The transition from a full-time job to working as a freelance developer might start an exciting new chapter in your professional life. Multiple professions are in such high demand! The ability to choose your own hours! No micromanaging from your superiors! The world is your oyster!

If you're interested in this, there are a few questions you should reckon upon before deciding to pursue a career as a freelancer.

1. What do you wish to achieve by becoming a freelancer?

Starting with the most fundamental question that we all must answer before starting something new is what is our end goal of taking up this new endeavor. For someone who is thinking of stepping into the world of freelancing, think about what you really want. What is the core of this idea of switching to freelancing?

Is it money? Flexibility or being your own boss? 

There are a plethora of reasons that make people choose to freelance over regular 9 to 5 jobs. But the most relevant question for you is what lies in the focus of your urge to become a freelancer. Once you have an answer to this, you can envision your future as a freelancer and grow your career accordingly. It will help you keep your motivation in check, especially when challenges will come your way.

2. Are your finances sound enough to support you through the initial stages of freelancing?

Quite frankly, becoming a freelancer is not all roses. Obviously, you will face difficulties at the beginning of finding clients and projects. It is a slow and steady race. 

And while you struggle to find your place in the world of freelancing, you still have a house to run and probably mouths to feed. 

Uncertainty for a freelancer is the underlying reality. Therefore, it is an absolute have to have an established source of income before you take this big turn in your career. We recommend you have savings that can last you at least 3 to 6 months alongside an emergency fund for any contingencies that may arise. 

3. Do you have the fundamental soft skills to be successful in freelancing?

A freelancer is like an entrepreneur. You cannot make it big in a large freelance community just by knowing the technicalities of your work. Soft skills like teamwork, communication, and creative thinking all have a place in the workplace. You don't undoubtedly work alone just because you are a solo professional.

Unlike hard skills, these are useful in any industry. They are constantly dynamic and fashionable. If you have the time, you can prepare for and gain these skills. In order to determine whether you have the primary skill set for a profession, you should also examine your ability to work well in a team.

4. How will you maintain a work-life balance?

Freelancing comes with a lot of responsibility in addition to freedom and flexibility. It takes a lot of time and effort to find clients, develop a brand, carry out contracts, and finish jobs, and it's simple to burn oneself out. It is crucial to take time for activities that refresh and recharge you. Find the time for family, fitness, friends, sports, reading, or any other leisure activities you enjoy. 

5. How will you get enough clients?

With the rising number of freelancers in and around the UAE, the competition is also rising. Finding the appropriate kind and amount of work as a freelancer is not easy as one may think. So ask yourself, what is your plan? How are you going to land clients? How are you going to manage those clients and the projects? Do you have a marketing plan in place? Answering these questions and finding the solutions to the problem of finding clients can help you kickstart your freelancer career smoothly. 

6. What to do to work legally in the UAE?

As you plan everything, you must consider how to work legally in the UAE as a freelancer! If you're already a resident of the UAE, you must get a freelance permit to license whereas if you're a non-resident, you must apply for a resident visa and freelance license.

Conclusion

As a freelancer, you must keep reminding yourself of the reasons they choose to work for themselves. When you start freelancing, it is essential to ensure that you take the relevant actions at the right time in order to reap the benefits of that decision, such as a freelance permit!

Get a freelance permit and visa with Freedom2Work! Enjoy hassle-free visa processing! Contact us at info@freedom2work.com or 800FREEDOM (373 3366) for more info!

*Picture credit: Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash