Succeeding in the Gig-to-Gig Life

In 2001, Daniel Pink wrote the prophetic book Free Agent Nation that explored the movement towards thinking differently about work and careers. Pink described a new world where people earn their living from a series of project contracts with different companies as consultants, temps, solopreneurs and microbusinesses.

We are seeing Pink’s vision evolving into a new reality for many talented individuals. Trainers have lived in the free agent world for quite a while. But today’s economy is pushing more trainers out of a corporate environment into gig-to-gig territory, which is unfamiliar and uncomfortable for them.

There are benefits to free agency. You have control over which projects you’ll accept and which projects you’ll decline. You can choose when to work and where to work. There is variety instead of a daily grind.

There are challenges as a contract trainer as well, including securing a steady stream of projects. To succeed, you must:

Differentiate yourself. Simply being qualified or competent is not enough. Hone in on your areas of expertise develop multiple profiles or resumes that showcase each one, whether it is a specific subject matter or industry-specific knowledge. Then use the resume that most closely matches the training project you are seeking. Being very specific increases your chance of being considered for the job because it allows prospective employers to easily see that your expertise meets their specified requirements and that you are familiar with the field.

Get connected and stay connected. Keep in touch with prospective employers and colleagues professionally and socially. Supplement face-to-face networking, phone calls and e-mails with Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites. Seek out other Resources like the Freelancers Union [http://www.freelancersunion.org/], which along with doing advocacy work and providing benefits for independent workers, also offers connections for contractors. Following up on leads and interviews is also part of staying connected.