How to Build Your Career Working Freelance Jobs - CareerAlley

How to Build Your Career Working Freelance Jobs - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Freelancer, contractor, consultant, self-employed these all have similarities but can be different as well. Working as a freelancer typically means you are self-employed and offering goods or services to others. The best part about being a freelancer is that you can typically set your own hours as well as pick and choose who you want to work for. The bad news is that until you build your business up, you are likely to have times where you dont have any work. Many people are giving up working for an employer altogether, and are working for themselves on a freelance basis. There are many advantages to this, including the possibility of flexible hours and control over what clients you choose to work with, and getting out of what could be a hostile work environment. You need specific skills in order to work as a freelancer, as you will need to be clear about the service you are offering others. To ensure regular work, you need to prove you have what it takes to encourage businesses to hire your services. Work from home Price: Discover flexible jobs that are far better than a typical job. FlexJobs makes it easier, faster, and safer to find a job that better fits your life! Buy Now We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Building Your Career With Freelance Jobs Networking Nows the time to let everyone you know (business acquaintances, family and friends) that you are now freelancing. This will help you build your network of potential clients. Be prepared to give your 30 second this is what I do speech to everyone you meet who asks you what you do. This is a very important way to network and advertise what you do. This is typically called an elevator speech (seeYour Elevator Speech). Other key resources are industry and trade associations. Join the ones that make sense for your career and participate as much as possible. Taking leadership positions in these organizations can also help you grow your business. Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself (2nd Edition) (Que Biz- Price: $15.99 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 Put the Right Infrastructure in Place Sounds scary, but makes great sense. Ensure you create whatever legal entities you need to set up and run your business. Make sure you have a good understanding of any licenses or registration you may need in your municipality. A great resource for helping you figure out what you need is the Small Business Administration. What about your website? Everyone looks to the Internet for finding whatever they need. This includes products and services. You must have a website where people can find you as well as read more about what you do. As you grow your business, add testimonials of those youve worked for. Recommendations are very powerful. Build out your marketing plan. Advertising in local papers and bulletin boards placed in local businesses certainly helps. Another great idea is to see if you can set up a How to night with your local Chamber of Commerce or Public Library, giving some demonstrations on your service or product. This is a great way to advertise and to meet people. Adams Starting A Contractor Business Kit with Booklet and CD (PK216) by Adams Price: $40.74 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 1, 2020 It is never too late to be what you might have been. George Eliot Find Others to Work With Partnering with complementary business can definitely help you grow your business. As an example, if you are starting a tile installation business, perhaps you could partner with a plumber. Or, maybe you are building a graphics design business partnering with a marketing pro or a website developer might work for you. One thought is to think about businesses, products or services that either precedes what you might offer or follow what you offer. Keep in mind that its not all about you. There are benefits for partners as well (they gain from your business network as do you from theirs). Business Plan Template And Example: How To Write A Business Plan: Business Planning Made Simple Price: $4.99 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 Create a Business Plan This can be boring and challenging but it is a necessity. You need to have a plan which includes funding (cash flow, funding equipment and supplies, incorporating your networking and marketing plan, etc.). Regardless of your location, the from the SBA is a good place to start to help you figure out what you need. Try not to over-build your plan, but dont leave out the important parts either. Set Yourself Apart from the Competition What makes what you do better than the competition? Its important to define these values to give you an advantage in your advertising. It could be anything, from offering products/services that no one else offers to provide discounts and promotions (tied to your marketing plan). Freelance Careers Marketing If you already have a background in marketing, it is worth hiring out your services to small businesses. They may not have the know-how or the time to market themselves effectively, and you may have the skills to assist them with branding, and finding new ways to advertise their services, such as through social media. I.T. Consultant Part of being a freelancer is fitting yourself into areas where others struggle, and many business owners are reluctantly catching up with technology, even if they have no idea how to use it. Hacking is also becoming more prevalent, and a lot of companies are unsure as to how to protect their networks. So from servicing computer hardware to installing firewalls, you may have the I.T. skills that a lot of businesses lack. SEO Consultant Businesses live or die depending on their online presence. Considering the competitive marketplace, they want to be at the forefront of internet search engines and not twenty web pages behind. If you know your way around SEO then you will be just the person managers are currently looking for. Ensure you get accredited with SEO certification to prove you are the right person for the job and give other businesses the online push they need to survive. Writer There are many forms of freelance writing, from bloggers to ghostwriters. There are many low paid writing jobs out there, so dont be short-changed when approaching prospective clients. As with most freelance jobs, it is worth building up a portfolio of writing, so consider writing for free for a short time until you have something to showcase. You can advertise your services on sites such as Upwork, but be aware that the competition is high, so you will need to know how to sell yourself. Photographer There are a lot of people setting themselves up in photography, but many are complete amateurs who dont know one end of a camera from another. However, if you have a good eye for a picture, as well as the photoshopping skills to enhance your work, then you may make a good name for yourself. Wedding photographers, in particular, make a lot of money, so this could be a profitable business. Taking the leap If you have decided that you want to give up your 9-5 role and try to make it as a freelancer, then congratulations. It is a bold move to make. One that many others have made successfully before you and with the right strategy and a bucket load of motivation there is no reason why you cannot carve yourself out a successful career as an independent worker too. The one thing to get straight in your mind, first of all, is that choosing to break away from the normal 9-5 life is not choosing the easier path. While you are indeed in control of the hours you work and there wont be anyone there looking over your shoulder, you might well find yourself working longer hours than before in an attempt to make a name for yourself and become established. The thing about being a freelancer is that the only person you have there in the office that you can rely on is you. There are no colleagues, no boss, no friendly faces to help bear the burden. There is you. Just you. If you want to take Monday off, then thats no problem just remember that when you are not in the office no one is. When you are not at your desk making money then there is nothing coming into your business. Of course, knowing that youre doing something off your own back that has been created through your own hard work is hugely rewarding and this is one of the main reasons why people decide to go freelance. Flexibility and freedom are the watchwords when it comes to freelancing and these are often the things that established freelancers say they would never give up. Not having to commute into work and potentially spend hours stuck in traffic are major plus points. Just remember that working from home means that in a way you are pretty much always in the office and it can be hard to separate home and work life. Its important to get the right balance otherwise it wont take long for you to burn out. Being able to budget when you first start as a freelancer is also a difficulty that people might not immediately be prepared for. Remember that youll no longer have a set income, and not knowing exactly what cash you will have coming in at the end of the month can be incredibly difficult to get used to. Speaking to established freelancers and agencies that specialize in supporting independent workers is a must. In fact, speak to as many people as possible in order to get a wide cross-section of views. The more the better! Freelancing can be extremely difficult to break into, but once you have got a few clients under your belt and have some money coming in, things will no doubt seem a lot rosier. Take a look at CareerAlleys 5 Ideas for Starting and Running Your Own Business Career Alternatives. There are a number of things you can do to build your business and you need to consider all of your business support needs. (Re)Defining the Goal: The True Path to Career Readiness in the 21st Century Price: $14.98 Buy Now from Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Last Updated: March 2, 2020 What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

