There is this constant juggle between doing
a full-time job and choosing to be self-employed. The grass seems greener
always on the other side. Every person who is wondering about making the
switch to the other needs to keep in mind, that every job is the best job.
Whether you are an executive working in a nine to five set up or somebody
who is a consultant, your present job is the best job. Sometimes you only
need to find how you can grow in the same job rather than changing the job.
It can bring about consistency and a whole lot of learning. The job
satisfaction is only a bonus.
So before we give you the benefits and disadvantages of both a full time job
and being self-employed, wherever you are consider how much flexibility you
need to make the best of your situation. Only think of switching a job if
the reasons are very strong, otherwise consider growth as the priority.
Benefits of a full time job
A full time job brings a lot of consistency to one’s career and professional
life. It also means a pay cheque at the end of every month. You need not go
hunting for work. Work is always there. It brings in a lot of learning due
to interacting with different people every day. It also brings about
personal growth which is tangible. It gives a great sense of achievement at
the end of a day. The weekends are a great way to release all the stress.
The weekends gather importance due to the week.
Benefits of being Self-Employed
Being self-employed might give you the flexibility that a full-time job
doesn’t. While you are self-employed you have your own working hours. You
can take breaks when you like and the best of all you don’t have a boss to
report to. Being self-employed allows you to create your own schedule and
follow the things that you enjoy doing while you are working.
Self-employment lets you use your time the way you want and there is no
conforming to any particular norm. There is only person you have to report
to and compete with – yourself!
Disadvantages of being in a full-time job
A full-time may eat up your entire day. You may be behind office walls all
day long on your desk and come out only once it dark. You cannot say a no to
things you do not want to work on. You have to take up what is part of your
job and also make sure that your boss is noticing all the efforts you are
making to give your best. A full-time job takes up your entire day with a
lot of other distractions that happen at work. And due to these distractions
you may be considering switching over to self-employment.
Disadvantages of being self-employed
Like we see the disadvantages of working as a full-time employee there are a
myriad of things that can make the option a very disappointing experience.
The most important is that you will be working alone. Your only help is your
client and yourself. Plus you miss on all those perks that you may receive
at office. You will have no colleagues to interact with. You will be the
sole decision maker. Being self-employed does not give you monthly income
that is the same. There may be days when you have no work at all. So running
the show all on your own can be a lot of hard work, so be prepared to play
multiple roles.
So if you are deciding to switch over on the other side you can think about
what works for you and choose one.