How to Turn a Freelance Job into a Full-Time Career
The labor market may be improving, but it’s still very much an employer’s market. Even with hiring on the increase, the number of new full-time jobs being created continues to lag. This is partly why a third of workers are now freelancers, according to a new report from Freelancers Union, which defines freelancers as everything from contract workers to temps.
There is good news, however. For many people, landing a full-time job may increasingly be a two-step process: Get on board first as a part-time or contract worker, then work to convert that to a full-time job. It happens more often than you think.
Related: 6 Secrets of Successful Freelancers
Freelance and part-time work is important because it allows you to build your resume (and avoid employment gaps). It can also provide income while you’re still in search mode, says Liz D’Aloia, a recruiter and founder of HR Virtuoso.
If you’re already working as a freelancer or part-timer, you’ve succeeded with step one. Now it’s a matter of closing the deal on a full-time gig. Here are smart tips to help.
Climb the Company Ladder
Working within a department gives you an inside scoop when a job opens up as well as insight into what the position entails. That was the case for Cathy Wilde, a communications director at the University of Buffalo who started out as a freelance assistant at Buffalo’s school of management in 2008.
After a six-month trial period, she went from freelance to hourly to part-time, with her responsibilities increasing along the way. Her dedication paid off when a full-time position as assistant director of communications opened up in 2012. Wilde still had to go through a state-mandated application process and interview for the job, but her experience and knowledge of the department helped her get the gig.
Related: Why Freelancers Won’t Be Able to Retire
A year later, Wilde moved into her current role. “It was a slow, steady climb from being an assistant to being the boss,” she notes.
Career tip: Always exude a positive attitude, D’Aloia says, even if the position is a stepping-stone. You never know when you’ll need a reference.
Show Your Worth
In Sara Spencer’s case, being assertive played a role in her progress from freelance work to a full-time offer. She was hesitant at first to take on temporary work, but the position was at a PR firm that intrigued her.
“The freelance position began with minimal pay but really flexible hours. I made it a point to show up every morning when everyone else arrived and stay until everyone left. I worked extremely hard,” she says, “and was vocal about making suggestions on client initiatives.”