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Turning the tide: freelancers returning to salaried work

by Sarah Dillon

I’ve spoken before about how I wonder what might happen if I were to return to traditional employment. How much of a shock would it be to my system? What would I have to do to help make it work for me again?

An interesting discussion is taking place on this very issue over at Freelance Switch, following Raj Dash’s article Can Freelancers Return To Salaried Work. Raj raises some potential pitfalls that I’d not even considered, and as usual, the comments and experience-sharing in the comments section proves just as valuable as the (excellent) article itself. Worth checking out.

Has anyone heard of experienced freelance translators who have returned to employment? Or any studies or articles looking into this?

Filed Under: Business of translation Tagged With: can you help?, career development, freelancing

About Sarah Dillon

Sarah Dillon is an Irish cailín in Brisbane, Australia. She arrived Down Under via Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, and the UK, having originally trained as a professional translator. Sarah has been involved in the start-up phases of several international small businesses as a founder, advisor and director, and has worked for companies such as Apple Computers, Audi AG and Bain and Company. She is currently pursuing a PhD in international entrepreneurship. Read more about Sarah here.

Comments

  1. Manchester PR says

    24 October, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    I don’t see why someone could not go back to salaried.

    I think it would be a mind block on the part of the employer rather than any problem with the freelancer

    Sarah did you go back to salaried and how did it work out if you did?

    Rob

    • Sarah Dillon says

      14 November, 2012 at 10:13 am

      Nope, I’ve not gone back to salaried work, although occasionally I take on a project that requires me to “act like” an employee for a time. I like to think I’ve done a good job in such cases and I’m grateful for the experiences, but I’m always relieved to return to self-employment.

      From an employer’s perspective, I can see how on paper I’d have a lot to offer as a prospective employee, but I’d be a risk in terms of fitting in to the company culture, especially in a more traditional bricks-and-mortar business. Fair enough. Every job candidate has to be able to demonstrate how their weaknesses won’t become an issue for the employer.