Freelancing doesn't always have to be full-time. If you're new to freelancing and you just want to try it out, you can do it on the side. If you have a day job, you can work part-time for extra cash. If you want to gain more experience in your field, you can get a job that you can do on your free time to help you further your career growth. If you want to explore your other passions but you need the security of your full-time job, you can do so on your off hours.
Moonlighting is an option for anyone who wants to do freelance work apart from the usual day job. It may seem easy, but it can actually be a tricky venture. Here are our top tips for effective moonlighting.
First things first – make sure you check your full-time employer's policies. After all, you wouldn't want to lose your current job. You can either check your company manual or ask your boss about taking jobs on the side. Most employers will allow it anyway, as long as it doesn't present a conflict of interest with your work. This also means not poaching clients from your employer, or working with the competition.
Know how to compartmentalize. Having two or more jobs takes a bit more effort than having just one, of course. Remember to focus on one job at a time. When you're doing a job, make it the center of your attention and don't do your projects from your other jobs. This will help you stay on track and concentrate on the tasks at hand, and you won't get into trouble with any of your employers to boot.
Manage your time wisely. This is such a cliché, but it especially rings true for freelance moonlighting. You'll be busy juggling multiple projects and it will be easy to just find yourself barely having the time to breathe. The trick is to divide up the week with a time block for each job. Don't let anything overlap, and don't try doing things at the same time either.
Freelance jobs may seem like they won't take up too much time, but they may actually take up more time than a regular full-time job. This is because you don't really have a set in and out schedule, so you can work as long as you please. Time blocks will let you know that you need to stop working because you've allotted your time for something else. This way, you'll have enough time for all of your projects, and have work-life balance as well.
Find time in between tasks to market yourself. For moonlighting to be worth it, you'll have to ensure that the jobs keep on coming. Sure, Freelancer.com can help by offering up a plethora of jobs that you can bid on everyday. However, it's still good to have a backup plan. Schedule even just 30 minutes a day to promote your services. Update your portfolio with your latest projects, do social media posts to stay active and establish yourself within your industry, and never stop following up on leads and going after potential clients.
Experiment. Doing jobs on the side allows you the freedom to explore industries beyond your current one. When you're in between jobs, or going through some down time, take the time to learn new skills or get into new fields. It will keep your career dynamic, and the fresh knowledge will prevent your resumé from going stagnant. Who knows, you just might stumble upon your dream job.
Part-time freelancing can be quite challenging, but also very rewarding. Stay focused, stay relevant, and you'll have no trouble making it work for you.