Help with Freelancing

Blog

Forum

Finds

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

It's taken me a long while to ask for help, but here goes.

I earned my PhD in a humanistic social science in June and moved to NYC to be with my partner. I didn't have a job lined up because nothing panned out on the academic job market. That was disappointing, but expected.

I thought finding a position that could use my skill set would be easy, but lo and behold, I've been unemployed for eight months. I've looked at Craigslist, Glassdoor, Indeed, etc., and sent out applications for research, analysis, and writing positions, but only received one callback. I don't think it's an issue with my cover letter or resume, but the mismatch between my background and the job market. I'd love to find some freelance work doing editing, writing, research, analysis or tutoring, but am not well connected. Craigslist seems to be a terrible resource, so how do freelancers find gigs at the beginning?

9 years ago

Off Topic

9 replies

Latest reply was from Lucy

Anonymous

My work is really one big freelance event That said, I mine every connection I have, and I do have many. Are you on Linkedin? That should be something to start asap. If you are looking for freelance work in editing and writing, you need to be connected with profs/dept heads looking for people to help editing (I often do this for a dept head/asst dean at the U of S here in Canada who needs someone to polish up research papers written for publication by grad students whose first language is not English) . You probably have a ton of those connections ! The trade and education publishing business uses a lot of freelancers - and again, you need to get hooked in to the multitude of publishing houses in New York . Try connecting with publicists and editors for potential freelance work. Their names are usually on the publishing house's website . Do you have a Facebook page or webpage for your business? You can set those up easily and send people links to those. Try Publishers Weekly newsletter for potential writing and editing jobs.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

You can actually search for jobs on Twitter...

9 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

A lot of the big banks in NY (e.g. jPMorgan) have research departments. Admittedly they are finance / Econ oriented but they do like quant PhDs, so I wonder if it would be worth applying

9 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Are you familiar with this website and the accompanying blog? She has good advice (and offers services as well) on both the academic and post-ac job hunt and I think she actually specializes in life after academia. The blog had a post about freelancing recently. Good luck!

http://theprofessorisin.com
http://theprofessorisin.com/pearlsofwisdom/ (The Blog)

9 years ago

Mann

Active Member

gradfashionista, I've been in a somewhat similar position - graduated with a PhD, moved to another city a couple of years ago to be with partner without studying the job market first, and found myself unable to find a permanent position I like. I'm by no means wildly successful, but I've managed to have several independent contracts. You've already gotten great advice here, I particularly echo lisap's suggestion on mining any potential contact you have. I'd also go to meetups that you find are relevant to areas you want to break into. My field is different from yours, but I found it very critical, especially at the beginning, to have a "portfolio" of accessible work I can point potential clients to look into. If nothing from your PhD or current outside projects is suitable, I'd consider looking into volunteering for a non-profit or other similar organization in the capacity you are interested in working to build the "portfolio" and also to make new contacts.
I haven't found the transition from academia to private sector particularly easy, as a lot of the specific experience you get in academia is not readily recognized, but it can be done. Hang in there!!

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

My advice would be to contact a temporary staffing agency and see if they have positions available that would use your skill set. You can continue looking for a full-time job on the side, but having the possibility of temporary work would bring in some money and give you some experience to put on your resume.

9 years ago

Cerinda

Veteran

Echoing what Lisa and Mann said. Make sure you stay in touch with former student colleagues and faculty, try to make your preferred professional association's annual meeting (present), consider attending your field's second-tier associations' meetings, regional meetings of affiliated associations. Take heart from how much research/writing/editing is no longer location specific, and be gentle with yourself. Getting a freelance or project-based business is slow going even when you're NOT in a new city. It's slow but possible, that's my experience. I'll hold a good thought for you.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I second Lisa on LinkedIn. Friends tell me it's worth upgrading to the paid version as it puts you in a 'job seeker' status that gets exposed to potential employers who are also paying to be matched with prospects. I believe you can do a one-month free trial at that level,mand you can always revert to free after you find a job. Media Bistro is a good source for editorial and writing jobs.

I agree with UmmLila on looking into the banks. My colleague's daughter graduated with a degree in history and waitressed for a year before going the finance route. On a whim she interviewed for a position at JPMorgan Chase and was hired because they said they like people with the type of thinking skills the humanities provide. She now makes twice what I do, and I've been working for 30+ years Good luck!

9 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

I'm an academic in the humanities, and I really only hire people for research when I already know them, or they have been strongly recommended by colleagues. One way to get work would be to see if your old PhD supervisor knows anyone in your new area, and he or she might be able to introduce you. It might also be worth sending your resume to faculties in your city or town and see if you get any nibbles. I find once someone is good, they generally keep on getting work.

My friends who graduated with me but didn't stay in academia often found work in NGOs. We work in gender stuff mainly, and so approaching agencies with that in mind worked for them. If you have an area of expertise (migrant workers; women; birth control; literacy - whatever) target those kinds of companies.
And Aliona, that is interesting re history grads and finance. I'm an historian, and my dad is in finance, and I've always thought that some of the skill set is pretty similar

9 years ago

Category