How to follow up and keep new contacts -

How to follow up and keep new contacts - Networking is great. Meeting a lot of new people is terrific. However, knowing what to do once youve made a contact is just as important as finding the contact. How can you hook your contacts? Here are my tips for being remembered: 1. Send a nice note. In the mail. If you met someone at a party or gathering and you want to keep in touch, send a nice note. I like typed notes, some people prefer a hand-written message. Be sure to include enough information to help the person remember when and where you met and what you discussed. 2. Cover your social networking bases. When you meet someone and you think there is a professional connection, ask if they are on LinkedIn and if it would be okay to connect. Then, be sure to follow up right away (after you get home not from your iPhone!) with a request to connect. Again, even if it is shortly after the party, remind the contact where you met and what you discussed. Dont assume he or she will remember everything you talked about! Connecting on LinkedIn provides many advantages. Of course, growing your network is always important, but also remember that your new friends will now have a chance to see your updates (and you theirs). In general, keeping tabs on someone is easy on LinkedIn and a very low impact way to stay in touch. Also be sure to ask if the person uses Twitter. Im a big fan, and I hope more people will begin to use if for professional purposes. Do NOT ask to connect via Facebook unless you are invited after an incidental meeting. Typically, this is not considered proper etiquette. 3. Set a Google alert for the name of the person you met and/or the name of their company. No, I am not suggesting that you stalk the new contact! However, if Google can help you easily find out news or information about someone with whom you are trying to build rapport, all the better! When you learn that XYZ company   has won an innovation award or that Julia Smith has been named a top ten PR rep, you will be able to be among the first to send a follow-up note. This helps keep you top of mind. It sets you apart from every other random contact, which is important in this competitive market. 4. Make a strong personal connection. In the midst of your initial conversation, make a point to learn   something personal about your new contact. For example he is a Bulls fanatic or she went to UGA. Shes a photography buff and loves to garden. He is a world traveler, but hasnt made it to Asia. You get what I mean make a point to learn something interesting about people you meet. This gives you several benefits: You will earn bonus points for being a good listener, for asking questions and for being attentive to your new friends interests. We all enjoy talking about ourselves. When you engage around a topic that tweaks someones passions, you are more likely to be remembered later. You now have a new hook to use for follow up! Assuming you keep your eyes on the newspapers and Internet, you are bound to come across a post or article of interest to your contact. Send it along via email with a personal note. Again the point   here is to maintain a top of mind status. You sent an article on tips for travel in China from a recent news source and your friend will think about you in a day when you would not otherwise cross his mind. You can do everything right, (know what you have to offer, have a great twitpitch, know where to look, have great materialsThe list goes on and on. However, if you dont follow up with your networking contacts, all of that work could easily go down the drain. Dont let that happen to you! photo by lanier6

