How NOT to Apply for a Freelance Position
There are some mythical freelancers who like unicorns that prance in open fields and sasquatches who lumber through the forests… have fully booked schedules and are never in need of finding new clients and work. For the majority of us though, we’re always on the hunt for new leads.
Jobs boards like the one here on FreelanceSwitch are a great place to find clients looking for some freelance work. I recently posted a job opportunity for a freelance designer on the board as well as on several other boards and in light of how many application emails I received that left a little to be desired, I wrote this post to share the insights I gained when looking to hire a freelancer. Now this may come off a little tough, but remember that I’m trying to give you an honest assessment from the point of view of a hiring client. If you’re finding your job applications aren’t hitting the mark with clients, consider the following tips:
Read the Entire Job Description
I know that some job listings are really long and boring, but from a clients point of view if you can’t stay focused long enough to read their employment listing… chances are you’re not going to stay focused all that long with the actual job either.
The reason that some listings are long is that the hiring manager wants to give you all the relevant information. The hiring process can be long and painful and the more information they put in their ad, the more likely they are to cull applicants to the job – saving inappropriate applicants wasting their time applying.
Follow Instructions
I can’t stress this one enough. If the job listing has specific instructions for how to apply for the job you must follow them in order to be considered. You’re shooting yourself in the foot if the first reaction from a hiring manager is “wow, this guy sure doesn’t listen.”
My job post for a graphic designer had short and sweet application instructions:
How to Apply
To apply, please send an email to darius@monsef.com with:
- A list of links to your recent work, or a link to your portfolio.
- Your rate for user-interface design.
- The best ways to contact you
3 Simple instructions… But out of all who applied ONLY 10% actually provided what was asked for. So in effect those people who didn’t follow my instructions wasted both my time and theirs – they’d in effect written me a pointless email to clog up my already bursting inbox.
Know Your Limits
Everyone should have big dreams and I have nothing against taking on a challenge to help yourself grow. After all, how do any of us develop in our professions without pushing ourselves? But you should probably think twice before applying for a job as a fighter jet pilot if all you can list as experience is being able to quote the entire script from Top Gun. This is Tower rejecting your request for a fly-by Maverick!
I was clear in my job posting to outline that I am looking for a “top-notch graphic designer” for our future projects and that our main project was one of the top sites on the web. Many of the people who applied were beginners in their industry, and many weren’t even technically designers. Although it is possible to get a job outside of your primary occupation, you will of course be far less likely to get the job if you’re competing with a suitably skilled applicant.
Your First Impression
When writing your email application be short, personal and informative. Don’t send a pre-packaged response. Often when one is applying for many jobs it can be tempting to write out a generic spiel and send it to everyone, but it is easy to tell when you’re received a canned response. If the client doesn’t feel that their job was special enough to warrant a personalized response, they probably won’t think you’re going to give their project the TLC it deserves.
When I posted my job I got hundreds of applications, and many of them said nothing more than “sounds interesting, tell me more.” … Let’s face it, you’re much more likely to have people telling you less not more with that sort of response, especially when there are others who do send the required information in their initial email.
Let Me See Your Goodies!
When applying for any sort of “Design Position”… #1 Priority: Include samples of your design work.
If you’re only including a CV / Resume it better be so beautifully styled it makes me cry rainbows. I have no interest where you studied, I just want to see what matters – your work. When you first start freelancing you should have your samples ready to go, to be viewed either in your portfolio website (ideal) or in a downloadable PDF (passable). Even URLs to your work will do the trick.
As long as you have your portfolio up and running, there should be no problem including this in your initial email, which will help a potential client see why they should hire you with little effort on their part.
Your Portfolio Site
This is your chance to shine! It is your opportunity to show me you get design and have the skills to create beautiful designs… I saw very few actually useful portfolios. Easily allowing a visitor to find the most relevant of your work is absolutely key. Your portfolio site doesn’t have to be in any way complicated, it just needs to showcase your best work in a practical way. Innovative navigations can be wonderful – as long as I can find the work quickly.
