Freelancing offers great perks like flexibility, choosing your projects, and working from anywhere, but it also comes with challenges like unpredictable income, finding clients, and no benefits. To succeed, build a solid portfolio, set clear rates, manage your time well, and keep networking.

Freelancing and gig work can be necessary money-making strategies until a suitable career position is within reach. The upside is a flexible schedule, earning based on effort, and the ability to interact with others for networking purposes. The downside is that temporary positions don’t generally improve your resume, and employers like to see career progression on a consistent basis.

I often recommend freelance work to my career change clients because it gives them a chance to try out their new function/field before committing to the full transition. I’ve always freelanced in addition to working full time, so my top tip is to set specific times when you will do your freelance work, and stick to them. But don’t forget to reserve time in your schedule for hobbies and family!

Gig work requires you to find clients, promote your skills, pitch yourself for new assignments, continually earn rave reviews, and tend to your own training. Companies will pay you without collecting employer-side taxes, so you will need to set up tax filing and payment schedules for yourself. This type of work can be lucrative, but you will often need to outperform others to keep busy.

Freelancing offers broad exposure, flexibility, and autonomy but comes with challenges like unpredictable income, no benefits, and self-management demands. To succeed, build a strong network, maintain a consistent client pipeline, set clear contracts, and manage finances carefully, including saving for taxes and emergencies. Ensure you keep your resume current and utilize freelance platforms.