Careers Articles

Article / Updated 01-24-2023

Focus your resume on job experience that's relevant to a specific position to improve your chances of getting that job. Having relevant job experience is always a big plus in employers' eyes. If you have too many jobs in your background, you can structure your resume to highlight pertinent job positions and omit or deemphasize others. An unfocused resume or job history may indicate to others that you lack commitment. It’s a reason not to hire you. Focus your resume to draw attention to your relevant job experience. Separating relevant jobs from other jobs If your resume looks as though it will collapse under the weight of a mishmash of jobs unconnected to your present target, you can eliminate your previous trivial pursuits. Group the consequential jobs under a heading that says something like "Relevant Work Experience Summary" or "Professional Experience." What if this approach solves one problem — the busy resume — but creates another, such as a huge, gaping black hole where you removed inconsequential jobs? Create a second work history section that covers those holes, labeling it "Other Experience." Grouping temporary jobs Dealing with an unfocused career pattern on paper is easier when it’s done under the banner of a temporary service company. Here are some guidelines for this type of treatment: List the temporary services company as the employer. You choose one job title that covers most of your assignments. Identify specific assignments under the main title. Give the dates in years next to the temporary services firm, skipping dates for each assignment (as shown below). What if you work for several temporary services at the same time? The simple answer is that you use the same technique of dating your work history for the temporary service firms, not for the individual assignments. This dating technique is a statement of fact; you legally are an employee of the temporary services firm, not of the company that pays for your temporary services. When excess jobs or focus isn’t a problem, you may choose an alternative presentation for a series of short-term jobs. The alternative doesn’t mention the staffing firm(s) but only the names of the companies where you worked.

Article / Updated 12-21-2022

Creating categories for your goals and establishing timeframes to achieve them sharpens your focus and increases your intensity, which can reduce the time required to achieve your goals. It also allows you to quickly and easily see whether your time investment to the various areas of your life as well as the size and difficulty of your goals are appropriately balanced. The objective isn’t to spread an equal number and depth of goals among the six categories; the aim is to identify whether one or two of the categories is light compared to the others and to determine whether you need to pay more attention to those areas of your life to develop them. In the end, the purpose is to create a well-rounded system of goals that addresses your whole person and that you’ll have the motivation to actually work toward. Categorize your goals After you assign a timeframe to each of your 50 goals, your next step is to assign a category to each one. Typically, your goals fall into one of six categories: C = Career goals H = Health goals F = Family goals M = Money/financial goals S = Spiritual goals P = Personal goals When determining which category each goal falls under, you’ll find that some goals fall naturally in one specific category. A goal to get be promoted to supervisor at work, for example, is an easy C. Other goals, however, aren’t so easy to peg. Going back to school to earn an MBA may be a C for career, but it also may be a P for personal. Place the goal in whichever category you most closely associate with it, or feel free to place some goals in multiple categories. Draft a list of the 50 goals you want to achieve in the next ten years. Then go back through your list of 50 goals and write the appropriate category letter next to each one. After you label each goal with a category, count the total number of goals you have for each category and record those numbers in the following chart. Then assess the spread of your goals across those categories to see whether they’re well balanced. Are you light on health goals? Should you pay more attention to your spiritual life? Assign a timeframe to each goal You can have anything you want; you just can’t have it all at once and all right now. Just because you establish a goal to lose 20 pounds doesn’t mean you’ll wake up tomorrow with 20 pounds missing from your body. Realizing your goal involves a process that requires specific activity and time. Remember that your fabulous 50 list names goals that you want to accomplish within the next 10 years. That said, you may want to see some of them come to fruition much earlier. Some may be immediate — just a year away. Others may require you to first achieve some intermediate goals. For instance, say your goal is to double your income within three years. You know you’re unlikely to receive anywhere close to a 100-percent raise at your current job, so you start exploring other options: a new job that pays more and has a fast-track career path, a second job, freelance or contract projects that you can do on your off-hours, or a real-estate investment that brings in rental income. Go back through your list of 50 goals and write a 1, 3, 5, or 10 next to each goal to indicate whether you want to achieve that goal within 1, 3, 5, or 10 years. When you start thinking about the time you need to attain your goals, make sure you’re being reasonable. Whether or not the timeframe for your goals is reasonable depends entirely on your situation. To help you stay on track, follow these steps: Consider the timeframe you’d ideally like to accomplish this goal. Would you be happy if you accomplished it one year or even three years later than your ideal, or are you intent on accomplishing it by a certain time? Assess the complexity of the goal. Determine what new knowledge or other resources you may need to accomplish the goal. Consider what timeframe someone else needed to accomplish a similar goal. After you label each goal with a timeframe, tally up the number of goals you have for each time slot and record those totals in the following table. Then assess the spread of your goals across those timeframes to see whether they’re well balanced. Especially when finances are involved, keep in mind that you should enjoy the process of working toward your goals. Although planning for the future is important, you’re guaranteed only the present. You don’t want to rob yourself of all enjoyment now. Better to live a balanced life while you implement your plan and adjust it as needed when circumstances throw you for a loop.

