Subscribe by RSS
Posts Tagged ‘job search’
Most Popular APIs Used By Freelance Coders
1/27/2012 4:19 PM By ArtisanApplication programming interfaces (APIs) are the tools that enable web coders to develop applications that function with existing services and websites. A perfect example is when a developer uses YouTube’s open API to embed videos onto the main page of a client’s website or when a website uses the Google Maps API to enable brick-and-mortar establishments to map their location so customers can easily find them.
Even more websites are turning to social media platform APIs like Facebook and Twitter as a way of integrating their websites with their social media accounts. This is something that YouTube, Google, Twitter and others encourage, as it is mutually beneficial by creating an interactive, integrated user experience while promoting further use of the API provider’s services.
The following is a list of some of the most popular APIs that are commonly used by freelance coders and website designers for integration with client websites. It’s by no means a comprehensive list of all of the APIs that you can find; therefore, it should only be used as a starting point for your continuing education as a web designer:
If you’re a freelance coder eager to get your name listed in a prominent position on a heavily trafficked web designers directory, learning to be fluent in some or all of the above listed APIs can help you accomplish that. Having a dozen or more websites to your credit that utilize these APIs to drive traffic can also infuse your portfolio with the kind of pizzazz and diversity that potential employers looking to hire freelance coders will sit up and take notice of.
Yet another effective way of increasing your profile in the ever-competitive world of freelance developers and web coders is by allying yourself with a creative talent agency like Artisan, where you’ll be listed alongside other in-demand professionals. To get started, sign up with Artisan today.
Vince F is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.
Weeding Out Web Designer Pros From the Flakes
1/9/2012 1:15 PM By Vince Font
The trouble many companies face when hiring Web Designers has little to do with finding people of skill and more to do with finding individuals who can produce high quality work on time. The reason? It’s easy for someone to get an education as a Web Designer. Work ethic, on the other hand, can’t always be learned and is seemingly in short quantity these days. If you’re looking to hire a Web Designer but want to avoid finding certain things out the hard way, we’ve got a few tips to help you out.
• Approach a creative talent agency in your search. You can still hire a Web Designer by listing the position on your company website or job boards, but top staffing agencies pre-screen all candidates and even perform pre-qualification interviews to be able to present you with a list of ideal job candidates.
• Know what you’re looking for. You don’t have to be an expert in web design to hire a Web Designer, but you should know enough to be able to discuss what you expect of them. It’s not enough to know what you don’t want, and it’s certainly unfair to expect someone to read your mind.
• Follow up on referrals. This is particularly important if you’re not using a creative talent agency or other staffing firm to find qualified people, since they’ll usually take care of all of the verification for you. You don’t want to find out that the individual you’ve hired for a critical project is not at all who you thought, so do your homework before signing a contract.
If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, it’s strongly recommended that you work with a staffing agency like Artisan who will be able to work with you to determine the quality of Web Designer you need and can provide a qualified match faster than it’ll take you to say “We should have come here sooner.”
The Top 3 Realities of Being a Freelance Marketing Consultant
1/6/2012 3:18 PM By Vince FontIf you’re considering leaving your day job to pursue a career as a freelance marketing consultant, it’s critical that you look before you leap. Most importantly, you should take a long hard look at some of the realities that freelance marketing professionals face on a daily basis.
• Reality #1: There’s no guarantee that you’ll get to work from home in your jammies. While this might sound like the dream environment for many, even if you’re a wildly successful freelance marketing consultant you may never spend any work time in slippers and sweats. Lots of companies that hire marketing professionals require an in-person presence, in which case you’d better not get rid of your business wardrobe prematurely.
• Reality #2: There’s no such thing as long-term job security. Although you can improve your chances of never running out of work by hooking up with a staffing agency like Artisan, there are no assurances that the job market for freelance Marketing Consultants won’t dry up. Then again, there are no assurances these days in any job market at all… so why not explore your opportunities in the freelance field?
• Reality #3: You may have to move around a lot. At very least, you should be prepared to do a lot of traveling. Part of being a successful marketing professional will require that you take project assignments in various locations throughout the country. If you’re not comfortable moving around or traveling, freelance work in this role might not be for you. At Artisan, we not only offer to connect you with plenty of hiring companies—we also offer health benefits and time off. To find out more, contact us today.
Three Tips to Success for Mobile App Developers
1/5/2012 2:47 PM By Vince Font
One of the biggest misconceptions that Mobile App Developers have about their work is that it’s identical to developing computer applications, only on a smaller visual scale. But nothing could be further from the truth—as exemplified by smartphone applications that cater specifically to mobile users and don’t translate well to a large scale PC or laptop environment. If you want to be a successful Mobile App Developer, you’ve got to learn to think outside the box. Easier said than done? Yes. But here are some great ideas to help grease the wheels.
