For many of us today, “work” is no longer a “place”. It isn’t an office or an organization, but it is the freedom to explore our professional competence in a dynamically changing environment, where we have the liberty to choose from hundreds of projects and clients. Yes, Freelancing is the future of employment across the globe, as this new trend emerges triumphant from the ashes of economic disruptions.
Today freelancers have gained recognition as a viable segment of our workforce. As the freelancing community grows by leaps and bounds, the USA alone is home to over 17.7 million independent workers whose estimated income goes over $1.17 trillion. The story is very similar in other parts of the globe, as more and more international organizations turn towards hiring freelancers from developing countries to cut down on costs without compromising on high quality work. So, what does that tell us about the future of freelancing?
Freelancing: A Rising Trend for Years to Come
The Freelancers Union in the USA is fighting to be recognized as a sustainable part of the work force. “Counting workers based on a work setup that’s disappearing is cheating everyone involved. Instead of focusing on whether someone's job is full-time or part-time, how about asking if they have enough work to sustain a life? Recognizing freelancers will help build out better support infrastructure, such as freelancer group insurance plans. It will also ensure accurate employment numbers, delivering more precise profiles of overall economic growth and strength -- vital statistics that influence policy decisions from the national to the local level. We must support this massive community by updating how we officially measure employment”, says Sara Horowitz of the Freelancers Union in an official interview with New York Times.
The organization behind International Freelancers Day conducted a study to shed light on Freelance Industry Report in 2012. According to the report, over 26% of any average organization’s workforce was contract based or contingent in May 2012. And it is expected that the numbers will rise to become almost 30% to 50% of all workforce in USA within a few years.
A recent study establishes that freelancing will be at the top of new career trends in 2015. Voluntary job quitters will rise in numbers, as more and more careers will be launched virtually. It’s also speculated that careers in 2015 will be more people focused, rather than being ‘tech-focused’, as the trend has been since the beginning of the new millennia.
More Serious Professionals Are Now Successful Freelancers
Many of us believe that professionals thrive on a 9–to–5 routine. They prefer the luxury of predictability and hate to undertake any potential risks when it comes to their careers. But is that really truly? Apparently not! Several professionals from all parts of the globe have taken the leap to branch out on their own and become freelancing contractors with a flourishing career that is nothing short of noteworthy. And it isn’t just designers, writers and photographers that prefer to become their own boss; you will find an equal number of specialists – be it teachers, corporate trainers, data analysts, and IT professionals. Freelancing opportunities are growing in each and every industry, and there are many success stories that inspire hundreds of others to quit the shackles of their confining jobs and turn their passions in to their full-time careers.
According to a report conducted by Kingston University for PCG in the UK, there is a 12% growth in professionals who choose to be self employed. 1 out of 3 companies use freelance contractors every week, and 41% of all UK based organizations plan to use more freelancers over the coming years. John Brazier, the Managing Director for PCG says, “The findings of the report prove that freelancing is now one of the cornerstones of the UK economy. It shows that even in these tough economic situations, the ability to be flexible is critical for both individuals and businesses looking for more work. Freelancers now account for 6% of UK’s entire workforce, and hence it has become a significant constituency that deserves new policy making at government levels.”
And it isn’t just the younger generation around the world that is taping in to the potential of freelance opportunities. 43- year old Maneesh Konkar from Mumbai is a freelance trainer, who conducts sales workshops for MNCs. He has worked with an impressive array of clients ranging from FMCG companies, IT companies, Auto companies and even Consumer Goods manufacturing brands. “I prefer to freelance because I can grab job opportunities in literally any part of the world, rather than being restricted to one organization or a city. It gives a lot of flexibility to my job and allows me to be my own boss”, says the expert trainer.
(Data Credit: www.economictimes.com & http://www.pertemps.co.uk /)
So give up your inhibitions and embrace the new trend! However, bear in mind; while freelancing might offer you a lot of flexibility to work in a fashion that personally suits you best, it isn’t all that easy to become a success when you have to start from scratch. Find a niche that matches your expertise, and work hard to establish yourself. You might be your own boss, but make sure that you are still a top-notch professional in order to beat the competition and move ahead in your career.
ShilpUttam