Article / Updated 12-14-2022

The biggest factor in your transition from one career to the next is money. Although you'd love to just quit your current job and dive headlong into your new career, financial realities keep you from acting rashly. The truth is that you need to continue to make a certain amount of money to survive as you make your move. To transition as gracefully and effectively as possible, think through the best way to choreograph your entry into a new job, your own business, or back to school. Using your current income wisely If you know that a career change is in your future, be proactive in getting your financial house in order. An honest assessment of your financial situation, while you're still employed if possible, gives you far more options in the long run than assuming you know where you stand. Before you initiate your move to change careers, make as much progress as you can toward the following four initiatives: Increasing your savings: Sign up for an automatic transfer to your savings account. Create a monthly or weekly savings goal and do everything in your power to reach it. Reducing your monthly expenses: Look at every monthly expense you have. Does the value it provides match what you pay for it? Is it an essential expense? Eliminate bills where you can; downgrade others if possible. Don't focus only on your small expenses; take this opportunity to evaluate your biggest expenses as well to see whether you can find a creative way to restructure them. Eliminating, or at least significantly reducing, your debt: Whether you make payments toward student loans, a car loan, or a credit card balance, your income requirement is likely to decrease rather dramatically as you eliminate each source of debt. Practicing living within your means: When you launch your new career, you don't want to rack up new debts to replace the ones you've just paid off. Instead, you need to get in the habit of living within your means — without the use of plastic. When you begin acting on these initiatives, your discretionary income, the money you get to use for whatever you wish, decreases dramatically because most of it is going into savings or to pay down your debt. Supplementing your full-time position with part-time work Taking on a part- time job on top of your regular job can be a viable strategy if you want to do any of the following: Build your cash reserves Gain some experience in your new field Develop a particular skill Strengthen your network of contacts within a new field Add new breadth to your resume If you're going to invest your time and effort in a second job, get some extra bang for your buck by finding a part-time job that's in alignment with your target career in some way. Think about what you want this job to do for you. Do you want to use the job to get a look at your target industry, to strengthen one key skill you need to move forward, or to check out the competition of your target company? Doing contract work Although you may think that your only option is to seek out a full-time job, your chances of landing a job improve if you open your mind to include the possibility of taking on project or contract work. Although a series of short-term gigs may not fit your ideal picture, having some money coming in while you gain some relevant experience isn't anything to sneeze at. More and more companies are turning to a project-based philosophy that allows them to hire just the talent they need to complete a particular project. As soon as a project is finished, the company releases those they no longer need. Although there's always a chance that your contract will be extended or converted to full-time, you can't know that for sure. Given the fluid nature of the economic climate, you may move from contract work to a full-time position, and back to freelance work over the course of a couple years. Living with this level of unfolding security takes a certain level of confidence and trust. Strengthening your position through consulting If you decide to use your key strengths in a consulting role as you build toward your dream career, use your consulting gigs to get to know your ultimate target customer. Consciously take projects that allow you to use your talents to get into your target market's world. When you're inside, make good use of the opportunity to observe, ask questions, and get a feel for your target market. As your knowledge increases and deepens, you have a great opportunity to fine-tune your plan. You might refocus your approach based on new information. You might identify a need that no one is filling, or you might see that your competition in the market is losing its edge or missing the point. The insider perspective gives you the background you need to make a big splash when you open the doors to your business or go after your dream job. This strategy increases your chances of success because you're building your venture on real-life observations and knowledge rather than assumptions and theory. Knowing what your clients or employer need and are willing to pay for is what takes you to the bank. Working full time while attending school part time Face it: Returning to school while working full time is no easy feat! You need a fair amount of motivation and stamina to work all day, attend classes at night, and spend time with your studies. Although you must put some aspects of your personal life on hold while you enhance your training, taking on this lifestyle is well worth the effort if you need a degree to go for your dream! If you truly want to enter your target field, look beyond the short-term costs to see the long-term benefits. In the end, you'll be more fulfilled having trained in your field of choice. Attending school with a part-time job on the side Another education option is to attend school full time with a part-time job to cover at least some of your expenses. This option may take some creative financing and require that you change your living situation to lower your rent, but the big benefit of this option is that you get through the education phase more quickly. Look for funding at Free Scholarship Search (www.freschinfo.com). Perhaps you can find a way to go to school full time and not work at all during certain key semesters. Although this idea may seem far-fetched, do yourself a favor and at least check it out, especially if you're more productive when you devote all your time and energy to a single goal.