No Love for Slide Shows
If you insist on showing all your work in a sideshow with no other navigational controls than Forward & Back… Your first few showcased works better be sock-blowing-off amazing. If your potential client is looking for packaging design and they have to click through 20 web designs, chances are they’ll never even get to the work you want them to see.
More Bevels, Pixel Fonts & Chromeless Pop-ups than a 1999 Website Reunion
If your portfolio is using design styles that are older than 5 years then update your portfolio. This will be a good chance to hone your skills and it is paramount to have a nice portfolio site if you want to get hired for the good jobs.
Schizophrenic Portfolios
Be genuine and write personal content on your portfolio. If “We & Our Studio” is “You & Your Mom’s Basement” just say that you are full time freelancer. I want to know who I’m working with and it makes it difficult to figure out who you really are if you’re hiding behind your company name of “#Insert Noun# Creative Media Design Studio Group.”
The Results
I placed my job listing on several job boards and received a good number of emails, but less than 10% of the responses I received even met the criteria in my ad. Only a small number of applicants warranted a follow-up.
Being a Freelancer and striking it out on your own can be a scary and stressful endeavor. I hope some of the above was helpful to you and that you all find your open field to prance in or forest to lumber through.
Cheers,
-Darius
Leave a Comment
One thing that has always cause me no end of frustration, is striking the write tone for the application email. Lol often, i would end up with a light conversational email which i hoped has sat well with whoever is on the receiving end.
I love the chart at the end… its amazing how few people actually bother to follow instructions, and makes me wonder whether they take getting a job seriously!
Great post Darius,
keep it up =)
I have been there and done that – as a freelancer.
But what I do not agree with – in fact it rankles me – is when people use jargon adjectives for “who” they are looking for e.g. “top notch designer” as mentioned in the article above. There is no industry standard of what “top notch” means. It would have been easier if it was specified 2 years experience, with in -depth css/graphic design skills/background, etc.
There are so many of these kinds of ads for “web design superstar” etc which just make me wonder what the advertisers were thinking when they put such vague ads.
Thanks! When I was a full-time emp (web dev/programming) and hiring people I had the same problem. Form emails with atrocious spelling. You’re probably preaching to the choir here but if it stops one beginner from sending a badly written application for a job that they should clearly know is out of their depth it will have been worth it. I’m not against people that don’t have experience yet, and I get that from you too. I think the newbies must just be patient, put the time in (earn their dues) and then they can charge top dollar for big projects.
I find this article rather condescending. Though I do see the good intentions behind it, you’ve successfully come across as quite prudish.
Tone down the mockery.
Darius, I think you make some excellent points. Thanks for the tips and giving everyone the benefit of your experience.
100% Correct, excellent article. When i get applications about a job i have advertised i really do feel like phoning them up and asking them if they are idiots, but alas, i’d be at that all day.
I think this article is spot on and I have to say I’ve been guilty of the pre-packaged response email on more than one occasion. These are all good points. People new to the industry could really benefit from this.
Whoa I just looked back and realized that I applied to your ad! Didn’t get a resonse so I must have been in the 90% who couldn’t follow directions (or maybe you just thought my work sucked).
I’ll have to do better next time.
http://freelanceswitch.com/clients/12-breeds-of-client-and-how-to-work-with-them/
“Client Breed #12: The You-Should- Be-So-Lucky Client”
Yep, that’s pretty much you, to the letter. In my experience, such clients should be sent a “our firm has ceased to represent you” letter before the first meeting ends; if you and your site were half as important as you think you are, you wouldn’t be hiring a freelancer. If I wanted to work for a *real* “top site on the web,” I’d sign up for a Wikipedia account. In the meantime, see if you can find and eBay listing for “a life” and get one.
I like the article and even though I am not a designer I can apply this to my Photography work. Thanks for writing.
Great post. I just wrote over on my blog about some great gig resources for freelancers (of course the FreelanceSwitch Job boards are there!
“I hope some of the above was helpful to you and that you all find your open field to prance in or forest to lumber through.”
hahahaha….((sigh)) ….I needed that laugh!
