Hello,
I just got fired from my job and feel like my only job/career move now is to freelance. Do you have any tips for applying for jobs when fired from your last job?
Amber Jiles
Reply:
Hey, Amber! Thanks for reaching out to me.
I’m sorry to hear about your career troubles. I don’t know that freelancing is the only option for you, but it might be a good one anyway. If you’re looking for freelance work, I’ve found people don’t usually ask for a resume or work history. They want to see something more like a portfolio that shows your work.
My advice would be to focus on things you do want to talk about with your prospective clients (like past successful projects and ways you can solve their problems) and avoid talking about the things you don’t want to talk about (your recent firing).
As long as you’re able to solve the problem the client has and you’re good to work with, your firing may not even be relevant to them.
I hope that helps, Amber! If you have time, tell me a little about your previous job and what kind of work you’re planning to look for as a freelancer.
—
Devon
Reply:
Devon,
I was working a clerical job at an asbestos and mold testing lab. So far I know CSS and HTML and have built a website using templates in Wordpress. I would like to build websites but as a web developer I’m not sure what other services I can offer without learning more skills. I’m working through a ruby on rails curriculum now.
Reply:
WordPress is 32% of the web. If you want to get started quickly, that’s something you’re already familiar with that could be a path to lots of work. I would start trying to get gigs working on WordPress sites and keep learning on the side.
Whatever you do, don’t put off starting to do real paid work because you just need to learn one more thing. It’s a trap. 😉
Reply:
Thanks for the encouragement! Are the 30 minutes consultations still available? I would like to ask you more detailed questions if that’s possible.
Thank you,
Amber Jiles
Recommended Amber could use WordPress and customize themes to start building people sites right away while she continues to learn Rails and Javascript. Told her to be careful about chasing the new shiny.