Saturday, December 28, 2019

New York vs. Los Angeles Film and TV Careers

New York vs. Los Angeles Film and TV CareersNew York vs. Los Angeles Film and TV CareersThere is a lot of debate as to which city is better for finding jobs in film and television, New York or Los Angeles. Now what many people automatically assume is that if you want a job in television or film, go to Los Angeles. If youre looking for a job in the theater, well New York is the distribution policy to be. At one point in time, this was certainly true. However, New York has had a surge of film and TV production over the past few decades and there is a valid argument that both Los Angeles and New York offer up an equal amount of opportunity. With this in mind, we have spoken to a number of individuals who have strong viewpoints on why they think their city is better. So, here are a few of the pluses and minuses to each and why you should take both cities into consideration when starting out on your entertainment career path. Weather With 72-degree temperature and sunny skies almost y ear round, its hard for almost any city to compete with the weather in Los Angeles. Its one of the many reasons why convertibles dominate the roadways and why Max Sennett set up shop in Los Angeles so many decades ago. But what New York lacks in year-round sunshine it makes up for with a beautiful change of seasons. New York has very distinct seasons. You know a New York summer from a New York winter with merely a glance. The same of which can notlage be said for Los Angeles where 90 degree days in December and January are always a possibility. Studio Locations With most of the major movie studios based in Hollywood, job opportunities abound. Warner Brothers, Paramount, 20th Century Fox and Disney are just a few of the studios that have thousands of employees based on the west coast. Additionally, with the advent of internet programming, Hollywoods proximity to Silicon Valley means new opportunities and job growth in the entertainment sector. Most major studios have satellite of fices in New York that manage their New York-based productions as well as provide additional avenues for content development and revenue generation. Many of ansicht satellite offices are actually becoming larger and larger each year as many high-profile filmmakers and independent production companies base their operations in New York. Film vs. Television It was pretty unanimous among those that I spoke with that if a career in television development or writing for television is what youre after then Los Angeles is definitely where you should be. Although there are numerous productions currently based in New York, most of the development work happens in Los Angeles. That said, crew positions such as cinematographers, make-up artists, gaffers, set designers, etc. were abundant in both cities. For film jobs, even though the major studios are based in Hollywood, there are still ample opportunities for a wide variety of careers in both New York and Los Angeles. All bases are covered from production development to production services to production support. Schooling In Los Angeles, there are three major institutions that have world-renown film and television programs. They are The University of Southern CaliforniaThe University of California and Los AngelesAmerican Film Institute Although there are numerous other respectable organizations, these three have programs that are consistently recognized for breeding highly qualified graduates. In New York, the three film schools that stood out amongst those I spoke with were Katharine Gibbs SchoolNew York Film AcademyPratt Institute Note Although there are many other fine film and television programs available in New York and Los Angeles, the ones I mention here were the ones most frequently mentioned by the participants in my survey. There are many unique advantages that each city has. But remember, the only true way to succeed in any career is to not only enjoy what you do for a living but to enjoy the life your e living as well. So, if you have a strong personal preference towards one or the other, chances are you will find ample opportunity no matter which coast youre on.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Kato.im Launches Corporate Chat Solution Integrated with Active Directory, Google Apps

Kato.im Launches Corporate Chat Solution Integrated with Active Directory, Google Apps Kato.im Launches Corporate Chat Solution Integrated with Active Directory, Google Apps Kato Enterprise provides live 1-to-1 and group messaging, file sharing and search. Kato Enterprise was designed with a user interface that supports simultaneous conversations without any of the restrictions associated with other chat providers, such as limitations on team members, message history stored, multi-team functionality, and third-party integrations.Kato Enterprise takes what has been successful with Kato Teams easy-to-manage user interface, side-by-side conversations, and eliminating multi-browser navigation and expands the platform to large enterprise with its third-party integrations and single sign-on solution, said Andrei Soroker, Founder and CEO of Kato. Where Kato Teams is so effective in allowing cross-company chat communication, Kato Enterprise allows companies to efficiently streamline comm unication across departments and offices in the same building or across the globe without disrupting its current operations. Its the first real chat solution for large-scale enterprises that also works for small and mid-sized companies.Additionally, Kato Enterprise provides generic support for Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) and System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM), which can be used with other single sign-on and provisioning providers and in-house integrations. Kato Enterprise also introduces the ability for companies to specify a company-specific Amazon S3 storage bucket, providing tighter access control to files shared in Kato.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Salary negotiation tips Playing it straight