Well after the knives have been put away I can rise my head…
You have very valid points but I do not think there is anything wrong with applying for an “advanced” job if your just out of University, the experience can be good and you never know until you send it…
apart from that agree totally.
Good post!
I would like to add few things here.
1. When sending Portfolio, I have found some of applicants send TWO page URL links of his/her works. You might have done a lot but send only the relevant examples and better you mention, which one is your best and why? That will give indication to the employer understand you, your taste, your orientation and your way of doing work.
2. When you send your resume, don’t send your biography. Employer is not much interested with your biography. Send your achievements. If any failure, write justification of that. He will appreciate.
3. When you send your resume, send in either pure text file format or PDF portable format.
Regards
Rajesh Shakya
http://www.rajeshshakya.com
Helping technopreneurs to excel and lead their life!
Wow, some great responses and some very interesting push-back from a few of you.
Divya: I agree that the “top-notch” jargon isn’t ideal, but I honestly wasn’t sure how else to explain that for this job I wasn’t looking for amateur designers. I could have “specified 2 years experience,” but that doesn’t really work either. I had a few applications from people with 5+ years of experience who had work that was really sub-par.
Alex: I’m sorry you felt like the post was filled with mockery. I was going for a playful tone, while being critical in order to help. Everyone needs a little tough-love sometimes.
Bob: Wow, sounds like somebody is on the express train to negative-towne.
I also think that “top-notch” term or “rock star” doesn’t say much about the real needs of poster.
My experience shows that mainly recruiters that had little idea about quality used such terms.. and in the end it didn’t matter whether you’re top-notch or just good enough..
Anyway apart of above, great article.
I use pre-packaged response but just to make sure I don’t forget about something important and not to rewrite contact details every time. I always edit it and add my own words up to ad I’m responding.
I agree with some of your points but as you are in search of a “top – notch – designer “, that term pertains to the eye of the beholder. As some are Top in certain areas of design as well as taste so rather than request “top – notch” allow time to view portfolios in order to see which designer signature suites your needs and desires.
In my 12 year history I also know that when clients state “for top site” also seem to only want to pay $100 for a $5000 job.
I ask that PROJECT MANAGERS / WEBSITE OWNERS / DAYDREAMERS be specific with regards to their needs without the terms “top – notch”, “rockstar”, “enhance your portfolio”, “work for a percentage”, “revenue share” and the like. Have a budget, know what you want, gather responses and spend the time sorting through to find what you want. If this is a large project like you state it is then expect to get what you pay for.
Overall good points were made. But us freelancers should write a similar article with regards to potential clients such as yourself.
“If “We & Our Studio” is “You & Your Mom’s Basement” just say that you are full time freelancer. ”
That is my biggest pet peeve in the world, i hate when people ‘inflate’ themselves when there is work out there for single or very small houses.
Justin, you pose some valid points and I think a solid post on what Freelancers should expect from all sorts of clients would be a very useful post. I should have made it more clear that I’m not just a client, I’ve been a professional freelancer for a long time… so I definitely understand how painful it can be to work with some clients.
In my job posting I was clear to explain what sort of “top-notch” designer I was looking for: “You: Are great with design and understand current design styles and techniques. (ie, grid design, web 2.0 trends, etc.) Are professional and easy to communicate with. Are responsible and accountable for delivering work on schedule.”
Also as a freelancer I don’t expect to pay $100 for a $5,000 job. I know quality work comes from quality designers who deserve quality compensation.
Darius,
I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. I wasn’t referring to your “job post” solely, so I understand your frustration with regards to the job post.
It is true that most people / freelancers only follow the potential dollar signs and jump the gun rather than actually read what is needed and reply with the requested instructions followed.
Again, overall good material especially for newbies and the over-egoed.
Hehe my website does say “we & us” but I often times do have a fellow designer assist me. So therefore in my personal case it is relevant.
