I was laid off 2 years ago, and after the agony of trying to find FT work, I decided to...

[C Moon]

freelance /contract (whatever you want to call it).
There was some work here and there, but I would only find work in pieces and then it would grow silent. This went on for over a year—and I was still looking for FT work during this time.

But suddenly, in the past month, I'm up to my ears in work. I'm actually concerned that I may have to say no to a couple of projects.

One of the projects came over because the skeleton crew at a company, said there was no way they could handle a certain project. And this company (and others) seem to want to keep me around, so they give me bit work ahead of time, to lure me in for more work in the future.

What I'm beginning to think is that the companies that scaled back their work force since the "Great Recession," are now having to scramble to find help—because their skeletons are getting PISSED!

I hope so. I hope things are improving and this isn't just another hiccup.

Keep your fingers crossed. FWIW.

[mindwalker_i]

1. After working for Intel for 12 years

I took a "voluntary separation" with a butt-load of money. Now I work for a graphics company as a contractor, and let me tell you, it frakin' rocks! My boss is a wonderful guy and I get to work on really interesting stuff. And he lets me go crazy with my hairbrained ideas.

[Uncle Joe]

2. I'm happy for you, C Moon.

Thanks for sharing.

[blur256]

3. Just out of curiosity

What kind of work do you do? And that is awesome!! Free lance seems to be the norm these days, sadly.

[C Moon]

8. Graphics.

[No Vested Interest]

4. Make sure you're charging enough for your services.

It might be time to bump up the fees a little.

[C Moon]

7. You are a genius. I do charge too little, because things were slow.

[elehhhhna]

29. Do this whenever you have too much work

raise your rate and let them sort it out

[C Moon]

35. True

[Helen Borg]

32. You haveto raise your fees!

Otherwise you'll break the market! With increased demand, the prices of your services should go up. Use this law in your favor for once!

[Brigid]

5. I think that, as hiring finally starts to pick up again,

Employers will find a briused, traumatized, and distrustful workforce. But they will have only themselves -- and years of treating employees as disposable -- to blame.

[C Moon]

9. That is exactly what I am thinking.

[Unmenacing Dennis]

6. I knew

And I know. DURec

[Jim Lane]

10. Freelancing can be feast or famine.

And, yes, sometimes you do have to turn down work -- which is very tough when you remember the times when you wondered how you were going to pay the next rent bill.

I agree about making sure you charge enough. Also, even if (like me) you're not a natural entrepreneur, you have to grit your teeth and force yourself to do some marketing. (This is definitely "do as I say and not as I do" advice.)

You may be right about a general trend of pissed-off workers, but I think a much more important fact is just random variance. Firms are much more likely to turn to contractors when there's an imbalance in their work -- the happenstance of an increased workload and/or a regular employee just quit or went on maternity leave or whatever. I've had firms that ramped up their calls for my services and then suddenly stopped, and seemed to lose my number for almost a year before calling me again.

[C Moon]

11. Wow! Thanks Jim!

Freelance does sound tough.

As much as I like the freelance work, and not dealing with office politics /corporate goals and other BS that come with FT work, I am still migrating toward a FT position.

Thanks again, that's great insight!

[safeinOhio]

12. I quit my PT job last Sept.

It was a fun job with about 20 people working there, all but 4 were PT. The manager was the problem, 4 others quit and 3 were fired. Every one that left is now doing way better. I went on my own and make about 3 times what I was making. All those still working there are taking notice.

[meaculpa2011]

13. I've been freelancing since 1981.

Had a job I enjoyed with a Fortune 500. Corner office office, career track... but reported to a psycho.

I thought about requesting a transfer, but a freelance opportunity presented itself and I grabbed it.

I work night and day for months, then nothing for awhile. I've been able to support a home and family. My wife stayed home when our kids were born. I gave up my midtown office and worked from home so we could both be with them. I don't recommend it though. Trying to run a business and take care of kids is a challenge. Also, leaving the house and "going to work" every morning imposes a degree of discipline.

Anyway, good luck.

[phylny]

14. I suspect you're right about skeleton crews.

Last edited Mon Jul 14, 2014, 08:42 PM - Edit history (1)

My best friend just left her job because the workload, expectations and unpaid (of course) overtime were killing her. She just couldn't stand it anymore.

[CrispyQ]

24. They give you a salary & put you on an electronic leash.

Some corporations really abuse it. No downtime, no personal time - always vigilant for the corporation. You sacrifice your personal time, your time with your family, for no extra compensation. I calculated my actual hourly rate & told my husband, "I haven't worked for this low of pay in decades!" I gave notice the next day. I've been freelance since & it is feast or famine but I have evenings & weekends with my family again.

[elehhhhna]

30. they tell you to "think like an owner" but

don't want you to think at all, but really want you to work like an owner. WITH NO UPSIDE.

[Lars39]

15. The taxes must be set aside...get an accountant!

Contractors can get way behind on their taxes during "feasting" times if they're not setting aside the right amount for taxes.

[C Moon]

21. That's been on my mind big time. Thanks, I'll get an accountant.

[Freddie]

16. Totally OT...

Is your name from the old McCartney song?

[C Moon]

22. Yes!

I love that song.

[Sunlei]

17. Excellent to work for yourself

If you can help it,never turn away any business. hire extra help if you have to.

