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Applying for a Virtual Job

© Debbie Levitt

1 February 2000

The commercials ask, "Are you a free agent?" Many of you reading this already are or are considering being a consultant or freelancer. In this episode, I will use my experiences in running a virtual company for 5 years to talk about dos and don'ts when hiring "free agents" or putting yourself out there as one.

DO: Get listed on those free sites.
I really liked the FreeAgent.com website. The information they store on each person is as detailed as the person allows, so you can get a LOT of good information on someone's experience, skills, and even a peek into his or her personality. I wasn't 100% keen on their searching - I wanted to do a much more specific search than their system allowed. But I was still able to find a handful of people who I felt met my criteria. FreeAgent.com also let me set up a "contact list" of people I liked, kinda like a favourites list. For $50 a pop, you can also post a project for which you need people, and then hopefully good qualified interested people will contact YOU. Not a bad way to go certainly, but since I am looking to staff my company, I didn't post. I figure that's something I'll do privately and not air. But I found some very nice people who really know their stuff - maybe I found you! :)

Here are some other links you may want to surf:

• Yahoo!'s list of Recruiting companies for temporary or contract placement in the computer industry
• Yahoo!'s list of Recruiting companies for temporary employment

Obviously, not all of these sites will list you or let you search their people, but you will most likely find some sites right for you in there.

DON'T: Be too casual.
While the interviewing process may take place over email, it's still a job interview. I will never forget the following exchange:

Person who wrote to me: I saw your site and I'd like to work for you.
Me: OK, well please tell me about your skills and experience so I can start to determine if we're a good match.
Person: Well, I have blue eyes. What else do you want to know about me?
Me: Nothing now.

You may think this is made up, but I swear to the god of your choice that I actually had this exchange with someone. I pointed out how unprofessional he was and how his reply would NEVER fly if this had been a face to face interview. If you wouldn't say it at a face-to-face job interview, don't email it. You don't yet know how casual or formal this potential employer is. Once things move forward and you can feel each other out, then you can decide how much you can let go. But the beginnings should at least be very professional. If you're not sure what to put out there, put your best and not your biggest attempt at fun/funny.