Salary negotiation tips Playing it straightSalary negotiation tips Playing it straightDid I ruin my chances by disclosing my past salary?Q Did I manipulation my chances for the position because I disclosed my past salary ( or salary range ) and it was too high?A Yes you did, and Im sorry it happened. This is the biggest concern and the main reason for all five of my salary-making rules, but particularly salary-making rule 1 postpone talking about money until theres an offer. Your word is sabotage it means you set something in place that destroys the possibility of it functioning in the future, and thats what happens when you talk about salary upfront.If you discuss salary in any detail before the employer really gets a sense of what youre worth, or before the employer has decided which candidate he/she wants to interview, youre almost always pushing yourself out of the range. Theyre not going to pick people who cost too much and conversely, they wont pick people who cost too little.Y our question supposes your salary is too high, but it applies also if too low. Why will you be screened out for salary? Electronic screening.The reason all the salary-related screening happens is that, given the electronic age, the volume of applications employers get for a published opening is enormous. It used to be in the hundreds, but now its sometimes in the thousands. People dont have enough time to print and pore over that many resumes. Its too expensive to pay personnel to do all of that screening. So, to whittle down those thousands to just 10 to 50 candidates to be considered for interviews, software is used. Software has no ability to think about salary or candidate qualifications, its in or out. The employer enters salary parameters and if youre outside those, youre screened out. Thats that.For instance, if you put a 0 when it says, what is your current or expected salary, the software will look at that, consider it an inappropriate answer and kick your application out. They can set parameters for people who are looking for a $50k to $70k range, and if youre over $70k or under the $50k range, you can be screened out and never realize it. Anytime you possibly can, follow salary-making rule 1 postpone salary talk until there is an offer.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Resign with Class

Resign with ClassResign with ClassThe last impression can be more important than the first impression. Heres how to exit as gracefully as you entered.How do you want to be remembered at a company? The way you leave your employment is as important as what you did while you were employed there.For exampleWhen I was the head of human resources at TV Guide, I had the difficult task of letting go one of our senior executives as a result of reorganization. The decision was not based on performance issues, and I thought well of him as an executive. When I called him into my schreibstube to give him the news, I had a generous severance package to give him and was prepared to offer to help him with his search for another position. To my surprise, when I told him of the decision, he started screaming at me.When he left my office to pack up his things, he took the opportunity to tell everyone he saw how unfairly he was being treated. Suffice to say that, after that incident, my view of him chan ged and so did that of the other executives at the firm. I have no doubt how he handled his departure from the company hindered his search for new employment.Whether you are being let go or leaving to accept another opportunity, how you handle your exit will determine how people in the organization remember you. It can also have a significant effect on your future career. So it is important to exit gracefully. Here are a few tips on the right way to leaveDo not say anything bad about the companyDespite your inclination to talk about everything that might be wrong at the company and the encouragement of human resources to do so as part of their exit interview, avoid the temptation. Even if what you are saying is true, you will be viewed badly for sharing that information. Dont burn any bridges. You may need a reference in the future. If your new opportunity doesnt work out, then you may even want to come back.Tell your boss firstIf youre leaving on your own initiative, go to your bos s before you approach anyone else. That guarantees he wont hear it before you have a chance to do so in person. Next, provide the company with a formal resignation letter to be placed in your file. Be gracious in what you write, and thank the company for the opportunities you have been given.Give your employer reasonable noticeYou will be anxious to begin your new job and maybe take a little time off, but give your employer enough time to be able to make the transition smooth. Two weeks is standard but depending on the situation, an additional week might be appropriate. However, if two weeks is not enough and your employer asked you to stay longer, you can offer to make yourself available by phone or e-mail after you leave to deal with issues that might come up.That doesnt mean you have to work night and day to try to finish up all your ongoing projects before you leave. Instead, inform your employer about the status of the projects you are working on and anything that needs immedia te attention.It is best to do so in the form of a written memo so that there are no miscommunications.Find out who will be taking over your responsibilities (if the company knows) and help that person understand what needs to be done.Ask for a letter of referenceIt is a good idea to ask your boss for a reference letter. At some time in the future, you may need a reference, and you may lose touch with your boss. Moreover, over time people forget what you accomplished. Therefore, it is a good idea to get a letter of reference before you leave. Make sure it describes what your job entailed and your overall major accomplishments. It doesnt hurt to remind your boss at the time you ask of what those accomplishments were.Send a farewell e-mail to your colleaguesLet everyone know that you are leaving to accept a new position, retire or pursue other opportunities. Be complimentary about the company and express your appreciation for your colleagues help and support. If you are taking another position, it is usually best not to share the name of your new employer because they may not have announced your arrival yet. You may want to give your co-workers your personal contact information or tell them you will send it once you get settled. That way they will be able to stay in contact with you.Talk with human resources to determine your benefitsFind out what benefits you are eligible to receive upon termination. If your separation is not voluntary, negotiate a severance and determine what you need to do to receive unemployment benefits and COBRA (medical benefits continuation). Whether voluntary or involuntary, see if you can use or be paid for unused vacation and sick pay. If you participate in a pension plan, determine if you are able to cash it out or what your options are for receiving pension benefits. Also inquire about the process for keeping or rolling over your 401K plan. Consider using any money in flexible benefit plans or medical savings accounts because you may forfeit whatever is remaining in those accounts when you leave.Handling your departure right can determine whether you have the opportunity to return at some future date if you decide that is something you want to do. It will also play a major role in what people say about you after you leave and can affect your professional reputation. Mishandling it it can hurt your prospects for future employment. So treat your departure in the same way you would any other important career move. Be professional, be gracious, and be forward looking.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Know What an Old Pro is Saying About Starbucks Resume

