COMPETITION FOR PROJECTS There will always be competition in all forms of business. Competition for freelance projects is fierce. One of major ways to compete and win is to make yourself stand out from rest of crowd. You can start by fine tuning your resume. This will force you to think about your accomplishments as well as your exact skills and abilities. There are numerous services that can help you with your resume, including ResumeEdge. Using a service to help you with your resume will enable you to better explain your accomplishments and present them in a manner that will captivate and impress reader. Especially if you are an independent freelancer, having your resume retooled by ResumeEdge will allow you to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Many freelance service buyers will wish to see a list of your accomplishments and your skills. If you register as a service provider with a freelance marketplace such as SmartyLance, they offer several different options that enable you to stand out above crowd. First, there are different subscription levels when registering. There is a Limited subscription, a Novice subscription or a Professional subscription. Each higher level subscription offers more options to service provider. Every service provider does have ability to post a profile, detailing various information about their abilities. Limited subscriptions limit cost range in which a service provider can bid. For example, a Limited service provider can only bid on projects with a price range less than one thousand dollars. Novice subscription service providers can bid on projects less than five thousand dollars, and Professional subscription service providers can bid on any service level project. Several added bonuses with Novice and Professional subscription levels include ability to purchase credential verification services as well as ability to post “Buy Now” projects. Credential verification services enable you to post information related to your references, certifications, licenses, education and previous employment. Simply adding these options to your account gives you a special designation stating that your information has been checked and verified as being true and accurate by freelance marketplace. This designation gives you an added level of credibility making you stand out from rest of service providers and enabling you to showcase your achievements and abilities, giving a service buyer confidence in choosing you to complete their project. This will undoubtedly lead to more work and more projects coming your way. In addition to verifying your credentials, you have ability to showcase a portfolio of your previous work. This allows you to show service buyers your achievements and your successes with previous clients. Showcasing your portfolio is another important aspect that gives service buyer confidence in your ability. Finally, higher level subscriptions enable you as a service provider to offer “Buy Now” solutions. Similar to purchasing products immediately without bidding as on major product auctions such as Ebay, “Buy Now” solutions enable freelance service providers and consultants to make a solution available to all service buyers for a specific set price. For example, a freelance graphic design firm may create a “Corporate Identity Package”, enabling a service buyer to purchase this package that may include graphic design of a logo, along with designs for letterhead, business cards, and banner ads. Another example could be from a lawyer or legal consultant who creates an incorporation package that includes corporate setup and incorporation services for all fifty states, creation of shareholder agreements, employment agreements, and registered agent services all for a set price. These simple examples of “Buy Now” services enable freelance consultants and independent contractors to create easy options for service buyers who are looking for simple solutions and quick turnaround time. Service providers also enjoy creating these type of services because it enables them to focus on their core interests and abilities. Only higher level subscriptions such as Novice or Limited subscriptions enable freelance service providers to post “Buy Now” projects. The beauty of these additional options as a freelance service provider is that you can focus on one specific aspect of your business. If you are a consultant for a graphic design firm and you simply enjoy creating and designing corporate logos and identities, then you can find work specifically in this area by posting your own “Buy Now” solution. If you are a lawyer working for your own legal firm and your passion is new business setups and incorporation services, then you can steer projects your way with a “Buy Now” solution posted on a freelance marketplace like SmartyLance. CONCLUSION These are only a few examples of many opportunities that exist as a freelancer. Whether you are a small business, an individual, or a large corporation, this article simply serves as a guide to help you in your quest to use outsourcing to your advantage to help your business grow and flourish. Outsourcing, when done correctly, can benefit your business in so many different ways. The two most obvious benefits are a savings of time and money. From freelancer’s standpoint, this article has been developed to help educate and guide you with many options available to find work as well as to delve into minds of freelance service buyers. Knowing their concerns and understanding reasons for choosing one service provider over another will greatly benefit you by enabling you to increase your odds for getting new business. Understanding concerns and needs of service buyers will lead to your gains as a service provider. If you are able to provide enough people with services that they wish to have, then you will always be in demand.

Post-employment, Human Resources must verify that benefits are distributed properly. And that information may reside on signed forms over 40 years old!

Multiple company locations make problem more complex. How do HR managers at one location access employee records at another?

Computerized HR systems may be fine for production of routine HR documents and reports. But while most lack ability to address electronic storage of externally generated or signed documents, there are document management solutions that complement HR systems. Resumes can be key word searched to identify specific skills or qualifications. Employee training records can be searched to identify candidates for promotions. Copies of annual reports, appraisal forms, policy and procedure manuals and other documents can be electronically distributed to employees. Critical documents can be safeguarded, protected from disaster. Access can monitored and tracked. The ability to share information quickly and securely is created. And savings in time and money are both instant and ongoing.