Opportunities multiply as they are seized. – Sun Tzu
If the gig economy had an official quote, this would probably be it. Think about it – the more gigs you work, the more people know about you and your work. Thus, your opportunities can multiply. And that brings us to another quote, this one by William Arthur Ward: Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.
The gig economy goes by many other names (agile economy, flexible economy, servant economy, optimized economy) and is defined as a labor market characterized by the prevalence of freelance work. There appears to be more gig opportunities available now than ever before. Since we don’t want to miss them, let’s take a look at a few great resources to help us get the most out of this growing trend.
Careercast has assembled a great list of freelance, contract and part-time jobs for 2017. The list crosses several industries and includes data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) such as projected growth and median salary. And, since they are a job board for temporary and part-time jobs, information regarding how to apply is also available.
Small Business Trends shared their list of “20 platforms that are growing the gig economy”. So, if you aren’t sure which direction to take your unretirement, consider a quick look at this list. Maybe being a Lyft driver isn’t your dream gig, but how about being an expert instructor? Or even a freelance chef? Yes, there are jobs in those areas and platforms dedicated to them.
Still not convinced gig work is for you? The BLS published an article that offers a quick but comprehensive look at the ideal occupations for gig employment, pros and cons of gig work, and different ways to get started. The article also includes a variety of census data on gig workers because, you know, that’s what the BLS is known for.
Finally, if you have the skills but don’t want to be tied to one of the specific platforms we’ve talked about here, consider hanging out your digital shingle. Workify offers what they call Hustleware – their “all-in-one platform for making a living online”. You can digitally set-up shop and market your services all in one place.
Whatever you choose to call it, we know the “agile economy”, isn’t for everyone. But we think it can be a great fit for those who want a little more freedom and income in their unretirement life. Knowledge can give us the tools we need to be successful part-time entrepreneurs.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby during an adventure of a lifetime at the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport
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