Because I moderate and run several large communities on several platforms, I often get messages from various freelancers that ask for a job. The majority of the requests I get are usually via social media, like Facebook.
For myself, I’m not in the position to hire another designer or developer, and usually my response is to politely let the freelancer know this. However, because I’m a group moderator of several large groups online, my experience has resulted similar to the following image.
How Not to Ask for a Job on Social Media
From the person’s request, they sound like they really were in need of work. I understand. I’ve been there. However, there’s a better way to go about it, without sounding desperate, and without pissing off people.
Privating messaging people on Facebook or most social media websites, probably isn’t a great idea. Sure, you get in touch with them, but unless it’s some freelance social network or LinkedIn, it’s probably has no place.
Looking for a job online, from social media consultant, to web designer, there’s tons of job related or niche related groups to get involved with. Some of them may have job boards, or employers posting threads that they are hiring. There are also freelance websites like Freelancer.com or Upwork.com that have a lot of people looking for freelancers. The jobs may be small, and building a portfolio with them can feel like torture, especially if you’re new to the site, but they are available. You just gotta keep hustling!
In the case of the person who contacted me, they were new to the design business, and have been having a rough time getting gigs. It happens to even the best of us. We sometimes have times of what are called starving months. It’s up to you to do something about it. Begging is not one of them.
If you quit your day job to go full time with freelancing, and can’t pay the bills with freelancing, you’re going to have to suck it up and get a job that you don’t like… at least until your freelancing job takes off. Otherwise, you’re going to have to hustle really hard. You’ll be submitting lots of bids, tweaking your freelance portfolio, scanning forums and job boards. You may even have to undercut your preferred hourly rate to build a fantastic portfolio that will get the job.
However, don’t beg for a job, and don’t randomly contact strangers. Before I started to write this blog post, some of my colleagues, who are professional bloggers, have mentioned to me that they’ve been contacted in the same manner. In fact, the person in the example image above who contacted me, contacted several of my colleagues to ask for a job. Some of themo were not in the position to hire anyone, whether short term or for their own company.
It’s quite alright to post on your social media channel’s status that you’re looking for a job. It’s also quite alright to post in groups that there to ask for a job. Of course, I say this is usually allowed, but you should check the group rules, or consult with a group moderator to make sure it’s okay to post that.
I’ve decided because of the person’s post, to hurry up and finish my big list of places to get a job for web designers, developers, and social media consultants. When that is finished, I’ll revamp this paragraph with the link to the resource. It’s the least I can do to help you all hustle a little easier.
Currently I don’t ask for jobs as am already employed. But yea, I used to do this kind of stuff.
> It’s quite alright to post on your social media channel’s status that you’re looking for a job.
This is a good method. Of course, for it to be effective you have to have created a good following.
The other method (and the best method, I think) is to directly contact people you have a close, long term, working relationship with that you believe would be happy to get your message. If you don’t know if they would, don’t send it.
Nearly every (96%?) direct message I get is spam, junk that results in me removing my connection to the person. Wasting my time is not a way to get hired.
Great to see this and i agree this post nile,really irritating actually i have a job portal site.In this am getting so many messages, one by one see and given reply to them.Amazing nile this is personal opinion to say this.Keep updating daily updates.
Yes Nile,
Absolutely you are right in this post because social media jobs are sometime irritating from sending unwanted message to us and someone suffered a lot by doing and more.
Regards
Rama Krishna
Hi Nile,
Indeed you have shared a very useful post, I to face the very same problem that people send me a private message on Facebook about online work. Some one say that i am SEO expert, Some one say that i am a professional content writer some thing like that.
As you mentioned in your post and i totally agree with you that the batter way to find online jobs is Freelancing platforms. So, they must find jobs over there according to their skills and interests.
Thanks for fantastic share 🙂
Regards
Mairaj
It seems that we’ve all been there. Getting the first job or gig online is definitely the hardest thing. But, if you have the right approach, everything looks different. Nile, I think you will save a bunch of people from such unpleasant situation. Your tips are fantastic.
I am new at SEO. This post it very much helpful to me.
Thank you.
Hi! Nile,
It’s the first time i am visiting your blog and served with this awesome and meaningful post.
I totally agree with what you’ve said, being a blogger people start asking me for jobs and projects. As, I don’t need a content writer or an SEO Expert I’ve rejected them, then they start begging for a job and at the end, they start ruining my online image by posting negative comments about me.
For those job seekers,
Dear guys! There are sites like elance and fiverr for you to find and get work. So, go and spend this time which you are spending begging for jobs there and find a good project, if you really have skills.
BTW, Thanks for writing such a great article, will visit soon again! 🙂
Hi Nile,
YOU are saying right. Many bloggers in the beginning while they don’t earn do such kind of things. I have also passed through this stage while I wasn’t earning a single penny through blogging. However, I didn’t ask anyone to hire in this way.
To get hired through social media, simple update on your wall like, “you are providing any service, if anyone wants to hire please contact”. This is the simplest way to do that.
Build authority in your field. you will begin to get work soon…
-Nikhil
Till 2015’s i worked as freelancer and now only running my own blogs and internet marketing jobs.. anyway this is really cool inspiring thoughts for newbie freelancers and helpful to me too.. 🙂 thanks for sharing a wonderful update
It’s really interesting to see a post like this…few minutes ago I just read another blog telling how to find a job by using social media. I’m sure the guy who harassed you must read that blog too. LOL
I had a miserable experience on seeking jobs. In that case I had hesitated if I should go back my school to avoid finding jobs. The circumstance cycled just like having crush on someone: you always fall in love with a guy who doesn’t care about you. the one that crazy about you, he’s not your cup of tea.
To solve this problem, I talked with many people that I thought might be help with my future career. Parents only bother you in this case.
I did few internships and refined my resume for more than 30 times.
Recently I have found some nice positions in application.careers, which becomes my new favorite place to visit. Guys who need to seek jobs can contact me, let’s seek together.
Hi Nile?
I like the way that you are analyzing cases, it’s cool and rational.
in fact, I do hate those people begging for jobs, it’s just a job ,OK? do they have to act like job-hungry beggars? We should explore our methods in job hunting, social media or something, but at least in a more self-respecting way.
Recently I have a friend recommend me application.careers, it’s a site for job hunting. So far it’s kind of helpful. maybe I am doing some cashier or server work which made my parents annoyed, but hey, I don’t have to beg others for job. I’m making a living through my hands.
This is brilliant. I shall never go on social media and look for a job. I needed something to relax a bit and I loved the pictures and the article. How can people ask for work with these is beyond me, but I think we are all still learning how to behave on social media and internet as a whole. I thought the web was old, but at the end of the day, we are all still learning.
I have received some fantastic request through the years being a blogger, and I can certainly say that with some of them you really need to be patient.
They could also try sites like Fiverr and Seoclerk if they are really in need to build a portfolio.
Was the guy who asked you for a job not aware that you are a web designer as well?
Nice blog post about why should we not ask for freelance job on social media. Nice blog post keep the good work going.