer about your skills and why you’re uniquely qualified for the job.

You should also use this opportunity to add any information you forgot to mention in the interview. Clean up any mistakes you made and clarify any poorly-worded answers you might have given.

Your thank you note should be brief and written in a conversational tone. Check your spelling and grammar, and be sure to include all of your contact information. This is an opportunity to leave an additional good impression, so treat it with the same care and attention to detail you did with your resume and cover letter.

Consider a Handwritten Thank You Note

In addition to sending an email thank you, you may want to consider sending a handwritten thank you note. This should be a brief one- or two-sentence thank you in your own handwriting. Use a card stock like you can find in a stationery store, write legibly, and mail it shortly after you send your original email, so the interviewer gets it a few days later. It will jog his or her memory and add a nice personal touch.

Thank Everyone You Interviewed With

In some firms, you end up interviewing with multiple people – maybe a hiring manager in HR, your immediate potential boss, and the head of the department. Make sure you send thank you notes to everyone you interview with and personalize each note with specific details of interest to that person.

Consider a Thank You Phone Call

In some instances, a thank you phone call may also be appropriate. Calling to offer a quick thanks helps the interviewer put a voice to your resume and demonstrates your communication skills. Just thank the person for spending time with you and remind them of why you’re a good fit for the open position. The call should be short and to the point, serving to reinforce the information you send your formal thank you note.

Connect via LinkedIn

The day after you send your thank you note, log into LinkedIn, and find the person or people with whom you interviewed. Send a connection request to that person, along with a short note expressing your thanks for being considered for the job. This way you’ll have that person in your professional network, even if the position doesn’t materialize.

Follow Up with Another Email

If you haven’t heard from the company within a week or two, it’s time to send a follow-up note. You need to remind the interviewer that you’re still interested in the job – and still the best candidate.

Timing is essential for this second follow up email after the interview. Your follow up has to match the company’s timeline for filling the job; if you email too soon, you might appear pushy and if you email too late, it may look as if you’re no longer interested. In most instances, that means waiting at least a week but no longer than two weeks.

Use this follow up email to ask for an update on the status of the position. You can also be a little self-promotional and remind the interviewer on why you think you’re a good fit.

Keep in Contact

If the interviewer doesn’t respond to your follow up email or you haven’t heard anything for over a month, it’s likely that you didn’t get the job. What should you do now?

In addition to sending out your resume to other businesses, you should keep in touch with the people you met at the original firm. The people you met with can become valuable members of your professional network. Not only will you be front-of-mind for any additional positions that open up with that company, but you’ll also build lasting relationships that can prove valuable in your career.

The bottom line, don’t view the situation as a failed job interview. Instead, consider this an opportunity to make new contacts and open up new opportunities.

Let Mapertunity Help You Land Your Next Interview

When you’re trying to get your next interview, let Mapertunity help. Mapertunity is the world’s first fully transparent, interactive job map. We help people find the right job in the right location – and find the best companies with which to interview.

When you’re ready to interview, contact us at Mapertunity! We’re here to help.

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The Importance of Networking: Why You Should Always Seek to Meet Others

importance of networking

Business networking is the process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop personal contacts. You can network in person at local meetings or watering holes, or online via industry websites and social networks.

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What is the importance of networking for your career development? According to LinkedIn, 80% of professionals surveyed say that networking is important to their career success. Here’s why.

Networking Helps You Make New Connections in Your Industry

It’s important not to become isolated. When you network with others who work in your industry, you’re talking with people who deal with the same day-to-day issues. You can discuss industry trends, market conditions, the latest news and developments, and so forth.

Networking also helps you make new connections in your industry. Most people you meet know other people in the industry, so you can quickly build your network of connections. Over time you’ll not only build strong professional relationships, but you’ll also make a name for yourself among others in your industry.

Making Connections Could Help You Advance in Your Company

Networking isn’t just for connecting with people in other firms. You should also network with others in your workplace, either at work, over lunch, or after work. It’s a good way to find out more about your company and what’s going on in other departments. It also positions you as someone interested in the business and open to new experiences. It’s even good for finding an internal mentor, someone who may be able to guide you to a promotion or transfer in the future. That’s the importance of networking in the workplace. 

Become More Visible by Networking With Your Peers

As you continue to network, you not only get to know new people, but you also make your presence known throughout your business, your industry, and your city. Networking helps to establish and build your reputation among people who can help you now and in the future.

The more you network, the more visible you become to people who matter. You not only become a well-known individual, but you build your reputation as someone who can make introductions and provide insights and advice.

Networking Provides Valuable Career Guidance

The people you network with can help you plot out the course of your business career. Your peers can provide the guidance and advice you need when deciding what to do and where to go next in your industry.

Continued Networking Can Help You Find Your Next Job

Most people recognize the importance of networking in their job search. When you interact with other people in your industry, you’ll become aware of open positions before they’re posted to the public. You’ll also be recognized as a viable candidate before you submit your resume.

When you’re in the market for a new job, make your interest known to the people with whom you network. It’s likely someone in your network will know of an appropriate position – and know who to talk to. Use your networking contacts to make the connections you need to get your foot in the proverbial door.

Making New Connections Helps You Learn New Skills

Networking with people either in your industry or who hold similar positions to yours will expose you to new ways of doing things. Learn from your new contacts to discover skills that are well-known to them but new to you. You’ll enhance your skills and learn new information by networking with those who’ve come before you.

Your New Connections Can Help You Gain a Different Perspective

Not only does networking help you discover new skills, but it also helps provide different viewpoints from what you may be used to. Your networking contacts work for different companies that do things in different ways. They can provide you with new insights on how to do your job. It can also help you escape from your day-to-day rut and start thinking outside the box.

Networking Helps You Solve Problems

When you encounter a vexing business challenge, use your network to help find a solution. Chances are someone in your group of contacts has faced a similar issue and can provide the answers you seek. Your business network is a valuable resource you can tap regularly.

Continuously Making New Connections Helps You Build Confidence

The more you associate with others outside your day-to-day workplace, the more confidence you’ll have in dealing with others. Walking up and talking to a stranger may be outside your comfort zone, but the more you do it, the more self-confidence you’ll have. It’s a matter of using networking to develop your social skills, which you need to advance in your career.

These New Connections Can Help You Forge Lifelong Relationships

Some of the people you meet while networking may be casual acquaintances, but others can turn into lifelong friends. The more you network, the more you’ll find that you’re building long-lasting relationships. You’re associating with people who have similar goals, backgrounds, and experiences, all of which can be the basis for strong interpersonal connections.

Networking Provides Support

The people you meet through networking can provide valuable support when you’re going through a rough period in your career or personal life. Your contacts become friends and mentors who want you to succeed and can encourage you when things look dim. Your business network becomes a support network when you need it.

Networking Lets You Share Your Skills and Help Others

Networking not only benefits you, but it also benefits the people with whom you network. Just as you can learn from and be mentored from your network connections, others you network with can learn from and be mentored by you. Helping others achieve their career goals can be a rewarding experience – for both of you.

Find Your Next Position with Mapertunity

Networking is essential, and so is identifying the right position. Mapertunity is the world’s first fully transparent, interactive job map. We help people find the right job in the right location – so you can make your networking pay off.

When you’re networking for a  new job, contact us at Mapertunity! We’re here to help.

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