Dear Readers,

With the Christmas and New Year holiday period approaching we have a abbreviated news this month, as everyone winds down for the break. At Freelance.market.com.au we are looking forward to some well earned relaxation and a victory in the Boxing day test.

I have often thought that Australia has Christmas and New Years during a more sensible season than our northern neighbours. Being outside counting down to midnight is more sensible in summer than snow.

The last news of the year sees us look at buzzwords that are a buzzkill, Where most of Australia´s freelance contractors are based, how to increase traffic to your profile, and of course,the joke of the month. Enjoy the rest of December, and I hope we can all keep our new years resolutions.

Yours in business,
Martin Gray,
Managing-Director.

A list of Buzzwords for 2012 which are guaranteed to have your resume ignored have been released and are doing the rounds of the worlds newspapers, From Chicago to News.com.au. These words, which make a list of the 10 most used adjectives on job applications, not only make your letter seem generic, it looks like you are trying to exaggerate or hide something. The words are

1. Creative
2. Effective
3. Motivated
4. Extensive experience
5. Track record
6. Innovative
7. Responsible
8. Analytical
9. Communication skills
10. Positive

Our research has shown that profiles with a picture of the freelancer on them are twice as likely to be requested than freelancers in the same field and skills whose profiles don´t have a photo.

So if you are a contractor on our books, you should get snap happy over the christmas break and update your profile. You never know who will be looking in the new year.

An independent survey of the Australia Freelance Market has been hailed as the first ever extensive look at Freelancing conditions in this country. Almost half (48.7%) are based in Sydney with the next largest population in Melbourne (18.8%). The Majority of Freelancing workers are multi-skilled, offering services in several areas. Full results can be found at http://unashamedlycreative.com.au/2012/04/aus_freelance_market

Julia Gillard, Australia's P.M. has addressed rumours of the end of the world with a humorous youtube video. In the Video she addresses the Mayans predictions and talks of Zombies or the K-pocalypse. Its good to know even our leaders like some Holiday fun.

A man storms into his manager's office and demands a raise.

"And just so you know," he exclaims, "There are three other companies after me!" "Really" Says his manager. "Which ones?" "The phone company, the power company and the water company."