Reported Buzz on Kick Resume Exposed

Reported Buzz on Kick Resume Exposed Lies You've Been Told About Kick Resume The fundamental aim is to provide the very best web based shopping knowledge and the ideal Kickresume Coupon Codes deals to the customers. By spending only a few minutes of your schedule, you will not merely get the code, but also all the instructions you must utilize it right and delight in a discount. Therefore, there are lots of invalid coupons floating around the internet. Don't neglect to use your Kickresume promo codes at checkout to acquire exclusive offers It's our job to help you to save money whilst ensuring you get the absolute most out of Kickresume promo codes. There are three kinds of CV, as stated below to prepare online CV. When you're finished, you may download your CV for a PDF. It is possible to create a stunning CV utilizing nothing more than the totally free features that Canva provides a rarity in online CV builders. Show your complete potential by making the very best possib le CV through their disruptive on-line resumes and eye-catching PDF templates! Top Kick Resume Secrets If you're overwhelmed by all the alternatives, you can also just use one of several fantastic templates. If you currently have a favourite template or want to have your company logo on each resume, you're in the correct place. Contrary to other websites, the templates are broken up by profession. All the templates are made by designers, and the styles are colorful and appealing. The True Meaning of Kick Resume VisualCV's free analytics will tell you how often your CV was viewed or downloaded, together with letting you know where visitors came from. The URL may also be shared with potential employers. You're able to import the simple information from social media such as Google, Facebook or Twitter. The website can import all their data from LinkedIn, so they don't need to go through the sometimes tedious procedure of adding all their job histories. What You Don't Know Ab out Kick Resume You are able to also share the last product with a URL or embed it upon your website. As you complete your Turing portfolio, consider how you wish to present yourself. The site includes a wide selection of templates to pick from, and a super, simple interface for collecting information on experience and abilities. Moreover, acquiring a portfolio website is awesome and it's simple to create. So, essentially, resume writing businesses can gain around anyone that's in search of an extra job and isn't an expert writer. Currently many job searches aren't constructed to hunt for jobs based on skills, but instead just job title. If you're looking for a job and don't want your present employer to understand, it's certainly not the most discreet alternative. A must-have tool for everyone who changes jobs regularly. The Kick Resume Trap Later, when you should tailor your resume to a particular position, you can create a copy of it to cut down to a page. In these li nes, you are just about to find out the way to utilize Kickresume promo code. At this time you have all of the info you should take pleasure in the promo code provided by kickresume.com. Usually, there's a tiny box on the page for you to go into the promo code.

