FINDING PROJECTS
AS A FREELANCER

For many self-employed professionals, project acquisition is the hardest part of their working day. Keeping your eyes open for the next project can be time-consuming and hard work. However, there are different ways to overcoming this challenge. We will show you how to find your next exciting project.

Systematically finding projects via project portals

When looking for a project, proceed systematically in both directions: Actively search yourself while making it possible for potential clients to find you. To do so, register with our project portal for professionals and executives. For self-employed professionals, our service is free of charge. One of your major advantages with Hays’ project search is the fact that you can check out exclusive project offerings on our project portal, which you will find nowhere else. Because customers know that with Hays, they will find the right professionals.

Big data, public cloud, artificial intelligence and machine learning – no matter whether you work in software development, IT consultancy or IT security—there is nothing more exciting than driving the digital transformation. And as an IT freelancer, you have the best options!
Find out how you can keep your competitive edge and win new projects with the support of Hays as your experienced IT contracting service provider.

Hays makes it very easy for you to find projects: Review Hays’ project offerings and respond to interesting ads, put potential projects on your watch list or create your job alert. Specify your preferences in your job alert to simplify the process of finding a project. As soon as the right client opens a tender for a project you are interested in, you are automatically notified. This will save you time to focus on projects that fit your qualifications.

Ideal use of Hays’ project search

Only check out offerings you are really interested in. Limit your search by using the following criteria:

• Employment type “contracting” (only freelancer projects)
• Specialisations and industries for your focus areas
• Location, if you have preferred regions for working in

Additionally, you can sort the display by the latest offerings or by start date.

You have found a freelancing project—now what?

You have found a vacancy as an interim manager or a freelancing project you want to join? Position yourself as an external professional for driving projects and enhancing the company’s staff. Using customised applications shows your interest and commitment. Remember that these documents are the company’s assessment and/or decision-making basis and therefore need to spark curiosity. You may need some practice, but the more applications you write, the quicker you will learn how to best present and/or sell yourself. Tips for writing applications can be found in our career centre, for example sample CVs.

Once you have found the right project and/or a company, it is very important that you familiarise yourself with it:

• What are the services or products the company offers on which markets?
• Which business divisions are involved in the project and who are the key players and/or contacts?
• What are the values the company represents?

Also, assume a very subjective view and find your answers to the following questions:

• What are you particularly interested in and what are the fields where you excel with experience and skills?
• Where do you see the company’s strengths and weaknesses?
• What role do you see yourself in within the project?

We also recommend that you have a look at the application steps.

Step 1: Prepare project history and first meeting

Proceed step by step and prepare carefully. This increases your chances of winning the tendered project. After thorough research, devise your cover letter and your project list, exactly tailored to the tendering company. Give reasons for why you are so interested in the project and why you are the ideal candidate for it. Your core competencies are relevant to win over potential clients. That is why your project list should be meaningful and clearly show previously completed projects.

Step 2: The conversation

If a company shows interest in your application documents, the next step will be a professional interview—either face-to-face or by phone. Take your time to prepare for it: Having sound information about the company and your contact and winning them over with your professional expertise will increase your chances.

Here at Hays we can help you not only with searching for ideal freelancing projects but also with preparing your documents, if necessary. We can support you whenever you need help and answer all your questions arising during the acquisition process.

Project acquisition is easy with the right search method

Canvassing for new customers will always mean a certain amount of effort for self-employed professionals. However, cleverly using Hays’ project portal filter functions will help you proceed even more effectively and efficiently. Use this path to find freelancing projects exactly tailored to you and your skills. We are also happy to support you when contacting the tendering companies.