Had to choose between a full-time job offer and sticking with freelancing last spring

Back in April I got an offer for a steady job paying $55,000 a year with benefits. I was making around $3,200 a month freelancing but it was all over the place with slow weeks. I turned it down because I had finally built up three regular clients who gave me consistent work. The first two months were fine but then June hit and two of them paused projects for six weeks. I ended up picking up extra work on Upwork to fill the gap and it stressed me out more than the full-time job would have. Has anyone else turned down a stable offer and regretted it or did it work out for you later?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly.margaret1d ago

Wait wait wait hold on - you were making $3,200 a month freelancing and turned down a full-time job at $55,000? That math doesn't even work out the same! $55,000 a year is like $4,583 a month so you were earning way less freelancing and still said no? I get liking the freedom but June sounds like a nightmare month for you. I really hope those clients came back and made it worth it in the end because that gap you had would have driven me absolutely crazy.

gray3141d ago

Man I know right? That gap in June would have had me pacing around my shop like a caged animal. But the way I see it $3,200 a month freelancing is still a solid chunk of change and you don't have to deal with a boss breathing down your neck all day. That kind of freedom might be worth the lean months if you can weather the storm. Plus if those clients came back and she built up a steady rotation of work she could easily outpace that $55k salary without the office politics. Some people just don't want to trade their time for a fixed number like that.

jamesc7911h ago

Well I read somewhere that most freelancers see a dip around June so that tracks with your experience unfortunately.