Five easy steps
Our five-step guide to setting up as self-employed for the first time.
Research the market
Looking at both the geographical area you live and work in and the industry you work for, is contracting or freelancing well established?
If there is already a thriving freelancing or contracting market (such as in IT), you are likely to find it easier to establish yourself.
Conversely, if you work in an industry or area where there is very little competition, you may also be in a strong position to go freelance.
Analyse your skills
Now that you've established that there is a market for skills like yours, you need to make a realistic assessment of your own personal and professional skills.
Your professional skills
Given the market, and the demands of businesses for freelancers in your area, do you have all the skills and qualifications that you need?
If not, you could consider retraining, taking a short course, or even an online refresher course.
Your personal skills
Being a freelancer, contractor or consultant, can bring financial rewards. But along with the potential for high earnings (in some sectors!) comes the likelihood of uncertainty and additional stress at those times when you do not have a contract. If you are the sort of person who needs stability and certainty in your working life, becoming a freelancer may not be suitable.
As a contractor, you will need to have the confidence to negotiate contracts and sell yourself and your skills to potential employers.
Depending on your job type, you may also need to be happy working on your own for periods of time.
Set yourself up
Now you need to decide how to set yourself up in business. There are advantages and disadvantages to each option. Review the information pages for both Individual/Sole Proprietor and Corporation. Additionally, seek professional advice when choosing which option is best for you.
Individual / Sole proprietor
If you are working on your own, working as an individual or sole proprietor might be the right option for you.
Incorporated company
It is fairly straightforward to set yourself up as a corporation. You should get professional advice to ensure that you meet all your tax obligations when you are paying yourself a salary through in incorporated company.
Set your hourly rate
Based on your inventory of your skills, and your research of your marketplace, you will now need to come up with a realistic hourly rate – and daily rate. Look on JobboomPigistes to see what Sellers with comparable skills are charging.
Register on JobboomPigistes
And finally… register as a Freelancer/Professional on JobboomPigistes!
It's completely free to register and gives you access to Businesses throughout Canada.
Upgrading to Featured Membership gives you an enhanced public profile, with a more prominent entry and twice as much space for your brief description. Featured Members also get top position in all Client searches and are featured in the Featured Showcase.