Last night I updated my resume, after finding a great looking day job posting on LinkedIn. In case you’re curious what it was I applied for: Toronto hot spot, the Drake Hotel is hiring a Digital Media Specialist, according to their LinkedIn company page. Don’t worry friends, this doesn’t necessarily mean the death of my freelancing, because no matter what I will keep it going.
The thing that really bugged me is that no one seemed to agree on how to incorporate freelancing experience on a regular, non-writing oriented CV, and if it’s even worth it. Another thing that bugged me equally as much was the fact that so many people viewed it as something that needs to be hidden from potential employers. The only actual explanation, that anyone provided, beyond the vague, cynical statement: “don’t you dare, that’s a horrible idea,” is the fact that potential employers may see it as a sign that you won’t prioritize the work you do for their company.
When I think of the reasoning behind that fear I think of things like Mad Men, the iconic, period drama. Although it’s fiction it’s also a reminder that the world is now a very different place than my parents’ and my grandparents’ generation. Back then people could go to college, and then there would be a lot more jobs out there for them, and a larger percentage of them were stable, long-term opportunities. I read the paper this morning and a headline reminded me that the youth unemployment rate is still high, and underemployment is still fairly common, which caused the self-employment rate to go up significantly.
Although a larger percentage of the people I know have “regular” jobs I also, deeply value the work of freelance contractors. Everyone from my mother, to my father, to my boyfriend, and many of my peers have branched out into freelance contracting, or have done so, at some point in their lives. As a result I find myself unable to perceive freelance contractor work vs “regular” jobs from a hierarchical point of view.
The most crucial, mutual belief that I share with my military brother is the following: I don’t want to work at the same desk, with the same routines and patterns, every single day, for the rest of my life. I like to keep things interesting, and I like to feel as if things could unexpectedly shift and change. Despite that every single person I’ve ever worked with has called me dedicated and hardworking. If you’re reading this, and are considering recruiting me for a day job in the future, keep in mind that I have a long history of being extremely dedicated to everything I do, and every type of relationship I’m emotionally engaged in, even if I’m juggling multiple things.
