How to Fulfill Your Dream of Becoming a Digital Nomad

Today, the dream of becoming a digital nomad no longer applies to just a select few. In fact, with advancements in technology, many people can choose to go this route if the thought of working in a conventional office no longer seems appealing. So if that's you, and you've always imagined yourself traveling the world while working, then here's some helpful advice on how to fulfill your dream occupation. 

Launching your career as a digital nomad

Firstly, you'll need to determine if you have the skills you'll need to succeed online. And if you've already made the bold decision to pursue this lifestyle, you will most probably already have a clear idea of what it is you want to do. Furthermore, with the drastic shift from office work to increased remote work, taking the skills you learned at the office and applying them from home is good practice for what may lie ahead on your journey to digital nomadic freedom.

Explore your options

As mentioned before, the scope of digital nomadic work is vast and becoming increasingly accessible due to the multitude of work options available online; for example, if you have experience as an editor, you could offer book editing services online. However, say you're unsure of where to start and want to explore your options before diving headfirst into something, here are more job descriptions you're likely to encounter on your search:

• Blogging

• Virtual Assistants

• External consultants

• Marketing and digital marketing

• Teaching online etc. 

Testing the waters

Starting your own business as a freelancer is a great way to get introduced to this working style if you're totally new to remote work full-time. In fact, finding work and clients as a freelancer has never been easier either, and there are many freelance platforms online that you can use to showcase your skills and get potential work this way. However, it must be noted that competition online is fierce, and many times potential clients will focus on factors such as affordability, delivery timelines and will even weigh up reviews to choose the best freelancer for the job. 

So it might be a good idea to keep these factors in mind when advertising your services to ensure that you stay competitive on the market. Also, staying connected has never been more convenient or accessible. Furthermore, regular communication with clients is crucial to staying in the loop and on top of projects, so every effort should be made to ensure this is one of your topmost priorities at all times. 

Earning a sustainable income

If you already have extensive experience in your field of choice and have been freelancing or working remotely for a company for some time, earning a sustainable income shouldn't pose much of a problem. However, say you're only just starting out on your journey and are just starting to build up a sustainable income, then, by all means, you should most certainly try to supplement your income by doing other part-time jobs in the meantime until you find that happy medium that'll work for you. 

Finding tech-friendly rentals

To be honest, while traveling the world sounds like a dream (and it is), it can also be expensive depending on where you happen to find yourself living next. However, there are ways to cut down on accommodation expenses if you know where to look. In fact, there are many living accommodation options available that are digital nomad friendly if you know where to look and can include places such as coliving digital nomad quarters, extended stay hotel accommodation, hostels, lodges, and more. All you'll need to do is do proper research online, and you're likely to find a great deal that will be perfect for you and your new work-life situation. 

Making your dream a reality

The opportunities associated with living a digital nomadic lifestyle are only just beginning to open up, and indeed there is plenty of time and plenty of opportunities to make your dream a reality. And all it really takes is having the courage to take that first step and being determined to embrace the lifestyle change to succeed. 

This article, courtesy of Legacy Resumes, is one of several great pieces of content you can find on the Legacy Resumes blog.

Image via Pexels

Tips and Tools to Help You Get Going in the Gig Economy

written by Katie Conroy | katie@advicemine.com

Are you looking for ways to become your own boss? Thanks to the gig economy, opportunities abound — even in the age of COVID-19. Here are some tips and tools for getting started.

Does your resume need some updating and sprucing up? Optimize your resume by partnering with the resume writers at Legacy Resumes! Learn more by calling (901) 937-9735 or completing this online form. 

