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There is no doubt that ex-military personnel are incredibly disciplined and well trained, and both of these factors usually serve these men and women well in their post-military careers—no matter what field they end up going into. That being said, there are a number of jobs that tend to be a better fit for former military service men and women and allow them to directly use their tactical skills and military training to their advantage. As a former member of the military, you'll generally have a huge range of different career options once you finally choose to leave the service. However, the following three careers are fantastic options that are generally a perfect fit for those with military training. Police Officer/ Federal Law Enforcement Agent One of the most common career choices for ex-military personnel is law enforcement. Whether it is working as a local police officer or sheriff or a career in a federal law enforcement agency such as the FBI, DEA or Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement is an obvious choice for many former soldiers. In fact, the level of discipline and tactical training you received in the military makes you an ideal candidate for a career in law enforcement. Private Security If you're looking for a career that allows you to use your tactical training to your advantage, working for a private security firm is another outstanding choice. As a security guard, you will be responsible for protecting individuals, businesses and assets. Companies like Trident Security often prefer applicants with relevant experience. In this sense, the training you've received in the military can be put directly to use and makes you a much more desirable candidate than those without any type of formal training. Intelligence Analyst Although all military personnel are required to undergo some tactical training during boot camp, those who worked in some type of military intelligence role will also have received additional training that can also be put to good use upon leaving the service. In this case, a position as an intelligence analyst can be extremely rewarding—both personally and financially. Skilled intelligence analysts are always in high demand by both government agencies and private companies, and the majority of analysts are well compensated for their skills. Of course, this list is really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential post-military careers. Nonetheless, all three of the above jobs allow you to directly translate your military training into the civilian world, which should help you to make the transition back to normal life more smoothly.

History is so fascinating. Students learn about wars, famines, floods, conflicts between states and countries, and so much more. Having a military veteran for a history instructor can add so much more interest to your coursework experience. Some of the strengths they can bring to the classroom include: Experience Military veterans have the experience to understand the importance of history and how to apply it to everyday life. They may have studied firsthand the histories and geographical landmarks of countries they have toured. Mistakes and mishaps may have been prevented during battle because of their knowledge of previous issues. They may have passed on their skills and know-how to younger soldiers who greatly benefited from this legacy. Skill A veteran would have the skills necessary to present a class with facts, figures, and different scenarios of a war or other historical event. They may have been exposed to opposing countries' viewpoints of events that took place. Veterans may have insight as to what really happened behind the scenes at many skirmishes and battles. Stamina and Patience No one can try a teacher more than a disinterested and lethargic student. A military veteran has the patience and know-how to deal with such behavior. They may respond by making the lessons so fascinating that this type of student will sit up and take notice. Or they may challenge these students to read their history books on their own and give their own interpretation of events that took place. First-Hand Knowledge There are many times that soldiers and other military personnel have used tactics and maneuvers used making them masters in history . Or they may avoid mistakes made on other battlefields and in similar conflicts. Making sure history does not repeat itself and the same mistakes are not made is part of the importance of absorbing and knowing historical facts, figures, and information. Personal Interest Military veterans will be interested in the lessons they present. They may have actually visited some of the countries featured and stood on the battlegrounds that are discussed in class. They will be able to make history come alive with their own stories of travel and intrigue. Many veterans are great philanthropists , wanting to give back to those in need wherever they can. Teaching supplies them with some of the methodology to do just that, but they give back to the community in so many other ways. As is clearly shown, military veterans can make amazing history teachers. With their wealth of knowledge and experiences and everything that goes with that, students are going to experience classroom instruction that will intrigue and fascinate them. Take advantage of learning from this type of person while you are enrolled in their classes. You will learn so much and some of this you will be able to apply to your own life.

