Returning to the Workforce

Freelancing can be a great way of rebuilding a career after a break. Sarah Koch explains how
we helped her to make a fresh start. She says:

"Getting back into world of work at the age of 47, after earning my MA, was more difficult than I'd anticipated. Of course, entering school, I had left behind my regular clients (I'd been a freelance proofer/copyeditor since 1988), since their schedules did not fit mine. And the few grad students and doctoral candidates I'd edited for during my four years at Portland State happened not to be repeat clients."

Along the way, though she didn't realize it at that time, she'd also lost the risk-taking attitude that had helped her to strike out on her own in the first place. But graduation saw her (now adding published researcher and writer to her resume) entering the rounds of networking groups, flyers, on-line resumes, volunteer work, and attending various writers' organizational meetings.

One afternoon, whilst searching for work online, she began typing in variations on the phrase 'freelance jobs.'

"Among the sites that popped up was Go Freelance, which was where my luck began to change. There, I was in charge. No 'hoping' someone would spot my resume. In response, I became not only more enthused but also more organized in my approach to the application process. I learned to study each Job Report as soon as it appears, from beginning to end. I also learned that any communication could lead to a job, even if not the one applied for. Three of the jobs I've gotten through Go Freelance were because the recipient liked my application, kept it, and later referred someone else to me."

Ultimately, rising self-confidence led to increasing success:

"About a year ago now, I realized that I can write and sell highly non-academic articles (short, light, but informative) on a broad range of topics, from gardening to auto care to weddings - with photos yet - to numerous clients, the first being Publisher's Edge. While making money, and expanding my resume, I've also found a new passion. Inspired by this, I've even got a (small) book in the making."

So, having taken this chance, Sarah has succeeded in enriching both her professional and personal lives.

"In a nutshell, Go Freelance.com opened doors for me that I didn't even know existed. I've got a future after all. Hallelujah!"