Try Creating a Portfolio Career

Go Think Big Podcast

Have you ever been drawn into a job that you really enjoy, only to find out that there are other interests and hobbies in your life that you’d consider making the focal point of your career as well? Combining all of your passions to make money from a variety of things is what’s known as having a portfolio career, and it’s growing more popular with graduates and millennials, according to the Guardian. As opposed to a singular position with one company or working a nine to five, people are now opting to split their time and skills between two or more part-time roles, raking in multiple incomes in the process. Reckon that life could be for you? Read on to see how to make it happen…

WHY HAS THE PORTFOLIO CAREER GROWN MORE POPULAR?

In recent years there’s been a shift in attitude towards having a varied career. Unlike our parent’s generation who placed importance on having a ‘job for life,’ millennials are keener to be self-employed, or work multiple roles, which provides greater flexibility and variety. Also, since the financial crisis, we’re more creative in the ways in which we make money and therefore it’s become more important for us to make use of our transferable skills.

OK, BUT WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

The portfolio career has many benefits and of course, a few disadvantages. If you’re interested in a portfolio career remember that it takes super organisation and time management on your part! You should consider how you’ll deal with having many different employers and deadlines to work to and remember that although it sounds fun, all these little roles will be equivalent to having a full-time role. On the other hand, a portfolio career offers you heaps of freedom and flexibility and allows you to make money from your different skill-sets, which can appeal to creative people and independent workers. A portfolio career is suitable for anyone though, whether or not you went to University.

Source; Pixabay/geralt

COULD YOU MAKE A PORTFOLIO CAREER WORK FOR YOU?

Before quitting your day job, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of whether your portfolio career will work for your career path. It generally suits someone with various skills, or someone who isn’t set on one singular job role. Day to day, you may also have a lack of infrastructure which you would usually get from being in the same location every day and working alongside colleagues.

Chatting to mates at work about Friday night plans often makes the job, so consider what you might be missing out on. Secondly, your accounts could take a hit, or they could look even healthier depending on how much work you land! The portfolio career path certainly gives you the opportunity to make big bucks, but you may find out that some months are less busy than others so it’s important to keep track of your invoices and pay checks. Also be mindful of taking breaks and keeping the line between work-life and home-life separate; with a portfolio career you may work from your bedroom, but being able to switch off could become increasingly difficult without the structure of an office environment.

HOW TO GET STARTED ON A PORTFOLIO CAREER

Before you change careers or start searching for new clients in your chosen field, use as much spare time as you can at work, to learn what skills you’ll need to acquire to manage your own career. Apps can be extremely helpful in this situation; Clarity Money is a budget app that helps you to control your finances by cancelling wasteful subscriptions, Mint creates a personalised budget based on the financial data you have and also helps you find your credit score, and Digit works by linking to your savings or checking account and studying your spending habits. You may also need to hire an accountant for your portfolio career, but this may only be necessary further down the line if you need help with your accounts.

Source; Giphy

Try to also network as much as possible in the early stages of your career as a way of building up contacts who will turn into potential clients, and consider making your own business page on Facebook, or creating your own website. To have a successful portfolio career you need to develop a personal brand and market yourself well; be sure to create a cohesive brand persona that incorporates everything you represent and speaks to your audience. It’s very important for you to sell your brand and show examples of your work through mediums such as Instagram – even if people aren’t buying your work yet, you can still gain a following which could later turn into sales. For this to run smoothly, set up a schedule of when to post so your audience can have a steady flow of your work to see.

Having a portfolio career is difficult but it’s also very rewarding. You’ll always have something to do so it’s important to self-care and take breaks to chill out. Remember to take time out of your day to see how things are going and to take a break from work as a whole. Good luck crafting your dream career!