Know What an Old Pro is Saying About Starbucks Resume Prior to applying, make certain youre all set to work late and show up early. A barista also has to be in a position to reveal flexibility in their approach as a way to help other team members if needed. Keep patrons happy as a way to ensure recurring business. Understanding Starbucks Resume A barista ought to be able to produce the upsell in a pure way. Most barista job descriptions incorporate the most often encountered duties that will be carried out. Employed as a barista wants a range of skills. Barista job description Coffee shops are always watching out for baristas having the valuable skills to be successful in the job. To learn more on what it requires to be a Barista, take a look at our complete Barista Job Description. A Barista is similar to a bartender. A superb Barista is not only somebody who knows how to produce decent espresso. The organization went public the identical calendar year. My store has b een open for more than a year. Many employees even get to have a complimentary pound weekly. Part-time employees will need to work for just 15 hours per week to become eligible for various health benefits. Starbucks vision is to produce a full and fulfilling coffeehouse experience to its customers. According to the majority of employees at Starbucks, its a remarkable experience to work at the business. As a result of the incredibly uplifting working environment generated by the franchise, Starbucks employees are a few of the happiest around. Exactly like other large businesses, employees at Starbucks normally get paid an extremely reasonable wage. Starbucks said they were always doing whats ideal for shareholders and thats why theyd earn a great partner in my portfolio. It soon became the largest coffee-house chain in the world. It quickly assured me they were very resilient, and despite the fact that they had endured a rough few months, that they would rebound stronger than ever. It has a great reputation in the industry for taking care of their employees and offering plenty of benefits. The True Meaning of Starbucks Resume The main activities are directly regarding the introduction of a good or service while the support activities help in improving the efficiency and work to get a competitive advantage among peers. Successful businesses understand the values which are core to their culture. The aim of the organization is the fundamental reason the organization exists. It is the most central component of Core Culture. Magnets objective is to connect you with the best students and recent graduates that fulfill your recruitment requirements. Human Resource Management The businesss committed workforce is considered a central attribute in the corporations success and growth over recent years. Our success depends upon your success. Its simpler to retain employees that are passionate about their organizations Purpose. Many veterans who already d o the job for your team will opt not to self-identify for various reasons. In fact, its wise to have a buddy program for most new hires at your business, not just veterans. Last, Schultz restated the businesss policy on healthcare, assuring employees that in the event the ACA is repealed, they will have the chance to enroll in the businesss health insurance within 30 days of losing coverage. Multitasking Baristas have to be able to do a few things at the same time. For the rest of the positions your application will stay active for 12 months. The Foolproof Starbucks Resume Strategy Starbucks supports the women and men in uniform. Sooner or later, an organization is simply the collective capacity of its people to make value. The organization hires a lot of people at distinct positions around the nation, baristas being the people who are highest in number. Moreover, there might be a whole lot of work to do sometimes due to the very huge patronage that it receives. Most Noti ceable Starbucks Resume You may read the complete message here. It isnt possible to acquire a work directly in a STARBUCKS store anymoreyou have to apply online. Please make certain you can receive additional enquiries from us at the e-mail address youre writing from. Sign-up for a free trial to figure out how Deputys communication portal can allow you to provide updates to your baristas in addition to comply with relevant legislation. The Upside to Starbucks Resume With YouTube, the area of barista education is currently at your fingertips. A barista is always searching for strategies to create the job easier through better organization. Conclusion Starbucks is a business which has helped thousands of people to secure work, by giving employment and career opportunities in many fields. Many senior citizens decide to go back in the workforce to resist the boredom that accompanies retirement. Adams notes that such trauma might be addressed through simple steps like rearrangi ng a desk chair to confront the door. At the same time, there are several students who work up to full-time jobs and might just attend classes part-time. Bear in mind the responsibilities vary based on the job and the company, so read the work listing carefully first.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

