In the contemporary employment landscape, freelancing or gig work has become increasingly common. The term “gig” no longer confines itself to specific jobs like driving or delivery; it now encompasses a wide range of professions, including influencers, online teachers, photographers, software engineers, and content writers. The gig economy is constantly evolving, offering a growing number of opportunities for individuals.
Interestingly, some highly qualified individuals are deliberately choosing freelancing or gig work as their preferred mode of employment. They are drawn to this path because of the numerous advantages it offers, including flexibility, the potential for higher income, and improved work-life balance. However, despite these benefits, establishing a long-term career in the gig economy remains a challenge. This raises the question: How can we facilitate this transition?
During a recent ET Careers webinar aimed at addressing these emerging questions, we engaged in a discussion with two key experts in this field: Mr. Sunil C, CEO of TeamLease Digital, a company dedicated to helping organizations find the right gig talent, and Mr. Arjun Nair, Co-founder of Great Learning, a firm focused on upskilling professionals for various roles, including gig positions.
Both Sunil and Arjun acknowledged the challenges inherent in pursuing a gig-based career. One notable challenge is the absence of fixed paychecks, leading to income variability. Additionally, individuals embarking on this path often find themselves working in isolation, managing multiple aspects of their projects from acquisition to execution and all related tasks.
Simultaneously, there is a growing demand for white-collar gig roles, particularly in highly technical domains such as coding, cybersecurity, content creation, design, and marketing. Experienced professionals are increasingly recognizing the potential in this field. According to Sunil, “currently the market for this kind of workforce is about 1% of the labor market and it is expected to go up significantly over the next few years to over 4% of the market.”
While traditional employment was once synonymous with job security, the landscape has evolved, introducing greater uncertainty. In the long term, building multiple income streams through gig work can potentially offer stability and profitability, Sunil and Arjun believe.
However, it all begins with one’s mindset. “You need a mindset of being able to take risks. This often stems from having strong experience, a robust network, and the right skills,” explained Arjun. He emphasized that viewing gig work as a career may become more accessible after investing time in developing these fundamental aspects.
Both Arjun and Sunil stressed the importance of self-learning for gig professionals operating in highly specialized and technical domains. While certifications are valuable, especially when transitioning between disciplines, over time, skills become the true currency. These skills can be acquired through self-learning via online platforms.
The discussion also touched upon moonlighting and side-hustles, with both panelists highlighting the need to honor employment contracts regarding such activities. They mentioned areas like teaching, which many organizations allow employees to pursue, as it aids in skill development. Arjun shared an inspiring example of a qualified dentist who discovered her passion for digital marketing through a course and now works independently in that field.
This gradual approach of skill development, testing with initial projects, expanding one’s network, and eventually transitioning into a gig career helps reduce uncertainty.
Another crucial aspect highlighted by both panelists was the importance of building a personal brand, particularly when working as a white-collar gig worker or freelancer. Sunil emphasized that the key to this is “authentic content, not just distribution.”
In today’s era, with the advent of generative AI tools and other automation resources for tasks like invoice generation and CRM management, white-collar freelancers can embark on single-person entrepreneurship journeys. This trend is paving the way for more enduring and fulfilling careers based on individual preferences and scalability.
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