Ugh, the thought of going through 300 resumes for an advertised job still gives me the jitters…
I posted a job offering here and I would say 70% of the responses I got did not follow my instructions and I found it such a turn off. I had huge amounts of emails and I did not find the 3 simple things I requested. Fresh grad/newbie, work samples and hourly rate. I really didn’t want to entertain those emails that did not follow my requests. If the person can’t follow a simple job application, how are they supposed to follow my instructions for a job?
I don’t know why anyone would get upset at all about this article…maybe only because it is so true that it hurts? Everything you say is right on and is really important stuff to know if you are just getting started freelancing. I’ve been doing this about 2 years now and couldn’t agree more with your points.
But I do have to say that I almost always avoid adds with titles like “rock-star designer” Funny enough they are usually from someone who thinks their project is awesome, but usually underpays and is difficult to work with, knowing little about design or the website creation process. I’ve probably gotten 95% of my work (that came from replying to adds) from ones that just listed “web designer.” Everyone knows you want someone that’s good at what they do. “rock star” just makes you sound ignorant. (by you, I’m not referring to you, Daruis, but people who regularly use such terms.)
The chart at the last is amazing.
I had no idea that so many freelancers are not even looked at.
I need to use these tips. Havent won a single bid for past few weeks.
Respond to the requests in the ad. It’s that simple.
It’s also something I learned when responding to an RFP – address every last detail in the RFP, follow the instructions outline in the RFP to the letter or you have no chance of getting the gig.
After all, an RFP is just another job posting.
Good article, but as communicated here in the past – sarcasm and snark seldom go over well with people in person… even moreso in print.
When I was an art director, responsible for hiring other ADs, the ratio of pointless-to-marginally useful applications I received amazed me also. But I came to terms with the fact that trying to FILL a job works the same as LOOKING for one: You gotta go through a lot of applications in order to get to the few that are worth going after.
So it takes patience, as well as the willingness to sift through some crap, in pursuit of the best job you can find…or the best applicant you can hire.
Let me echo the criticism of such terms as “top-notch” or “rock star”. I routinely discard any RFP or posting which uses such terms, as I think anyone with truly professional and critical design skills must recognize that there are maybe 100-200 “rock star” designers in the world. They charge $5,000/day and don’t need to search websites for work.
So either the person posting the job doesn’t know what they’re asking (ie, is not as good at evaluating work as they think) or they’re grossly overestimating the significance of the job they’re posting (ie, if you say you’re working on one of the “top sites” on the internet, it better damn well be Amazon.com or CNN.com).
I think the problem, which is inherent with web-based interactions, is that neither side knows how serious, skilled or capable the other side is. So whilst your advert may have been asking for a “top-notch graphic designer”, so do most other adverts out there, even if the job could probably be completed by a chimp with three hours training on Photoshop.
I am not meaning to belittle the industry, or the fact that, in this instance, you were honestly looking for what you said you were looking for. The problem is that everyone who makes use of freelancers likes to think that their business is the dog’s nuts. So whether it is Mr Jobs of Apple, or Mr Jobs of Small Jobs Yard Services, everyone posts ads looking for a “top-notch {insert quasi-title here}” or a “skilled {application/infrastructure} engineer}, etc. No-one ever really asks for an “unskilled Photoshop learner”, or a “amateur PHP coder”. And, much like the credit conundrum, the only way to have experience is to get experience.
As there is no real, clear, difference between real Big Fish clients and others which are only “Big Fish” in the same way that the one that got away was a monster, apart from the wonderful world of social networking and actually being approached directly by clients, then the online posting boards will continue to be swamped by inexperienced new designers and cynical frustrated more-experienced workers.
Maybe a better article would have been suggestions on how people who are new to the industry should present themselves, and how they should approach their first prospects – what to say, how to portray their skills level, how to price themselves, etc.
As it stands, and whilst I understand that this article is clearly meant to be a guide for what not to do, it does come off as more of a glorified rant than a helpful how-to guide to try and educate those new freelancers and make the world a better place for all.
Very helpful article. I read somewhere once that referring to yourself as the Manager, editor or other title really helps your business but maybe not. I’ll have to rethink that now.