The Top Secret Truth on Writing Excellent Resume Exposed

The Top Secret Truth on Writing Excellent Resume Exposed Ruthless Writing Excellent Resume Strategies Exploited Learn about the three kinds of skills you are able to highlight and the way it is possible to incorporate them into your resume. Youll incorporate the very same abilities and experiences, but you are going to concentrate on the points that are relevant for that specific position. Simply enumerating your abilities and experiences isnt enough. Bear in mind, the majority of the special skills that you set on your resume ought to be job-related skills taken from the work description and your best transferable skills. A Secret Weapon for Writing Excellent Resume You are able to read more about the way to compose a strong career objective here. Writing general duties is a typical mistake because applicants think that nursing is comparable to distinct hospitals and departments, but in fact, your duties will differ between different facilities. Your experience should tac kle every essential qualification in the job announcement. If you are a newcomer to the work market, your Summary is going to be based more on ability than experience. Whatever They Told You About Writing Excellent Resume Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why So long as you include all the appropriate info, sometimes a different look can be what makes you stick out from the remainder of the applicants. When youve reviewed resumes in your field, peruse resumes across fields to learn how to vary the usage of action verbs and receive a feel for what makes a highly effective accomplishment statement. Finding the very best affordable resume writing services is a difficult undertaking. Whenever your resume is updated on a normal basis, youre all set to pounce when opportunity presents itself. A good can be difficult to discover so following is a good sample resume to assist you begin. Whats Truly Going on with Writing Excellent Resume Its far more effective if the very first bullet also supplies an overview, be it on the form of company you worked for, the range of operations, the yearly revenue, or the quantity of clients served. If you wish to bring an example in a bullet, keep it to a maximum of 3 items. Perhaps your skill set is entirely different. Optimize the resume with all the appropriate key phrases and phrases concerning the position and industry youre targeting, and your abilities and experience. Writing Excellent Resume No Longer a Mystery Concentrate on unterstellung sections to understand whether you meet the requirements for the position. Resume objectives can be a little controversial. Writing a resume isnt a simple endeavour, and as stated by the feedback from our present community, its really beneficial to check professional resume examples before starting to compose your own. On occasion the Skills and Accomplishments section is an individual section.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Know when your Career is your True Passion and Lifes Calling

Know when your Career is your True Passion and Lifes Calling Know when your Career is your True Passion and Lifes Calling When your work is your passion, time spent performing daily tasks seems to fly by. If you get so caught up in your work that you lose all sense of time and your actions seem to flow in an unrehearsed rhythm with your duties then those duties are providing a sense of fulfillment that is a necessary ingredient in defining a passion.The old adage goes, If you love what you do, you dont work a day in your life. If you are passionate about your job, you rarely view it as work. It becomes an outlet for expression a way to shape your environment in a way that makes you feel fulfilled. If you look at your work and think that youd do it even if you were not paid, youve probably found your calling.Similarly, if you look forward to your work day you know youve found something special. Unfortunately, most people live life in pursuit of weekends and holidays, wishing away th e eight to twelve hours per day spent toiling in a job that they hate. If you have managed to find a job that makes you happy all the time then you know youve found your passion.When your work is your passion you want it to become part of your lifestyle. Your work becomes who you are and who you are is all that you have ever wanted to be. In a sense, you may find that you have become addicted to your work- that it makes you feel healthier and more capable in your life at large. When your healthy addictions are interwoven into your work life, you are doing what you love.Keep aware of your hausintern life. Everyone wants answers to questions larger than themselves and looks for ways to fulfill needs that they cant even name. When you have found a career that makes you feel as though you are pursuing those answers you know you have found what you need to be doing. When you find your lifes passion you wont need a reason to pursue it. But when you feel as though your work gives you an ex cuse to seek the meaning of your life wait for it you know youve found your calling.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

