How to Use an Online Jobs Marketplace to Grow Your Small Business

Finding new work is always top of mind when you run your own business. Independent contractors are increasingly relying on online talent marketplaces or hiring marketplaces as a sales channel for their services.

MBO’s State of Independence report shows that in 2024, 29% of independent contractors who provide services to companies said they found work on jobs marketplaces, an increase from just 15% in 2015.

Below, we share more information about talent marketplaces and how to use an online jobs marketplace to grow your small business.

What Is a Jobs Marketplace?

Jobs marketplaces or internal talent marketplaces, commonly used by many major companies, are platforms where businesses manage and source talent from within their organization or network. These marketplaces are typically closed off to the public and limit access to internal employees.

In contrast, external talent marketplaces allow independent contractors to connect directly with clients outside of any single company’s network. These platforms provide independent contractors worldwide with the opportunity to access exciting, career-defining projects, opening doors to a broader range of opportunities. Some primary examples of jobs marketplaces include Upwork and Fiverr—though there are others that may be a better fit if you have greater expertise. But more on that later!

How to Take Advantage of Jobs Marketplaces in Your Career

To get started, you can create a profile that highlights your skills and search for jobs that match your experience. On the client side, managers can search through profiles and invite independent workers to apply for specific roles.

These talent marketplace platforms often use algorithms to match profiles with projects, so it’s important to use the right keywords when creating your profile.

If you’re considering using a jobs marketplace or similar hiring marketplaces to find your next project, here are four tips to help you create a standout profile.

1. Optimize Your Profile

Recruiters on talent marketplaces usually look for a few key things when searching for independent contractors or other workers: specific experience, clients you’ve worked with, keywords, and the duration of your projects. Here’s how to optimize your profile on talent marketplace platforms:

• Write a compelling title: Your title should briefly describe the services you offer and highlight your expertise.
• Use keywords for SEO: Including relevant keywords in your title and experience description helps your profile show up in search results. You can use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or check out other profiles on jobs marketplaces to see what keywords they’re using.
• Include a photo: A professional headshot can help personalize your profile.
• Write a profile summary: Your summary should briefly explain what you want potential clients to know about you. List your key skills, relevant awards or certifications, and a few of your recent projects with results and client names if possible.

Discover: How to Create a Professional Profile for a Jobs Marketplace

2. Include a Professional Resume

If you come from a traditional job background, you’re probably familiar with resumes. As a self-employed professional, a resume can help show your credibility and summarize your work for hiring managers.
Instead of listing your work chronologically, consider organizing your resume by skill. This way, potential clients on jobs marketplaces or other types of hiring marketplaces can easily see your expertise.

A good rule of thumb: List 3-4 primary skills you offer, followed by key accomplishments or projects that highlight those skills, including client names if possible. Also, include any relevant education, certifications, and links to your professional website or LinkedIn profile.

Explore: How to Create a Self-Employed Professional Resume

3. Showcase Your Skills

When listing skills on your jobs marketplace profile, aim for a balance. You want to be specific enough to attract the right opportunities, but not so detailed that you limit your chances.

In the skills section, you can also list key experiences and project details. Don’t over-explain but give a brief bullet list of your key accomplishments. Be sure to include any degrees, certifications, awards, or licenses, as these often include important keywords that recruiters search for.

Learn More: How to Market Your Skills in a Jobs Marketplace

4. Highlight Relevant Work and Recognition

One of the most valuable sections of your profile to a prospective client is your relevant work. After all, what you’ve accomplished as an independent contractor is indicative of what you have to offer them in the future.

When writing about a project, be sure to list the dates of the work, a client name (if you can), and any relevant results. Including examples of your work can be valuable to a hiring manager as well. Examples can be anything from a case study or marketing campaign to photos or videos of your work.

If there isn’t a specific section in the jobs marketplace to showcase work examples, consider creating a specific page on your professional website and then linking to that page. Directing hiring managers to your website can have the added value of establishing greater credibility and showcasing your full brand.

What’s Next: How to Create a Small Business Website: 5 Simple Steps

If you’re seeking more resources to support your journey as an independent contractor, visit MBO’s blog for expert insights and advice. Our blog covers a wide range of topics, from financial planning to client management, to help you succeed in the world of self-employment.

Curious about the work opportunities available to you as an independent contractor, MBO’s talent marketplace is a great place to start. This marketplace connects you with a wide range of projects that can help take your career to the next level.