Part timer
- Started
- Last post
- 15 Responses
- wordsarepictures
For the last 18 months I've been juggling my full time design job with my commissioned work.
And I'm knackered.
I'm now at a stage where I'd like to (read as 'need' to) cut down my full time hours to make more time for my personal work. I'm not /quite/ earning enough from my freelance to do it full time (though the year has started very well) so a 3 day week would awesome for guaranteed income if there were to be a quiet spell.
I also like having a reason to come into central London rather than just working at home and I like being part of a team and having a base as such.
Trouble is, my agency is busy at the minute and I'm a bit scared my boss will turn around and say 'You're either in or you're out, we need some full time commitment or you're a gonner' as there's plenty of people looking for work at the minute, things being how they are.
Any thoughts? How would you go about broaching the subject with him? Or should I just sit tight and continue to work the night shift until the bags under my eyes reach my jawline?
- minsukito0
if u can earn enough from the part time, and then if your worth the companys value and are almost irreplacable, maybe. or then theres a moment if u are willing to just save the money u have, be tight. n just go for it part time. hmmm. im in a difficult one too... but ive just asked to leave....
- Dancer0
This is what I do currently: Work 3 days a week at an agency 2 days freelance.
I have no idea what type of person you are but If you were honest and said that "if things were tight you would be prepared to take a pay cut..." Perhaps on a friday when things are more than relaxed.
THere is no harm in suggesting it, but I would decide what is more important incase he does say "'You're either in or you're out, we need some full time commitment or you're a gonner'"
Maybe approach him when you are less busy?
I work 60% of the year so get 60% of a full time salary.
If you want to chat about the intricacies email me :)
- graham0
Some people see freelancing as competition/working for competition, so depending on what yours is I'd be wary. Do they already know you freelance?
- But, if he only had 2 days freelance I doubt he would get work within a studio... if that's what you mean?Dancer
- in fact ignore meDancer
- I've known people who have been in pitches at work against their own freelance work :Dgraham
- I pass on clients who i think are too big for me.Dancer
- ...to the agency I work forDancer
- Dancer0
Hey, do you know Jimmy Hunter and Millie Cook?
- wordsarepictures0
They don't ring a bell? When I do freelance work it tends to be for editorial and publishing work so not advertising really. However, a couple of recent projects have involved working with american ad agencies but again, it's not direct competition so it's been no bother.
They were aware I was doing a lot of private work when they took me. In fact, it's the main reason they took me on as my own personal work was better than the work I did at my last agency so it should be in the back of their mind already.
It's a tricky one, but touch wood my illustration work has shown no signs of slowing down and I have a good agent. But at the same time I don't want to be a work at home hermit and sit around in my pants all day and not shave for months on end. Which I am fully capable of doing.
- they worked at ChiDancer
- I've only been here 9 months so maybe they left before I joined?wordsarepictures
- Millie has, Jimmy hasn't. He's a good guy – Creative Director I thinkDancer
- wordsarepictures0
But your situation sounds exactly like what I'd want Dancer. Is that how you started at your full time agency or something you've evolved on to?
- zirkus_uk0
How about I email your boss & ask him how he feels about the situation?
- Could do...?wordsarepictures
- He just replied back: Says it's ok if you want to go part time.zirkus_uk
- Thanks man, that's a load off.
wordsarepictures
- Nightshade0
I was in a similar situation. I wanted to move to London but liked my job so I spoke with my boss about it. He was cool and in a week I move to London where I will be continuing to work 3 days a week for my current boss and 2 days a week on freelance projects. It's ideal really. I get some steady income plus get to devote more of my time to freelance projects.
If you are good at what you do, your boss probably won't want to see you go, and may want to keep you on part-time, like my boss did.
- Horp0
Why don't you talk to Debut about it and see what advice they have? They would be able to give you some idea whether they could 'up' your commission rate or not. They may well be hanging back in the knowledge that you have a full time job so aren't able to take much on. Equally, they may feel that its getting a bit quieter out there and advise you to stick not twist.
- wordsarepictures0
Debut have been all for it actually, they seem to think I'm going to be a busy boy this year but appreciate the uncertain nature of the industry. I dunno, I'll see, but I feel like I keep putting it off and I'm going to be annoyed with myself if I keep turning in half-done illustration work because I've been too busy at work. Think I'll just go for a beer with him and see what he says.
- Horp0
I presume 'him' is Sam... if he tells you he thinks you'll be busy, you'll probably be busy. Having had a look at your stuff earlier you've definitely got the kind of style that is very saleable and I can foresee Debut putting as much stuff your way as they did with Si Scott and as they do now with Alex Trochut.
I would take the chance personally.
- vespa0
i had a full time job and a full time band. the band tours, records, we rehearse 3-4 times a week and i was turning up at work with bags under my eyes after catching post-gig overnight trains home from plymouth, manchester etc and going straight to work. i wouldn't turn in bad work so i'd work late, get no sleep, etc.
i kept it up for a couple of years but eventually ran out of holidays and was pretty miserable from stress/sleep deprivation.
started freelancing a year ago and have made an unbreakable rule that i can only work 3 days a week. the rest of the time i make music and more recently i've started animating personal projects. I earn at least ten grand more than i used to when i was full time, but it took a few months to build up the network, and of course no sick leave etc.
i can't believe it took me so long to believe in myself enough to leave the security of a full time job. i mean, what's the worst that can happen -- you don't get enough freelance work and then have to go back full time. so what, at least you tried.
but i don't think that will be the case -- your work is very good. there will never be an oversupply of people who are at a certain level.
DO IT.
- MSTRPLN0
I like the idea of a secure stream of income from a full-time job, but I don't like the idea of being robbed of wages for unpaid overtime.
Given the fact that most places are a bit busier due to layoffs, I don't know how a boss would react to asking for less time from them, especially to do your own personal work. Touchy situation I say.
- boobs0
I'm here to solve all your problems:
1) Quit your steady job
2) Double your freelance rates
3) Live high, mighty and proud!Go on! Take a wee squeeze!
- You Euros srsly crack me the fuck up sometimes. Assuming of course youre a Euro since you said wee...thizzbobby