When you apply for a credit card or a loan to buy a house or car the potential lender will first review your credit score. If it is below a certain figure your application may be denied. To a lender your credit score implies the degree of risk they must undertake when granting you credit. They believe that if your score is low, the likelihood of your defaulting on the loan is high and they will lose money. Therefore, they will deny your application. They obtain the scores from credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies that maintain files containing consumers’ credit histories. Unless you have always paid cash for everything you bought, never financed a car or a house and haven’t carried a credit card in your lifetime, you have a credit history. There are three agencies that maintain files on people who have credit and that is just about everyone. These agencies are Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Those files contain a record of your payments to your lenders. If any payment was ever late, that is on your record. The agencies evaluate this and other information and assign you a credit score. The lender uses that score not only to determine if they will grant you credit but also how much interest they will charge.   What determines your credit score? Various factors affect your credit score such as the length of time you have had credit, the amount of outstanding debt you have, and whether you pay off your credit card balances in full or carry them over from month to month. Those most important are whether you have had late payments and how many, whether you have ever declared bankruptcy and the amount of your outstanding debt.   Verifying your Credit Information You need to check the information that is on file about you to be sure it is accurate. You also need to check all three agencies. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com . These agencies do not exchange information. They do make mistakes. Identity theft does occur and you can be a victim. For all of these reasons you need to know what their files say about you.   Errors in your Credit History There is hardly anyone who has not at some time or other made a late payment. People are hospitalized unexpectedly, storms delay mail, and payments go astray in the mail. Any one or all of these events occur in everyone’s life.   When this happens you call your lender and explain the circumstances. They are understanding and often reverse the late fee. So you feel that all is well. But that may not be. The moment that payment was late, your lender reported you to the credit bureau they deal with. The credit bureau posted it to your file. When you rectified the matter with your lender, they may have sent a follow up report but maybe not. If they did send a report, the credit bureau may have neglected to adjust your file. Or one agency corrected your information but the others did not.   Credit Agencies Do Err These agencies are not infallible. Inaccurate information can be posted to your report. This is particularly true if you have a common name. For example, Jon Doe’s delinquent payment could easily be posted to John Doe’s account. Suppose Jon Doe purchased a $40,000.00 automobile and has $30,000.00 outstanding. And then imagine Jon Doe has five delinquent payments. If this debt is added to John Doe’s record his amount owed may be too high for him to obtain credit. And the delinquencies will lower his score even more. Credit reporting agencies maintain millions of files so it is very easy to err when inputting information. As easy as it is to error, the opposite is true in getting the error corrected. It is very difficult to have false information removed from your file or to have inaccurate information corrected. Although to err is human, most humans are reluctant to admit their errors.   Identity Theft Identity theft is becoming more common today. Technological advances have depersonalized business relationships. To lower operational costs credit card companies have outsourced record keeping to offshore companies who employ their nationals at below subsistence wages. These employees may be barely literate and not even know male from female names. Computers around the world store a wealth of personal information. Information technology security specialists strive to protect this information but hackers are adroit at accessing it. The result is anyone can be the victim of identity theft and be totally unaware it. This is why government agencies recommend that everyone check their credit history at least once a year. And when they check, they may find some credit repair is needed.   Correcting Errors The credit-reporting agency will not correct an error until directed to do so by the financial institution that submitted the information. So you will need to contact the financial institution in order to have them resubmit a correction. If the financial institution is not cooperative then you need to file a complaint. There are approved credit restoration companies that specialize in helping consumers correct credit reports. The advantage of employing a credit repair company is access to the services of highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals who handle many complaints daily. They are alert to the latest scams and know the businesses with compliance issues.

