Summer Time is Job Hunting Time
June 12, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
For freelancers summer is the best time to look for gigs. Now, I know the last thing you want to do is look for more work over the summer, especially since you’d rather be at the beach or on a picnic. I’m here to tell you these are exactly the reasons you should ramp up your job search now.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Freelancers don’t apply for as many jobs in the summer because they want to enjoy the warm weather with their families.
- Many freelancers lighten their loads, yet their clients still need people to work for them.
- Even though you might be filling in for a vacationing freelancer, your work might be so good your employer will call on your for other projects.
- By the time summer is over, you’ll have enough work to keep you busy well into the holiday season.
Not all freelancers lighten their load during the summer months. My suggestion to them is to take advantage of the warm weather opportunities to carry you well into the winter.
Do you stay as busy in the summer, or do you take on less work and enjoy the sun and fun?
Image via stock.xchnge
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- 10 Reasons Freelancers Need to Take a Break Once in a While
- Downsizing for the Holidays: Five Tips for Getting Back into the Freelance Groove on January 2
- Hot Summer Seminar Series: Informative and Affordable
On nice days, I set the alarm for 3am. That way I have a full day in by noon and can enjoy being outside guilt-free. (’course I’m asleep by 9pm.)
I usually don’t work any less in summer than I do in winter. Maybe people who work near the ocean do, but those of us stuck in a large city certainly go on like nothing ever happened (or the weather never changed).
I’m guilty of not working as much in the summer. Been that way for years. We usually hae 2 annual trips to the Black Sea. Last year we added a trip to Greece. This year we are doing Italy in June, Greece in July, Istanbul/Turkey in August, and a couple of Black Sea trips thrown in there. Friends/family vacations, and I don’t work (other than personal projects) when I’m on vacation.
It was a little different when I was running a construction company because the work load always gets lighter in the winter, so you work as hard as you can during the summer and then take time off in the winter and travel to warmer climates. Just depends on the job. But I’m also lucky enough to be in a position where I’m no longer the primary bread-winner…the money I make from writing is “blow” money, so I can keep a relatively relaxed schedule regardless of the time of year.
I keep the same schedule year round. Work from 7am to noon. Most days, noon turns into 1 or 2pm, but the intent is there. The rest of my afternoons are for dinner prep, reading review books, gardening and enjoying outside.
My son finished up yesterday and has his 8th grade graduation today and then today’s the last day for my daughter. So I’ll try harder now to stick to my goal of shutting down at noon so that I can spend time with them.
But my son is interested in taking on some freelance jobs this summer. He’s a fantastic writer, and it’s not just mom’s pride kicking in, his English teacher is actually the one who suggested I look for a job that will take on a high school student. I have a blog that I said he can start with to build up a portfolio and see where that takes him.
always look for work when others aren’t. Outside of summer, December is another good time to build business relationships because others let other things get in te way of business.
That’s not to say not to take some time with the family, but if you feed the business, it will eventually feed you.
I just started freelancing last September, so I haven’t a summer schedule yet. This has been a really helpful post, though, in making me think about the opportunities of summer. Thanks Deb!
Darn… not me. I sit at my computer dripping sweat onto the keyboard. Last month I was here dripping and typing with a belly so big that I could barely reach the keys. Now my son, born in September, takes up my time, but I am sure to dedicate lots of spare time to queries and research. Maybe, though, I can start taking research materials to the beach. Now THAT is a grand idea.
I just started freelancing in April, but I don’t think I will lighten my load any. I’m one of those weird people that HATE Summer, so the writing gives me an excuse to stay indoors. LOL And if I get the odd urge to head outside, well, thank God for my laptop!
I work the same in winter and summer, but that doesn´t bother me. It´s like any other job, really, in that you have to put in the work every day.
But I do try to take off half the day to spend with my kids every day and that´s enough of a vacation for me!
I work as hard as any time of the year because I live in the equator where it’s summer all-year long! But I do take my breaks every Christmas, and they are usually a month long