• Study the competition. Don’t spend all your time thinking of how to revolutionize the application market. It’s not a bad mental exercise, but just don’t let this activity run your daily work life. Mobile App Developers more often than not create programs that are incredibly simplistic and improve upon existing applications. For this reason, you should make studying the competition (i.e., all other successful mobile apps) your full-time job when you’re not actually coding.
• Embrace simplicity. If you look around, you’ll see that the most popular apps on the market were made by Mobile App Developers for the express purpose of performing basic tasks. Take, for example, barcode scanner applications. Or weather apps. Or note-taking apps. Trying to design a mobile app that takes on more than a single task is not only a gargantuan undertaking, but also a counterproductive one. People like simplicity and reject complexity, especially on their mobile devices.
• Don’t procrastinate releasing your app. If you wait to release an app until you feel that you’ve worked out all the kinks and that you’ve produced a flawless design, you’ll be waiting until the end of time. Do your due diligence by testing, but accept the fact that you’ll be working out bugs and releasing updates on a near-constant basis. Releasing early also gives you an opportunity to make improvements that you might not have thought of based on the feedback of those who matter most: end users. Never discourage or discount any feedback. It can only help you refine your application.
Without a doubt, the best way to become a truly successful Developer is to rack up an enormous amount of experience working in as many mobile design roles as possible, and for a wide variety of clients. The encouraging news is that the world is rife with companies seeking talented Mobile App Developers for one-off projects, short-term assignments or full-time employment.
Tips to Keeping Your Resume Locked and Loaded
1/4/2012 2:01 PM By Vince FontA lot of jobseekers aren’t aware that keeping their resume up to date is critical. The fact is, if you’re a freelancer for instance, you can go for months at a time from one job to another, not needing to provide your resume. Then all of a sudden, a potential client asks for it. If you haven’t worked on your resume in nearly a year, this can induce something akin to panic. But if you take action now, you won’t have to rely on scouring the web for freelance writing resume samples at the last minute. Here are a couple of tips to help you out.
• Get yourself signed up with a creative staffing agency. One of the benefits of being represented by a recruitment firm like Artisan is that we’ll assign you a Talent Representative who will go through your resume and make suggestions on how you can improve it. They may also remind you what key points to mention on your resume from your last gig. Having this free service at your disposal can be an invaluable tool to helping you land future copywriter freelance jobs, graphic design jobs or any other kind of gig you’re qualified for.
• Dedicate an hour per week to working on your resume. This may not seem like much, but in the long run it can make all the difference between being able to spring a job opportunity and missing out because you didn’t have your act together.
• Keep a text copy of all job postings for projects you get hired for. Even those who specialize in editorially-oriented fields like copywriting or technical writing need help with their resumes from time to time, and having these pre-written job descriptions can come in handy when updating your resume. The less thought you have to put into it, the better.
Even if it’s been years since anyone last requested your resume, don’t take this as indication that nobody ever will again. Use all of the tools at your disposal to keep your resume updated frequently so that if and when a potential employer asks for it, you won’t have to delay your response or rely on cheap resume samples to get you through.
The Importance of Knowing Your Market
12/30/2011 2:56 PM By Vince Font
You can find all sorts of full-time and freelance marketing jobs by working with a creative staffing agency like Artisan. But when it comes down to being the chosen one for all of the sweet gigs on offer, there are a couple of things you have to do to make yourself a truly appealing candidate. One of those things, and quite possibly the most critical of all, is to know your market. Knowing your market means:
-
Having a concrete idea of who your client is and who their customers are. This involves recognizing both parties’ needs and wants, from both a business standpoint and as a consumer. What makes this product and service unique and how is it different than it’s competitors?
-
Understanding your limitations as well as your capabilities. If you don’t have enough experience or conversely are overqualified, you may be wasting time and resources applying to certain jobs. A resource like Artisan can help match you with opportunities at your skill and experience level.
-
Being able to assign a dollar amount to your services. When finding full-time or freelance marketing jobs, there’s no room for feeling a client out to see how much they’re willing to pay you. Have a precise price list for your services that’s based on knowing exactly what you’re worth to potential employers.
All of the A-list, cream-of-the -crop Talent represented by freelance marketer firms and staffing agencies must know their market or learn it quickly. If you want to join their ranks, make it your New Year’s resolution to start following these suggestions.
Self-Employment Advice: The Importance of Mapping Out Your Work Schedule
12/22/2011 3:20 PM By Vince Font
If you’re working with a creative staffing firm to find freelance job assignments, you’re still self-employed. Even if you work through a recruiment agency like Artisan, where you may be granted access to actual paid time off and benefits, you’re still essentially a free agent, which to is music to many freelancers’ ears.
But beware, there are some pitfalls that you might fall into, and the need to manage your time properly is one of the most critical bits of self-employment advice you’ll ever get. It’s also the one that can make the biggest difference in determining whether you succeed beyond your wildest expectations or end up taking a job you don’t want at hours that conflict with your life.
