Apr 9, 2009 8:10 pm US/Eastern
Freelancing Becoming More Popular During Recession
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Finding work during a recession isn't easy, but some of those tired of pounding the pavement for a job say they've turned to "e-lancing" to tide them through these tough times.
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Finding work during a recession isn't easy, but some of those tired of pounding the pavement for a job say they've turned to "e-lancing" to tide them through these tough times.
Eva Travers was a full-time working mom when she got laid off this past fall.
"I kind of saw it coming with the way the economy was and changes that were happening in the company," Travers says.
Unable to find a full-time position – and desperate to make ends meet – Travers decided to post her resume on Elance.com, one of several job sites specializing in freelance work.
"More and more people are taking up part-time roles, project jobs, freelancing positions," employment consultant John Challenger says. "They are willing to do these during this very difficult time."
In fact, there's been a 50 percent jump in the number of users on these sites in just the past five months.
Challenger says that more and more companies are also turning to the freelancing sites to outsource projects, leading to a big increase in the number of available jobs posted since September.
"[Those] might be an audition for a full-time job," Challenger says.
At some of the sites, membership is free; others charge a monthly fee.
Once you list your qualification sin a profile, you can start applying for the gigs. So far, Travers has completed 30 jobs since October.
"I'm very, very pleased, and I don't see myself going back to work for anybody else on a full-time basis," Travers says.
The tops skills in demand on the sites are computer and software development, web design, marketing, and writing.
Career counselors say that these freelance positions could lead to more permanent work once hiring freezes are lifted.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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