Freelancing Essentials You Need to Prepare for Your Freelancing Journey
It is not a secret that freelancing became quite a profitable profession in the last 10 years. Freelance earnings contributed to 35 percent of the Philippines’ Market growth in Payoneer’s Global Gig Economy Index in 2019. That year, the Philippines earned 6th place for the fastest-growing market in the world. Freelancing further sky-rocketed when the pandemic began, offering financial refuge for many displaced and cut-off employees.
If freelancing got your attention, then this article is just for you! Here are a few things you need to prepare to become a full-fledged freelancer!
First-Time Jobseeker Certificate
Republic Act 11261 or The First-time Jobseeker Act of 2019 provides relief in getting government IDs, documents, and permits. Under the law, fees and charges are waived to benefit first-time applicants on their way to collecting their requirements. This includes but is not limited to:
•Police Clearance
•NBI Clearance
•Birth Certificate
•Transcript of Academic Records
This also means YOU, a freelancer! If this is your first time getting a job, you might as well get this certification to save yourself a little extra cash.
Primary ID’s
Although freelancing is known to be lenient in requirements, basic identification is necessary. In the Philippines, primary IDs consist of but are not limited to:
•Passports
•Driver’s License
•SSS Card
•UMID Card
•Voter’s ID (PhilSys/National ID)
But for starting freelancers like you, I highly recommend getting a Postal Identity ID. Not only it is accessible, but it only requires a PSA Birth Certificate and 2 copies of the accomplished PID Application Form.
Portfolio
The portfolio of aspiring creatives and media freelancers holds a tight grip on their employment. Remember, freelancing requirements can be loose, but at the end of the day, companies want results. If you plan to be a freelancer doing edits, art, literature, SEO, etc., you need to show samples of your output. Prepare an extensive portfolio that has varying skill expressions and quality to display your versatility. Just in case, always prepare both a physical and electronic version for convenience.
Bank Account
While other employers are content with sending money through PayPal, others want an account for a consistent payroll. Unlike before, applying for bank accounts is easier and more convenient. As a freelancer, my first bank account is from Unionbank, and I applied in the comfort of my own home. Not only would you make your payments easier, but also be secure as PayPal and similar services are not entirely safe.
Internet Connection
Internet connection reigns supreme as a necessity for a freelancer. Unlike commission-based freelancers, some of us work hourly in Customer Service and other similar fields. Investing in a good and stable connection ensures a stable and consistent income. Note that the best connection to the internet is a wired one, so always have your handy LAN cable near you at all times!
Exposure
Finding work means exposing yourself out in the open as much as you possibly can. Create accounts on job-application sites such as Uplink and LinkedIn to find employers and active commissions. Always ensure that you have established your account and is filled with all of the necessary information. Facebook also offers a surprising amount of jobs for freelancers, so always look for communities like these!
Admittedly, freelancing can be difficult and uncertain. The threat of being out of a job as quickly as you found them always looms close. The lack of benefits can also be discouraging to some employees. But to a college student like me who needs the money on the get-go, this is a perfect occupation to have for a while.
Just remember to only work as hard as you’re getting paid and enjoy the process while it last.
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