When you apply for a job, you pepper employers with resumes. Why should you approach self employment any differently? Learn the fine art of persistence.
Is overwhelming them a good idea? Writers seeking to get published are advised to send out as many letters as possible, to create huge lists of addresses and mail a standard letter to each and every one. Freelancers building their portfolios often use as many links and projects as they possibly can, showing off a prolific amount of work. Those seeking to gain a certain customer or position may send repeated emails to reach what they desire. And when a self employed professional is faced with an employer who won’t provide compensation, it’s tempting to send note after note to this person in hopes of forcing them to yield.
...Does any of it work?
The Fine Art of Persistence
It’s always good to be persistent, and in some cases it truly pays off. For instance, there’s a certain company you’d like to work with. Every time a position opens, you send another application. Eventually, all this effort may result in a viable opportunity. This is a form of positive persistence.
Let’s take the same situation. There’s a certain company you’d like to work with, so you send them a copy of your resume every single Monday. At the beginning of the week, someone at that office is greeted with your name and information - unsolicited, of course. This isn’t exactly negative, but it’s not usually effective either.
Overwhelming Them
Be persistent, but only up to a point. It’s a good idea to regularly look for jobs and to regularly apply to open positions, but not necessarily to send out un-asked-for resumes and letters on a frequent basis. Your portfolio should likewise not be swamped with links - quality over quantity. Overwhelm them with the quality of your work, not the amount of time you have to send out letters.
