Being a Freelancer: Benefits and Pitfalls

Being a Freelancer: Benefits and PitfallsNowadays, more and more people are giving preference to remote work. The perfect image of a freelancer sitting on the beach with a cocktail and a laptop is what everyone imagines and would like to be. However, in reality, freelance work is different. There are plenty of benefits, however, disadvantages also exist. Let’s find out more about the remote professions of the 21st century, as well as their peculiarities.

Who Can Work As a Freelancer?

The first group is the students who are looking for part-time jobs to cover their personal expenses and sometimes to pay the student’s loan. Being a freelancer, a student can negotiate flexible hours that are convenient to balance the job and education. As for the latter, employed students resort to write my paper or write my speech for me services when it becomes too complicated to combine these two activities.

In the second group, some specialists need an Internet connection and a laptop. These can be web developers and designers, copywriters and translators, brokers, sales representatives, etc. As you can see, there are a lot of professions that allow people to work remotely. Besides, some companies are still thinking about this form of employment, thus, if you are interested, reveal this intention in the cover letter or application form.

Benefits of Freelance Work

The first and most undeniable advantage is the possibility to work from the comfort of one’s home. However, there are plenty of other benefits:

  • Higher productivity: At home, an employee is less distracted by colleagues, conversations, and coffee breaks. Therefore, freelancers can do more in less time. If their income depends on the amount of work done, this implies that this is more financially profitable.
  • No time is wasted on traffic: How many hours a regular person spends in jams? At least two or even more. While a freelancer can devote this time to pleasant morning rituals, healthy sleep, or to begin working earlier.

Thus, working from home, freelancers save their time and energy, thus, they have the opportunity to devote their leisure time to hobbies, sports, or anything they would like. However, specialists who are not working as remote employees but are independent freelancers may experience some difficulties:

  1. Lack of help: If you have taken a project and feel that you haven’t enough time or competence for it, you have to master new skills or pay a subcontractor. While regular office employees may simply ask a colleague for help.
  2. Legislative & tax matters: Being self-employed implies that you have to handle all the papers and reports. If you are late, penalties can be applied. These aspects should be carefully studied before you begin any independent freelance activity to avoid unexpected and unpleasant surprises.
  3. Dishonest clients: Working independently is sometimes frustrating. Some customers can simply use your drafts and disappear without making a payment. Of course, with a signed contract, you can go to the court, however, in the majority of cases, this takes so much time that it’s easier to forget and continue living.

Working From Home: Some Other Cons

Of course, it is comfortable to work on the sofa. However, for some people, being at home has more distractions like constant checking of the fridge, noisy neighbors, TV, etc. If you have got kids or siblings, this can become a real challenge to work from home. That is why before agreeing to or insisting to work remotely, think if you are ready to withstand numerous distractions at home and are ready for additional responsibilities implied by this kind of employment.

All in all, the year 2020 has proven that the majority of tasks can be executed remotely. That is why the ability to focus on what is important, correctly prioritize, and schedule your day is necessary skills in the contemporary world. Probably, by the time you graduate, remote jobs will be predominant in the employment market. Companies have already appreciated the benefits of having their specialists work remotely. So, if you are thinking about taking a freelance job or not, give it a shot. This will become a valuable experience for every recently graduated employee. Good luck and stay effective!

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