The lure of freelancing sounded. It seemed to be the implicit message of all the reports about the bad job market: freelancing seemed like the opportunity to squeeze my way in. In addition, the opportunity to organize my time myself, combine photography and writing and choose assignments myself attracted me. I also decided, on the advice of those around me, to look for vacancies for full-time and part-time work, so that I would have something to support me during the start-up phase until I could make a living from freelancing. Ideally something for about 24 hours a week to leave enough time. I responded to every vacancy that said 'photographer wanted' or 'journalist wanted'.
EXPERIENCE Some people hope for their dream job, but I abandon that hope after some employers announced that they had received hundreds of responses and had therefore been very selective. As a starter, the experience quickly becomes a pain point. That could be an argument for freelancing: perhaps the threshold is slightly lower and I can gain some experience this way.
STARTER ASSISTANCE I had heard that the UWV sometimes grants starter benefits and that would help me get through the long run-up. I initially thought that I would not be eligible for this, since I resigned last year to take a long-dreamed-of trip, but I was still advised to take the test on the UWV website and sure enough , it would be possible. I will receive a decision from the UWV between zero and four weeks. Four weeks later I am told that I am not entitled to it because I resigned myself. Some days are bad days. The municipality still offers an option for entrepreneurs, but that means that I cannot register with the Chamber of Commerce. In other words: I have to wait to start working until I have finished that process. When support seems to disappear, the life of a starting freelancer does not seem to be a bed of roses. Should you still go for permanent work?
MASSES During a conversation with a job-seeking friend of mine, he showed shocking figures he received from the UWV about how many people apply for permanent positions and how many are invited. Someone suggests that my background makes me stand out, but among so many applicants there will always be a few people with similar knowledge and more experience. Freelancing anyway.
ACCIDENTS A friend tells a horror story about an acquaintance who had an accident and, being a freelancer, was not insured for disability. The desire is increasing strongly for a normal contract with a permanent employer, then something will automatically go to my pension. So steady work.
KNOWLEDGE Freelancing, however, has the advantage that, if I handle these kinds of things properly, I get a good overview of my finances and insurance. In the short term it means more hassle, but maybe it will benefit me in the long run. Moreover, I prefer to work on something because I want to do it, not to have a so-called stable life between now and the time that the next market bubble bursts and all social security benefits are at risk. Freelancing can provide a lot of knowledge and experience.
APPLY But how do I respond to a freelance assignment on ProLinker? A few informal lines explaining why I am suitable, or an extensive letter with a salutation and kind regards, as with conventional job applications? If this is essentially the same process, I might as well keep looking at permanent jobs. In addition, many applicants who previously looked for permanent jobs may now also seek refuge in freelancing and thus join the existing group of freelancers. Still looking for permanent work?
RESPONSE Last week I had results twice. It came as suddenly to me as the beginning of this paragraph probably came to the reader. One assignment is via ProLinker and the other is via an acquaintance, both nice for a starting self-employed person. At the same time, in response to an application for a permanent job, if I have not heard anything after five weeks, I am thanked for the effort taken. You may hear from us after five weeks, but we won't bother sending a generic rejection. Why not freelance then?
By: Alexander Leeuw https://depaljas.wordpress.com/ www.alexleeuw.nl
Alexander is an investigative and flexible journalist and photographer. He not only has an alpha but also a beta side, so writing about technical topics is no problem for him. He has been taking photographs since he was a child.
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