Freelancer

From ArticleWorld

A Freelancer in today’s world means a person who is a writer, a designer, a programmer or a photographer, in fact any self employed person in any profession. Thus, freelancers are their own bosses and exercise flexibility in work schedules. Freelancing as a career is pursued more keenly in the field of journalism, computer programming, graphic designing and other creative work that can be handled over the net. The internet has opened doors and opportunities for freelancers all over the world by providing work through internet.

History

The word freelancer has purportedly originated from the medieval English knights who used lances to fight. These knights were mostly attached to a king or lord and fought for them. Infrequently these knights did not attach themselves with any particular person but remained free to use their lances for anybody who paid them for their services; these knights were known as free lancers.

Agreements

Freelancing has come of age with internet not only for programmers and software developers but also for other freelancers where long distance communication earlier acted as a hindrance. The rules guarding a freelancer vary according to the field of work as well as individual contracts between a freelancer and his client. Some contracts require a written MOU between a freelancer and the client while in many contracts a verbal agreement is binding.

Mode of payment to a freelancer by clients also varies from contract to contract. Some agreements require the client to pay the freelancer right at the beginning, while others may require that the freelancer be paid only at the completion of work. Freelancers are paid at either an hourly or daily or per work rate.

Pros and cons

A freelancer is his own master and has the freedom to pick and choose and reject work according to his likes and dislikes. He also has the choice of enjoying a greater variety and, thus, build up an interesting resume. He has the disadvantage of missing out on retirement and health insurance schemes that most regular workers take for granted. In some countries, like Germany, freelancing and consultancy work is considered top notch. In some other countries, like Japan, it is considered not quite the thing to work as a freelancer; it is the alternative available only to people who do not find regular work.