You are happy in your employment, but something is missing? You want to pursue your hobby more professionally? How about a part-time job as a freelancer? That way you can pursue your passion part-time, but don’t have the full (and sometimes grueling) transition to a life of self-employment just yet. But how do you break this to your boss? We have a few suggestions:
The advantages of part-time freelancing
Working as a freelancer has many advantages per se. But if you do it as a part-time job, there are a few more on top. Freelancing is often criticized for the entrepreneurial risk you take when you become self-employed. However, this is largely eliminated if you only do this part-time (at first). This is because the permanent position serves as your security, as a double bottom, so to speak. On the one hand, it covers the necessary insurance benefits. On the other hand, it gives you financial security so that you can approach your first jobs and find suitable project providers in a relaxed manner. So far, so good. But now the tricky part: What preparations do you have to make for your actual job?
The employment contract
The most important thing first of all: check your employment contract. Some employers stipulate from the outset that part-time work is not permitted. If this is the case for you, you should weigh up: Is your freelance dream worth quitting your permanent job? Why don’t you talk to your supervisor? If you are unsure, it is better to play it safe and not risk a breach of contract. You should also make sure that there is no conflict of interest between your regular job and a potential part-time job. Again, this may come up in your employment contract, if applicable. Such a conflict is understood to exist, for example, if you take orders from competitors or produce or distribute products that are all too similar to those of your current employers. You are fine if the two jobs are simply completely different from each other.
Open and honest interaction
As already mentioned, part-time activities are often regulated in the employment contract. However, most contracts state that you have to clarify these activities with the employers. And even if it doesn’t say so, honesty is still the best policy. Just bring up the subject openly. Because sooner or later it’s going to come out anyway – after all, as a freelancer you have to network, market yourself or advertise. Or a colleague blabs. Either way, if your boss doesn’t find out through you, stress is inevitable. It’s best to avoid this in the first place. Besides, honesty feels much better, doesn’t it?
Conviction through motivation and performance
Last but not least, it goes gets down to business: Surely your superiors will have concerns if you want to work elsewhere on the side. They will worry that your actual work will suffer or that you will lose your motivation. Now you need to convince them. Explain why you really want to work part-time. Why you are on fire for it. That you’re not at all afraid of the challenge of balancing it all. Prove that you can do both! Your main job and your side job. Sure, it will be hard work, especially in the beginning, but it will pay off and earn you (even more) respect. Plus, your newly acquired skills from freelancing, such as assertiveness, perseverance, or increased creativity, can also have a positive impact on your permanent position. However, you should make sure that the two activities do not clash. Keep your working hours and also email addresses or phone numbers strictly separate. This is not only good for the working atmosphere, but most likely also for the quality of your respective work. Because multitasking has rarely worked well.
You can find your first project as a freelancer here.
We wish you every success in achieving your goals and plans!
