A Crash Course to Finding Gigs on Craigslist

Finding gigs on Craigslist is like mining for gold. It takes time and you’ll find a whole lot of rocks and literal filth along the way. But with the right strategy and a touch of patience, you’ll find some worthwhile gigs.

Plus, you’ll learn a thing or two about just how odd people can be and have a few chuckles along the way.

I don’t open up Craigslist until I’ve exhausted my connections and gig-specific job boards because gold mining is no easy task. (Click HERE for my step by step guide to getting gigs.) With that being said, I have gotten some pretty sweet jobs. I’ve booked a commercial for a high end match maker, a commercial for a ring, my first Bar/Bat Miztvah gig, and one trade show.

Here’s Where to Start for Finding Gigs on Craigslist:

Start with the search bar. Type in keywords like “brand ambassador,” “event staff,” “Javitz Center.”
Head to the “gigs” section and give the different categories a perusal.
The “events” section under “community” will provide you with plenty of laughs and perhaps a lead or two.
Lastly, you can look through the categories in the “jobs” section that might look appealing. I’ve never struck gold, but maybe you will.

Be cautious. Craigslist can be sketchy because anyone can post anything.

How do I know? When the pandemic hit, I made a Craigslist ad for life coaching services. I’m not a certified life coach nor should I be offering such services. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and it seemed like a fun social experiment at the time. Shockingly enough, no one wanted to hire me for $100 an hour.

Here are some tips for avoiding getting yourself into a sticky situation:

Before accepting a job, search the company/person/business online to be sure it’s legitimate. If it seems sketchy, request a phone call or facetime interview. Perhaps even references. If it still seems sketchy, don’t do it.
If the ad is short and riddled with spelling mistakes, chances are you shouldn’t inquire further.
“Open minded” doesn’t mean you are willing to discuss politics and religion.
“Get Rich Quick!” with money emojis indicates a pyramid scheme that will cost you more than you get.

You’ve made it through this crash course to finding gigs on Craigslist!