4 Ways For Moms To Break Back Into A Career - Work It Daily

4 Ways For Moms To Break Back Into A Career - Work It Daily Many women are faced with a tough hiring road if they have left the workforce to raise children. A resume that ends five years ago like an abrupt sandstone cliff won’t bring many interviews. So, how can moms break back into a career? Related: 6 Tips For Working Women With Families Here are four strategies that can get you hired: Embrace The Internet One of the best ways to re-enter the workforce if you have left it to raise a family is to demonstrate to prospective employers you are Internet savvy. Four ways to do this include: Start a blog Learn about social media rather than just using social media Make yourself the mobile queen Add online training or education Embracing technology and making it your passion is one of the best ways to access the growing market of flexible career options. Today a simple computer and a high-speed connection make working again incredibly easy. Take Momma Viral Starting a blog is one of the best ways to demonstrate to a perspective employer you are a self-starter and a hard worker in addition to being computer literate. A good blog requires a lot of work and organization. In addition, the connections created through a blog can become excellent opportunities for employment. Should the blog become popular enough companies will start paying you for advertising spots and access to the viewers on your blog. The topic of the blog can be very unprofessional but the execution of the site must be professional for it to improve your employment opportunities. Have Sippy Will Travel is an excellent example of this type of blog. The blog topic is very relaxed and yet the execution is extremely professional. The site has its own URL, it is well branded and the woman that runs it has made a point of joining several organizations and following a large variety of similar blogs. Any prospective employer would look at this blog and know that they would love to have this woman working for them. She is professional and a real go-getter. Moreover, this blog was established in 2010 demonstrating a blog can be fairly new and still acquire a substantial following on the Internet. It’s never too late to start! Face It, Facebook Can Make You Money Social Media marketing experts are currently in high demand. This new world of marketing is remarkably different than traditional marketing and both large and small companies are desperate for Social Media experts. Start learning how to use Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and other Social Media sites for business and marketing rather than just as a way to connect with family and friends. Chris Borgan’s book, Google+ for Business and Brian Carter’s, The Like Economy, are two excellent places to start. The more you learn the more there is to learn! Stick with it and this skill alone is likely to earn you several interviews and even land a well-paid job. Smart Women Know About Smartphones Take time to become a mobile queen. Mobile essentially means smartphones but the niche also includes iPad’s and other ultra light computer systems. Mobile devices are likely to become the next marketing powerhouse. A recent BIA/Kelsey research study found that smartphone users contact or visit a business 60% of the time after looking up their information. Compared to desktop averages of 10% or lower, this conversion rate is outstanding and businesses are taking notice. Learn how to use Foursquare, Google Places and other mobile-centric platforms for business and this will improve your chances of being hired. Become A Lifelong Learner! Adding education or training is an excellent way to round out a resume. Online courses are now available in most fields. Enrolling in online educational courses and adding certifications demonstrate that you have been willing to invest time and money in yourself and your career. These four ideas are from women I know who have used them to get back into the workforce and back into a career. Any other great ideas out there? Share them, especially on Facebook using your smartphone! Related Posts The Biggest Secret Obstacle To Your Career Why Every Job Seeker Should Have a Blog 10 Things That Matter In Your Career   Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!