Earning a paycheck and pursuing a career can be two very different things. If you aren't advancing in your line of work you'll inevitably start feeling frustrated. Many people are so focused on doing a good job that they don't realize competence just isn't enough. In fact, that's what's expected of you. Advancing your career is about taking advantage of opportunities, even if you have to make them yourself. Here are some ways to revitalize your interest and make some progress. Ask for More Responsibility If you want greater challenges and more respect, look for opportunities to take on a larger role or make a bigger impact. Take some initiative and propose some ideas for change. If you have some suggestions to save money or improve output, and the data to back them up, pitch your ideas. You could also offer to mentor new hires, or network and try to take part in teams or projects that are generating some buzz around the office. Learn Additional Skills If you feel you need new skills or credentials to improve your value, get them. Take college courses, certificate programs, exams, or whatever else you need to do to build the skillsets that are in demand. You might even want to consider enrolling in an online mba program so that you can go to work in the day while increasing your education on the side. It isn't always easy. Passing the charter financial analyst exams, for instance, can take 300 hours of study. This kind of proven expertise, however, can boost your earning power for the rest of your life. Start a Sideline If your real idea of success is being your own boss, consider using your spare time and money to develop an income source that suits your talents and interests. Every entrepreneur tends to start small. Bill Gates started Microsoft out of his garage. You can also get small business loans for operating capital. You might want to keep your day job at first, but if it's something you enjoy, learning to operate your own business can become your career focus. Change Jobs Often a change of jobs, or even careers, is in order. If you feel like you have limited opportunity at your current company, or have stepped on the wrong toes, you should look for something more promising. Take a good look at your resume. With the right education, you could start a more promising career in management, finance, or marketing. Don't allow your career prospects to slip away. New skills and new goals can provide just the right combination to fire up your motivation.

May is National Military Appreciation Month and in a show of support for our armed forces and veterans nationwide, Combined Insurance, a leading provider of individual supplemental accident, disability, health, and life insurance products , and a Chubb company, has announced plans to hire 2,000 more veterans by the end of 2019 as part of its veteran recruiting program. The company launched the program in 2010, and since 2013, the company has hired 4,200 veterans and their family members. "This is an exciting time for Combined Insurance as we continue to grow our salesforce countrywide," said Bob Wiedower , Vice President of Military Programs and Sales Operations at Combined Insurance. Wiedower is also a decorated veteran, having spent 22 years in the United States Marine Corps where he retired as a Squadron Commanding Officer. "We value the traits veterans and their family members bring to Combined Insurance – their integrity, dedication, loyalty, discipline and work ethic. We are proud to offer meaningful career opportunities and allow these individuals to continue serving their communities by helping our customers and their families when they need it most," Wiedower added. Combined Insurance was founded in Chicago in 1922 by W. Clement Stone . With $100 , a positive spirit and a vision to make the world a better place, Stone developed and grew the company into what it is today—still operating in the Chicago area and with agents throughout the United States , Canada and Puerto Rico . In addition to providing meaningful employment, Combined Insurance also gives back to military and veteran-focused charities through employee volunteerism and corporate donations. The company has given back and provided support to numerous military and veteran-focused organizations, such as Luke's Wings, The Fisher House Foundation, USO of Illinois , and Heartland Alliance – Support Services for Veteran Families (SSVF). Combined Insurance was ranked once again as a Top Military Friendly ® Employer for 2017 by G.I. Jobs Magazine. This is the sixth consecutive year that Combined Insurance has made the list and third consecutive year in the Top 5; the company was previously named the Number One Military Friendly ® Employer in the nation in 2015 and 2016. Combined was also recently ranked a Top Military Spouse Friendly Employer by Military Spouse Magazine for the second year in a row and was recently ranked on the Military Times "Best for Vets" employers list. For more information about veteran careers at Combined Insurance, visit combinedinsurance.com.