Understanding the Gig Economy 

Many people are still learning about the gig economy. The phrase refers to short-term or freelance work typically made possible through the internet. As the BBC explains, workers enjoy flexibility and freedom, and employers enjoy the opportunity to receive quality work and goods without the overhead involved with traditional workplaces. The kinds of gigs are richly varied. You can find work as a courier, dog walker, bookkeeper, consultant, website designer -- the possibilities are virtually unlimited. Mic points out the gig economy provides an opportunity to set your own hours and workload. Some workers are participating in side gigs, keeping their day jobs, and freelancing to supplement their income. Others are trading in the traditional work environment to be their own boss, jumping into the gig economy full-time. 

Getting Started

There are many points to consider when starting a gig business. For one, you should get advice on your taxes. Depending on where you live, what you do, and your personal situation, there are smart ways to set yourself up to stay on track with Uncle Sam. Many freelancers choose to set themselves up as an LLC as the pass-through taxation offers financial advantages and requires less paperwork. Surprisingly, this is a pretty straightforward process, particularly if you use a formation service to file for you. 

You should also establish a work schedule and maintain it, which will help you stay timely and meet deadlines. It can be all too easy to get off-track when working remotely and without anyone structuring your days for you. Don’t let distractions keep you from your work commitments! Also, treat your business professionally so others will think of it professionally. This includes marketing your business (such as developing a social media presence), creating a pitch for telling others about your work, and handing out business cards.  

Platforms

You can get a jumpstart on building your business through a gig economy platform. Basically, a platform is a place to exchange goods and services. You might list your product or service on a platform website, and clients or customers visit the site to engage you. Some platforms are very specific, while others are broader. For instance, if you’re into fitness and are interested in becoming a personal trainer, you can list yourself on a site specifically designed for people to hire personal trainers. Many of the platform pages do background checks on service providers, and some offer the opportunity for feedback, which means potential clients feel more confident when they decide to hire you. 

Apps

With most people using smartphones these days, it makes sense to take advantage of apps designed to make your gig work easier.  There are apps for freelancing oriented to assist you with specific tasks, such as building your own mobile website, creating proposals, and checking marketing analytics. Another important tool that can promote your success in the gig economy is an invoicing app. A lot of these apps are free, easy-to-use, and allow you to monitor whether accounts are paid up.  

Retirement Funds

Since gig workers typically don’t have an employer setting aside retirement funds on their behalf, one suggestion is to invest for your retirement yourself. You can either put money into a Roth IRA (individual retirement account) or a SEP IRA (simplified employee pension), or you can save for your retirement through other investments. The important aspect is to find a way to save funds that meets your needs, has low fees, and is cost-effective when it comes to taxes. How much should you save? Some experts suggest a minimum of 4 percent of your income. If you’re starting late, a general rule of thumb is to have $1 million to $1.5 million saved by the time you retire. 

You can enjoy flexibility and freedom through gig employment. Be professional about jumping in and make good use of the tools available to you. Thanks to these smart tips, you can enjoy success in the gig economy!

Landing and Succeeding at a Remote Job During the Pandemic

written by Katie Conroy | katie@advicemine.com

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, some experts were predicting that about half of the U.S. workforce would be working remotely by 2020. As of October, about 58% of workers are completing at least some of their daily tasks from home, and about two-thirds of these workers wish to continue remote work. In other words, the job market is primed more than ever for those in search of a job that they can do from home. 

The benefits of remote work are real: more flexibility, more freedom, and the potential for better work-life balance, to name a few. However, to succeed long-term at remote work, you will likely need to adjust your mindset and make changes to your day-to-day work routine. From attending online school to working with a service like Legacy Resumes to eliminating everyday distractions, here are some practical tips for those looking to find and maintain a remote job:

Go to school. 

Now is a great time to return to school. College and other types of educational programs are more accessible and affordable than ever, so you can pursue a wide variety of degree programs online. Whether you’re looking to learn new skills or sharpen existing skills, consider enrolling in an online business program. This will help you build your business acumen and will likely prove useful for the rest of your career. 

Develop a good resume. 

