Research the industry and emerging technologies

The
future of business is technology – and the best way to upskill yourself
is to keep up to date with the latest programs and innovations. Get
familiar with web and mobile applications to improve your digital skills
and invest in yourself. The easiest place to begin is by exploring what
is available on your electronic devices such as your laptop or
smartphone. Dive into Microsoft Office to get a good understanding of
the mainstream programs used in most industries, such as PowerPoint,
Excel, and Word.

These are great applications to put on your
resume/CV to show your employer that you’re tech-savvy. Mastering the
use of spreadsheets is a specialized skill that can help improve the
efficiency of data-based work, whether for personal use or in a
workplace setting.Go one step further by familiarizing yourself with
collaboration and communication tools such as emails, Slack and Zoom to
be well prepared for any online interaction. By improving your digital
skills, you can easily adapt to any nature of business and quick changes
that may arise – which is crucial in any project. Additionally, you
will be a leader in the gig economy by driving it forward with your
management and technical skills. Use your gigs to expand your network

An
incredible benefit to independent work is the opportunity to meet lots
of new people from different countries, cultures, and races that you may
have never met before. Keep your heart open and make connections with
the people you encounter! Through multiple interactions, you can
practice reading people and situations, improve your social skills,
practice active listening, and learn how to ask the best questions.
These are necessary skills to expand your network, and will take you far
when it comes to networking at workshops, seminars, or conferences –
and ultimately, at interviews for any future gigs. Check out our past
blog post on how to best grow your network to learn more about the power
of networking!Update your resume/CVTo get the most business, it’s
important to keep your resume updated. This will make it easier for you
to land jobs quicker and let potential clients know about you easily. In
Canada, it’s best to keep personal info (age, gender, etc.) off your
resume and a picture of yourself is not required. Try to be precise and
concise with your language and stick to the facts, such as how you
efficiently used a budget to complete a project, and your specialized
skills. Above all, make sure your resume is organized, professional, and
includes gigs that you have done most recently!Manage your time and
utilize all resources available to youAs your own boss, it’s up to you
to assess the opportunity cost of learning new skills with potentially
missed freelance opportunities – and this can be difficult. However,
through careful research and optimizing your time management skills, you
can take advantage of the many online resources available to look for
new skills to learn. These days, many universities and websites, such as
LinkedIn Learning, offer free or low cost online courses that teach a
wide range of skills, from UI/UX design and coding to photography and
marketing skills. Don’t be afraid to diversify the courses you choose to
learn. With our society becoming more digital, creative digital skills
are a must to market yourself effectively. You might even find a new
hobby through digital learning, or discover that you are a natural
marketer!Join a community of growth Traditional forms of employment
establish a professional environment for employees to develop their
skills. However, for gig workers, the opportunities to upskill through
work are limited, since gigs are usually short and don’t offer
employment benefits such as leadership training workshops, or a team of
coworkers to bounce ideas off of at morning meetings. Fortunately, in
our digital age, you can join many online communities of gig workers on
Facebook, LinkedIn, and other forums. These groups are a great way to
hear stories from other gig workers about how they run their own
businesses, from financial management to industry news. Being part of a
community also has tremendous benefits to one’s mental health, and can
help combat the isolation felt when doing individual gig work. Apart
from online communities, keeping in touch with peers and family members
can keep you motivated to drive forward in your self-development and
encourage self-development and encourage your upskill journey.