Would you be better off as a Free Agent?

Just this week, executive recruiting site www.ERE.net reported a rise in free agency . In other words, more employees are opting out of full-time jobs to be independent contract workers. The reasons for the rise included a desire for more control over their time as well as the greater stability offered by several employers rather than just one. With the ups and downs of today’s economy, many don’t want to put all of their "employment eggs" in one basket.

I also found it interesting that free agents aren’t just taking work from anybody. They are boning up on annual reports, earnings information and news reports about their clients and essentially doing "background checks" before agreeing to do any work. I’ve always coached my clients to stay abreast of what’s going on with their employers in this way.

If you’ve been thinking about being on your own, perhaps now is the time. Being a free agent is freeing and allows you to work on projects you want to be doing. It also allows for greater flexiblity and the chance to work when you want to and not when you don’t. If you’ve been considering free agency, check out my article on the subject. You can also go to websites like FreelancersUnion.org, Guru.com and Elance.com or read, "Get a Freelance Life" by Margit Feury Ragland.

The savviest workers have figured out that they are their own best boss. Perhaps it’s time you did too!