Nice article! … One point though:
“If “We & Our Studio” is “You & Your Mom’s Basement” just say that you are full time freelancer. ”
Okay… I get that, and in fact I agree with it, but for some people their real name (full name) is not as memorable as a classy ‘corporate’ type name.
When I started my personal site / portfolio etc. I considered just putting my full name as the logo/header but it seemed restrictive and quite a long name, so I chose a memorable name for my ‘design’ label instead which I thought people would remember plus it looked nicer.
I am not pretending I am some large design agency working in a massive studio somewhere, but sometimes I think it is necessary to sound good regardless of your actual situation in an industry! – after all ‘we and our studio’ sounds so much better than ‘you & your moms basement’ or ‘a freelancer’!
Tonnes of people refer to themselves in the third person on their own home-pages; why is that seen as acceptable?
Hey Darius,
First, I’ve got to let it out there that I respect you as an entrepreneur, and have followed your work since I first noticed the great things you are capable of. I also admire you as a person in the charity/volunteer work you do.
I also agree with a few of your points (all of them to some extent).
However, I think it’s important for you to reflect on the beginning of your own career. It wasn’t too long ago that you were getting started and were in the same boat as the majority of us.
Using myself as an example:
I have over 8 years of experience, and throughout my entire career have been commended in one way or another for most of the work I’ve done. When I apply for work, I generally only have few examples of work to show. This doesn’t mean I don’t have experience. I only send select pieces of work that I feel are relevant to the position, pieces that are recent enough for the client to get a good understanding of my current skill-set, or that I believe will reflect on my ability as a developer/designer for the specific job. I’ve done my fair share of outsourcing and hiring for projects as well, and truely believe that we (as clients) can’t expect much more than what we get, and should take time out of our days, no matter how busy, and study each applicant to the best of our ability. The lack of links in an email says nothing about an applicants ability as a developer or designer, and sometimes can’t even speak for the applicants experience.
On my service website, I use the phrases “the team”, “we”, “us” and the like. Plenty of people don’t like this because of the rep that designers have: It’s not expensive to get started and anyone with the talent, drive, and time can do it. However, this doesn’t mean that every designer works alone in “mom’s basement”. I agree when you say “don’t misrepresent yourself”. On the same token, don’t assume we fit into the peg. I work with a great team of individuals who pool our talents under a collective name. This is, after all, what a company is. In short, don’t assume everybody works out of their mom’s basement. If you have a feeling they may be fibbing, confront the designer about it.
Like I said, I love what you’ve done and will continue to do for this industry, but sometimes we forget the nature of this business. There’s nothing wrong with “paying your dues”, but there’s also absolutely nothing wrong with believing in yourself either. I believe those of us who provide the work to the freelancers of the world really need to keep ourselves in check and refrain from discouraging “the small potato”. We all had to start somewhere.
I didn’t apply for your position, but I can understand how some of those who did might be a bit offended by some of your points (and rightfully so).
On all other points, WAY TO GO!
Keep doing what you’re doing.
Lorren
P.S. To those who feel like you need to dog the client: You’re work has to come from somewhere. You’re not always going to like who you have to work with (and THAT, my friends, is a two way street). If you expect every client is going to cater to you and the way you work, you seriously need a better view of the industry in which you work. You’re bound to collide with clients from time to time, but part of your paycheck is rolling with the punches. Suck it up and produce already.
I enjoyed the article and found a few points interesting yet it amazes me that so many people cannot adhere to even the most basic standards of business communication.
Also, like many of the other commentators, I find terms such as “top-notch”, “rockstar”, and “superstar” not only completely overused, but totally vague and useless when it comes to describing a particular job. The company/person posting the job is responsible for making their job requirements clear, and postings that are not clear will garner varied responses.
If it is possible for the job, it might help the Job-poster to include links of their own – to work at a level or of a style they are looking for, so that potential freelancers have something to measure themselves against before applying.
