The future is freelancing

Freelancers, independent contractors, freelance consultants, digital nomads - the new geek economy is creating a completely new labor class - the so-called free employment, and at the same time changing the approach to hiring, increasing the popularity of the staff leasing and outstaffing model in the business environment. The new employment format resonates with job seekers as well. Thus, millennials and zoomers are already becoming the most economically active social group in the labor market. This generation most appreciates flexible working formats, as well as work-life balance. It is they who already now prefer free employment, more often combine work for hire with side projects and will continue to do so in the future.

Globalization, the development of technology, the change of generations and their preferences, gave impetus to the rapid growth of non-standard forms of employment. Traditional wage employment is moving towards a freelance economy, or freelancing, which has become an integral part of the labor market. Today it is rather difficult to estimate the real volumes of the freelance services market not only in the world, but also in a single country; many freelancers remain out of sight, for example, when carrying out projects for foreign companies. Nevertheless, this market will continue to gain momentum, because it is convenient for freelancers and beneficial for employers. Some freelancers choose this style of work because they are attracted to autonomy and flexibility. Others are guided by economic circumstances and labor market conditions. Also, do not discount the new technological revolution. Automation and digitalization of production, in the next few years, will eliminate 85 million jobs and create 97 million new ones around the world. Many are already not sure that their profession will exist in 10-15 years. And it also spurs people's interest in freelancing as a backup plan in case they lose their main job. High competition and a rapidly changing technology stack will incentivize talent to acquire new skills and continually

Many organizations employ freelancers for specific projects, which allows them to avoid a long process of selection and hiring workers with a specific set of skills. Thanks to this, the business reduces the cost of personnel and infrastructure. As a freelancer, you can decide when to work, where to work, who to work with, and how much your work costs based on your knowledge and skills in the marketplace.

Also, do not discount the new technological revolution. Automation and digitalization of production, according to the forecasts of WEF (World Economic Forum) experts, will eliminate 85 million jobs and create 97 million new ones around the world in the next few years. Many are already not sure that their profession will exist in 10-15 years. And it also spurs people's interest in freelancing as a backup plan in case they lose their main job. Intense competition and a rapidly changing technology stack will incentivize talent to acquire new skills and continually evolve. The concept of lifetime learning - when the periods of study and work will run in parallel and replace each other - will become firmly established.