Choosing a direction for your professional life can be challenging, especially for veterans. Most military vets are disciplined, proven leaders, but skills learned in the military don’t always translate to easily understood  civilian terminology .   Some employers also may worry about issues like possible future deployments and the ease of adapting to a corporate culture after long military service.   Despite the obstacles, veterans can and do embark on rewarding, post-service careers every day. Read on for some of the best tips for choosing a job you love and a longer-term career that inspires your passion.   Consider Your Personal Goals Before you jump into your future career path, take some time to stop and reflect. What’s happening in your life right now that makes you want a new career? If you’re already in a field that you enjoy but the specific job presents some obstacles, review your options. Can you work out any difficulties with your current manager? If not, is a move to another area of the company or even another site a possibility?   Think about your goals and whether you really want a drastic change in your professional life. If a move to another position or to another company within your current field can help, consider possibilities that may be easier to achieve than a complete shift.   Review Your Sources of Motivation What’s motivating you toward a new career? If you were unhappy in your last job, negative forces like disappointment or fear might be serving as sources of motivation.   Experts note that you may perform at your best if your motivation relates to the work itself. For instance, if you simply enjoy the work, you’ll likely excel. In addition, connecting with the outcome, purpose or potential of the task at hand can help you succeed.   As you consider any potential job, ask yourself if the position aligns with your vision, goals and passions.   Pursue an Area of Interest You’ve no doubt heard the timeless advice to “do what you love.” There is some truth to the idea that if you pursue a field that you enjoy, the money likely will follow.   Do you have any longtime hobbies you enjoy? Consider whether you could build a career from any of them. For example, if you’ve always loved working with cars, you might begin a promising career as a mechanic.   In addition, think about any skills you learned during your time in the military and how they can apply to the civilian sector. Even if the technical details are not the same, your knowledge may make you a prime candidate for transitioning into a similar field.   For instance, if you worked with computers — even proprietary military systems — employers may be confident that you can quickly learn the ropes in the civilian world.   Take Time for Contemplation Make sure you take enough time to thoroughly consider the pros and cons any job offers, and don’t feel that you must jump in immediately. A transition period while you remain on active duty is ideal — but even if your service is complete, try not to rush into your next career.   If you have the financial resources for a brief break from paid employment, try to take advantage of your time off to write down your goals and think about a career you’re likely to enjoy over the long term.   Reach Out for Support During your military service, you likely built relationships with your fellow service members that will last a lifetime. You also probably know some veterans who have completed their service and are out in the working world.   Your transition to civilian work is a great time to  reach out to individuals in your military network  and begin making additional connections. Join any veterans’ groups you can, and use those organizations to meet people who may help you enter a career in which you have an interest.   In addition, before deciding on a field, consider scheduling some strictly informational interviews to learn more. If you think you might enjoy a career in network security, for instance, contact someone in the field and request a brief sit-down to ask some questions.   Take a Test Run If you’re interested in a specific field, but have never worked in that area or a related one, consider taking a job that will allow you to strengthen your resume and improve your skills.   Especially if your work history is in a narrow niche, getting additional experience through part-time,  freelance or volunteer positions  may help you eventually land your dream job in your area of interest.   Share Your Passions and Strengths You had what it takes to succeed in the military, and your courage and determination will serve you as you embark on your civilian career.   While you may shy away from promoting yourself, understand that accurately relaying your strengths and passions will be key to entering your desired career field. Develop your 30-second “elevator pitch” that includes your military service, and don’t be shy about using it when you meet someone who can assist you.   By taking time to carefully consider the career you want to pursue, you’re already well on your way to achieving your goals.     Author bio : Laurie Olsen joined A Stars & Stripes Flag Corporation  in 2001 to learn more about the flag industry from the owners of over 25 years. In 2007, Olsen purchased the company and continues to maintain the previous owners' vision of delivering exceptional quality, excellent customer service and flags made in America. As the flag industry and the ways customers learn about products changed, she has stayed on the cutting edge of product offerings and ways to communicate to customers.     

