Freelancing first is how I got all of my (full-time) Jobs
Come in through the side door
Let’s get right to it: Freelancing or Contract can be a much easier and faster way into a job. Be good at what you do, willing to learn and don’t be an asshole. The end.
Through the thorny garden of career advice, resume hacks and bootstrap-success stories is an overlooked technique: Get in without getting hired. This can take a lot of pressure off the company and yourself, and if you play it right can lead to exactly what you wanted — that job.
Skipping my very first job, every single meaningful career move came from this approach. Freelance first. Come in for a while, let’s see where it goes. While not always an option, this method feels under-reported in the sea of finding a job tips and tricks.
Let’s define Freelance for the sake of this article.
I’m talking about working there, perma-lancing, being on contract. There are a litany of variations, but for our purposes we are not talking about starting a business, or doing short stints as a lifestyle choice.
You’re trying to find a job.
Let’s assume you have a typo-free resume and a decent portfolio for your current level (that includes students and juniors). Moving on.
Check the ego (and job titles)
When going into movie posters for the first time, I had to check my credentials at the door. According to the past 10 years of working, I was a Creative Director — but that didn’t matter. I’d never worked in this industry and wasn’t going to waltz in and change that.
Getting bent out of shape about a title would get me nowhere. I’d be a ‘freelance art director’ and that was that.
A lot of senior designers get stuck on the words Creative Director, when they might need to work on being better Designers.
Take a small step back, or sideways, and improve your skills. Depending on where you are in your career and what you want next, obsessing over what you think your title should be can be a futile exercise (and leave you an unemployed ‘creative director’).
Come in through the side door
When I started in Advertising, I was on contract. We see enough potential in you without going through a lengthy hiring process–let’s test it. I didn’t have a job title until we needed to make one up. We came up with a monthly rate, and I showed up.
As mentioned, when I started in Entertainment, I was on contract.
When I started at Apple, I was on contract. I knew my hiring boss, and he could bring in contractors as needed. Staff headcount? Totally different story. I contracted for 9 months before we got to the conversation about staff. The people who came in full time were recommended from a very small circle — and had weeks, if not months — of interviews. Meanwhile, I was making myself part of the team, as a freelancer.
The Bottom Line
There can be a better way than chucking resumes into the abyss. Be good, ask around, check yourself and deliver when you get there. Finding good people is tough, proving yourself on the job can be a great way in.
(PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE) is an ongoing series about presenting work, building better portfolios and being a decent creative by Andy Sheffield.
