The employment phase offers unique and varied characteristics, with significant importance equal to the ambition and desire to transition to freelancing. A major part of this importance lies in the different experiences that shape one’s character, preparing and equipping a person for freelancing. Aside from individual personalities, which sometimes play the biggest role in choosing between a job and freelancing, and with the exclusion of government jobs, there are certain situations or points where transitioning to freelancing might not be the right choice.
Your First Real Job
When you start your job at the end of your university studies or after graduation, you won’t yet have a clear vision of your career path or goals. This phase is for real, practical learning, away from books and theory. Employment offers you this benefit, unlike freelancing at this stage, which may add more confusion and distraction.
A New Field of Work
When you lack sufficient experience and deep knowledge in the field you’ve started or intend to start, especially in technical fields like design, programming, or writing, you need to gain real practical experience before entering the freelance market. This experience should be built during your employment phase.
Your Job Enhances Your Expertise in the Field
If your expertise and understanding of your field are growing with each new day on the job, this knowledge is more valuable than rushing into freelancing. A job gives you the opportunity to refine your working style and deliver projects, which are crucial for distinguishing between a hobbyist and a professional freelancer.
Your Vision and Interests Align with the Company’s Team
This doesn’t necessarily stem from the idealistic image of happy work environments or daily team activities, which may not be realistic. But you can recognize alignment when you don’t notice the passing of time during your workday, and when you can think of many reasons why you wouldn’t want to leave the company.
Opportunities for Career Advancement
Whether you’re in a government institution or a private company, if you have opportunities for career advancement—whether through promotions, taking on new responsibilities, or periodic financial and moral upgrades—it may not be urgent or necessary to leave your job and move to freelancing.
When Considering Part-Time Freelancing
If you start taking on side freelance projects and see the possibility or potential for more over time but don’t yet have the courage or client base to fully leave your job, it might be better not to leave it completely and consider partial freelancing as an initial or long-term solution.
When You Don’t Enjoy the Field You’re Working In
If you don’t like the field you’re working in, then moving to freelancing in the same field may not be right for you, as your chances of success will be minimal. Also, switching abruptly to another field to freelance in might present significant challenges. A more logical approach would be to prepare yourself to transition to the field you love through employment first, and then consider freelancing later.
When Some Traits of Freelancing Don’t Suit You
While many freelance skills can be learned, some deserve serious consideration when thinking about transitioning to freelancing:
• If you don’t like working alone or can’t do it.
• If you lack the ability to attract new clients.
• If you lack experience in project management or time management.
• If you prefer to work with a single boss or manager.
• If you struggle to self-motivate or handle periods of depression and fear.
• If you’re uncomfortable with income variability.
• If you lack the commercial ability to manage and continuously develop your work.
In Conclusion
Just as freelancing has its unique benefits, employment offers significant advantages, especially in the situations mentioned in this post. However, beyond everything discussed, there’s one important trait to consider before thinking about freelancing: if you think for a moment that freelancing is easier than employment and that it simply means freedom, you should reconsider your decision. Keep in mind that the most important trait to develop in yourself is patience and trust that success, whether in employment or freelancing, comes from God.