Article / Updated 12-02-2022

People typically change careers for one of two reasons: They leave their career or their career leaves them. Either way, employment challenges during a career change are much the same when it comes to marketing yourself in places where you haven’t been before. Even when you think you can easily transition from one career field or industry to another, employers can be a hard sell when it comes to greenlighting career changers for a payroll. Except when they’re filling entry level jobs, hiring authorities have a frustrating habit of preferring candidates who have already proven that they can do the work a job requires. Global trade is changing life for many workers. Technology is automating human processes. Teleconference marketing is replacing sales trips. Highly qualified candidates are being hired on temporary contracts and cut loose when the project is over or the job is shipped offshore to cheaper labor nations. Challenges to accept and overcome Keep your dreams alive as you assume the role of career changer in a new era, but be aware of the challenges you'll face. Consider the following points: Career change is not job change. A career change involves a marked shift in jobs requiring new primary skills or knowledge, or a totally different work environment — or both. For example, when a manager in the telecom industry leaves one company for another managerial position in the same industry, he makes a job change; when he leaves the telecom industry to become a museum curator he makes a career change to a different job and different industry. Retraining may be unavoidable. When you attempt to make a clear change to a different kind of job in the same industry, you may well be able to pitch your way into an employer’s graces without investing in additional formal education or training. Your challenge is more difficult when you try to change both your job and industry at the same time, but you may be able to pull it off without immediately spending additional time and money in school. However, you won’t be able to get out of educational renewal to satisfy credibility and licensing requirements in such careers as law, public accounting, and nursing. Employers worry most about risk. Managers are concerned whether the crossover skills you acquired in your former career will translate to your new career. When your skills don’t convert and you can’t do the work, the business suffers a negative impact and — if you’re canned — a risk of being sued for wrongful discharge. Another worry is whether you’ll suffer changer’s remorse, quickly becoming dissatisfied and turning into a “bad hire.” These risks drive employers to seek out directly applicable skills in proven performers. Your competitors are new graduates. When you’re starting over, you compete with new graduates who are starting out. Expect to be paid entry-level money; an employer is unlikely to compensate you for your 15 years’ experience in another field (unless you can show that your experience can save or earn money for the new employer). Even so, you have an ace up your sleeve: You bring judgment, commitment, high motivation, proven good work habits, and real-world lessons.

Article / Updated 12-01-2022

Your personal brand can help ease the pain of transitioning to a new career by reminding you that at your core, you’re still you and need to be your authentic self. Your reinvented self may be wearing a new outfit, but in all that you do, no matter what you call yourself, you are still you. Your personal brand helps you identify those core pieces of yourself that you want to express and use in the world. See a new, positive way forward Your biggest obstacle in launching a second career may reside in your own mind. Shift your mindset and build your confidence. Head into your second career knowing it’s a new season. Start out expecting great things. Turn your negative thoughts into the positive actions you can take to get to where you want to be. Here are tips to prepare yourself for the necessary changes: Starting now, think and talk differently about yourself and your future. Don’t use age as an excuse not to get the job you want. Focus on what you’ve gained from your wealth of experience and what you have that younger applicants don’t. Target companies that value the skills and experience of seasoned professionals by seeking out industries known for hiring older workers. Research smaller companies in your area, which may be more open than larger companies to hiring mature workers. Reach out to the owners and managers directly. Accept this different marketplace Accept the fact that you’re competing in a marketplace very different from what existed in the past. Learn about today’s workplace, accept it, and leverage it to your advantage. Work to better understand generational differences. For example, keep in mind that mature workers are generally seen as loyal, dependable, hardworking, and honest. Also know that mature workers are considered not to be tech savvy and energetic. Use the positive assumptions to your advantage and be proactive about addressing the negative assumptions. For example: Are you current with technology and social media? Update your skills and education where needed. Show your prospective employer that you’re a lifelong learner. Are you current in your appearance? Yes, it matters. If you think you’re not, meet with an image consultant and follow that person’s advice. Does your energy come across, or have you put a few extra pounds on that slow you down? Now is the time to join a gym and get the help you need. You may have to do something you’ve never done — personal sales and marketing. You can be an amazing talent, but if nobody knows about you, it doesn’t matter! Especially if you’re starting over in a new industry, you have to raise your visibility as an expert in your new niche. Promote your talent and experience Convince the people you meet that you’re an undiscovered source of talent. Expand your own thinking about your capabilities, and announce your abilities to the world. Make sure that you’re communicating your unique personal brand value in everything you do by Crafting your online profile and identity Reconnecting with and/or building your network Connecting with local groups and associations Seeking out volunteer opportunities Speaking, writing, teaching, and consulting Here’s the great news: Studies show that most workers who change careers at older ages say they enjoy the new job more than the old job. So look at this time of change as a new opportunity to follow the dream you’ve always wanted to achieve. Ask yourself how can you combine your wealth of experience, knowledge, and personality to deliver something that the younger workforce can’t. Brand yourself to stand out, regardless of your age.

