The Rise Of Freelancing: A New Era Of Work

Aug 19, 2024

The Future of Work Is Already Here: Spotlight on Freelancing

The radical shifts reshaping the job market aren’t happening overnight. AI has entered our lives, remote work is now the norm, regulations are evolving at a fast pace, and Gen Z is here to redefine the professional landscape. Among this quiet revolution, this undercurrent of progress, freelancing is emerging as a cornerstone, presenting a compelling alternative to traditional work models.

The Diversification of Career Paths

We’re already witnessing a shift in career paths that diverge from the traditional climb up the corporate ladder, taking more winding, exploratory routes. Careers are becoming less about moving up and more about broadening one’s skill set, diving into a variety of tasks, and acquiring diverse experiences. The concept of a “career” itself is being reimagined: it’s no longer solely about ascending a hierarchy but about crafting a rich, multidimensional journey, finding meaning in what we do.

In tandem, company structures are evolving. We’re seeing a flattening of hierarchies. Silos are crumbling, and the role of the middle manager is being reinvented. They must now become facilitators, talent catalysts, capable of navigating uncertainty and orchestrating cross-functional teams. Often, they find themselves as a buffer between the company’s top brass and employees who are increasingly vocal and demanding. This role, rather than fading away, is gaining complexity and depth.

Accumulating experience no longer just means climbing the ranks within one company; it’s about exploring different fields, testing new waters, and reinventing oneself. We’re in pursuit of purpose, of tangible impact. This is the era of a true paradigm shift.

Is the Permanent Contract Losing Its Luster?

Once seen as the ultimate goal, the permanent contract (called CDI in France) is no longer the endgame for many. The rise of the gig economy and freelancing is challenging this status quo. This doesn’t spell the death of the CDI or herald a wave of precarious employment, so let’s not jump to extremes. However, it does signal a trend toward greater individual autonomy, increased responsibility, and a detachment from the grip of large corporate structures. It’s a slow-moving trend, but it’s unmistakably here.

The paternalistic, protective employer of our parents’ or grandparents’ era has vanished. The incoming generation has witnessed, sometimes up close, the difficulties their parents faced after a sudden layoff, a forced transfer, or being sidelined after 20 or 30 years of dedication to the same employer. This model doesn’t have the allure it once did for young people. They’ve seen too much to be easily trapped by promises of job security.

Why This Transformation?

• Remote Work: COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of remote work, particularly in fields like marketing, communication, design, and software development. Geographical boundaries have blurred, and with them, the need for constant physical presence in offices. Companies have realized they can operate effectively from a distance, paving the way for more flexible and decentralized collaboration. This model is still evolving, but the trend is clear.

• A VUCA World: Companies now operate in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environment. They need to adapt quickly to change, innovate constantly, and find creative solutions to stay competitive. The traditional long-term employment model, with fixed roles and rigid hierarchies, no longer fits this new reality.

• Generation Z: As seen, the young professionals of Generation Z are entering the job market with different expectations and ambitions. They are multitaskers, curious, ultra-connected, and adept with new tools. They seek to combine various types of work, drawn more to stimulating projects and impactful missions than static roles. They want to learn, grow, and play an active role in their professional journey. Finding all of this within a single company is increasingly difficult.

Freelancing: Gaining Ground

Freelancers are independent workers without long-term employment contracts, offering their skills through temporary assignments. In France, their numbers have doubled in the past decade, now exceeding 1 million, with projections estimating they will reach 1.5 million by 2030. The growth is remarkable ????, and while freelancers aren’t the majority of the workforce yet, the ecosystem is increasingly favoring this way of working.

Key Figures (source: independant.io) in 2024 (in France):

• 57% are men

• 49% are between 25 and 35 years old, a number that’s on the rise

• 84% have a bachelor’s degree or higher, though this may change in the future

• 59% work from home

• 86% have less than 3 years of experience

• 93% were salaried employees before transitioning to freelancing

• And crucially, 50% of current employees wish to become freelancers within the next 3 years.

There’s a genuine groundswell happening here. This transformation isn’t one-directional. Companies are also adapting, seeing freelancing as a way to manage workload surges, turn fixed costs into variable ones, quickly access necessary expertise, or navigate around sometimes restrictive labor laws. They’ve embraced more flexible employment models, where short-term contracts, freelance missions, and temporary projects are becoming commonplace.

This trend is doing more than just changing job statuses; it’s fundamentally altering how companies function. Offices are becoming more adaptable, bureaucratic processes are being streamlined, decision-making is becoming more agile, and collaborations are evolving to fit a world where individual autonomy is key.

Becoming Your Own Product

In this new world of work, each person becomes their own product, their own service.

Personal branding is no longer optional. Social media serve as professional showcases, and AI simplifies content creation. Every freelancer must carve out a niche, sell themselves, and stand out in a competitive market. The concept of the enhanced resume has finally arrived.

Finding a job, securing a mission, selling services, managing your entire professional ecosystem: it all hinges on your ability to market yourself, stay visible, and remain relevant. This requires an acute understanding of your market, your skill set, and mastery of the tools needed to sustain a solid professional trajectory, all while keeping an eye on future trends.

Challenges and Solutions for Freelancers

BUT… No matter how autonomous and proactive they are, freelancers need structure and support. They need continuity in their retirement plans, access to healthcare, ways to combat isolation, and the ability to finance personal projects, like taking out a loan without a permanent contract. Society must evolve to ensure these workers aren’t left isolated in forced autonomy. We must recognize that this new mode of work will become the norm, even if, on paper, it still seems safer to rent an apartment to a public sector employee than to a freelancer.

Freelancing is thriving, supported by many system actors, but it requires further adjustments to become sustainable. When will we see a genuine systemic change?

Freelancers often have to manage everything that was once covered by salaried employment. While solutions exist, they’re sometimes not easily accessible or fully integrated. Nevertheless, initiatives are emerging—associations, start-ups, and individuals are already working to improve the situation.

Here are some existing solutions:

• Health Insurance and Welfare: Options are available through private insurers and the Social Security for Independents (SSI in france), offering some level of security to freelancers. However, the coverage is often less comprehensive than what salaried employees receive.

• Retirement and Savings: A social scheme for independents has been established, and private savings solutions are available. Still, there’s a major challenge: encouraging freelancers to prepare for retirement, to anticipate their financial future in a world where employment can be precarious.

• Continuous Learning: Platforms like Coursera and professional training organizations provide freelancers with resources to develop their skills. But knowing which skills to develop, understanding market trends, and self-training require curiosity, initiative, and sometimes personalized coaching. And let’s not forget, a solid dose of determination.

• Quantifying Soft Skills: Soft skills have become a key factor for professional success. Identifying and showcasing these abilities, learning to communicate them, and leveraging them as a market asset is crucial for freelancers. They need to learn how to sell themselves, position themselves, and prove their value. This is exactly what fairception aims to offer.

• Overcoming Isolation: Freelancing can be a solitary endeavor. Professional networks and platforms organize networking and support events, allowing freelancers to connect, exchange ideas, and build a network.

• Mental and Physical Well-being: The pressure to perform, dealing with difficult clients, constant uncertainty, and maintaining work-life balance—all contribute to the unique stress freelancers face. Initiatives to support their well-being, such as coaching sessions and support groups, are developing and should soon become more widespread.

Freelancing isn’t just a passing trend; it’s a sustainable reality that’s redefining the job market. To secure a promising future for this new generation of independent workers, it’s essential that societal frameworks and support structures evolve. The transformation is underway, but there’s still a journey ahead to ensure everyone can fully thrive in this new professional ecosystem.