9-to-5 jobs have traditionally been the most common type of job schedule.
Today’s workforce, however, is seeing a drastic shift away from 9-to-5 jobs. John Rampton, founder of online payment company Due, describes how a new type of worker is dominating the talent pool in his article, “Age of The Freelancer: How a New Breed of Worker is Redefining the 9-to-5.”
Two factors have contributed to this new style of work. The first is technology, which has made remote work possible and accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. The second is the fact that companies and startups are realizing the benefits of hiring freelancers over traditional employees.
Entrepreneurs are moving away from the standard 40-hour work week and are putting in as many hours as necessary for their business. They in turn seek out individuals who can work along a similar schedule. The freelance opportunity is a win-win scenario benefitting both the employer and the employee. Business owners can pay employees for a fixed amount rather than employ them full time. The freelancer is then able to create his or her own schedule, maintain a wide portfolio of clients, and isn’t confined to an office.
One of the biggest barriers to entry for freelancers has been the lack of steady work. Today’s job market is full of startups and large companies offering jobs on site such as Freelancer, Guru, and Upwork. Opportunities are more prevalent than ever and many workers report that they earn more income than they did in conventional positions. The freelance talent pool has grown to nearly 54 million people, and it is estimated that about 1 in 3 U.S. workers have worked or participated in some type of freelance project.