Strong Cover Letters Three Reasons Why Executives Need Them -

Strong Cover Letters Three Reasons Why Executives Need Them -Why is a strong titelblatt letter so important, even for executives? First of all, employers expect a titel letter. Not writing one when a titelbild letter is expected can hurt you far more than writing a titelbild letter when one isnt explicitly asked for can hurt you. After all, when have you ever been upset about an employee putting in extra effort?Beyond that general reason, though, there are specific ways that a good cover letter can help you land an executive position. Lets look at three of them.You Need a Prospective Employer to Pay Attention to Yur ResumeWhen youre asking yourself What should an executive cover letter accomplish?, the heading above is an excellent answer to that question. It should get a prospective employer to pay attention to you. An executive resume is likely somewhat lengthypossibly two or three pagesand you need to grab a prospective employers attention before they even get to it. A strong cove r letter (strong, but brief) is an effective way to get them to spend a little more time on your resume than on those from other applicants.Of course, an effective executive resume needs to be impressive on its own, but using a cover letter to explicitly state why you are a good fit for the job can help direct their attention to the impressive information about your accomplishments and skills contained in your resume. A weak cover letteror no cover letter at allis a missed opportunity to elaborate or make a point about your experience that can resonate strongly with a hiring manager and make them want to learn more about your work experience.Ideally, a great cover letter will hook them from the first sentence (see this article for hints on how to do this ), and they will continue to be interested right through their reading of your resume.An executive cover letter can also accomplish the secondary goal of explaining anything that needs to be explained but isnt on your resume. Not ev eryone will need to do this, but if you have a varied work history, or a job youve listed on your resume that isnt quite relevant to the executive position youre applying for, your cover letter can give you a platform to offer an explanation. Doing so removes the need for a hiring manager to read between the lines, and ensures they wont miss your point altogether as they sift through dozens of other cover letters and resumes from people applying to the job. You cant afford for a hiring manager to miss a thing about your experience or achievements when youre applying for an executive position.Introduce the Prospective Employer to the You They Need to KnowPersonal connections are always important in a job search, but you cant count on them to be the sole reason you get a job. One reason that some executive job candidates may believe they dont need a cover letter, or only need a simple one stating something to the effect of My resume is attached and this is what Im applying for is that they already know the hiring manager or have a connection at the company.Even if you doand even if you know the hiring manager well or have a strong connection with someone in human resourcesyou still need a strong cover letter. Why do you need an effective cover letter if you already know the prospective employer?The easy answer is that in many cases, especially for an executive position, more than one part will be reading your cover letter and resume and considering candidates. You canelend rely on someone else to convey what you could and should convey in a cover letter to every potential reader of your resume.You need to get the message across about yourself and your professional qualifications and interest in the job the way you want to and you need to. Write your cover letter as if the person reading it does not know you at allchances are someone who doesnt know you will be reading it as you move through the hiring process.It is especially important to write a strong, detaile d cover letter if you only peripherally know the hiring manager or another executive at the company. Even if they approached you about the position, you cannot assume that they know or remember the details of your career that make you an excellent fit for the position. They might know youre a good fit, but do they know why you are better than the candidate another person recommended? Only you know the ins and outs of your career and your qualifications. Use your cover letter to explain why they make you an excellent fit for this executive positiondoing so can only help you. Yes, it takes a little bit of extra time to write a strong cover letter, but as I said before, you cant trust that someone else will be able toor want tospeak up on your behalf and mention the most relevant points about your skills and abilities. You need to do this in your cover letter.The Position Isnt ListedOnce youve reached the executive level, you may be scouting out positions that arent listed, or simply w ant companies to know youre on the lookout and willing to move if the right opportunity comes up. As a result, you will probably be sending your resume to people who might not be expecting it or know exactly what job you are sending it in for.In this case, a cover letter is an absolute necessity. Imagine receiving a random resume in your inbox when you arent on an interview committee or aware of open positions. Without any sort of introduction, youd probably just be confused and move it to the trash, or forward it on to someone else without a second glance. The same will probably happen to your resume if you just send it to a company without a strong cover letter attached.Even a couple of sentences in the body of an schmelzglas alerting someone to the attached resume and your interest in the company are not enough in this case. To get your resume looked at when you are essentially doing the equivalent of cold-calling, you need to really compel someone to look at it. If they dont hav e an open position, why would they be spending time on your resume? You need to give them a reason to want to open your resume and want to keep it on file. A persuasive, well-written cover letter is the best way to grab the attention of a potential employer and let them know you are someone they should know.Now I Know Why I Need a Strong Executive Cover Letter. What Makes It Strong?I have a few primary tips to help you write a cover letter that gets results. In brief, they are?Have an impactful first line?Connect the dots between your experience and the companys needs?Keep it to one page?Write a tailored cover letter for each company/position?Dont just repeat the work history thats on your resume?Dont use a cover letter templaterecruiters and hiring managers know when someone does thisFor more on how to write an effective cover letter to help you land an interview and a job, check out this article 5-Step Guide to Writing Cover Letters for Executives. The article also includes links to cover letter samples that you might find useful when trying to write your own effective cover letter. (Dont use these as templatesjust as examples to inspire you.)Dont have the time to spend writing cover letters yourself? Executive cover letters are one of the services that we provide at Great Resumes Fast. Even the best writer can have trouble masterfully writing about themselves and their career, and a professional resume writer can bring a new perspective to your career documents.At Great Resumes Fast, we strive to fully understand your work history and career goals. We provide one-on-one, personalized service to help you advance your career. To learn more about Great Resumes Fast, click here. For more resume writing tips, cover letter tips, and career advice in general, check out our blog archives here.Are you tired of your resume being rejected by applicant tracking systems? I know how frustrating it is to submit your resume and receive no response. I hate seeing qualified people never breakthrough the screening process. It shouldnt be that way. Thats why I created this guide and I encourage you to download the FREE PDF so you can start seeing better resume response rates

This Is Your Post-Graduation Dream Job And These 5 Things Prove It (Plus Youre Guaranteed A Phone Interview)

