Introduction
The days of corporate loyalty are over. The working world has become a freelance world. Whatever field you're in, you will always have to hustle for work. You yourself are a business. And like any business, you are a brand. That means you must be trained to define, articulate, and sell that brand. This book is your guide.
In this book, I'll provide practical, relevant, and valuable mentoring. I'm not only a leading authority in the field of career development, but I hire and manage people. This book contains advice you can use at any stage in your life, whatever you do, for as long as you choose to work.
This book explores the following:
- How to move your job search into the 21st century
- Distinguishing needs from wants
- Managing time and money
- Why you don't need to worry if you don't know what you want to do
- Getting inside the boss's head so she'll hire you
- Building a granular database, the foundation of all your networking
- How to stay sane while you search for work
Who This Book Is For
I've taught and counseled all manner of professionals of all ages, from graphic artists to fashion designers to chefs to musicians to financial consultants to filmmakers. In doing so, I've learned that the same principles apply to every industry and occupation. Whatever you do, whether you're an intern or a business owner, or dream of doing, you're going to need to sell your services. 101 Ways to Find Work...and Keep Finding Work for the Rest of Your Career! will teach you how.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is organized into 16 chapters:
- Chapter 1, “The Context.” This chapter gets you grounded in the new world of work.
- Chapter 2, “Moving Your Job-Seeking Strategy into the 21st Century.” Here, you'll explore the wide world of freelancing—and how you can make it your own.
- Chapter 3, “The Importance of Passion.” This chapter is all about passion—how to find it, how to feed it, and why it's okay if you haven't hit on yours just yet.
- Chapter 4, “The Employer's Perspective.” This chapter unlocks the mysteries of the interview.
- Chapter 5, “Communication.” As you'll learn in this chapter, communication is the key to your success.
- Chapter 6, “Résumés and Cover Letters.” Here, you'll learn how to write and use your résumé and cover letters—even though they don't matter so much anymore.
- Chapter 7, “Networking.” Networking helps you connect with others, not just for your own benefit, but for theirs, too.
- Chapter 8, “Time Management.” This chapter is about focus and the myth of procrastination.
- Chapter 9, “Organization (Yours and Theirs).” Read this chapter for tips about navigating the working world. (Hint: It's all politics.)
- Chapter 10, “Getting Out of Your Own Way.” Read this chapter to learn how your friends can keep you from shooting yourself in the foot.
- Chapter 11, “Building a Name for Yourself in Your Field.” For tips on making a name for yourself, read this chapter.
- Chapter 12, “Continuing to Learn and Improve.” No matter how old you are, you must never stop learning. Read this chapter for tips on staying on top of your career and your life.
- Chapter 13, “Staying Sane.” Looking for work is tough, but it's never that bad. This chapter features tips to help you stay sane during your job search.
- Chapter 14, “Premium Marketing Strategies.” Even if you have a “traditional” job, you're still your own business. This chapter features high-end coaching ideas to help market yourself.
- Chapter 15, “More Artillery.” Sometimes you need to get creative and bring out the big guns. This chapter features tips that you may not have thought of before.
- Chapter 16, “Building Your Online Footprint.” This chapter is all about embracing the future and making friends everywhere.