Freelancing in a Free world

Freelancing brings unmatched flexibility and in fact this is one of the most popular reasons for becoming a freelancer. Flexible working hours allows the freelancer to tailor his/her work around their life style and growing responsibilities. Another plus is that you only get paid for how long you work - overtime is actually paid! Furthermore, if you like to set your own holiday and travel time, freelance allows you the option to go on holiday two weeks, or two months - depending on your financial/business needs. Freelance work is also an excellent way to earn quick money and a good amount of it. Generally, freelance workers earn more money at an hourly rate than their permanent counterparts. Because the recruitment process for freelance is much shorter then for permanent roles, speedy turnaround allows individuals to get in and out of a project quickly and still receive a good income from it.

Career Variety

For those individuals who like variety in the workplace, a career as a freelancer enables professionals to work on a wide range of projects for some of the leading firms in the country. Freelance work can often improve career prospects - allowing an individual to gain valuable experience on many different sector schemes while working for a variety of major companies. Another motivating factor is the desire to "test drive a company" before committing to a permanent position.

Freelance gives the candidate the opportunity to see if a particular company works for them without any long-term commitments on their part. Recognizing that this has become a preferred option for many workers, firms are now opting to initially employee candidates on a freelance basis rather then putting them through the traditional probationary period of a permanent role. Freelance can be a good option for those who want to have more control over their working environment. A highly competitive market means that there is no shortage of contracts for an individual to choose from - allowing for greater choices in where you want to work, the type of firm you want to work for, and the rate at which you'll work - certainly a tempting proposition for many candidates in any industry.

Choosing A Freelancing Career

Freelance can be a great career move -whether done independently or in conjunction with an existing fulltime job. There are three main points to consider when making a decision to head down this particular career path. Firstly- salary: freelance workers on average do receive a reasonable rate of pay. Firms realise that they have to pay more for better solutions. With the increase in the temporary market has come a rise in options for salary payments. However, it is important to remember that freelance salaries are subject to extreme fluctuation - often a case of feast or famine. Therefore, it is crucial that jobseekers be able to plan ahead - making preparations well in advance to compensate for an uncertain income, lack of benefits, moving location or travelling expenses.

Secondly a freelancer must be able to accommodate an uncertain work environment. Freelance work often involves an extensive amount of travelling/relocating. The roles that are often offered may not always be the ideal choice for the candidate, but sometimes have to be taken due to income necessities. They must also be able to accommodate the company culture in their new job, and be flexible enough to adapt to new work practices and environments. Finally, situation - it is important for new freelancers to consider their future in realistic and planned way. Training and promotions are not often available to freelancers as many companies don't perceive a temporary employee as a long-term investment. Consider your career goals - will freelance help you to achieve these goals - will it work against or work for your current lifestyle and future aspirations?

The Smart Choice

Freelancing and consulting are great ways to explore various career paths and revenue streams. Performing this kind of work on the side can be fulfilling, exciting and fun. Taking a chance to explore a new career, or explore the world of being your own boss is a great opportunity stretch yourself a bit. The best part is that you work for the best company ever: You, Inc. Take a chance. Do a little consulting and freelancing. You might find a whole new career is waiting!