Why the caliber of freelancers is rising

Working as a freelancer is becoming increasingly popular. Also, more and more companies are opting to hire freelancers for various projects in their teams.

Here are the main reasons why the caliber of freelancers is on a rise:

Platforms – like movemeon.com – make it easier to find this type of work

We provide a marketplace for high-caliber of freelancers. But you also see these marketplaces at other ends of the market (e.g, outsourcing some legal bits & bobs, getting a logo designed, finding someone to clean your house). Technology is creating great market places which drive supply on both sides of that market.

Given it’s easier than ever to find the work, there are many reasons why the caliber of freelancers is rising

The chance to work for yourself on your own terms. The flexibility to work hours that suit your home life. The ability to take the school holidays off to be at home with the kids. The opportunity to earn a good day rate and therefore annual income while still saving the client mountains vs. using a consultancy (remember the day rate your firm charged you out at?!)

Mark is a successful freelance strategy & transformation consultant of 10+ years. Rich (movemeon.com co-founder) asks about pros & cons, how to get set up and why more and more employers choose to work with freelancers. Click here to see more videos and interviews with leaders or subscribe to our Youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVR2kNdT-wA

Consultants work all the hours God sends (or near enough)

So, if someone decides they’re not in it for the long haul, it’s often impossible to find the time to discover and land the right opportunity. So, increasingly we see people leave without another permanent job to go to. They leave because they know there’s a ready supply of freelance work for them. And they can freelance to pay the bills while they hunt down their next permanent gig.

Freelancing really helps to build one’s network

Typically, you meet a lot of different companies. Often you also meet PE funds who are a conduit to a whole host of portfolio companies. So we often see freelancers landing permanent jobs just because they are freelancing (either they go permanent with a client or the permanent job comes through the network they have time to develop while freelancing).

Freelancing is better understood and a more widely accepted move

Historically, hiring managers have been snobby about time spent working in ‘non-permanent’ roles. But times are changing. Just because a role was freelance, doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good role and it certainly doesn’t mean the person is no good. Quite the opposite can be the case so it’s important to understand that person’s story and motivations behind the freelance work.

A really important point comes out of all of this and is at the core of the implication. Very high-caliber people are dipping into freelance work between permanent roles. That’s particularly true of people just leaving consulting – and particularly at the manager level (when people look up at the partnership and decide it’s not for them). These have historically been viewed as the ultimate prize for employers and these prizes are becoming more readily available.

Historically, organisations have felt that ‘career freelancers’ are not consistently high caliber options. That’s a huge generalisation (there are many brilliant career freelancers out there) but it is a commonly voiced impression. The point now is that there’s a far greater supply of non-career freelancers – who could be a great short-term asset to your business, and perhaps, even, someone that turns into a ‘try before you buy’ permanent hire too.

Are you looking for a freelancer for your team? Or would you like to learn more about hiring freelancers? Then feel free to contact us!

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