Lately we have had clients wanting people to freelance. There have been a few who want our creatives to freelance before they hire – sort of a rent to own policy. “Why can’t they freelance for two weeks before we make a decision on a permanent hire?” Uh – because they can not leave their current job for 10 days. Now even the lepers have a job in advertising. It is candidate driven, which means they can pick and choose from a smorgasbord of opportunities. Before, if a candidate wanted variety and better money there was always freelance, now they can just switch their full time position every year. There are agencies more than willing to pay for great talent.

Everyone was “freelancing” if they were a creative in advertising after 9-11. This typically meant waiting tables, building houses, volunteering, doing what ever possible to pay the bills. Most people are not freelancing these days and, if they are, you may want to question why they are not employed full time. Do they play well with others in the sandbox?

When we speak to creatives who are still freelancing after September 11, the main benefit to offer for a full time position is stability. There is always a paycheck. The other crucial benefit to offer is the ability to move up. You can not be in a management position if you have never been anywhere long enough to manage a group of people. Time can give you the title of Senior, but ACD, and CD can only be gained through experience.

Full time freelances are harder to find. The two main benefits to freelancing for the candidate: money and flexible working hours. We have freelancers that make up to $1200 a day and the beginners pull in $250. High level consultants can expect 2k a day. It is nice to work two weeks out of the month and take the other two off to travel. These days if you want to test drive before you purchase, plan on being patient through the search and be willing to cough up the macaroni. It is now about the candidate’s convenience.

Technorati Tags: Talent Zoo, Recruitment, Advertising, Marketing, Employment, Freelance, Candidate, Waiting Tables, Creatives, September 11, Consultants, Test Drive

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