The Art For Working For Free
On 26th May 2013 I wrote a blog post titled "The Prize For Working For Free." The recent layoffs, and the number of people desperately looking for work just to stay in the UAE and fulfil their obligations here, filled my inbox and made me want to revisit it. So here it is again, with a new title.
I think most of what I wrote back then still holds. But after 15+ years of pretending to know what I'm doing behind the camera, I have one caveat to add: if you do pursue an element of working for free, don't dilute yourself to the point where you're taking work for the sake of work — and not valuing yourself accordingly. Keep your colleagues in mind too. The ones in your own industry, working the same rooms, chasing the same clients. What you do for nothing has a way of setting the price for everyone else.
The Prize For Working For Free
A few weeks back, I was approached by a friend to help someone who wanted to start the path of freelance/consultancy work. He had struggled to put a foot in the door and from meeting him I got the impression he wasn't entirely sure what path to take. As curious as that sounds, it's quite a brilliant place to be. It gives you the ability and the insight to shape your own path and environment. That being said, you need to keep yourself busy and get work that can ultimately help you progress your career — even if that means working for free.
Working for free, especially in the current market, has become a norm as jobs and projects remain fairly scarce. However, that shouldn't mean you take on any job. Although you're not getting paid, there are still benefits you can maximise on:
Building up your contacts
Try and take on a "free" project in a field you either want to expand further into, or one that gives you the opportunity to meet people who can further help your career. These are the people who will be the "who" in the old famous phrase, "it's not what you know, it's who you know."
Better access
Some projects will help you gain access to exclusive events or expensive ticket items for free. You may not get to submerge yourself completely in the event, but that shouldn't stop you from networking and meeting new people. At events like these, top-end speakers are hired too, and you get an insight and hear firsthand about trending topics from industry experts.
Learning new skills
Don't be afraid to take on projects that you have little experience in, or ones outside your comfort zone. The client will most likely give you a helping hand, and since you're not being paid, you do have that safety net of lower expectations. That being said, don't take on a project you're completely clueless about — that will impair your reputation for further paid work.
Padding up your CV
If nothing else, and you do decide to get back to a 9-5 job, having something to show on your CV will hold a lot more weight — even unpaid — than having a blank space. It shows a future employer that you were driven enough to follow your passion.
Loving what you do
As the saying goes, if you love your work then you really aren't working (or something like that). But always make sure your basic financial bases are covered — otherwise even your dream project may become a struggle.