Your first step to tackling the issue of time management is to assign yourself specific office hours. Don’t work around the clock or you’ll burn out. Likewise, by working around the clock you run the risk of slacking off and not getting things done by misusing flexible hours. Failing to keep a regular work schedule is one of the biggest mistakes that self-employed people make, and it can lead to a pile of messes including backed up work, missed deadlines and killer stress.
To help you accomplish this, get a day planner specifically dedicated to your freelance life. Every few hours of your work day, from lunch breaks to max productivity time, should be mapped out in advance so that you don’t fall behind on a project or deliver a substandard end result. It’s also important to plan days off for yourself even if you’d rather work. Taking a break from the stress of a job you love is another vital piece of self-employment advice that’ll help ensure your longevity and continued passion.
Cover Letter Tips for Freelancers: Explaining Employment Gaps
12/21/2011 3:20 PM By Vince FontSearching for employment is a lot like hunting for food. If you don’t arm yourself with the right equipment before heading out, you’re going to come home hungry, empty handed and maybe feeling a bit defeated.
One of the most critical pieces of equipment for a freelancer on the job hunt is a cover letter. Writing a cover letter for freelancers is no different than if you’re searching for a permanent position— all the same rules apply. One of the most critical parts to focus on a cover letter is explaining employment gaps if you’ve been between jobs for a long time.
Why is this such a big deal? Simply put, because most employers who see gaps in employment on your resume will automatically assume the worst—that you’ve been out of work for a long time because you can’t hold a steady position or you’re not passionate about working. Of course, this isn’t necessarily accurate. But it is a sign to potential employers that you may not be the most reliable individual for the job. Not unless there’s a good reason for your spell of inactivity.
How should you best address it? By being honest and forthright. If you stopped working to take care of a sick family member or to go back to school or because you wanted to spend more time with your kids, say so. Keep in mind that a cover letter for freelancers may include inactivity spells due to a slowdown in work, and that you don’t necessarily have to address every single gap in employment.
Focus only on periods that extend for a few months or longer. And if you have the chance to meet with a hiring manager or creative recruiter in person, elaborate on the contents of your cover letter to paint a more holistic picture of yourself.
3 Important Things to Know Before Pursuing a Freelance Marketing Career
12/15/2011 3:11 PM By Vince Font
Marketing Director jobs aren’t exactly what you’d call a dime a dozen, but there are ways that you can improve your chances of finding work if you’re willing to explore the opportunities that exist in the freelance world. Being successful at finding freelance work, however, depends on knowing three very important things.
- You won’t always be your own boss. In fact, you’ll have many different bosses as you move from one project with one company to a different project with another company. If you don’t thrive on constant change, perhaps freelancing isn’t your bag.
- Just because you no longer work for “the man” doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly have a lot of free time on your hands. Quite the contrary—because your success rate at lining
up future assignments is dependent on your work quality, you may find that you’re putting in more hours than you would in a permanent office environment. - Finding work will become a full-time job in addition to your marketing director duties. You can make this a lot simpler, however, by working with a third party creative staffing agency like Artisan, which will help you line up assignments that you’re uniquely qualified for.
Working in the freelance world can be just the thing the doctor ordered for many fledgling marketing careers. Not only will it open the doors to a whole slew of employment opportunities you otherwise wouldn’t have had access to, but it’ll also help you rack up the kind of experience that it takes many people years to accumulate. If you want to try your hand at starting a freelance marketing career, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Freelance Creative Directors Must be More than Creative
12/8/2011 3:03 PM By Vince Font
There are two kinds of creative people in the world: those who play well with others and those who don’t. The latter may have talent coming out of their ears and the ability to create jaw-dropping deliverables– but without the kind of cooperation that translates well to a professional environment, it’s a talent that no one wants to work with. On the other hand, a Designer who has command of his or her people skills can make one heck of a living as a freelance Creative Director.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that just anyone with a penchant for creating beautiful campaigns and the ability to communicate well can strut their way to a Fortune 500 company or top digital agency and pull off the kinds of killer marketing campaigns that freelance Creative Directors are hired to orchestrate. A buildup of specific skills is also required. By far, the most important are brand development skills.
Being a Creative Director isn’t just about being, well, creative. There’s more to it than being able to communicate your visions to multiple teams of people. It’s also about understanding brands and markets, and what makes consumers view a company in a certain light. In other words, a Creative Director is an artist who understands their audience and knows what they will respond to. The successful ones are also those who can listen to their peers, consider new ideas and effectively collaborate.
There are numerous freelance and long-term Creative Director opportunities available out there in both digital and print – it’s just a matter of knowing where to find them. By working with a creative staffing service like Artisan, you’ll be put in touch with companies seeking out only the most qualified and capable talent in the country.
