6 Ways to Find Fact-Checking Jobs Online
If you’re new to fact-checking or considering a career in the fact-checking industry, you might be wondering how to find fact-checking jobs. Even if you’ve just begun a course on fact-checking, it’s never too early to think about finding freelance work! That’s why we’re sharing this post.
We’ll show you six ways to find a fact-checking job and explain why you should consider them. By the end of the post, you’ll have plenty of options up your sleeve and more confidence to tackle your job search.
6 Ways to Find Fact-Checking Jobs
Here are six ways to find a job – and why they’re worth pursuing. It’s worth mentioning that you can find fact-checking roles in a wide range of industries, such as journalism and media. There are even organizations that focus entirely on fact-checking, such as Full Fact and Snopes.
1. Freelance Marketplaces
Freelance marketplaces, such as Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Fiverr, can be good places to find a job. We also recommend Kolabtree and ZipRecruiter. All you need to do is create a profile and list your services. Potential clients then contact you, allowing you to put your fact-checking skills into action! Alternatively, you can bid on available projects.
Why Marketplaces?
There are several reasons why freelance marketplaces can be a good option, especially for newer freelancers:
- They usually take care of the administrative side of things, such as invoicing clients.
- They provide a steady stream of work opportunities.
- They allow freelancers to easily create profiles that highlight their skills and experience.
Marketplaces tend to have a lot of competition, so you’ll need to stand out from the crowd. One way to do this is by making sure your profile is the best it can be. Include things like your elevator pitch, samples of your fact-checking work, and testimonials from past clients.
2. Job Boards
A job board is a website where clients post jobs for potential freelance and permanent positions. Unlike freelance marketplaces, you don’t need to create a profile and compete with other freelancers. With a resume and portfolio link, you can apply directly to postings. There are general job boards (such as FlexJobs and Indeed) as well as specialized job boards for particular industries (for example MediaBistro and Journalism Jobs).
Why Job Boards?
Job boards are a good option if you want to see both freelance and permanent fact-checking opportunities. They offer:
- A great way to find long-term work while building industry connections
- Opportunities to find vacancies in a particular industry
We recommend crafting a solid proposal and providing samples of your fact-checking work that show your range of experience. If you don’t have much experience, consider including examples from other roles or your education that demonstrate your transferable skills.
3. Cold Pitch to Potential Employers
Also known as “cold calling,” a cold pitch involves contacting potential employers who have not posted a job ad. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 70% of job openings are never advertised!
A good starting point is reaching out to employers through LinkedIn. By networking on LinkedIn, you can learn about the company culture and potential positions before an ad is posted.
We understand that cold pitching sounds intimidating, as you’re reaching out to a stranger. When cold pitching, we suggest the following:
- Make a list of organizations you might like to work for, then conduct some research on them.
- Prepare a resume and cover letter, tailoring it for each potential company contact.
- Find out who is responsible for recruitment at potential companies so you can address your email to them directly.
- Ask if there is work currently available.
Why Cold Pitching?
Cold pitching has some advantages over our previous two options:
- It’s a great chance to get employers’ attention before they post job ads.
- There’s little to no competition (since most people prefer to apply to job ads).
- You can gain confidence by practicing your elevator speech.
4. Build an Online Presence
In this digital age, many clients post jobs on social media sites like LinkedIn. Therefore, we encourage using social media as a freelancer. If you’re on LinkedIn, you should create a solid profile. We also recommend regularly updating your profile so that it’s optimized for search and visibility. For example, you can add a new skill you’ve learned or a project you’ve completed. We suggest taking advantage of LinkedIn’s Open to Work option, which tells potential clients you’re looking for work. When using LinkedIn, we propose emphasizing the following on your profile:
- Your fact-checking experience
- Testimonials from past clients and others you’ve worked with, e.g., editors and writers
- Services you’re willing to offer (for example, do you fact-check all forms of content or specialize in a particular type?)
- Relevant experience from other roles, e.g., media industry
It also helps if you consider creating a professional website to showcase your fact-checking experience, skills, and qualifications. Additionally, you can use your website to promote your services. While creating a website seems overwhelming, there are plenty of website builders to simplify the process. If you feel confident in starting your own website, we suggest using platforms such as WordPress and SquareSpace. Just make sure to use a professional domain name that’s easy to remember.
Why Build an Online Presence?
There are lots of reasons why building an online presence is an important part of the job hunting process:
- A lot of potential clients will look you up on LinkedIn.
- A professional website allows you to showcase your fact-checking repertoire.
- Maintaining a strong online presence makes it easier for employers to discover your skills and expertise.
5. Ask Friends and Family
Maybe your friends and family know someone needing a fact-checker, so why not ask? Let them know that you’re in the fact-checking world. While they might not know anyone needing a fact-checker now, you never know. Not sure how to ask a friend or family member? Try this:
“Hey, I’m currently looking for fact-checking work. If you happen to know anyone looking for a fact-checker, send them my way!”
Why Reach Out to Friends and Family?
While asking your friends and family seems counterintuitive, trying doesn’t hurt. They say great things happen when you least expect them! As friends and family know you so well, you can be assured they’ll put in a good word if they happen to know someone in need of a fact-checker. You might discover potential new clients without having to face any competition!
6. Attend Industry Events
As with all industries, networking is crucial to finding opportunities and connecting with professionals in the field. Therefore, we encourage you to attend industry events like conferences, seminars, and workshops, which will allow you to build your knowledge and experience. Additionally, you can network with experienced fact-checkers who can advise on finding clients. Attending conferences allows you to meet like-minded professionals while staying updated on industry trends.
It’s a good idea to join a fact-checking network, which usually provides training and events for professional fact-checkers. We recommend joining the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). Through advocacy, training, and global events, the IFCN promotes the excellence of fact-checking to over 100 organizations globally. They provide resources and training to newbies and veteran fact-checkers alike.
Why Industry Events?
Attending industry events allows you to:
- Network, which can lead to potential job opportunities
- Sharpen your skills and experience, showcasing your passion to potential employers
- Stay up to date on industry trends, keeping you competitive in the job market
Becoming a Fact-Checker
Do you dream of working as a freelance fact-checker? Our comprehensive How To Fact-Check course teaches you how to fact-check professionally, create trustworthy content, and unlock job opportunities by verifying digital content. You can even try it for free!
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