Estimates predict that 67.6 million (or 42%) of the American workforce will be full-time freelancers by the end of 2021.
This rapid uptake of the freelancing work model is largely due to the many benefits that freelancing brings to both sides of the employment equation. Freelancers tout work freedom as the number one reason for choosing this flexible work model. Alongside that, many employers also prefer working with freelancers due to reduced operational costs!
If you’re looking to take advantage of this burgeoning source of talent, you should know what some of the current trends are to help you know where to get started.
Here are the top four trends in the freelancing industry right now that are making waves with companies both big and small:
- Mixed staffing is becoming popular.
Agile teams consisting of freelancers and full-time workers give project managers more freedom to tweak and customize their work schedules.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the benefits of having an agile team. Full-time freelancers reduce operational costs since they don’t require office space, health benefits, and other operating expenses that are typically associated with full-time office workers.
Now, more companies are now shifting to part-time remote workers to improve their profitability. Indeed, a study by Harvard Business School and Boston Consulting Group showed that 90% of companies believe that a mixed workforce of full-time employees and freelancers can help give them a competitive advantage.
- Businesses are turning to freelancers for specialized skills.
Professional freelance workers are now bridging the technology gap in companies, too. IT, Artificial Intelligence, big data, software applications, and Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives all benefit from highly trained part-time workers, especially in smaller companies, where they might lack the resources to hire full-time talent.
The rapid adoption of new technologies is increasing the demand for expert freelancers. Skilled part-time employees who possess the necessary skills can now bargain for higher rates and choose the job that appeals to them. Skilled freelancers are valuable assets to technology-driven companies and help them maximize service delivery and improve their bottom lines.
- Experts prefer freelancing to full-time jobs.
It’s cheaper and more efficient for companies to engage the services of skilled independent workers than a whole in-house team. Meanwhile, skilled workers now prefer part-time work due to the improved job flexibility associated with freelancing.
It’s clear that freelancing benefits both employers and workers, and the trends indicate that the availability of both freelancers and freelance jobs will continue to grow.
- HR managers now prefer freelancer platforms.
HR departments are increasingly turning to freelancers, with 47% of HR professionals now preferring independent workers.
And it’s getting easier to hire them, as well. For many HR professionals, online freelance marketplaces have displaced traditional staffing firms as a source of talent. These platforms combine features that not only allow companies to search for and hire workers but even manage their payments and deliverables right through a web interface.
Shift to freelancing today
It’s clear that freelancing is here to stay. Now, freelancers and employers alike need the right platform to connect with each other.
At Devlynk, we provide an ecosystem of top-quality clients and freelance developers who can work together entirely within our platform. Devlynk allows successful developers to liaise, communicate and work with software project clients. Task management and secure payment features make sure that there’s complete transparency and accountability on both ends of the staffing equation.
Start working with Devlynk now and join the freelance revolution!