Salaries are a tricky thing to talk about. Are you making way more than your friends? Is your co-worker making more than you? Who gets to decide what's 'fair' when it comes to salaries? How are you supposed to know that you're being paid the 'right' amount?
Two monkeys performed the same task with the same degree of skill. One monkey received a cucumber, the other, delicious grapes.
Two monkeys performed the same task with the same degree of skill. One monkey received a cucumber, the other, delicious grapes.
Since the time, freelancing became an option, wide discussions about what is better—full-time jobs or freelancing—have continued. The advocates of working full time believe that it is a more stable and secure source of income. Indeed, an employee working in an office has a guaranteed monthly salary, all kinds of bonuses, and a number of other social benefits; a freelancer is a self-employed person, so it is always his or her problem and responsibility whether he or she wants to take a break, gets sick, or lacks income.
Skipping a work day as a freelancer often means not getting paid, whereas an office worker—even the least meticulous one—receives money regardless of the amount of work done. However, even though freelancers make a somewhat socially and financially vulnerable category of hired workers, there are many reasons making people aim for shifting from office routine to freelancing despite the risks. Why? Because freelancing possesses a number of benefits many full-time workers can only dream of.
Sometimes, we're forced to accept positions where the salaries are lower than what we'd like. In other scenarios, we might think we're getting a fair wage, only to realize after the fact that the opposite holds true. Thus, doing freelance work may prove to be more satisfying.
If you hail from a less developed suburban in a third-world country, then you have fairly less opportunities than of those who belong to metropolitan areas of Europe, the same is for those who belong to countryside, those who are less exposed to the harsh realities and competition. And if they get a job, chances are they might get in a trap of exploitation, being underpaid or bonded. Fair and equal pay is basic human right.
But what if you have made all your moves? Did negotiations for increment went harsh or didn't work? Have you tried to get another job? You are handicapped? Or it is difficult to find your dream job...
If you are an IT Geek or a marketing specialist, even a student, freelancing could be lucrative. Being a freelancer, you can work whenever you want and wherever you want. No more asking for permission to take a couple of weeks off to go for vacation. No more rushing through morning traffic to get to office. No more feeling like you're just counting down hours.
Freelancing is usually seen as self-employment and most times, the contract of a freelancer is for a short period of time. Contract agreements with a freelancer can be based on a project basis or tied to hourly input.
Being a freelancer allows you to have freedoms that those on staff don't have. In newsrooms, for instance, journalists are often assigned stories and tend to receive more direction from their editors. On the other hand, freelance writers are able to use their creativity in generating ideas and the directions of their stories.
The biggest advantage is you can get experience and exposure of different employers and industries, you can confidently say that "I've worked for a marketing company" or "Yeah I have adequate experience working as a DevOps specialist in software industry" or "I've been working as a consultant for that much period" et cetera.
There is another catch, let's say you work as an accountant in company, and they pay you around 30K, and if you are expert enough in bookkeeping and accounts, you can supplement your income by working as a part time freelancer, and if you’re lucky enough, you can make hefty loads of money, since you are, to some extent self employed. One mediocre accountant working online through some marketplace can oddly make 1500-2000$, given exchange rate is roughly 1:150; it is like 1500x150=225000; it is far better making 225K than 30K per month; working full time as a freelancer.
You must be anticipated, if not overwhelmed, due to my claim, but Government had already launched a program called DigiSkills, which had already equipped thousands with the knowledge and basic skill to dive in. Their plan is to train at least one million people to pursue a career being a freelancer. It’s a great opportunity for the people of Pakistan to avail this golden chance not only to help themselves and but there is an excellent opportunity to increase the revenue of Pakistan.
So, if you are the one who is been exploited, ruined or dissatisfied, it's your turn, you needed a kick starter, you can go a long way, this will give you initial push, act now.
Shehroz