Freelance Contract Work
Make the right business connections in the world’s
fastest-growing freelance marketplace.
Contract work could be the career 'make over' that you're looking for without completely cutting your ties with the corporate world . Contract work means that you can enjoy the best of both worlds. By being your own boss while still working on projects on-site - or having the choice of working from home.
Why is contract work becoming such a popular career move for professionals in fields ranging from IT and management to design? For some, contract work provides the opportunity for starting their own business whilst still 'going to work ' in familiar environments. But contract work also offers the variety of working for different companies on diverse projects. For other's, contract work provides the luxury of choosing how, when, where and for whom they want to work. And contract work also appeals to those that realize being an employee does not always equate to job security and independent consulting may provide a better career path. One thing all these camps have in common is the awareness that if you are in a sought-after field, contract work often means a higher rate of pay.
Contract work has proven to be a viable career option for many, but before leaving your life as an employee behind, there are a number of issues to be taken onboard and thought through carefully. Firstly, it's important to assess your skills to determine whether they are transferable to a career as an independent contractor. Secondly, thoroughly analyze the market demand for the type of service you plan to offer - think also about supply and demand in that market. Highly competitive markets can make it harder to gain a foot hold and win business in the early stages. In the final analysis, effective networking and your track record and proven expertise in the field are major factors in establishing your consulting career.
Contact recruiters specializing in contract work and use your existing networks to evaluate the pros and cons of going it alone. And to check on work availability and the demand for your skill-type. Deciding on a strategy for sourcing work leads is an important step. Will you rely on your own professional network or use a recruiter? The advantage of recruiters is that they do the time-consuming work of finding you projects - for a fee. And they might be able to find you better quality or a greater variety of projects. On the other hand, cutting out recruiters means that you'll probably enjoy a bigger bottom line.
Some popular areas for independent contractors include:
- programming
- web development
- web design
- graphic design
- management consulting
- marketing consulting
That should give you some ideas, but there are many more possibilities. So if you want to enjoy the benefits that independent contracting can offer, start networking and putting together your business plan today.
Testimonials
"I took a chance one day when I was flush and sent a few bucks to gain access to the Go Freelance Professional Edition. Since then, I've edited a sales letter, a follow-up letter, an 11-page Web site, and a brochure. I'm 'on call' to do pinch-hit proofreading for a medical newsletter editor in Florida ..and I've landed a gig editing a new Canadian magazine coming out this fall. All this from taking a chance on Go Freelance."
Karyn Martin
"Once again, you guys have come through with incredible results. Our job post definitely produced the type and quality of person we needed, and we found who we were looking for quickly. From now on, you're my first choice when I need to hire someone."
Steve Brownrigg, The Newsletter Company