Fallon Mitchell wants to turn her joy of baking and recipes that started with her grandmother into a business. Wounded Warrior Project ® (WWP) helped the Army veteran move closer to making that dream a reality. Fallon recently joined other warriors in an entrepreneurship workshop to understand the demands of time, costs, and promotion, and the likelihood of turning a profit. "We got a guidebook to start our own businesses," Fallon said. "One thing that stood out is the specific material tailored to my own personal business. One of the counselors used to own a catering business, so she really helped me move ahead." Veterans are highly coachable team players with specialized skill sets who are an asset to any team in the civilian workforce. All WWP career counseling services are offered completely free of charge to wounded veterans and employers. Veterans explained their business projections. They learned how to plan for sales, pricing, and revenue, as well as fixed and variable costs. The information was vital to Fallon as she moved closer to opening her bakery, A Piece of Joy. "I find joy in baking and writing poetry," she said. "A Piece of Joy celebrates that and the joy of baking by my grandmother, Mattie Pearl Williams . The workshop provided a specific plan of action for me to move forward, especially in relation to marketing and competition." A WWP staff member closely interacted with attendees during the workshop, advising them of additional services to support their recoveries. WWP programs and services assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, connecting warriors with one another and their communities, and long-term care for the most seriously wounded. "It was very beneficial to have other veterans and family members in the audience as it brought a level of comfort," Fallon said. "We shared camaraderie and built new relationships that will last long after the class ends." To learn and see more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/ , and click on multimedia. About Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project ® (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us .

Twitter is such a great asset in the job search but is rarely the first thing to come to mind. It is possible to get hired via Twitter. That’s right, Twitter has launched many careers. We have heard of lots of stories about people finding jobs and being hired from it. It can be that easy – you just have to know where to look. To start you off, here are some great hashtags & chats that can land you a job when using Twitter. Hashtags Below is a list of some great general hashtags to keep a look out for. These hashtags promote all job openings and aren’t specific to a particular field, industry, or company. Keep a look out for jobs in your field by playing around with hashtag combinations such as #fashionjobs or #techjobs. According to US News , some companies even have their own hashtag. For instance, General Electric uses #GEJobs to promote job openings. #JobSearch #JobHunt #Job #JobOpening #JobListing #Jobs #Career #Careers #Hiring #NowHiring #Employment #TweetMyJobs Conversations Have you ever taken part in a Twitter chat? If not, I highly recommend it. Twitter chats are a great way to network, share your experiences, hear advice, and gain insights into a particular topic. Here are some great chats for millennials to join that may help in the job search, or careers in general. #MillennialChat When? Tuesdays 8 PM ET Fellow millennial Chelsea Krost hosts this chat weekly on different job topics and millennial topics such as top job trends, marketing to millennials, building personal brands, and much more. Our very own Brett Pucino takes part weekly, and I plan on starting as well. Join us! #CareerChat When? Sporadic. Their next one is November 18 th at 5 PM ET. Follow them @CareerContessa to stay informed. Career Contessa describes themselves as “honest conversations for real women about work and life.” Founded by a fellow millennial Lauren McGoodwin, she understands best what advice, tips, and more is applicable to fellow millennials. #TChat  When? Wednesdays 7 PM ET Founded and hosted by Kevin Grossman and Meghan Biro , #TChat consists of hundreds of people each week discussing different workplace topics. See some of their past chats which include tips on how to make meetings worth everyone’s time, and workplace trends through the eyes of millennials. #G20Chat When? Every other Wednesday 8 PM ET Gen Twenty hosts a twitter chat every other week tailored to millennials and job advice. Upcoming talks include topics such as underemployment, tricks to saving money, and mentorships. Twitter is a Social Media channel that needs to be utilized. The above is a look at some of the popular hashtags and twitter chats that can be beneficial to you in your job search. Remember, search on Twitter for specific industries and companies you’re interested in, and see if there’s a hashtag or a twitter chat happening about it. For now, these are great places to start. I hope to chat with you soon!

