Freelance jobs can be a win-win for both companies and professionals. When it comes to companies, freelancing helps connect them to the best talent for their projects and manage their staffing commitments in a more agile way. Freelancing professionals report feeling that they have more control over their careers, schedules, and workload.
In August 2021, FlexJobs surveyed over 800 freelancers to understand why they chose freelancing over traditional employment. The number one reason they freelance is work-life balance (81%), with family (44%), commute stress (42%), and time savings (40%) also important factors.
Though the pandemic has altered the employment market, over two-thirds (66%) of respondents say they are optimistic about their employment situation in the next six months, compared to 61% of traditional employees. And 78% of freelancers say they “want to work” or “want and need to work,” compared to 70% of traditional workers.
Freelance Openings on the Rise
Freelancing isn’t going anywhere. It’s estimated that by 2027, nearly 50% of the total U.S. workforce could be freelancers. That’s 86.5 million workers!
Analyzing the job postings from over 57,000 companies between January 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021, FlexJobs has identified the top 30 companies and industries with the most number of freelance job postings so far in 2021.
30 Companies With Remote Freelance Jobs
Many companies on this list are staffing and recruitment firms, demonstrating their deep connection in hiring for freelance, contract, and temporary jobs. Some firms are full-service, hiring for an array of career fields and industries, while others are more niche firms specializing in specific fields or industries.
The below companies are in order from greatest to least number of remote job postings.
- Robert Half International
- Kforce
- Kelly
- Accounting Principals
- Ajilon
- Randstad
- CyraCom
- Collabera
- Bilingual Therapies
- Planet Group
- Profit Factory
- Motion Recruitment Partners
- Welocalize
- BELAY
- Solomon Page
- Beacon Hill Staffing Group
- CSI Companies
- Stride, Inc.
- ModSquad
- Expert Business Development
- Stage 4 Solutions
- VIQ Solutions
- Aquent
- FlexProfessionals
- Tava Health
- Russell Tobin
- Avispa Technology
- Study.com
- 24 Seven
- Varsity Tutors
FlexJobs has also identified the top 10 career categories hiring for remote freelance jobs so far in 2021.
- Accounting & Finance
- Administrative
- Computer & IT
- Customer Service
- Writing
- HR & Recruiting
- Medical & Health
- Project Management
- Bilingual
- Education & Training
How to Find Freelance Jobs
When searching for a freelance job, it makes sense to start your search with the freelance category, or use it as a keyword. However, “freelance” goes by many other names!
- Freelance job: A person works for themselves, not a company (meaning they are self-employed)
- Contract work: Works as a temporary contract worker, rather than a permanent employee
- Independent contractor: Work terms are specified by a contract with another company or individual, which is how the IRS classifies this type of work
- 1099: Used to describe the type of job and refers to the IRS form an independent contractor fills out: form 1099-MISC
- Contract consultant: Someone who is hired for temporary consultations for specific issues within a company
- Contract-to-hire: A job that begins as a freelance, independent contractor position but has the potential to become a regular employee position
How to Get Started as a Freelancer
If freelancing sounds like the right choice for you, check out these tips to help you find freelancing success.
1. Know the Market
Before you quit your day job, buy a website, and are “all in” on freelancing, do some market research first to ensure there’s a demand for the field you’re in, the service you’re offering, and that you understand your competition.
2. Establish Your Brand
Once you’ve determined there’s a need for your services, create a strong personal brand to help potential clients understand why you’re an expert at what you do. What are the unique skills, attributes, and abilities that no one but you possesses?
3. Grow Your Nest Egg
One of the realities of freelancing is the feast-or-famine cycle. Sometimes there’s too much work, and other times, not enough. Building a financial cushion will help you weather famines.
4. Handle Administrative Tasks
As much passion as you might have for the actual work, it’s crucial to balance that with the more routine activities of a freelance business. You’ll need to find health insurance, plan for retirement, pay self-employment taxes, and deal with the even more mundane tasks of ordering office supplies and tracking your time.
5. Connect With a Mentor
Just like a mentor can help you navigate your traditional career, a freelance mentor can help you navigate your freelance career. Learning from someone who knows the ins and outs of freelancing can help you find a path to success.