How I went from employee to freelance in 2022
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Hello! 👋
Some time ago I took the step of freelancing!
I have always been very attracted by this status. The idea of independence and freedom that are linked to it appeals to me deeply.
In this article, I wanted to come back with you on my passage from employee to freelancer, in Paris.
1. Background 📆
In 2020, after a data engineer experience, I tried my luck for the first time.
I went through a lot of interviews but at that time I was still quite junior.
After a few rather bad technical tests, I decided to give up and accepted a consulting position in an Digital Services Company (DSC), a position that seemed to me to be the best choice for a future try!
I worked 1 year and a half on a mission thanks to which I was able to refine my expertise on a precise and modern stack, Looker / GCP.
2. The first assignments 🤩
During that year, I updated my Malt profile. I focused it on my new skills and set up my evening and weekend availability.
Soon after, I got my first freelance assignment!
It was a 40-hour mission that I could complete in the evenings and weekends, on a tool that I mastered very well (Looker).
A very comfortable first experience, with an average daily rate (ADV) of 600 euros.
That’s when I really understood that it was possible and that I really had skills to sell.
A few weeks later, I signed a second small mission of a few hours.
3. The real launch 🚀
After these two successful projects, the idea of trying again was even more present.
My new goal was clear: to go 100% freelance.
I wanted to find an assignment before I quit. After talking to several recruiters and sales people, the feedback was unanimous: a freelance assignment must be signed quickly. Even if my profile was still quite rare, three months of waiting is too long (I’m not saying it’s impossible, I didn’t succeed).