[IronLionZion]

18. Got my fingers crossed for good things

glad its working out for you. I think companies have pent up demand for hiring, especially as they are getting more business. If GOP would back off from the constant gloom and doom I think more optimism would encourage more hiring.

Freelance/contracting seems to be the trend in recent years, especially in IT.

[Sweet Freedom]

19. I'm a freelancer as well

I was laid off last year and couldn't find work. And the reason I couldn't find work is because employers cram 6 or 7 jobs together and then offer an insulting salary. I think (hope) that strategy is starting to backfire.

I am a graphic designer. Employers think that means I am also a media specialist, public affairs specialist, videographer, video editor, photographer, social media specialist, marketing specialist and website programmer. (Yes, I know some of those areas—some better than others.) What I really am is a certified expert in InDesign and am proficient in Photoshop, illustrator and Acrobat. I don't want to learn Premiere, After Effects, Flash and Dreamweaver so I can make half of what I was making for ten times the work. The expectation is ridiculous.

I'm glad your work is overflowing. You may want to form an alliance with other freelancers (preferably someone whose expertise is different than yours. For example, I love page layout, but I have backup freelancers who love illustration and websites.) That way, you keep clients in case you need them during a lull.

[C Moon]

23. Wow. Interesting. I like your idea about working with other freelancers. Thanks!

[sabrina 1]

20. Good for you.

[CrispyQ]

25. Glad you're seeing an upswing.

Do you do a lot of networking? Social media? How do you get your name out there?

[C Moon]

36. You know, most of it has been word of mouth...

people I have worked with, people who know people.
It's amazing how word gets out.
I do a lot of social media (mostly FB), but it seems the best is word of mouth for me.
I tried some of the online freelance websites, but bidding is so competitive.

[CrispyQ]

41. I think word of mouth is the best way to get business.

There's an art to discerning clients who are looking for cheapest vs. value.

Value trumps cheapest in the long haul.

Enjoy your feast.

[madville]

26. I worked on a skeleton tech crew

Averaged 70 hours a week making about 80,000 until I just burnt out. Luckily about that time I landed a permanent full-time federal job at about 60% the pay but I'm only allowed to work 40 hours a week, no more, no less.

[C Moon]

37. Ouch. 70 hours per week!

[Leith]

27. That Sounds Great

I was laid off about a year ago. Since then, I've been studying Java programming language and webpage development (HTML, CSS, & JavaScript). I think that webpage development will be better for me. As I get better, I will probably work for a contracting company on short-time jobs, then I will start my own business once I'm established in the field.

If there's anyone who knows the field, please add to the thread or pm me.

Best of luck to you, C_Moon! And to all who freelance.

[CrispyQ]

33. Meetup has groups for just about all technology.

http://www.meetup.com/

Great for learning & networking. Also, in my area, we have "Hire a Developer" & "Pitch to a Programmer" Meetup groups that are geared to start-ups looking for technology talent. Don't forget the women tech Meetup groups, like "Girls Who Code." In my area, tech companies realize they need gender balance in their tech departments.

You can create your own Meetup group, too. If you go through most of the process & then cancel out, they'll send you a coupon for 50% off to complete your registration. The biggest problem with starting a Meetup group is finding a location to hold it.

Also, network, network, network! I cannot tell you how important it is to network if you are freelance. People aren't going to know about you if you aren't getting your name/face out there. SEO is great, but face-to-face networking has reaped benefits for me that no other type has.

And finally, position yourself as good as you can under the banquet table. In other words, live in the most affluent area you can afford, because those are where the people who have money are. We are just peons, so find where the best crumbs fall.

Best of luck to you, Leith! And everyone else.

[C Moon]

38. Best of luck to you, Leith!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

28. Great to hear your good news

in this scary working climate. You must have talent!

The advice about consulting with an accountant is spot on. If I remember correctly from when I started up a business eons ago, you can pay your taxes quarterly. Not too painful.

GOOD LUCK and keep on keepin' on!

[BootinUp]

31. Yes, its better, but not enough of course. Thanks for sharing

your story. Stay real man.

[C Moon]

39. I agree. Because finding a FT position seems to near impossible.

[justiceischeap]

34. Congrats! I ran a web design business for about 3 years until the Bush economy tanked

Then I started contracting and contracted for several years at PBS until I was laid off last November. Then I got a temp-to-perm contract that ended up being temp, so I was again laid off after 6 months. I've been trying to find more temp work recently and it wasn't going well when I got contacted on LinkedIn by a headhunter. They had a client looking for a direct-hire employee and she thought my skills would be a perfect match. She was right, I start my first full-time direct hire job later this month (first one in over 6 years) and making much more than I have been as a contract worker. I've been playing video games non-stop the last month or so--it's a form of meditation for me so I don't worry so much about meeting my financial responsibilities.

Anyway, it'll be nice to have a steady paycheck, paid vacation, benefits and someplace to go every day--since I'm the first hire in this new department, I'll be Sr. so that automatically puts me on the management track too.

Again, congrats on the feast portion or your freelance business and I'd create a LinkedIn account if you don't already have one and I'd also make some contacts that you can farm work out to when it becomes overwhelming for you.

[C Moon]

40. Thanks "justice"

...and congrats on the FT job! I'm very envious.
Freelance is scary, and I don't like the tax thing.
I do use LinkedIn. It's worked well for giving people a better picture of who I am. Sometimes a website/online portfolio won't do that.
Again, congrats! Don't miss the video games too much.