Interested in working around your own schedule? Freelancing may be the answer.
Freelance Jobs
9-5 weekdays. Cubicles. Rush hour. Office culture — there are a lot of reasons to dislike traditional in-house employment, and the list goes on and on. After all, when you join up with a company, you give up something in the process. Maybe that’s why more and more professionals are rejecting the classic employee-employer relationship in favor of something a bit more independent. And for many, the solution is to start freelancing.
What Is Freelance Work?
At its most basic, freelance work refers to a situation where employees work for themselves, rather than being tied to a single, specific business organization. And while these self-employed contractors — often called freelancers — may still choose to work with a range of companies, ultimately, they retain full freedom to manage their own processes, and are free to lend their services to any clients or groups that they choose.
In this new “gig economy,” the freedom to work how, when, where, and with whomever you choose is taking the world by storm.
Who Is Freelancing?
Freelancing is changing the way Americans do business. Today, over half of all workers are expressing an interest in making the transition to freelance work. In fact, according to USA Today, 74% of millennials are considering making the switch. But even though younger members of the workforce are more likely to embrace freelancing, even established employees are recognizing the advantage of being their own boss. 57% of Gen Xers and 43% of Baby Boomers are likewise sitting up and seriously weighing their options — with about a fourth of all surveyed employees making plans to leave their full-time positions and pursue freelancing opportunities within the next five years.
And given the advantages associated with working freelance jobs, who can blame them?
What Are the Benefits of Freelancing?
Freelance work offers many benefits over traditional employment. Here are several reasons to ditch the rat race and consider a career in freelancing:
- Flexible hours
Not everyone is productive at the same time of day. An early riser may hit their stride before 9:00 am, while a night owl might do their best work once the sun goes down. So why commit to an existence that forces you to conform your work hours to someone else’s schedule? Freelancing jobs allow you to set your own hours to fit your schedule and your preferred processes. At the same time, freelancers never have to worry about missing their kids soccer game or asking their boss for a day off. Sure, you’ll still have deadlines, but you’ll also have the freedom to meet those deadlines in the way that works best for you. - Locational freedom
If you dream about going to work in your bathrobe, or if you’re interested in earning big-city pay rates without having to pay big-city living costs, then freelancing is for you. One of the benefits of not working in an office is the ability to operate remotely. Tackle projects from the comfort of your own home, and lend your expertise to industries all around the globe.
- The opportunity to be your own boss
If office politics, unnecessary meetings, and micromanaging supervisors aren’t your favorite things in the world, then get away from them by freelancing. Freelance work frees you from being a cog in someone else’s machine, and lets you be the big boss of your own business.
- Better profit potential
When you’re a salaried employee, your time belongs to your company. That means that if you start burning that midnight oil and putting in the extra hours, you’re probably not going to see an extra cent of overtime. Conversely, freelancers have the freedom to set their own rates, and are usually paid either per project or per hour. So, when you buckle down and put in the extra effort, you see that effort rewarded in your pay. At the same time, freelance work gives even full-time employees a chance to earn additional money on the side.
- The chance to pick your clients
Don’t let someone else decide whom you’re going to work with; freelancing jobs give you the power to collaborate with the people and industries that you’re most interested in. And as you build your reputation and extend your professional network, your options will grow right along with it.
What Freelancing Jobs Are Available?
What kind of experience do you have? What are your interests? Whatever they may be, there’s a good chance that there are freelancing jobs that demand your unique skill set. Among the most in-demand freelance career fields are:
- Software development
- Design
- Writing
- Data analytics
- Mobile development
- QA testing
- Accounting
- Customer service
- Translation services
- Administration support
- Sales
- Marketing
- Engineering
The list goes on and on. And, because freelance work operates on a per-project basis, new freelancing-job opportunities are always being created — if you don’t see what you’re looking for, just check back tomorrow.
How Can I Find Freelance Work?
There are many ways to find freelance jobs — professional networking, social media, freelance sites, and more. But if you want to get your freelance career started off on the right foot, consider signing on with TalentPowered.
The TalentPowered platform gives freelancers the tools and support they need to effectively manage their business. This includes:
- Rating by skills
- Rating by experience
- Ability to manage several freelancers within one project
- Built-in project timeline calendar
- Built-in finance calendar
Freelancing: Become Your Own Boss
If you’re tired of working towards someone else’s dreams, maybe it’s time to take control of your own. Cast off the traditional 9-5, and make your mark as a professional freelancer. TalentPowered can help make it happen.