Freelance Etiquette?
Out of context: Reply #5
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- Lt_Jack_Hammer0
It sounds like you have been "permalancing" bordering on full time contracting at the current place.
Since you are not an official employee but don't want to burn your bridges there I would do this...
Approach your boss that you really enjoy working there and enjoy the people, etc, etc and then mention that you've just been approached by an agency to help out on a short term project and that you believe this will help further develop your career and skills and such forth. Mention that you would like to take the time to work on this other project and then come back after it is completed.
If they say that they really need someone during that time while you are gone and they might have to just outright replace you then I would tell you to weigh your risks....
Is leaving the current gig for this new but short term gig going to put your portfolio and career in a better position?
Leave the current place on good terms and they will come back to you down the line (or, hopefully, just hold the spot for you to come back to). Do a good job with this new agency and they will come back to you.
Freelancing is all about who you know and how many of them know you. Then it is about delivering what you promise when you promise. And, unfortunately for most of us, the actual quality of the work (although very very important) does actually fall 3rd in line. There is a fine line between those 3 things but there is a line and my experience has shown time after time that that is the order they fall in.
Keep building contacts and keep building your portfolio and with that building your career.
Wow, that was a long post.