A freelance translator recently featured on the ‘Dear Jeremy’ section of the Guardian. After freelancing for a number of years they began applying for permanent positions and feedback from one position made them question what employers think of those with a freelance background.
Although on a shortlist of two, the other candidate was preferred due to superior knowledge of translation software, skills which he lacked. However, the employer also added that ‘having freelanced for so long, I might struggle to adjust to in-house work.’ Have you ever thought that after managing yourself and ‘being your own boss’ may make it difficult for you to be successful in applying for a permanent role? Would you even consider moving back into a permanent role?
Reported separately by the Guardian today, were the top ten things employers are looking for, ‘buzzwords’. Skimming through the list, it would appear that working as a freelancer you would carry a lot of the attributes and skills an employer would be looking for. Organised, motivated, innovative and flexible.
In his reply, Jeremy Bullmore, was keen to urge the freelancer not to dwell on the feedback too much as often interviewers struggle to honestly explain why the candidate did not make it. “The chances are that the successful candidate was simply the overall preferred applicant and that the person providing your feedback was looking for reasons to explain your disappointment. You certainly shouldn’t assume that all potential employers will have the same reaction to your freelance past.”
To celebrate our 10 years working within the contractor marketplace, in 2012 we compiled a survey asking contractors and freelancers a series of questions which included if they would continue contracting or were looking for a permanent role. A year later, it would be great to revisit this survey and see if anything has changed. A short survey, it will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Please click here.
