by Michelle Hansen
So often people ask me about freelance work from home. The biggest question I get is, "Do companies really hire freelancers?" The answer is, "Absolutely!" The key to getting a great freelance job is searching for something in your field or something for which your skills match. Of course, companies hire people to do freelance work for them all the time but the competition can be fierce, just like the regular job market (and sometimes more so) and there are some important things you need to consider before taking the freelance leap.
Some freelance jobs people are- call center work, writing, insurance, territory sales, tutoring and working with online universities. Surely there are other freelance jobs too, these are just the most popular and the ones I most often hear of. Some companies transition employees in to freelance positions after they have spent some time with the company working on-site. These types of home based positions may include benefits but are also most likely to require you to keep specific office hours. Meaning, you have to clock specific work hours each week and possibly be available for customers by phone during those hours. You would still have some flexibility in your life but specific job requirements and time constraints of a typical job might apply.
Off-site or home based call center workers may be paid hourly and/or commission for sales and performance. These freelance jobs require you to sign up for specific shifts and be dependable. Income may fluctuate and a training period is required. You will also undergo evaluations, calls can be monitored and you could be terminated if you are not following company protocol, are missing shifts, etc. You are also required to have specific equipment that the company usually does not provide in order to perform your job (high-speed internet, an up-to-date computer, landline phone service and headset phone with specific capabilities).
Some companies hire home based sales executives to work from their own home office but visit clients or call on companies the business has a working relationship with. These representatives may also work to secure new sales accounts. If you have sales experience and the discipline to work from home with less supervision, this could be ideal for you.
The main points to remember if you're thinking of freelancing are:
- Search for positions for which your experience and skills match the need
- Understand that "freelance" does not mean no responsibility or set schedule- you often work longer hours freelancing than in a traditional job and many of them may be scheduled hours required by the employer.
- Freelance positions can be found but are often highly competitive positions so be prepared to sell yourself and prove that you're the best applicant for the job
- Benefits may not be included and you may be required to keep track of your own taxes and business expenses for tax purposes if you're considered an independent contractor or self-employed. Another important thing about being self-employed is you may pay a higher percentage of taxes simply because you are self-employed. Be sure to check with your tax preparer or accountant to get all the details while weighing your employment options.
