Look before you jump ship

However, I believe you missed an important angle. Upon reading your article one would falsely believe there is plenty of work about, that a freelancer can substantially increase his or her pay and that is it a relatively risk-free career move.

This is a dangerous picture to paint and could lead to some full-time employees jumping ship and into freelancing without considering the consequences of their actions.

Going freelance is a huge career move. First and most critically one loses the security of income as notice periods are typically very short, often as little as one week. Never think that you can move out of employment and walk straight into freelancing earning more money. The support of one’s family throughout the period is also very important.

Second, people might say there is plenty of work available, but one has to work hard to find the job and secure it. Networking with past employees, colleagues and agencies is essential. This is a non-stop process as one never knows when the current work may finish (it may be sooner than you think) and you always need to know what’s happening and where, in order to secure your next contract as quickly as possible.

Finally, There are many hidden costs to being a freelancer. You have to be very disciplined to keep your own books or have the money to employ an accountant or book keeper. You have to pay your own NI contributions and income tax and make provision for a pension plan and possibly healthcare. Frequently these days one must be able to buy and run your own car, plus pick up your own phone expenses. All these costs are easily forgotten when you are an employee.

I have found freelancing very rewarding in terms of gaining experience and boosting my self esteem. However it has taken some time just to secure enough work and get back to my income levels as an employee.

I would strongly recommend freelancing based on my own experience, but it is not an easy option and one that must be thought through very carefully indeed before making the change.

Lastly, I would like to reply to Ian Pocock’s comment that he has found freelancers not particularly good or committed. A good freelancer must rely on their reputation to get more work by way of referrals or word of mouth. They must therefore be totally committed to the company. I can only suggest that Mr Pocock did not do his homework before taking on freelancers. Like anything else at work, you need the right people for the right job, not just a body to fill a shortage in manpower.

Paul Cynamon, Director, Projects for Retail