U-Haul Work-at-Home Call Center Jobs

U-Haul Work-at-Home Call Center JobsU-Haul Work-at-Home Call Center JobsDo-it-yourself moving company U-Haul utilizes both in-office and work-at-home agents hired to provide customer tafelgeschirr and roadside assistance as well as to make sales and reservations in the U.S. and Canada. Founded by a navy veteran, the company makes it a point to be military friendly. The companys headquarters are in Phoenix, Arizona, as is its brick-and-mortar call center. Types of Work-at-Home Positions In these part-time and often seasonal jobs, home-based agents are typically hired to do one of three types of jobs- customer service, reservations, or roadside assistance- but not all three. Most agents work from 25 to 32 hours a week.In Canada, the company hires agents who are fluent in English and French. Some of the work-at-home jobs at U-Haul begin in a contact center and then transition to work-at-home jobs, or they can be both virtual and in-office jobs. In its dual job program, office-based employees can moonlight from home, picking up extra hours from their home offices. Many jobs are seasonal in nature with most of the volume in the summer. The hours scheduled are between 7a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week. Benefits Most of U-Haul home-based jobs are part-time. Benefits for part-timers include dental plan, a limited medical plan, a 401(k) plan, a stock purchase plan, company discounts, and membership in their credit union. Full-time employees receive additional benefits such as paid time off and a full medical plan. Customer service jobs, which dont require sales, pay less than sales positions. U-Haul says it likes to hire from within, so part-time work can lead to full-time, permanent work. Also, because youre not an independent contractor, you will be paid for training time. Traininglasts for four weeks and you receive a draufgabeof $50 after you complete the training. How Youll MakeWorking From Home for U-Haul According to U-Haul, with base pay and the b onus structure, agents average around $14 to $15 per hour. However, the base pay minus bonuses is somewhere between $7.50 and $8.50 per hour. Agents receive a bonus if they book a rental customer. Qualifications U-Haul likes candidates who have good verbal skills, are knowledgeable about U.S. geography, and are skilled in the use of instant message technology. Candidates should also be adept at using Windows PC operating systems and have the ability to type 25 words per minute. Reservations and sales position candidates need previous call center experience. Naturally, you mustbe good with people on the phone. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and have a high school or GED diploma, or be enrolled in high school. They must also be legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada and have at least six months of customer service experience. What Youll Need to Do the Job Agents must provide their own computer equipment.Computers must be Windows XP or higher. Mac computers ar e not acceptable. You also need to supply your own headset gear. However, VOIP phone service is used, so a landline is not necessary. That said, you will need to download the VOIP software to your computer. Also, a speed test of your online connection is required. Thats because the upload and download speed of your DSL or cable internet service needs to meet certain requirements before you apply. That said, they do providea link on the application page to test your internet speed and ensure that your system is up to their standards. The Application Process If youre interested in finding a call center job, go to the U-Haul Jobs Contact Center web page and click on Work From Home Opportunities. The online application process to join U-Haul takes anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. You will need to upload a cover letter and your resume and provide one to three references. The application requires you to provide your Social Security number. The company may run a criminal hintergrund che ck or credit check and requires a drug screening test for all employees. The application asks for basic contact information and allows you to check off your various skills and work experience. You also have to fill out your employment history and education. Upon completing those steps, mark the hours you are available to work. The final step of the application process includes honesty assessment questions as well as a customer service-related multiple-choice questionnaire. Pros and Cons of Working From Home for U-Haul These reviews are from both past and current employees of U-Haul. Pros Reasonable pay for the qualifications needed.Its an easy interview process.They provide their own anti-virus software.If you ever need to relocate, your job can relocate with you.Great hours, and the work is flexible. Cons Limited hours. Only managers get full-time hours.Not much room to grow.It can be stressful because moving is stressful.Managers do not provide feedback.Despite the training, y oure thrown into the job without being prepared.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs 7 Tips

