For many people, a traditional 9-5 job, while somewhat secure, is not what they expected when they signed up for it.
You may only have two weeks of vacation per year; the pay is pitiful; the people are a bunch of gossipers; and the work – well, let’s just say you don’t really need your degree to do what you’re doing.
People, particularly millennials, are increasingly abandoning full-time employment. Climbing to the top of a company is no longer a common career path.
Millennials, on the other hand, frequently see freelancing, starting your own company, or growing your own business as the better option.
Whatever position you’re in right now, here’s a guide courtesy of LinkedIn to making that switch as seamless as possible:
1. Have a timeframe
Making the transition from full-time employee to full-time freelancer is a significant step. Set a timetable for when you intend to make the transition to make it more concrete. This can help you stay accountable and motivated for when times are a bit rough.
Set a specific date so you can inform your boss of your future plans.
2. Have a goal in mind
Everyone chooses to quit their job for a variety of reasons. Determine the big goal you want to achieve in that time frame after you’ve established a timeframe for leaving your job.
3. Do it as a side hustle first
To minimize the risk of failure, most people break into entrpreneurship by moonlighting on the side while still employed at their full-time job. This allows you to try your hand at hustling and landing clients, while not having to totally commit.
By freelancing or working on your Etsy shop products during your downtime, it will help you see if you can actually do this full-time.
4. Start saving
Use the extra money you earn from moonlighting to save for the day when you quit your job to pursue this full-time.
How much should you save?
Experts recommend saving three to six months’ worth of income to account for any emergencies, slow periods of work, and client attrition. However, for freelancers who have obligations such as a family or a mortgage, the recommendation is to save six to twelve months’ worth of expenses.
Also see: How to build a good credit score
