Portfolio Careers by Email

From time to time I get emails from people who have stumbled across this blog. More often than not they are from people thinking of starting their own portfolio career. I've decided to start sharing some of these email exchanges as blog posts. Here's one I received last week from someone thinking of making the leap...

Dear Helen

I came across your details on the internet following a suggestion my friend made to me about my next steps. I was explaining to her I love doing so many things and would find it restricting to do one job and didn't think my next post would encompass all that I enjoy doing. My friend mentioned portfolio careers, something I had not heard of. I googled this phrase and came across your site. I liked what you had written on your website and wanted to find out more about this way of working as this
sounds like something I should seriously consider as part of my next step.

Just a little about me, I am currently on a career break having worked for my previous employer for over a decade (in a number of roles a few years after I graduated) and felt it was time to move on and get a change of scene to see what else was out there and how I could use my skills in a new post. The idea of the break was to give me the space to re-assess my priorities in life. So the idea of portfolio careers has come at the right time. Prior to this break I was working I was working in the training and skills sector, developing and making use of a wide range of skills. I don't think I would have remained with my employer as long if I didn't have this variety and opportunity to develop and grow. Alongside this experience, I also have a strong interest in the arts and alternative health. I'd love to combine my interests in a portfolio career. I would really welcome any advice and suggestions you may have to provide me with some guidance on how I may begin to work in this way. My questions are as follows:

1. How many years have you been engaged in this way of working and how do you feel it benefits you?

2. How many hours a week do you work is it around 35-37 or more depending on what you are working on?

3. How many opportunities would you engage in at any one time?

4. Where does one begin to carve out their next steps working in this way?

5. How do you find opportunities, is it based on recommendations, word of mouth or usual job sourcing methods?

6. How do I express my self on my CV if looking for multiple roles in different fields?

7. How do employers react to you having multiple roles?

8. Do you have any other advice and suggestions about working in this way based on your experiences?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email and I really look forward to hearing from you.

Here is my response (both are reproduced with the permission of the person who made the enquiry)...

Many thanks for your email. It always fascinates me to hear about others' portfolio career plans. There is also overlap in our respective stories - I held journalism roles writing about health, love the arts and I also spent about 10 years in the education/training sector.

In answer to your questions:
1) I have been a portfolio careerist on and off since about 2003 when I left journalism to concentrate on doctoral level studies which I funded through a combination of freelancing, rental income and part time administrative and later, education policy related roles. The biggest benefit of my portfolio career as it stands today is that I am now in a position where I can subsidise poorly paid but rewarding work (university lecturing) with more lucrative consultancy and communications work. I'm not saying that subsidising jobs that should be better renumerated to attract the best candidates is right. However, this is the current reality and by doing it and making others aware that's how it is, I feel in some small way I can contribute to change and encourage others to do the same.

2) My working week is realistically about 45 hours a week (often more) with weekends kept clear for time with my family.

3) How many opportunities I engage in at a time depends on size and scope. I also make sure I have a pool of fellow portfolio careerists and freelancers I can call on when things get busy.

4) To carve out next steps I'd say evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and be really honest with yourself about what you enjoy, not just what you're good at or qualified for.

5) Most of my work is based on networking, reputation and referrals. In the early days I also (very selectively) used freelancing sites.

6) There's no way around it - multiple roles may require multiple CVs - it's vital you present yourself coherently for each area but also don't be afraid to use the term portfolio career with pride.

7) Employers recognise the broad skills set I have to offer. It's seen as a strength teaching at a university that I am a fully qualified teacher who has also got commercial experience - it's a realistic role model for students.

8) My biggest tip is be as open minded as you can possibly be and put yourself out there in order to get the opportunities coming to you.