Article / Updated 12-01-2022

Listen, we've all been there. Sometimes it feels as though your career path is simply not for you, not fulfilling or challenging you in all the right ways. You can try to work around these doubts but if you've already decided on a career change — whether by choice or necessity — give yourself plenty of time to plan ahead. Consider the following before making that jump. Connect with others in your intended field When your change is voluntary, at least six months in advance of your leap, join a professional association of members in the career field or industry where you want to go. When your change is involuntary and you’re suddenly left high and dry, assemble a personal network of people who can guide you into your intended field. Find out who’s who and what’s happening with professionals who can connect you with employment. Ask what you should read and what workshops you should attend. Ask if you can visit a professional’s workplace as an observer. Educate yourself Seek out short-term certificate programs and workshops offered during industry conferences, as well as those available locally. If you study online, get the scoop on the pluses and pitfalls of distance learning. Here's one valuable resource to get you started: GetEducated.com. Bone up on the industry Do some extensive research on your proposed destination. Those greener pastures sometimes bleach out when something about the work isn’t what one realistically expects or can do well. Also, learn to talk the talk. Study the lingo of prospective new colleagues and you’ll seem like one of them already. Brace yourself for interview pitfalls When you find yourself trapped in a behavior-based interview setting and you’re coming up short trying to answer a question about what you have done that’s relevant to the new career, answer quickly. And then reframe your response segueing from behavior-based interviewing (the past) to situational interviewing (the future), such as: "That’s a good question. And here’s what I would do if we decide I’m the right person for this position. I would . . . ." Make the experience connection The bridge you use to join the old with the new must be rational and reasonable. Your qualifications have to come from somewhere — skills you already possess, volunteer work, part-time jobs, training, hobbies, and so forth. Strive to present a believable relationship between your qualifications and the career you’re targeting. Accentuate the positive Don’t say you hope to change careers because there are no more jobs in your field. An exception might be when a condition is well known, such as real estate agents who got out during the recent downturn in home sales. Even then, add that you’d been thinking about making a change for a couple of years and have decided to redesign your life for a better fit with your priorities and goals. Tell true stories Expect to be asked the same kinds of questions that new graduates often face, such as some version of “Why shouldn’t we hire someone more experienced in this line of work?” When you work out your answers, remember to tell your story — that is, back up your claims of superior qualities with true examples of achievement. Otherwise, what you claim will likely be blown off as hot air. You must be believable. Inventory your core skills and knowledge Sort through to see which will crossover to a different industry or career field. Push them to the front of your memory where you can find and translate them as needed.