When planning to apply for a remote job, it’s essential to tailor your resume in a way that showcases why you would be a good fit for working remotely. You’ll also want to modify your resume for each particular position you’re applying for. Along with presenting ways that you will be an effective remote worker, be sure to mention your transferable skills as many employers are looking for those these days. Make sure your resume is optimized for the job you want and gets to the point right away (no more 3-page resumes!). 

To give yourself the best chance of getting a call from a potential employer, work with professional resume writing company Legacy Resumes. That way, you can be confident that you have a top-notch resume and focus on other aspects of the job search process.

Search the right way.

When looking for a job, it matters how you search. For example, even though there are more remote jobs available than ever before, some industries have a greater number of decent-paying positions than others. Do research to find out what types of remote positions are in demand. Also, utilize your personal and professional network and social media platforms like LinkedIn to find jobs. And if you’re not having any luck, look for a professional agency that can help out.

Abide by a schedule.

The flexibility and freedom that come with working from home are met by the challenge to create a consistent schedule. After all, when you’re home, there’s always something to do concerning household chores, kids, and so on. Prioritize finding a schedule that maximizes your productivity, allows you to meet your employer’s expectations, and helps you achieve a healthy work-life balance. Only then can you experience long-term success in remote work.

Beat distractions. 

Last but not least, do whatever you can to keep distractions to a minimum. Create a workspace that helps you separate your work and home life, and make sure you have all the equipment and tools necessary for fulfilling your daily tasks and staying productive. And once you’ve developed a solid schedule, make sure everyone in your household is on board. It’s critical your family understands when your work hours are and when you can and cannot be interrupted.

Working remotely can be a great thing as long as you approach it the right way. To ensure that you get the best kind of job for you, consider going back to school, create a solid resume with the help of Legacy Resumes, and be strategic with how you search for jobs. And to succeed long-term, make sure you create a workable schedule and take any necessary steps to minimize distractions. In no time, you could be thriving in a job you love from the comfort of your own home. Contact (901) 937-9735 today.

The One Thing You Should Stop Saying on an Interview

Are you a quick-learner? Are you excited to share that to potential employers? Turns out this commonly used interview phrase is one of the worst things you could say. 

 I am constantly screening and interviewing candidates for different positions. As I am on the phone, I ask candidates if they have the skill set necessary for the job at hand. 

“Do you have experience in using Pivot Tables in Excel?”  I ask.

”No, but I am a quick-learner!” They will respond proudly. 

I probably do not go a day without hearing this phrase. And why wouldn’t you want to be a quick-learner? It is a great quality to have for any position. If you have said “I am a quick-learner” before, that is totally okay - just stop saying it from here on out.

Here’s 3 reasons WHY:

1. EVERYONE else says they are a “quick-learner”.

The moment someone tells someone they are a quick-learner, it triggers an immediate eye-roll from the person hearing it (for the 1000th time). I have had employers that I recruit for tell me if they hear someone say they are a quick-learner one more time they just want hire them. That employer was obviously joking, but it does not make you look creative and set you apart when you are using the same phrase the last guy used.

2. Companies want people with experience, not quick-learners. 

The reason you find yourself interviewing with a hiring manager is because you have the experience to make it that far. Saying “I am a quick-learner” tells them that you do not have the experience. Companies don’t want quick-learners, they want people who already know what they are doing.

3. You are reminding an employer that you need to be trained.

The company in which you are interview already knows that they need to train you. Saying that you are a quick-learner just reminds them of that. 

So what should you say instead? 

Great question! Turns out employers are looking for people that can learn quickly, they just want you to show them how you did that OR how you have done something similar. Here are 2 fail-safe ways to answer a question about experience that you do not already have: 

1. Tell them something you know that is similar

Did they ask you if you have experience in Salesforce, but you have never used it? Tell them about other softwares and sales CRM you have used before to show that you know something similar. Answer “No, but I have used something similar...” and then go into detail about what you used and how it is similar. This is the BEST way to show that you will be able to learn quickly without just saying it outright.

