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Career Change: How to Become a Freelance Worker

By Annette Lewis

So you are changing careers and considering going freelance.

Is this a wise move you wonder, what are the risks associated with this type of career. How difficult is it to find work and can you make a living?

These are all very relevant questions and in this article I provide some insight into how a career as a freelancer works and how you can find out if it suits you or not.

Common Freelance Careers

It is true that some jobs are more suited to a freelance environment than others. For example, writing, translation, IT development, media, internet are all industries where freelance working is perfectly suited. The key factor is whether the job needs to be completed in a specific location. For example, many jobs can only be carried out at a particular place of employment, e.g. where special equipment is required.

Do you have the skills for a career in Freelance?

Consider also whether you have skills to work as a freelancer.

Marketing skills - How well are you able to promote yourself?

Management skills - Most freelance translators work from home. Can you run an office, keep records, negotiate with customers, handle queries and cope with the IRS?

Computer literacy - How up to date are your computer skills?

Do you have the personality for a career in Freelance?

A career in freelance can often be a lonely one. Do you the right personality?

Drive - How many rejections can you handle? To what lengths will you go to succeed?

Self-discipline - Can you work alone with no distractions?

Self-reliance - Can you manage your self or do you need someone to tell you what to do?

Independence - Do you enjoy working by yourself, for yourself, day after day, month after month, year after year, having very little contact with other people?

Freelance Advantages

Probably the best thing about freelancing is that you get to work at your pace and be your boss. You avoid the rush hour commute and you can choose which hours to work.

You need to be visible and build up a good reputation. You need to be seen and heard in places like forums, blogs and online groups and of course having a profile on sites such as Elance.com and GetAFreelancer.com is essential.

If you get a steady supply of contracts, it can prove to be a very lucrative career. Often freelancers have no overheads so all fees are straight into your own pockets.

 

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About the Author

Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer and has recruited for many organizations within Healthcare, Education, Customer Services and Banking

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