Four things developers should do before going freelance
Freelance work isn't for everyone. But for those that are tempted, there are a few things worth doing before taking the leap.
Lots of developers opt for freelance work as it pays more. Also, depending on your speciality, your skills could be in high demand.
On the other hand, freelance work does come with its downsides. We spoke to Chery Sutjahjo, a talent strategist at Hired.com, to get her top tips on what developers should do before going freelance.
1. Tap into your network
With freelance work, a great place to gather advice, tips and job opportunities is your network, both professional and personal. Any connections you've established during your permanent work could help you transition to freelance contracts.
"When deciding to enter into a freelance career, developers must first reach out to former employers, colleagues, friends, and connections to start getting a feel for the opportunities that are out there," said Sutjahjo. "Additionally, gathering recommendations and reviews from past colleagues and managers will help individuals start to build their brand and establish their skill set."
2. Build your portfolio
A portfolio is an excellent way of highlighting your skills. This practical CV will make it easier for potential contractors to get to know your work and expertise.
"It is important for developers to aggregate all their projects and work in an easy-to-find place in the form of online portfolios or websites. By doing so, developers can have a clear example of their expertise in the industry and be able to share necessary information based on client requirements," explained Sutjahjo.
3. Consider your finances
One of the biggest things to consider is your financial situation. Freelance work is not totally secure. Depending on your area of knowledge, you could be in high demand and this will be less of an issue. But for those with more general skills, a full look into your finances is a must.
"Preparation is vital for a freelance career and in particular setting up an emergency fund (most freelancers suggest a cushion of at least six months)," said explained Sutjahjo. "Furthermore, it is vital that you do the research on how taxation is different for each classification of independent workers, and reach out to an accountant to help manage finances and get started on the right foot."
4. Find out what you’re worth
Freelancers can often pick rates of pay, so knowing how much your skills are worth where you live or want to work is something that must be done before putting yourself out there. You never know, it might be more than you think!
"When preparing to move into a freelance career, individuals should first look into market rates by asking their network and doing the research and due diligence to understand the rates in the area. Developers may have to work their way up to getting the market rate, since it can be a little trickier to get their foot in the door, but it is important that they know what they aiming for," explained Sutjahjo.
Source>>> Techworldcom
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