For Freelancers: Frustrations (Part I)

It seemed as though I had looked at every website on the Internet yesterday, and there were still no new jobs to be found. I even checked my favorite job sites two or three times, hoping that in the two minutes since I looked last, there would be a perfect job waiting. Maybe it would even have blinking text or, preferably, my name in bold.

This happens a lot. It may have something to do with being a new freelancer, or it may just be an occupational hazard. Either way, not finding any jobs I'm qualified to apply for has become a lesson in patience and creativity. And the more experience I gain, the more I see how vital this lesson is to any freelancer in any field. So what exactly have I learned so far?

1. There is always something to do. You may not constantly have jobs to apply for or to work on, but you can use that lull to edit your writing, compile or tighten your portfolio, and work on your blog. If nothing else needs work, do laundry.

2. Take a break from the computer. If you are frustrated with the job search (or anything else), take a quick walk or do another miscellaneous chore. A break can pep you up enough to continue the search or help you decide to stop for the day.

3. There are places you haven't looked. New freelance websites are popping up all of the time, and many of them have job boards. If you're desperate, you can always check Craigslist.org in other cities; sometimes they have telecommuting jobs listed in only one spot.

4. Get creative and apply for everything. Sometimes a job may not seem like it's perfect for you, but they seldom are. You may have to tailor your resume and highlight skills in your cover letter you aren't used to highlighting. But you never know - you could be just what they want.