In case you hadn’t heard, we’re increasingly working in a gig economy. In reality, 15 million Americans work for themselves now, with projections predicting that freelancers will account for 40% of the workforce over the next decade.
« Whatever you name it—freelancer, consultant, contractor, company owner—this sort of employment is on the decline, » says Jill Jacinto, millennial career specialist and assistant director of communications at WORKS. It’s not difficult to understand why this is the case. The freelance job provides flexibility and independence, as Jacinto points out. She says, « You get to do what you love and are good at. »
« You choose the projects you want to work on, the customers you want to work with, and the challenges you want to pursue. You may also choose your working hours and establish a « flexible » timetable.
However, there are a few things to consider before going out on your own. Here are five things to ask yourself to see if you’re ready to become freelancing full-time.