The Balance Collective Ask Me Anything – What is the best way to settle into a new job? AND What to say to traditional employers when you’ve been freelance for over a decade? 

Every month I answer the queries submitted across The Balance Collective community as a video in Creating Careers to Enjoy. For those who prefer the written format, here are the answers! Make sure you check out the earlier questions and answers here. This month the questions centre around jobs; starting a new one and applying for opportunities.

What is the best way to settle into a new job?

Congratulations on your new role! First, celebrate! It’s easy to get caught up in the exit from an old role or set up for your new situation and forget to celebrate your achievement.
Next, consider how you think the role will change your balance? This is particularly relevant if you are moving to new working hours, responsibility levels, or a hybrid or remote location Whilst you don’t know until you start, you can predict and put things in place. Within this, think about your plan b for child sickness, as well as the impact on home and life admin!

Remember that it is normal for any new role to take up a lot of energy; especially if you are meeting new people, and learning new information, processes, and systems. You are likely to be more tired; the early days of a role should be lots of observing and absorbing! So, when thinking about your new balance, include how and when you will rest when you aren’t at work!

Asking yourself “What makes me perform at my best?” is a great way to learn about what you need when you start the role. Consider how you want to be communicated with, what you want to develop, what motivates you and what you want to learn. I hope that you will be getting some type of induction, but you can take control and create a reserve induction, where you tell your manager and peers what they need to know about you!

You know I occasionally roll out the advice of keeping a list, today is one of those days! It can be electronic or in a funky notebook. Either way, create a list – one side is to make notes around process, systems and the dreaded role acronyms. The other is for your Ta-Da list. For those newer to the concept, your ta-da list is a place where you can jot your progress, celebrations and successes. This is an essential piece of your new starter tool, for you to a) track and notice your development b) help when discussing your performance for your probation c) help you keep track of your developing skills/experience for any regular appraisals.

Finally, and this is going to sound strange, but update your CV! When you first start a role, you are going to be learning a whole host of new things through the projects you work on, which will help build new skills, experience and maybe, qualifications. When the time comes to look for a new role or a promotion, it can be harder to remember all the progress and impact you have made retrospectively. So do it in the moment, The notes you will take as part of your ta-da list will help really bulk this out.

What to say to traditional employers when you’ve been freelance for over a decade? 

There is no doubt that many organisations do have worries about freelancers working in their businesses. I’m not going to pretend that that isn’t an issue you may overcome. However, like the conversations I have with people around part-time/flexible working, companies that have issues with what you need, won’t give you the culture you need. So, they are just filtering themselves out of your job search agenda! However, being aware of what objections they may have, and answering them in your CV/Cover Letter/ application form is particularly useful!

In the first instance, before you even put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) to apply, get clear on the reasons you are looking for a new role My take on things, having been a hiring manager and recruiter, is honesty always the best policy!

If it’s money, then there are ways to say this positively. One clear way is to say you are looking for more job security. This is relevant especially if you are looking to pause your freelance work.
However, if you are looking to balance your freelance it would help to reassure them how you balance your work with the new role responsibilities. There is so much conversation around portfolio careers – it’s not as unusual for people to have multiple strands of income.
Have you got to a point where you just want to “do the work” and not run a business? Then say that! You want an opportunity to focus on the delivery of your skills.

A middle ground as a freelancer is contracting or project-based work. Within this type of role, there are the fixed-term expectations of employment. Being an experienced freelancer works in your favour and becomes an essential element you can bring to the table. You have a track record of starting something rapidly, getting on board and delivering!

With all this said, I feel WITH THE RIGHT COMPANY there is lots of value to employing someone who has a track record with freelance work. Just think of the skills you can demonstrate entrepreneurship, self-management, new business, account management, bookkeeping, supplier management, copywriting/marketing! And for so many of us, these are all done as well as the service/products that you deliver.

Let me know what you think.  What would you add as advice or recommendations for these two questions?

Keep your eyes peeled for the next Ask Me Anything Question request on my social media channels.

If you are looking for more 1:1 support, reach out to find out how I can help. My individual support starts from £150 for the Fast and Focused Package, to £450 for the six-session coaching package. Find out more here, or book a call for us to talk more.