Article / Updated 11-29-2022

One of the advantages of being a first-time job seeker is that employers most likely won’t ask you for references. This is because they know you haven’t had any previous employment. Nonetheless, some employers may ask you for some references. To paraphrase a popular saying, it’s better to have the references and not need them than to need them and not have them. You’re also better off asking for references early on in your job-seeking quest to get this out of the way. This way, you’re not scrambling later on trying to get endorsements on short notice while an employer is waiting for them before it can give you an offer. Start making a list of past employers, teachers, and classmates whom you’ll ask to serve as references or to give you endorsements. Securing past employer recommendations You’ve most likely had internships or a part-time job in the past, or you’ve done some volunteer work. If so, start asking some of your past employers if they can act as references. You can also ask them for recommendations ahead of time, even if you’re not sure your prospective employer will need them. It’s up to you. Past bosses often move on to other organizations. If all your prospective employer needs is to verify past employers, give it the main number for the organization. If you or your employer needs a recommendation or reference, track down your former boss and reach out to her. Writing someone for a recommendation You may have a great relationship with your former boss where it’s easy for you to ask for a reference or recommendation. Either way, be polite and ask early enough. Also, be ready to thank the person for any reference or recommendation, whether or not you get the job. Here’s a simple note you can send to your former employer, via email or via LinkedIn, asking for a good word from him: Hello, _____. I hope you’re doing well. I’m in the process of looking for a job and I’d like to list you as a reference. I had a great experience working with you and learned a lot. I’d like to share your name and contact information with prospective employers. Please confirm this is okay and let me know what email or phone number I can provide as contact information. Thank you very much, and take care, Your Name If you need a reference letter, definitely ask for it early in the process. They take time to write, and you want to make sure you give the person enough time to write you a good letter. Here’s an example of how you can make the request. Fill in the blanks appropriately. Make sure you provide a deadline of when you need the letter, and most important, always be courteous. Also, add details on the job you’re pursuing and a link to the job description if you have one. This will help the person craft the letter. Hello, _____. I hope you’re doing well! I’m in the process of looking for a job, and I’d like to ask you for a letter of recommendation. I know you’re busy, and I appreciate your help. The deadline for the letter is _________ and you can send it to _________. The opportunity I’m considering is a ____________ role with ____________. My job would entail doing _________________. I’ve attached the job description to help you understand the role. A good word from you will definitely help my prospects in securing this job. Your letter can briefly describe the work I did for you, some of my best qualities, and how you think I can do well in this role. If you can do this, please let me know. I really appreciate it! Also, please let me know if I can do anything to make it easier for you to write the letter. Thank you in advance and best regards, Your Name Be ready to provide the writer of your letter with some bullet points of items to include in the letter. This can include some of your strengths and specific contributions. You may also need to write the letter for that person. Approaching teachers for recommendations Professors typically don’t do recommendations unless they know you well enough. If you have a professor you work with or an advisor, she should be willing to write you a letter. You can also approach a faculty advisor of a student group if you belonged to one, especially if you were in a leadership position. Here are some things to remember when asking a professor for a recommendation: Ask early. Do it prior to finals or midterms, when your professor will most likely be inundated with grading papers or exams. Consider teaching assistants. If your professor is unable to write a letter, ask the teaching assistant. A professor is more prestigious, but a teaching assistant’s recommendation is better than no recommendation at all. Write your own letter. In some cases, you may be asked to write the letter yourself, for the professor, and then hand it to him so he can add the finishing touches. If you get asked to write your own letter, don’t be bummed. It’s normal and it just means the individual is busy, but he wants to help you. Crafting your own recommendation letter If you’re asked to write your own letter, here’s a sample letter you can customize and use: To whom it may concern, It is with pleasure that I recommend YOUR NAME HERE for ___________ role at _________. As I understand, the opportunity entails doing ____________________ __________________________________________________________. YOUR NAME HERE is an ideal candidate for this position. While he/she was a student in my _______ class/group, he/she showed great aptitude in _______________ and performed well, obtaining one of the top scores in the class. The work involved working in a group, and YOUR NAME HERE was able to work well and collaboratively as part of a team. His/her fellow team members often went to YOUR NAME HERE for assistance and relied on him/her for feedback. YOUR NAME HERE showed mastery of the subject matter and was always willing to help others. I believe YOUR NAME HERE’s work style, ability to master difficult concepts, and willingness to help others provide him/her with the skills necessary to succeed in any endeavor he/she sets his/her mind to. I would, therefore, appreciate any consideration you can give YOUR NAME HERE for this position. Sincerely, When writing your own letter, provide the document to the person recommending you in a file format where she can easily make edits (such as Microsoft Word). Be sure to include the following components in the letter: Role and responsibilities: Include the job that you’re applying to and details about what the job entails. Organization: Include the organization that you’re applying to. Accomplishments: Include any of your specific accomplishments or results you achieved that the recommender can point to in his letter. Skill sets: Include any skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying to that the recommender will also be willing to write about.