Some valid points but I must agree with what others have already stated, I am so over the we NEED a “rockstar”, “kick-ass”, “superstar, or “top notch” designer and agree there is no industry standard and it is open to debate. Not to mention it is really unprofessional and begging for a “high-five” or the like! Almost as bad as these “leading” ad agencies with “national accounts” wanting an unpaid intern to do the work of an experienced graphics person or as I like to call it “the fine line between opportunity and exploitation”.
As for lengthy job listings again not a fan. Less is more! If it were a landing page ya would have lost me 5 seconds in! Also how some of these crazy listings are configured. You have this laundry list of expectations at the top and at the very bottom you are lucky if they even list a dang salary. You get “TBD” or “DOE” or “Negotiable”. If you want that much experience from someone, then at least take the time to do some salary research and POST IT.
One other note – maybe rather than telling us how to apply to jobs – someone needs to start educating these companies on improving their listings sans all the “superstar” and “buzz words” most of which they actually appear to know little about. Maybe the Zen of how to list a graphics job…
The post boils down to common sense and our constant fascination with how uncommon it actually is. I’d like to think that I personally do everything you advised me to, but sometimes I am guilty of sending semi-canned (ie, modular and customisable) cover letters. The trouble is, half of hiring managers don’t read them so it’s a calculated gamble as to how much time to spend.
If anyone is interested, I basically wrote the opposite post on my blog, intended for Hiring Managers and Bosses on how to write a better job ad based on honestly, transparency, and karma.
http://www.perezfox.com/2009/04/22/nailing-the-interview-getting-the-job-part-ii-how-to-recruit-without-destroying-the-universe/
This is great information for applying to freelance positions or even full time jobs. I always had trouble getting responses when I applied to jobs and with this post I think I may have pinpointed some reasons why. I hope that they are true and not just that they hated my work
Despite what some people say as prudish comments, I think the article is spot on. I get unsolicited “applications” or “hire me” type emails on a regular basis and I have to say that most are either:
a) form letter
b) full of misspellings
c) full of grammatical errors
d) not personalized
or…………
e) all of the above…
Most usually, it’s “e”–all of the above. The fact of the matter is, if you put together a professional package and take time to INVESTIGATE who you’re contacting and the position or potential position, you’re way ahead of the game of your counterparts. Now, follow that up with a phone call or another email and you’re again, ahead of the game. Some people hate phone calls, so, if they specifically say NO phone calls, then this comes down to the whole “reading the entire posting” bullet point.
Josh Bobb
Photography/Post Production
So, we’re NOT supposed to read the job description, follow instructions and know our limits?
Good stuff, I really need to update my portfolio site!
Thank you for a great post.
I thought I was blazing through your list of things a freelancer shouldn’t do until I came to the Schizophrenic part. Guilty. *off to make corrections*
Very detailed indeed, I’ve seen a lot of freelancers try to be over-professional shall I say so great article there.
Great advice. It’s somewhat a mystery when applying on job bords. It’s good to hear from the job posters perspective.
I am want to work accounting related job and how can I get it
I have never gotten work through a freelance website, even though I have been a paying subscriber actively writing application proposals at 3 or more freelancer platforms off and on since 2002.
I have gotten major work that led to consistent relationships plus more work through other means and connections – but never a freelance website in over ten years!
Why? Too many people who are waaay too unqualified clamoring for the work. The flowers are choked by the weeds in that garden. If there were a gardener who could weed out the weeds from the mature and blossomed, freelance sites might be useful. That would also include weeding out international competitors who attempt to steal all the work for a fraction of the price and thereby devaluing everyone’s freelance creative service.
That is not to say that artists who are not on par with industry standards don’t have valuable input/output, or that they don’t deserve the chance to grow. However, there is something to be said about staying relatively within one’s growth boundaries and having realistic expectations of capabilities and not swarming a job.
When so many wanna-be’s are in the way, those with honed skills are not distinguished in the crowd – too many voices saying “Me, me!”
I’d be looking on toward the next generation of what online freelance will become, except that, this problem would migrate over there eventually, too.