You were a civilian before. You know how the world outside military works. Still, it’s really hard to transition back to it. You’ve been part of the military for so long that now all civilian job opportunities seem too complex, too simple, or too irrelevant to your skills. You’re in for a challenging mission. The employment situation for veterans has been improved over the recent years. The National Association of American Veterans provides employment and training opportunities for veterans, but you can’t expect the organization to take care of everything. You need to make your own efforts to make a smooth transition into the civilian job market. We’ll give you few tips that will help you do it. Polish Out Your Resume! Danielle Smith, a writer from EssayOnTime , explains that resumes still matter. “That’s the essential part of job applications. Most veterans don’t care for resumes too much. The medals they earned are not really applicable in the civilian job market, so they don’t know what to include. Your experience counts! The quality of the resume you write is crucial.” In the military, you were practically wearing your resume. All your military experience was visible on your uniform. Now, you have a difficult task: translate that experience into skills that are important for civilian jobs. And you’ll have to write that in an acceptable form and style. Don’t worry; there’s a lot to include in a resume, even if this is the first civilian job you’re after. You increased the efficiency of your team, you handled a huge responsibility during your service, and you were highly competitive. List all your skills and qualifications in a way that trigger the interest of a potential employer. Take Initiative Many companies are willing to hire veterans. Hilton, for example, pledged to hie 20,000 of them . However, that doesn’t mean that the job will fall into your lap. You have to take initiative. First of all, figure out what career path you want to pursue. If necessary, get the needed training. There are many online courses that enable you to gain different skills. If you’re not qualified for the jobs you want, you better start working on it. Once you have that part sorted out, you can start looking through job ads. You need a well-planned approach. Set short-term and long-term career goals and start doing whatever it takes to pursue them. Start Networking Do you have a LinkedIn profile ? If not, you should absolutely start working on it. Today! This works like your virtual portfolio. However, you won’t be submitting it along your job applications. You’ll be using it for networking. Build your network of relevant contacts! Join groups related to your interests and become an active member of those communities. If you’re good at writing, you can start publishing content on LinkedIn. That’s a great way to showcase your skills and knowledge, and attract recruiters to contact you. LinkedIn has its own job listing platform , so you can find opportunities for employment right there. Be a Civilian! Since you’re not looking for a job in the military, you don’t need a LinkedIn profile that shows you as part of that sector. Of course you’ll list that experience, but you should still show you’re ready to work as a civilian. Pick a nice photo in professional-looking clothes. If you browse through LinkedIn profiles, you’ll notice that most members choose a headshot where they smile, but don’t laugh. That’s the right way to go. Such a photo shows you as a friendly, approachable personality. You’ll show yourself as a civilian not only through the photo, but through the language you use as well. In the military, you were used to stiff, clear expressions. Now, your communication has to be much more relaxed.  Get Informed about Different Companies. Get Insights on Their Culture When you’re trying to find a job, you’re focused on matching your skills with the requirements you see. It’s not about you being worthy of the job. Remember this: it’s about the job being worthy of your skills and interests. Once you identify your goals, you’ll need to find the companies that will help you reach them. That’s where you want to work - a company that values your skills and your personality. Of course, you’ll also need to make some adjustments. Once you identify the organizations you would like to work for, you’ll need to get informed about their culture. What projects are these companies working on? What’s the vibe in the offices? You’ll easily get this information if you check the websites and social media profiles of the organizations. All of them are trying to develop a brand out of their organizational culture. When you’re applying for a job, you need to show how you’ll become a valuable addition in that community. You’ll not only do your job responsibly and professionally, but you’ll also make the office a better place to work at. Explore your hobbies and show your fun side on the resume and during interviews. Hiring managers love that!  If you do everything right on LinkedIn and you send out resumes to all the right ads, you’ll soon start getting invitations for interviews . That’s when you’ll show your interest in this company. There are few important questions you’ll get from hiring managers: What makes you the right candidate for this position? What attracted you to our company? Does your military background make you suitable for this role? You need to prepare your answers to those questions. Think what you’ll say. However, you mustn't sound like you memorized those answers. Be relaxed and spontaneous during the interviews. Respect the interviewer and don’t address them by their first name (unless they ask you to do so). Still, maintain a relatively friendly tone that presents you not as a robot from the military, but as a real person.    This journey won’t be easy. You’ll have to prove your experience in the military makes you a great fit for the civilian job you’re after. Then, the transition will follow. Your entire life will change. But hey, you’ve been through more challenging missions than that one.    Joan Selby is a content marketer and passionate blogger . Former teacher and fancy shoelover. A writer by day and reader by night. Find her on Twitter and Facebook .           