How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs 7 Tips How to Find Freelance Writing Jobs 7 Tips 9Youre craving a career that allows you to be more creative, gives you greater control over what you work on and who you work with, and provides increased schedule flexibility to boot.With all of that in mind, youve decided that freelance writing is the perfect option.Butuhhnow what? Getting abfluged is the fruchtwein challenging part, so how exactly do you go about finding clients, securing gigs, and building a career as a freelance writer? Here are seven tips on how to find freelance writing jobs.Finding Freelance Writing Jobs1. Know exactly what youre looking for.You know you want to be a writer. But its important that you think about what kind of writer. A copywriter? Journalist? Ghostwriter? Someone who specializes in long-form content? Are you open to opportunities in any industry, or would you prefer to focus on something specific- like health and wellness or technology, for example?There are t ons of different opportunities out there, and its important to know what type of freelance gigs and jobs youre looking for so you can better tailor your efforts and filter the results. Take the time for a little bit of self-reflection to determine if theres a specific skill platzdeckchen you want to utilize or a particular industry youd like to focus on. Thats valuable information as you begin your search for freelance writing jobs.2. Start your search on targeted platforms.Sure, you could do a Google search or peruse any job board and probably find at least a few posted opportunities for freelance writers. But heres what years of experience have taught me youll spend far too much time sorting through all of those results and doing your best to separate the wheat from the chaff.A smarter strategy is to focus on sites and platforms that actually specialize in what youre looking for- like, as just one example that many have used to successfully find freelance writing jobs. Another gre at job board for freelance writing opportunities is ProBlogger. Using these more targeted types of outlets that specialize in flexible and remote positions not only saves you countless hours, but itll also spare you from falling victim to things like content mills and vaguely written Craigslist advertisements.3. Peruse social networks.Job boards and platforms often turn up tons of worthy results, but social media is another great place to turn when youre actively seeking freelance opportunities.Many companies and publications will post calls for pitches or their open freelance positions on their social accounts- particularly Twitter and LinkedIn. You can search LinkedIns job page for key terms like freelance writer or freelance copywriter to see what comes up. On Twitter, use the search function to look for keywords or relevant hashtags to find any tweets that relate to that type of content.If you find something, carefully follow the instructions to toss your hat into the ring. If t here are no clear directions posted, get in touch to find out how you can submit your own materials for consideration.4. Dont forget local outlets.When people imagine a career as a freelance writer, they often think about writing for the big-name outlets that everybody recognizes. But thats usually not how freelance careers get started. Like any other career, you need to pay your dues and work your way up.Personally, I got my start by writing 500-word articles for my local newspaper and a regional womens magazine. Was it the most lucrative job Ive ever had? Definitely not. But it allowed me to get experience with writing as a career while also learning a ton about the editorial process.Put simply, when trying to get freelance writing jobs, dont be afraid to start small. There are likely tons of writing opportunities in your immediate area- from publications to small businesses that need writing help- that youre missing out on because youre too consumed with those better-known outlet s.5. Follow any application instructions.Duh, right? This one seems obvious. But youd be surprised by how many people completely ignore the instructions that publications and companies give for applying to a freelance role.Do they ask you to use a specific email subject line? Use it. Do you need to send a certain amount of published clips? Send that many- and only that many.It seems like a relatively small detail, but failing to meet these simple requests often leads you straight to the recycling bin. Show that you can follow directions and resist the temptation of trying to find a back door or a seemingly sneaky way to skip the application process theyve outlined.6. Make a personal connection.Checking the boxes that the publication or employer has laid out is important, but that doesnt mean you cant do anything extra to garner some name recognition and increase your chances of landing that gig.One of my favorite methods is to interact on social media. Ill follow the editor on Twitt er and let them know how much I enjoyed a recent piece that was published. Or Ill connect on LinkedIn with a personalized message about how much I love their content.Again, this shouldnt be treated as a way to work around the application or submission process thats already been established. Instead, think of it as a way to lay the foundation of a professional relationship and hopefully get your foot in the door.7. Pitch the outlets youre interested in.Ill let you in on a little secret about half of the freelance gigs Ive landed have been posted somewhere. The other half? I got them by focusing on relationship building and then pitching an idea to that outlet. I know- pitching sounds intimidating. But its an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to finding freelance writing jobs. Sometimes you need to be a little more aggressive than you might be used to.However, take this as your warning pitching is most effective when you invest the time to build a relationship first. Cold pi tching (meaning sending a somewhat generic email all over the place) usually doesnt yield great results. Instead, create a list of the publications or organizations youre interested in writing for and then begin to forge a personal connection by emailing to introduce yourself or interacting on social media.Is it a guarantee that every pitch will result in getting a freelance writing job? No. But Im confident that youll experience far better results than if you had just jumped right in with a hard sell.Ive had a lot of conversations with freelancers- newbies and veterans alike- and they all agree on one thing finding gigs is one of the hardest parts of the job. Unfortunately, theres no magic bullet that will make finding freelance writing jobs easy, but put these tips to work and keep your chin up, and Im sure youll score your first (or another) client soon.