2. Tell them a story of when you learned something quickly (just don’t say you’re a quick-learner) 

So say you have never heard of the software or skill the interview is talking about, or you just know that you do not have that experience, then tell them a story of how you quickly picked up something in the past at your current job. This will show them that you learned something quickly, without saying what everyone else is saying.

Have you been saying you are a quick-learner? What are other ways to avoid saying this on an interview? Tell us in the comments below! 

6 Things You Never Knew Your LinkedIn Says About You

It’s 2019, yet your LinkedIn hasn’t changed since 2009. You’ve heard it said time and time again how important a LinkedIn profile, and you have heard RIGHT. But, a bad LinkedIn could be worse than no LinkedIn at all. A LinkedIn tells an employer if you can succeed in the modern world. What does yours say about you?

I am a recruiter and I look over hundreds of candidate’s resumes on Indeed each day. The moment I am interested in your resume, I look you up on LinkedIn. And the moment I send your resume to an employer, they look you up on LinkedIn. Companies want to see what your online presence looks like and if you aren’t careful, you could be telling them something they don’t want to hear!  

1. ​Whether you exist or not.

​This is the most obvious one but probably the most important. LinkedIn is the way of recruiters and hiring managers. They either look you up after receiving your resume or find you there in the first place. If a recruiter receives your resume and can’t find you on LinkedIn, you basically don’t exist. And your chances of getting a job don’t either. We have had companies tell us that if someone doesn’t have 500 or more connections on LinkedIn then they don’t even want to talk to them.

2. Can you even work a computer? 

Look, for most jobs you do not have to be a computer genius. You just need a basic knowledge of some Microsoft programs, email, and how to put together a last-minute PowerPoint. But you WILL have to use a computer at some point. If you can’t even bother to figure out how to upload a profile picture or add your most recent job on LinkedIn, that is a red-flag for anyone looking to make a hiring decision. On the other hand, if you have a well-put together profile with a professional profile picture, cover photo, and everything filled out you will stand out as someone who is definitely worth a call!

3. Are you a liar or a truth-er? 

I can’t tell you how many times I have looked at a Resume and back at a LinkedIn profile to wonder if these were even the same people! The worst part about it is a lot of times this can make you seem dishonest. If your LinkedIn profile and resume do not match exactly companies may think you have something to hide. I’ve seen it before and it caused someone to miss out on a great opportunity! Keep you LinkedIn up-to-date and you will avoid a lot of confusion and the need to back-pedal during an interview. 

4. Can you work in an office setting? 

Don’t get me started on the amount of plain out AWFUL profile pictures I have seen on LinkedIn. After a company looks at your resume, they look you up on LinkedIn because they are curious of what you look like. If you have a grainy photo of a low-angle selfie you took in the car... That tells a recruiter that you can’t work in an office setting. You don’t need a professional photographer to have a professional profile photo - just an iPhone and good lighting! Make sure you have a smile, you are dressed sharp, and it is a high-quality photo of just you and let your personality shine!

5. Just how desperate you are

Have you seen this LinkedIn Headlines: “Unemployed at Unemployed Seeking Employment”​. What this translates to a recruiter: “I lost my job and now no one will hire me.” There are many reasons you may be unemployed and there is no shame in that, but your headline is no place to declare it from the mountaintops... it comes off as desperate. Instead, talk about your experience in your header and what you bring to the table. “Accomplished Management Professional Seeking New Opportunities” would work much better.

6. Are you “The One”? 

This is the most important thing you want your LinkedIn to say about you. Do you have what it takes to work at our company? Your experience is a must, but they also need to know that you can survive in the modern office setting. Put the time into your LinkedIn profile to make it look great. You’ll be glad you did. 

​Want professional help with your LinkedIn Profile or Resume? Email Ryan at ryan@jhomaandassociates.com with your current resume and he will help you get started!

What are some other things a LinkedIn will tell about someone? Tell us in the comments below!