The Dos and Don'ts of creating a portfolio: What to Do and What Not to Do

These days, a lot of people work as freelancers. Even before I made freelancing my backup plan, I was involved in it when I initially started my internet career. Being a freelancer allowed me to make nice money and didn't really interfere with my college academics, so I truly enjoyed it. Especially the fact that I had no one to dictate to me when or how to work.

However, even though you operate as independent contractors as freelancers and are not subject to disciplinary action from supervisors, there are still certain responsibilities that you should fulfill.

To be the greatest freelancer you can be, there are some dos and don'ts that you must abide by. I spent some time brainstorming and came up with a list of fundamental dos and don'ts for freelancers.

                             The Dos of Freelancing 

1. Ensure your profile is complete.

Even the most basic things are readily forgotten. Make sure you fill in all the required information and finish your profile. Your clients will look at this first before deciding whether to extend a job offer to you. Incorporate work samples to demonstrate your suitability for the position to potential clients.

2. Before applying, carefully read the job description.

Before applying, make sure you fully comprehend the job description. Avoid taking on more than you can handle. If you do poorly, you can receive a very low feedback score, which will damage your credibility.

3. Verify That the Payment Method Is Authentic.

To prevent issues, confirm that the payment method used by your client is legitimate. You must always confirm, even if the job description claims it is an easy one.

When working on fixed-price jobs, it's possible that your employer won't return after finishing the work. Thus, ensure that your client has a confirmed payment method and, ideally, has made a previous payment to someone.

4. Show off Your Professionalism

A job is a job, no matter that you work for yourself. Maintaining a high level of professionalism is essential for success. For instance, showing your clients that you are more professional by being courteous, on time, alerting them of changes, etc. People's decisions about whether or not to hire you in the future are significantly influenced by the impression your attitude leaves about your work.

5. Maintain A Record Of Your Schedule.

Always remember to keep a schedule. Even if you work for yourself, you still have deadlines to meet. You can stay organized and prevent forgetting tasks by organizing your calendar and due dates in a planner.

6. Fulfil your duties all right,

Remember why you were hired in the first place. Never turn in substandard work merely to pass the exam. Make sure you always deliver excellent work so that your clients feel content and aren't taken advantage of. They can also recommend you to others.

How Not To Act? The Don'ts of Freelance Work

1. Avoid posting anything you're not.

Clients who become really dissatisfied after receiving your work may believe that this is how you operate as a result of this. Even worse, if the work starts and you become stranded in the middle, you could end up in serious difficulty.

2. Avoid Posting Phone Skills.

Don't list abilities only to increase your chances of getting employed. Verify if you actually possess those abilities. If clients find that the task is not done correctly, they do not pay. Put only those skills that you actually possess on your profile.

3. Take On More Than One Job.

Don't limit yourself to a single employment; by doing so, you are passing up many opportunities. You are able to avoid wasting time, you might apply to multiple positions at once. If you wait for a single job, it will take you longer because there are so many applicants and there is fierce competition. Just make sure you can effectively manage your time so that no work gets lost.

4. Avoid Overdoing It.

People may take your words at face value, but when they discover via your work that this isn't the case, they may become quite irate and dissatisfied. This is something I see frequently, and I will feel terrible if you follow suit.

Just keep in mind to be calm and patient no matter what happens. It's possible that you won't be hired on the first try, or that your employer won't work out at all. However, it's only a step in the procedure. I've experienced it frequently, and it could happen to you as well. However, things are as they are. You have to be adaptable and flexible.

In this dynamic world of freelancing, adaptability and patience are your best friends. Rejections or mismatches happen, but they're all part of the journey. Stay calm, stay flexible, and remember, every step is a learning opportunity. So, armed with these dos and don'ts, go forth and thrive in the exciting world of freelancing!