Starting a writing career in today’s world may look overwhelming, but it is not an impossible task. Thanks to the creative content being one of the essential requirements in this digital era where every single organization, brand, and business is trying to be online and attract their customers. The fact that there is never going to be a shortage of writing jobs as there are so many companies that seek the service, can be reassuring as you kick start your writing career. Although there are several ways such as searching for freelance writing jobs and working as an intern at a digital agency by which you can kick start your writing career, there are few useful tips that you can follow to make your case stronger. So if you fancy yourself as a freelancer writer, but you have no idea where to start, these tips will help you launch your writing career. 4 Easy Tips to Become a Better Writer and Start Your Career Start by building a writing portfolio The first step is to build a reputation as a writer. Remember that editors and blog owners will be interested in knowing what you have written before. Something, that was made public. In the beginning, the idea of getting started can be scary and risky since you have no previous experience you are just equipped with passion. You’re going to be behind your computer for hours putting words and thoughts out there for the rest of the world. Bloggers and editors will want to see that you have already taken the risk to become a writer. Some choose to use a blog while others look for writing platforms to develop their own portfolio. Once you have established a good reputation, you have a high chance of finding potential clients and with time you will have a great portfolio. Some may think that high GPA will get you everything you want. But when it comes to freelance writing no one cares if you graduated with a higher GPA if you don’t have the necessary experience the client can evaluate. Instead, emphasize your experience with responsibilities from military and civilian jobs. Include this in your portfolio and make it clear and straightforward. It’s a key lesson that you need to learn if you are in the military. Start generating ideas and send proposals Ideas are important when it comes to freelancing. The rule states that you need to pitch about five to ten for every article you place. If you want to be successful as a writer you need to get in touch with potential clients and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the job. Most clients ask for some samples before hiring you. Make sure you have several articles in place to use as samples if not, this is where your blog puts you up as an eligible candidate for the job. You can leave a link and invite the client to explore your blog for further insights of your skills. If you decide to send proposals, be specific on what you want to write about and why the client should hire you. Sell your skills to the editor! In the end, it’s not about quantity but it’s the originality of your ideas and how well you lay it that will sell your skills. Make sure you take your time to come up with the best ideas. Focus and start freelancing One of the easiest and proven ways to earn money while you ensure that you as a writer are on the right path is to hunt for freelance writing jobs. Reply to those ads that are relevant to your skills. If you have zero knowledge about a certain field, skip it and move on to what you are good at. Focus on your topics of interest and stick to a field that you are good at. Also, you can search for sites on the web that help you find assignments that align with your specialties. Whether you are a technical writer or an essayist – there is work for everyone. According to a recent survey, 2 out of 3 companies rely on freelance writers to get their creative work done. So, why not tap into this pool and start earning some moolah while you’re at it? A great advantage why you should focus on your work is that you get to build a reputation as an expert on writing about certain topics. This will increase your chances of being hired rather than waiting for the client to find you. Be persistent There is no achievement without hard work and persistent. Having a good portfolio and proposals don't guarantee that you will land a writing gig immediately. No. You need to be persistent. Don’t worry if you send several proposals and you don’t get any response. Keep going and sooner than later, you will find your first client who will be interested in your work. Once you complete a task and earn yourself a good rating, more offers will start trickling in and you will not have to search for them. Also, you will realize that clients are happy to work with one individual for long term projects and you will have landed a repeat client. If you send several pitches and don’t get responses after sometimes, don’t give up revisit your profile and make some improvement. Be persistent until you land a writing contract.  So, launching your writing career may seem like a daunting task at first, but these 4 easy tips will help you get started. Whether you are a beginner or an already established writer, these tips will help you improve your skills and build a good reputation. After all, writing is a profession like any other and you need to good at it. Read, write, volunteer, and freelance – and you will become a skilled writer