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Applying for a new role can be a daunting process. Our podcasts are here to make the process as seamless as possible, by providing you with the information and tools you need to land your next dream role. Hosted by our experienced Australia, Hong Kong and UK teams, we aim to help you stand out and showcase your ability and experience.
Listen to our latest podcast - deep dive into freelance with Alaina
Following on from our previous podcast "ins and outs of becoming a freelancer" in this weeks episode, we are deliving deeper into freelance with Alaina from the become Melbourne team.
We ask Alaina to share with us some of her industry insights:
What is the main difference between permanent and freelance?
Having a permanent role is definitely more secure, and it has structure
With freelance you don’t know where you’re working next
You could spend your week potentially at three different agencies/studios
There is lots of uncertainty working in freelance
Some people get the thrill from not knowing where they might be working next
Takes a very special type of person to do freelance
You may not know when your next pay-check is
Benefits of freelance?
Our freelancers have lots of flexibility
They can choose when they would like to work and tell us when and where to take time off e.g. for holidays
Rate of pay can be higher for freelance
However, there is no sick pay or holiday pay
Great for those who are constantly busy and if you’re working consistently
We have had freelancers work with Become for 10 years
Opportunity to see and experience different studios and environments
Stops from getting too stale going to the same place every day
Lots of variety of work
You get to meet lots of new people
Exposure to different agencies and different approaches to how each agency works
What can a freelancer do to make themselves popular and increase their chances of staying busy?
Tailor a portfolio that has a lot of variety of work
More variety you show us, the more jobs we can run past you
A lot of clients may ask for something very specific
FMCG packaging? Put it into the portfolio. We may not know what you’re capable of doing without seeing your work prior
If your main goal is to stay busy, you can’t be fussy of what you want to do
You have got to put your hand in the bucket for as many things as possible
It is really dependent on what your goals are
Remember to keep an open mind
Usually you get booked for something you have done before
Clients want you to come in, get your head down and hit the ground running. They don’t have the luxury of time
Have flexibility in your rate and your availability
The more available you are, the more you are likely to be booked. Sometimes bookings may run over time. Be as accommodating as possible
Clients can underestimate on time on particular projects and want you to stay beyond the initial booking
How to best showcase yourself as a freelancer on your CV?
Being a long-term freelancer can be tricky to show on your CV
Have a little bracket to show the date. E.g. 2015 -2018
Where were you freelancing? Specific companies? What kind of work were you doing? Marketing roll-out? Artworking? What skills were you using during those times? These should be clearly stated on your CV
What skills and responsibilities did you have during those times?
If you worked for great agencies, make sure it’s prominent on your CV
Sometimes your work speaks for yourself too
What do you think of Freelance portfolios?
Have a PDF portfolio
It’s a great overview where we can see instantly what you’re are capable of doing
Websites can sometimes take a bit too long to log in and upload
Poor user experience websites, may cause clients to lose interest in your work
PDFs, you can scroll through straight away
You can have both. PDF is a taste of what you’re capable of doing
Find out more about that designer through the website
Having different tailored PDFs, definitely works for freelance, which encourages people to show lots of variety of work
Some folios may be tailored to show specific packaging work
If you are specialising or have strong skills in particular skills, separate PDFs showcasing this is ideal
Increases your chances of getting booked by the client
If you are serious about freelance, you need to put in the effort at the start
Have you noticed any differences or trends across the New Zealand, Sydney and Melbourne markets?
Similar markets but different
You can never predict when you’re going to be busy
Sometimes can be busy, sometimes can be quiet
You can’t plan out your year properly
You have to be okay with uncertainty
Trends? There are no trends
Australian market – all over the place, even on the permanent side
Any final thoughts and tips? What impresses you?
When I meet someone and they’re friendly and relatable
Being assured that this person is able to fit in easily in any work place
Remember to be adaptable to various studios
Being quite rigid is not good
Have a positive attitude
Clients want some to come in to get the ball rolling
Being upbeat about it
Bad attitude is big no no
Be flexible and be open-minded - that’s what I look for in a freelancer
Do not be fussy or be demanding! That may not work in a freelance capacity
People like being around nice people
About Alaina Virag:
Alaina works in our Melbourne office as the freelance consultant. She started on the freelance desk, in 2013 with Become in the Sydney office and has also worked in New Zealand.
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