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How Freelancing Has Changed the Concept of Work
Although freelancing began as a minor endeavor, it has grown and evolved into a significant source of income. According to a recent research report, freelancers will account for roughly half of the US employment and workforce, about 86.5 million people by 2027. This research exemplifies the energy of today's generation of skilled professionals. It emphasizes how freedom and independence appear to outweigh all other advantages that corporate job contexts provide.
Also, according to future forecasts by expert economists on freelancing and the concept of work, more and more people will adopt the freelance lifestyle by 2025. Drastic technological advancements will aid this rapid expansion. A lot of young people, otherwise called "millennials", middle-aged and old people, are increasingly opting for flexibility in their work environment. This provides enough room for professional and personal fulfillment when compared to the rigors of 9-5 jobs.
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It is very tempting to wonder whether holding a full-time 9-5 job at one firm, company or organization is worth the effort and time in an era when freelancers are hitting it big as graphic designers, data analysts, copywriters, web developers, game designers and programmers, digital marketers and virtual assistants.
Although quitting the 9-5 lifestyle has been proven to be very popular among workers recently, both the young and old, it is still very important to consider several issues that freelancers must address for a successful career in the gig economy. The long-term privileges and luxuries of full-time employment such as medical insurance, financial stability and occasional vacations are usually not present in the gig economy. These are some of the very harsh realities that freelancers have to deal with every day.
Let's face the facts…
Traditional work, as we know today, is usually related with having an office environment where a boss or manager dictates what has to be done and what ought not be done, with restrictions staged in the employer-employee agreement form to ensure that you stay in your lane as a 9-5 worker. Regular work starts early in the morning in some countries and you are expected to be at your workplace or office by that time. Being late to work is an offense which attracts a penalty, and this is the case in most companies. More so, offices limit employees to a specific work environment.
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Despite having a lot to deal with in the gig economy, why are so many people opting for freelance work online over their regular jobs? Is there any hope for 9-5 workers? How has freelancing changed the concept of work as we know it? In this article, we will discuss how freelancing has changed the concept of work and more.
Tighten your seat belts, let's get started right away!
How Freelancing Has Changed the Concept of Work
Here are the different ways in which freelance online jobs have changed the traditional concept of work.
1. Freelancing Focuses on Independence and Liberty at Work
Many employees aspire to have more independence, liberty, and freedom at work. Due to the restricted work environment, functions, heartbreaking policies, and working conditions, regular workers find it very difficult to realize the dreams of balancing their work with their personal lives. Freelancing, however, provides a workable alternative for this situation. Freelancers enjoy flexibility of work and can deliver services from anywhere across the globe. A freelancer is in control of his/her work schedule, pay rates, pay routine, and availability.
This allows them to decide how much time and energy they can invest in their work, as well as give them a picture of how much they will make for the time and dedication spent. With the recent advancements in smartphone technology, just about anyone with a mobile phone that has an Internet connection can offer freelance services from the comfort of their home and get paid handsomely for it!
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2. Freelancing Prioritizes Skills Over Degrees
Freelancing is an effort-based economy and employers prioritize skills over College degrees. In the traditional work environment, your degree matters a lot and is a must-have if you want to be considered for a particular job. The gig economy, however, lays more emphasis on skills than on degrees. Successful freelancers invest time to improve themselves outside their professional disciplines and place a higher importance of skill acquisition than traditional certifications and degrees. Most freelancers begin their careers by identifying their specific skills and honing their talents.
Self-taught skills are also very relevant in the freelance economy. Skills such as photography, graphics design, web design and development, software development, video animation and data analysis can make you a decent income as a freelancer while organizational and communication skills required for online freelance jobs such as virtual assistance can be developed over the years.
3. Freelancing Reduces Project Cost
Both freelancers and employers can benefit from the cost-cutting strategy provided by freelancing as opposed to the rigors of recruiting and managing employees. Employers only have to pay for specific projects and can keep track of the work progress. This means they have no additional financial or social responsibilities, making them free from financial constraints that could otherwise prevent them from investing in other aspects of their business. Freelancers, on the other hand, earn and save money by not having to commute to work. Many freelancers merely require a computer and reliable Internet access. In addition, the costs of getting started as a freelancer are quite minimal.
4. Freelancing Bridges The Gender Inequality Divide
The flexibility enjoyed in living the freelance lifestyle is workable for both men and women. According to a statistical report published by Zippia, there are about 9776 freelancers in America working from the comfort of their homes to make a living. Interestingly, 48% of the freelancers in America are women, while 46% are men. Both sexes agree to have been paid more equally when freelancing than in their previous traditional 9-5 jobs. Employers place more emphasis on skills over degrees and gender. Clients care more about quality service delivery and great project delivery results. They want nothing else than to have their problems fixed and solved.
In freelance marketplaces, men and women have equal chances of success according to their expertise and skill levels without discrimination of any sort. Therefore, the major basis for a successful freelance career lies in the ability to solve client problems and not on gender. The traditional workforce requires that women and men do different jobs. This discrimination on gender reduces the creativity boost required for personal development and economic expansion. Freelancing closes the gap by acting as a bridge for male and female freelancers who are free to bid for freelance jobs that matches their skills.
Conclusion
The concept of work has changed drastically over the years. Freelance work has been proven to be in demand more than the traditional 9-5 jobs found in contemporary society. The need for establishing a considerable work-life balance has become a growing necessity for workers all over the globe. UpMyChain is a freelance platform which connects freelancers with employers or clients. Freelancers on UpMyChain enjoy flexibility of work and can manage up to 10 jobs a day while cruising with the easy-to-use interface and other outstanding features available on the platform. Finding freelance work on UpMyChain is easy as well. Register on the freelance marketplace and post your services as a freelancer to get hired by an employer on the go.
Read Also:
• Top 3 Realities of Freelancing: A Complete Guide for Beginner Freelancers