Smart Strategies for Standing Out in a Competitive Gig Economy
It should come as no surprise that the gig economy is growing. After all, there are more freelancers than ever looking to make money online.
But what is shocking is how competitive the landscape has become.
As of 2023, there are over 76 million gig workers in America. That will soon grow to 87 million by 2027.
Every single person within that pool is searching for that next high-paying contract.
The problem?
Most gig workers completely ignore their resume.
They slap something together and pray somebody will give them a shot. But hoping your resume is good enough isn’t a viable strategy in today’s gig economy.
Resume rating online has become one of the easiest ways to quickly separate yourself from the competition.
By getting a professional resume score you can understand what areas need improvement before you send it out into the world. Best of all is that every recommended tool here is free to use.
Here’s what we’re going to cover:
- Why the Gig Economy Demands a Better Resume
- Biggest Resume Mistakes Gig Workers Make
- Smart Strategies You Can Use to Stand Out
- Using Resume Rating Tools Effectively
Gig Economy Demands a Better Resume
When most people think about the gig economy, they picture moonlighting parents doing freelance work on the side.
But nowadays, it’s a legitimate career option that millions of Americans are taking advantage of.
And the competition has caught up.
Statistics show the global gig economy will reach $674 billion by the year 2026. That’s how much money will be exchanged through online gig platforms.
With more money comes more people trying to get their piece of the pie. And more people equals more competition.
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize…
Recruiters spend between 6-8 seconds scanning your resume when they first lay eyes on it. When there are hundreds (if not thousands) of applicants vying for the same gig, your resume has mere seconds to make a strong impression.
Simple fact: If you want to stand out with your resume in the gig economy you have to bring your A-game. Getting your resume scored by a professional AI resume checker is one of the quickest ways to improve your resume rating online.
Biggest Resume Mistakes Gig Workers Make
Gig workers encounter a problem that traditional employees just don’t.
They often have multiple clients, projects, and diverse areas of expertise. Which leads to some messy resumes.
Here are the rookie mistakes hurting your chances:
Claiming You Don’t Need a Resume
Okay this may be an exaggeration but you get the point. Many freelancers think their work speaks for itself and they don’t need an up-to-date resume. Wrong.
First impressions are everything and your resume is typically the first thing a potential client sees.
Listing EVERY Gig
As mentioned earlier, gig workers tend to have lots of clients. Some believe this justifies listing absolutely every single job they’ve done on their resume.
This creates a cluttered resume that makes it hard for recruiters to find what they’re looking for. Keep your resume concise and only list gigs that’ll impress a potential client.
Using a One-Size-Fits-All Resume
Did you know 63% of recruiters say they prefer a customized resume? Yet many freelancers send out the same resume for every job application.
Tailor your resume to fit the job. Match your abilities and expertise to the needs of the client. A custom resume goes a long way.
Forgetting about Keywords and Formatting
Of the resumes that make it into the employer’s hands, 75% get rejected by automation software before a human sees them.
If your resume is lacking the correct keywords or basic formatting, it will be thrown out just like that.
Fixable? You bet. But gig workers have to know what they’re doing wrong first.
Smart Strategies You Can Use to Stand Out
Standing out in the gig economy isn’t about luck. For the professionals that land every gig they go after, it comes down to strategy.
Let’s dive into what works…
Start with a Custom Resume
This point cannot be stressed enough. Customize your resume for each job application.
Read the job description, highlight the qualifications they’re looking for, then ensure your resume includes those qualifications.
It takes time, but it’s worth it.
Use Numbers
Numbers are your friend. Don’t just say you ran social media accounts, say you increased engagement by x% on x platforms.
Showing quantifiable wins builds trust with your clients.
Get an Objective Resume Score
Run your resume through a scoring tool to get an objective opinion on how you can improve.
Resume scoring services help you gauge where your resume shines and what you can do to improve weak areas. They flag issues with keyword usage, readability, formatting and overall structure.
Resume rating online takes the guesswork out of crafting the perfect gig resume.
Stand Out Online
Your resume isn’t the only thing clients will research about you. Many will hop onto LinkedIn, your portfolio site, and any professional networking platforms you’re on.
Make sure everything aligns and portrays the professional image you want to showcase.
Keep Skills Up To Date
It should go without saying that you need to keep your skill set current.
What was hot yesterday may not be as popular today. By regularly updating your resume you’re signaling to employers you stay on top of your field.
…and yes, this circles back to resume scoring tools. Enter your new skills into your resume and run it through a tool to make sure it’s optimized correctly.
How to Use Resume Rating Tools Effectively
When used correctly, resume rating tools are one of the best ways to tighten up your gig resume. But how do you use them effectively? Here’s the process:
- Create a blank resume. Now is not the time to dive into old Word documents. Start fresh and build your resume with the gig you want in mind.
- Run it through the resume tool. Observe the score you receive as well as any actionable recommendations.
- Make the recommended edits. Start with the low hanging fruit. Things like keywords and formatting can usually be improved quickly.
- Re-score your resume. Did your score improve? Keep making tweaks until you’re confident about your resume.
- Start sending it to gigs. The work is done. Time to put that resume to use.
There you have it. Simple process you can apply to any gig resume.
Wrapping Things Up
It’s an unfortunate truth that the gig economy won’t slow down any time soon.
In fact it’s safe to assume there will only be more gig workers fighting for those same coveted jobs.
But here’s the good news…
Standing out from the crowd can be accomplished by implementing a few simple strategies:
- Always tailor your resume to the specific job.
- Include numbers and stats on your resume.
- Use resume scoring tools to get outside insight.
- Maintain a professional image online.
- Keep skills listed on your resume up to date.
Gig workers who take their resume seriously are the ones who win the most projects. Don’t let opportunities slip through your fingers when free tools exist to put your best foot forward.
