Currently, 35% of the workforce is involved in some type of freelance work and by 2025 it will be 50% of US workers.  Employers are hiring freelancers to find skills that aren't currently available in house and to meet project demands without having to hire FTEs.  If you are transitioning between industries, freelancing may be a great way to keep up your skills and show value to a prospective employer.  Here are some considerations when evaluating if freelancing is a fit for you:

• Is it currently used in your industry? This isn't a deal breaker, but it helps if you have examples of companies that have successfully used freelance workers on projects currently or in the recent past. If not, do you have strong relationships within a company that would be willing to introduce the idea to management with you as the ‘beta test'?
• Can you market your availability electronically? Beyond the use of social media, does your industry have platforms and websites that allow freelancers to share their portfolios and possible skills? Upwork® is a platform to check out where various skills are needed to support industry projects.
• Be prepared to expand your skills. Freelancers are perceived as flexible and sometimes more tech savvy than in house workers may be. If you are open to being a team member who adapts to situations with an ‘I can learn it' attitude, companies will appreciate your skills to an even greater extent.

Job seekers looking for positions in different companies or different industries, should evaluate how new skills may assist in creating a competitive advantage.  Each industry will have certain requirements for general skills, but what can you do to increase your chances of being selected for an interview because of your specific skills?

• Computer/technological skills - Can you use a Mac and PC?  Would it help to expand your abilities with a certain program or software to move to a different position or industry?  Improving current computer skills or learning new technological ones can be viewed by employers as a good sign that you are interested in continuing your professional development.
• Language skills - Job seekers who don't have conversational skills in languages beyond English, such as Spanish, that are useful for the workplace, should consider developing them.  Communities are becoming more and more diverse and employers value bilingual capabilities, even if the job description doesn't call for them.  Consider options available at the local library or free apps on your phone for a low-cost start to get language skills.
• Presentation skills - Depending on your field, this may or may not be as important.  The ability to speak confidently in a group, whether it is a formal presentation or not, may assist your development into positions of greater responsibility in managing larger projects or teams of people.  Organizations such as Toastmasters® are great places to not only gain speaking skills, but also to increase your confidence and network across various industries.