Article / Updated 11-28-2022

Fear of failure is probably the second biggest cause of failure. The first is fear of the unknown — just watch any horror movie. The easiest way to overcome these fears is to take action. Don't succumb to the common affliction of paralysis by analysis. Simply forge ahead with your plans. If you don't like that approach, following, are several techniques you can use to reduce and perhaps even eliminate the fear that's weighing you down. Fear isn't necessarily bad. It can motivate you to achieve even higher levels of success, if you handle it properly. Let fear motivate you, not defeat you. Researching the viability of an idea or opportunity You may be able to ease into a risky venture through research and planning. If you're afraid of implementing a new plan because of the risks you think are involved or the amount of time, effort, and money it may require, research in books, the Internet, and periodicals. The mere act of taking the initiative to do some research can give you the momentum you need to actually launch your new idea. Don't get in the rut of thinking that research is an end in itself. You eventually have to make a decision and then take action. You won't hit anything if you don't pull the trigger. Following the footprints Success leaves huge footprints that are pretty tough to miss. As you perform your initial research, keep an eye peeled for footprints along the same path you want to take and discuss your ideas with trustworthy colleagues and friends. Many times, simply talking about an idea generates enough buzz to drive the people you really need to talk to directly to your door. After you identify those who've succeeded before you, contact them to discuss your ideas. The most highly successful people are usually the most generous with their time and expertise. After all, that's probably how they became highly successful. Setting achievable milestones When you have a vision that seems overwhelming and perhaps grandiose in the eyes of some, break it down into more manageable units. Then, identify one task and get started. Getting started is often the hardest part. Each little success can spur you on to the next project, and your momentum can carry you somewhere you've never imagined, so just get started and find out the rest later. Focusing on the present When it comes to implementing a new strategy or technology that can boost business, don't let concerns about the future or about costs paralyze you. Jot down a list of tasks you must accomplish to achieve your goal and then run through the list, tackling one task after another. Eventually, you'll discover that you've run out of tasks and have achieved your goal.