This Is Your Post-Graduation Dream Job And These 5 Things Prove It (Plus Youre Guaranteed A Phone Interview)Weve Found Your Dream Job And These 4 Reasons Prove It (Plus Youre Guaranteed A Phone Interview)A first job out of college should be a lot of things. You want it to be a gateway, a learning experience, a place you can be rewarded, andof coursea place you can move up.Basically, you want to be able to make as much money as possible (college was really expensive). You want to get the right kind of experience and learn as much as you can. Andjust like anyone elseyou want the opportunity to grow and get promoted, preferably within a year or so.Dont worry. Weve already found the needle in the haystack for you. Here are three reasons why working in sale and Recruiting at Apex is actually your perfect post-grad position.1. Work Hard, Make $$$Apex Sales and Recruiting people are incentivized to do well. They work for clients making sure they secure talent to fill technical roles. As a p erson in a sales-type role, youll have the opportunity to make a ton of money in bonuses and commissions, and youll even be rewarded with promotions and perks.Those who excel in the role will always make more money, which is one of the best partes of the job. If youre money-motivated, competitive, and have a knack for interpersonal relationships, then taking home a lot of money at your first post-grad job shouldnt be a challenge for you.2. Work Where You Want ToApex has offices everywhere. The companys clients are stationed all over the country, so thats where theyve got to be. So, if youre looking to move to a new city or stick to your home base, Apex has almost definitely got you covered. Commuting to a dezentral space and starting a new adventure in a city (of any size) are both entirely possible when working for Apex.3. Learn, Grow, Get PromotedAt Apex, youll receive a month of hands-on training (and thats just to start). Plus, just by getting hired, youll be on a fasttrack to p romotions in different areas of the business depending on your interests, specialty, and talents.Apex Sales and Recruiting professionals are up for promotion after just four performing quartersa.k.a. do well for one year, and you will be promoted. So, if youre hitting clearly set goals, youll be promoted. No vagueness or politics about it. Basically, its the perfect job to grow in.4. The Perfect Culture For Recent GradsCulture is a huge part of your everyday life at a company. Thats why Apex people have worked hard to make their work environment perfect for recent grads.As one of many new hires and recent grads, youll have access to an amazing social network as well as a professional one. With so many peers youre guaranteed to make friends, find mentors, and build a network of people that youre proud to be a part of.For work hard, play hard to be a good thing, you have to like the people youre doing it with. And at Apex, youll find people who will help you raise your game and have a great time doing it. Thats what makes going to work every day a worthwhile experience.Bonus Youre guaranteed a phone interview.If you apply through WayUp, youre guaranteed a phone screen for the job. So, sharpen your phone skills and do your research, because youve never been closer to landing your dream job.Apply now on WayUp

How Relativity Uses Big Data

How Relativity Uses Big Data Below is an article originally written by Alton Zenon III at Built In, and published on April 26, 2019. The following section of the article is about the team at PowerToFly Partner Relativity. Go to Relativitys page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.Big data as a general concept is incredibly varied in its use cases and the conclusions it leads to. While it can be helpful in building out a single product, it can also be the basis of an entire business model. And oftentimes, regardless of what industry or purpose the data is used for, the quantitative vastness of a big data info-block is rivaled only by the qualitative minutia of the information presented.We spoke to data experts at seven Chicago tech companies working with big data to find out just what theyre doing with the enormous sets of information they collect and how those efforts translate to tangible things in real life.RelativityRelativity simplifies the discovery process during litigations, internal investigations and compliance projects with its cloud-based e-discovery software. Lead System Engineer Corey Wagehoft said the cloud is a key parte of how his team leverages big data and keeps up with client demand.How is yur company leveraging big data as part of your product?My team is primarily responsible for building a common shared compute platform for our development teams. This allows our SaaS product, RelativityOne, to scale to meet increased customer demand automatically. RelativityOne can process massive amounts of data, and we built this platform using widely adopted technologies that have been proven to handle the demand we require. We are also working with very bleeding-edge technology to open new opportunities for the developers building RelativityOne.We can meet large-scale data demands on a much larger scale in the cloud than running our product in a traditional data center.What is an example of a real-world impact youve produced using b ig data?We can meet large-scale data demands on a much larger scale in the cloud than running our product in a traditional data center. No matter what size of data set that needs processing, we can meet the demand with no interaction necessary from our customers or operations. Aki Merced