Freelance Guide -continued

Have I got what it takes? So you've thought it all through, and decided that you'd prefer to go freelance. The question remains - can you do it?

Market Sector The most important factor to look at, is whether you have skills which are constantly in demand on the freelance market. As a very rough guide, the following disciplines are regularly in demand on the freelance market:

	Site Engineers		Agent/Engineers
	Finishing Foremen		Assistant Site Managers
	Junior Quantity Surveyors		CAD Technicians
	Architectural Technicians		Building Surveyors

Whereas the following are more often employed on a permanent basis: ·

	Project Managers		Contracts Managers
	Site Agents		Senior Quantity Surveyors
	Planners		Architects
	Design Managers		Buyers

The general trend as you can see, is that the workers can be freelance, whereas the managers tend to be permanent.
However there are exceptions to every rule! If you are uncertain about whether or not you have the right skills and are at the right stage of your career to go freelance, then please contact us, and we will be happy to discuss it with you further.

The right stuff
So you're in the right sector and the right stage of your career to be a freelancer. There are also certain attributes which you will need to be successful

A minimum of 2 years relevant work experience - you should have at least a years grounding with a company who have taken you on as a trainee, and then at least another years experience where you have consolidated that experience.

Own transport - an absolute must. Very few companies offer freelance staff a vehicle, and the majority of sites aren't easily accessible by public transport.

Mobile phone - freelance vacancies need to be filled quickly. It is often the person who is the easiest to get hold of, who gets the most work.

Immediate availability - most freelance vacancies require someone to start either the next day, or in a few days time.

Flexibility/Adaptability - As a freelancer, you will be subject to many different styles of management, procedures, processes and cultures. The best freelancers are the ones who can asses these quickly and modify their method of working to suit. What may be considered essential in one company may well be considered frivolous in your next assignment. You must remember that the majority of employers want you to fit into their plan - not vice versa.

Diplomacy - you may often find yourself in situations where you have more knowledge than the permanent member of staff who is your immediate superior. In these instances, you need to make tactful suggestions, rather than telling someone how it should be done.

The First Steps