Article / Updated 11-10-2022

Listen to the article:Download audio At a basic level, a digital nomad is someone who can work from anywhere using the Internet or other technology. Not all nomads work, however. Some live on income from pensions, investments, and other recurring revenue streams they can access remotely. Digital technology has all but erased borders for business and communication. Just as a remote company doesn’t have a physical office or central headquarters, a digital nomad doesn’t necessarily have a fixed place of residence. Your home can be wherever you are (or wherever you find Wi-Fi). Digital nomads have all types of different jobs. They can work for themselves or someone else. They can work part time, full time, or on a contract basis. They can even stop working if they develop ways to live off automated or passive income streams. Digital nomads can include: Home-based remote workers who can technically live anywhere but choose to remain in one city or country. Partially nomadic people who keep a home base and travel part time. Fully nomadic people who don’t have a fixed address. They may have sold everything they own or keep a storage unit and travel year round or without an end date. Temporary nomads who are fully or partially nomadic sometimes and static sometimes. Some folks also live like nomads for a few months or years before returning to a traditional lifestyle. The table below provides some detail about the different types of digital nomads. Type of Nomad Description Remote Employees People who work remotely on a salary for a company or organization. Online Freelancers Self-employed, independent contractors who offer services on an hourly, per-project, or other basis. Online Business Owners Entrepreneurs, startup founders, and anyone who runs a virtual business of any size. Influencers and Content Creators People who earn a living through social media, publishing online content, and leveraging their personal brand. Passive Income Entrepreneurs & Investors People who have achieved financial freedom through investment income or automated income streams. A nomad by many names The term, digital nomad, has become a buzzword. But, as with gender or sexual orientation, digital nomads can choose to identify with another term or kick labels to the curb altogether. Other ways to self-identify under the digital nomad umbrella include: Digital freelancer Digital entrepreneur Expat (or techpat) Location-independent professional Nomadic professional Online entrepreneur or solopreneur Online professional Perpetual traveler Professional wanderer Remote employee Remote worker Technomad Wandering professional These are just a few examples of the many ways that people choose to describe their lifestyles. Remoteness is a sliding scale. Just as there are hybrid organizations, there are also hybrid nomads. You can combine different types of jobs and income streams to create a lifestyle that suits you. Who’s adopting the nomad lifestyle? In this section, I dig deeper into digital nomad demographics. You find out where digital nomads are from, what they do for work, how old they are, and how much they earn. An overview of the U.S. digital nomad population is shown in the figure below. Do you see yourself represented here? Generations: Z, Millennials, X, Baby Boomers You might think that a digital nomad lifestyle is more suited to younger generations, but research shows that people of all ages dabble in digital nomadism. One Facebook groups study calculated the average age of digital nomads to be 40 years old, with the oldest nomad in the study being 72. In 2021, Millennials made up the largest segment of digital nomads, with 44 percent, followed by Gen X, Gen Z, and Baby Boomers. Although only 12 percent of digital nomads were Baby Boomers in 2021, according to MBO and FlexJobs, they made up a third of the population two years earlier. Researchers believe this decrease was temporarily attributed to COVID-19 concerns in high-risk groups. People from many parts of the world Although most of the data on digital nomad demographics comes from U.S.-based research, the digital nomad population is global. A survey of English-speaking nomads in Facebook groups recognized nomads from at least 39 countries. In a 2018 Fiverr survey of Anywhere Workers, 57 percent of respondents were from the United States, with the rest representing countries such as Kenya, Myanmar, Slovakia, Canada, Colombia, Romania, Venezuela, Indonesia, Australia, India, and the Philippines. To estimate how many digital nomads there are worldwide, it’s assumed that a certain percent of independent contractors and remote workers alike will experiment with a nomadic lifestyle at times. In the most comprehensive report on digital nomads to date, MBO Partners found that 15.5 million Americans (or 10 percent of the U.S. workforce) described themselves as digital nomads. The number of U.S. digital nomads increased by 20 percent during 2019–2021, as the world adopted remote work on a mass scale. The United States wasn’t the only country with people working from home, of course. In 2021, China’s flexible work population reached 200 million people. The government has since released a five-year “Digital Economy Development Plan,” encouraging citizens to seek Internet-based employment. Currently, only 11 million Chinese identify as digital nomads. But if 10 percent of the Chinese workforce went nomadic, that would be 140 million people! Other countries have taken similar measures to encourage remote work. In 2019, Costa Rican president, Carlos Alvarado, passed a work-from-home law regulating telecommuting for the first time. The following year, Chile’s government passed a Distance Working and Teleworking law. And in 2021, Ireland passed the Right to Request Remote Work Bill in an effort to normalize flexible working in Irish society. Governments from Angola to Belgium and beyond have passed or announced some form of remote working legislation for their citizens. That’s on top of the 40 plus countries offering remote work and digital nomad visas for foreigners. The more remote work is regulated throughout the world, the more companies will adapt to such legislation, freeing millions of people from the office in the process. Meandering men and wandering women The reported male to female ratio of digital nomads has varied widely over the years. In the Anywhere Workers study, 63 percent of respondents were men and 37 percent were women. However, FlexJobs estimates that 70 percent of digital nomads are women. And the 2021 survey among digital nomad Facebook groups uncovered an even split of 49.81 percent females and 50.19 percent males. Folks at every career stage Digital nomads span all generations, industries, backgrounds, and careers. From the present day and beyond, many high school and college grads will never step foot into an office. They may be the first generation to start their careers as nomadic workers from day one. The digital nomad lifestyle doesn’t discriminate, however. Plenty of people transition to digital nomadism mid-career or in retirement. Employees from an assortment of industries Nomads come in an array of fields. The one thing nomads have in common is that they can do their jobs online or earn an online income. The rest is up to you! Some of the most common industries where you’ll find nomads include (according to MBO Partners): 19 percent Information Technology 10 percent Creative Fields 9 percent Education and Training 8 percent Coaching and Consulting 8 percent Research 8 percent Sales, Marketing, and Public Relations 8 percent Accounting and Finance 30 percent Other Fields The have-lots-of-money, the have-some-money, and the have-little-money sets Because digital nomads represent a diversified mix of the global population, their income is as varied as their job titles. Although Fiverr found that more than half of “anywhere workers” were freelancers in 2018, the ratio of salaried to self-employed nomads is evening out. MBO’s research suggests that the number of salaried nomads tripled between 2019 and 2021, with many remote employees being “high earners.” 44 percent reported earning at least $75,000. Previously, Fiverr’s Anywhere Workers study found that 57 percent of nomads earned less than $50,000 per year, with 10 percent earning $100,000 or more. That number could be on the rise, though. FlexJobs asserts that 18 percent of nomads make six figures or more, with 22 percent making between $50–100,000. Remote working women tend to earn less than men, though, with more than one study finding that “the gender pay gap has no borders,” according to Fiver’s Anywhere Workers study. Either way, there’s no limit on how much money you can make in the digital nomad lifestyle, especially when you combine multiple income streams. You can also save a lot, too. Many remote workers engage in geo-arbitrage, earning a high income while living in rural areas or developing countries with a low cost of living. Fortunately, freedom doesn’t have to cost a lot. 21 percent of nomads earn less than $25,000 per year, according to MBO Partners. But regardless of how much money digital nomads make, 85 percent are happy at work and 79 percent are satisfied with their income. It just goes to show that money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness — so long as it buys the ability to travel!

Article / Updated 11-10-2022

Listen to the article:Download audio I believe that the digital nomad lifestyle can be right for everyone. After all, who doesn’t want the ability to do what they want, when they want? A better question might be to ask yourself how nomadic you want to be and for how long. Becoming a digital nomad doesn’t need to be an extreme decision where you quit your job, sell your stuff, and book a ticket to Bali the same day. Your version of location independence can follow one of the examples in this book, or it can be something you design. But, for now, here are some of the pros and cons to help you decide. Exploring the potential benefits Becoming a digital nomad could be the best thing since sliced bread. These are some of the benefits: Community: Imagine if your friendship circle included thousands of people from 200 countries — that’s possible when you travel the world. Cost savings: Digital nomads can save money in many ways, such as lowering their cost of living and increasing their savings rate through geo-arbitrage (earning in a strong economy while living in a low-cost area), buying fewer material things, and changing their tax base. Creativity and innovation: Immersing yourself in new cultures and places is a good way to gain inspiration in your work. Researchers have found a correlation between travel and increased innovation. Earning potential: Many digital nomads use their newfound freedom, flexibility, and time to build multiple income streams. Many salaried digital nomads are high earners, while freelancers can earn more working for themselves than for an employer. Family: Tim Urban, of the website Wait But Why, calculates that by the time you turn 18, you’ve already used up 98 percent of your time spent with family. But when you’re a digital nomad, you don’t have to wait until the holidays to see your loved ones. You can visit them anytime! Nomad parents can also spend more time with their children when traveling together and doing homeschool or remote learning. Freedom: As mentioned, freedom of all shapes and sizes is the top reason people want to become digital nomads. You have micro freedoms, such as how to spend every minute of the day. And you have macro freedoms, such as changing your country of residence, taxation, or citizenship. Fulfillment: Digital nomads are happy campers! According to MBO Partners, 85 percent of digital nomads report being happy and satisfied in their lifestyles. Up to 90 percent say they will never go back to a traditional office job. Fun: Being a digital nomad is really fun. Whatever you like to do, you can do more of it when you live a digital nomad lifestyle. Health and wellness: With more time and control over your workplace, schedule, and environment, you can make healthier choices as a digital nomad. Eliminating your commute also reduces stress and increases well-being. Network: Digital nomads have more opportunities to meet people from different cultures, backgrounds, and industries compared to when they worked in one place. Productivity and focus: Researchers agree that remote workers suffer from fewer distractions compared to working in an office. Time: Digital nomads can save up to 3,000 hours per year that were previously spent on commuting, meetings, office distractions, and household chores. Travel: Undoubtedly, one of the biggest draws of the digital nomad lifestyle is being able to travel. Imagine being able to work with a view of the Eiffel Tower. That’s possible when you can work from anywhere! Recognizing the potential drawbacks Every decision in life has pros and cons. (Even eating cupcakes.) For all the benefits of a location-independent lifestyle, there are some downsides: Burnout: Although the majority of digital nomads are happy and satisfied with their lifestyles, remote work and travel burnout is still a thing. Dating and relationships: Living nomadically can complicate relationships, whether you’re single and dating or living with your significant other. Friendships and partnerships at home may suffer the longer you’re away. And, although you may meet more people while traveling, you might not see them again. Being unsettled: Not having a fixed home can wear on you over time. If you’re planning to be a temporary nomad, this isn’t much of a concern. But many long-term nomads eventually find somewhere to settle so they have more stability and community. Loneliness: Everyone experiences loneliness sometimes, whether you’re a nomad or not. But traveling alone and working alone can make you feel even lonelier at times. In a Fiverr study, 30 percent of respondents said lack of community and human connection were their biggest struggles. Productivity and motivation: Many digital nomads are self-motivated, with only 7 percent of “anywhere workers” citing motivation as a challenge. However, it’s still a factor, especially when combined with occasional loneliness and isolation from working alone. Risk of failure: Failing in business in a foreign place can be a scary prospect, especially if you don’t know the culture well or have a local support system. It’s important to keep a stash of emergency savings in case you end up between jobs or need to cut your adventure short and fly home. Uncertainty: Uncertainty is the flipside of the excitement and the adventure of a nomadic lifestyle. There’s a fine line between living outside of your comfort zone and living in anxiety. Manage uncertainty by being as prepared and organized as possible.