In recent weeks, we have worked intensively to further simplify our job and project marketplace and are pleased to present to you a website that enables you to

• easily get an overview of new freelance or candidate profiles as well as current projects and jobs,

• present your company in a unique way or see the attractive employers on projektwerk at first glance

• view all profiles, projects and job offers related to a specific keyword

•  maintain and edit your settings as usual

• create and publish your postings in three clearly structured steps

• take projektwerk with you – on the go or on your tablet

We invite you to test and evaluate the new layout extensively and are looking forward to your feedback!

                          

We give 50% off a projektwerk starter or premium membership from today until the 9th of December 2012.
You just have to solve a little puzzle. Simply order the following jumble of letters, and the reward will follow forthwith:

DERREEIN

Please send your solution word via email to feedback@projektwerk.de until 9th December 2012.
If the solution is correct, we will reply you immediately (no later than one business day) with the discount code.
You are not registered, yet? Then just sign up on the right platform. The projektwerk industries can be overviewed here: www.projektwerk.com/en/.

Have fun and a happy Advent season,
Your projektwerk team

                          

This guide by Deskmag.com gives some really great advice on how to negotiate your contract as a freelancer. Setting your rates as a freelancer can be a tough decision. Ultimately, you have to determine what your work is worth. How much do you need to cover your overhead costs and make a little profit? What is your client willing to pay? Pricing can really be a challenge for freelancers as it can make or break a deal. However, there are some basic factors that influence your rate including:

• time – How long will the project take? How busy are you with other work?
• costs – How much are the costs for tools and equipment to complete the project? Will you incur travel expenses? How about healthcare insurance bills, vacation savings, pension payments and taxes?
• skill level – How experienced are you on these types of projects?
• type of client - How well do you know the client? How valuable is the client / project to you? How likely are you to get future work from them?
• industry standards – How high is the market demand for your type of work?

These are just some of the questions you can ask when determining prices for your work as a freelancer – surely there are many more. Nevertheless, this guide to pricing gives some good tips on how to approach the task.

                          

When starting a freelance career, there can be numerous hurdles to overcome on the way to having a successful business – the biggest probably being time and knowing where to start. However, it’s an excellent opportunity for anyone with a marketable skill and some extra time to spare. Freelancing enables you to do something you love at a professional level, maybe a passion that you haven’t had the opportunity to follow.  Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to start your freelance career off in only five hours a week — one hour every day of the week.

                          

As stated in the post on econsultancy.com, the global use of marketing freelancers has doubled in the last year. Especially the European countries are increasingly hiring digital marketers through the ‘human cloud’. Among these countries, the UK has continued to grow faster than most markets with an increase from April last year of 215%, compared to the global average of 124%. In the past year, digital marketing spend increased in the UK by 279%. Germany (255%), Switzerland (127%) and Austria (270%) also experience dramatic growth.

Top 10 countries hiring digital marketers:

1. US
2. Australia
3. UK
4. Canada
5. India
6. Israel
7. Denmark
8. Germany
9. Spain
10. Ireland

Top 10 digital marketing skills in demand:

1. Infographics
2. Videography (Video production, video editing)
3. Banner ads
4. Internet marketing
5. Blogs
6. Social media
7. SEO
8. SEM
9. eBooks
10. Email marketing

Some of the proposed reasons for this surge in demand for digital marketing services include: (Economy) Difficult economic conditions over the last years that have put a strain on marketing budgets, (Flexibility) the increasing variation of marketing disciplines and campaigns in the digital age, (Specialisms) and the necessity for specialized expertise.

                          

What do you think about the new design and features?

                          

1. Clear Understanding of Project Objectives – One of the greatest challenges facing any virtual team is a clear understanding of what they need to accomplish.

2. Communication – While communication is imperative for any project to be completed, it is of even greater importance when you have a decentralized team.

3. Clearly Defined Roles and Responsibilities – Problems are sure to arise when members of the team are unsure about the role they play and what is expected of them.

4. Don’t Rely on Nonverbal Communication – Oftentimes managers become over-reliant on emailing, texting or other forms of written communication.

5. Flexibility – Because virtual teams don’t have the same access to managers from afar, it is advisable to be lenient regarding work hours, deliverables, and timelines.

                          

“…the old way of matching available jobs with qualified employees is riddled with inefficiencies. Companies are limited to employees who live close enough to commute, and workers are forced to adapt their unique skills to whatever opportunities they happen to find in the local help-wanted ads. Employees and employers alike end up trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.”

Be human - Every hiring decision is a personal one, so make sure your personality comes through when you contact potential employers.

Highlight your product – The traditional resume is dying. Talented professionals can’t do justice to their skills on a single sheet of paper, which is why many are turning to digital portfolios that go well beyond the written word.

Build your reputation – Contingent, project-based work allows freelancers to assemble a varied work history with verifiable feedback from past clients. It’s never been easier to show off your track record of meeting or exceeding your clients’ needs.

Don’t be shy – As a freelancer you can’t sit back passively; instead, be proactive and contact the job poster to ensure you are considered for the positions you want.

Embrace the new job marketplace – The Web is a tailor-made platform for freelance workers. Online employment sites, such as projektwerk, effectively connect contractors with companies in need of specific talents, allowing freelancers to secure a relatively steady stream of work

                          

Fixed price
From now on, you can choose between the two contracting types “Freelance” and “Fixed price” in all projects and freelance profiles. Fixed price projects make it possible to simply publish or carry out a project on a fixed budget.

Permanent position
With the option “Permanent position”, we enable our members to staff or acquire all projects on a single platform – independently of the type of contract. You want to learn more about this new contract type? While introducing the option “Permanent position”, you can define the desired contract type in your project or profile for free.

                          

So just how does social media benefit the environment of talent acquisition? Here are five shifts that are taking place now: It’s personal, it’s transparent, it’s no longer just for HR, it’s marketing, it’s being shared.