Love It! But Without Pay?

It’s your dream job – flexible hours, creative freedom and unyielding promise. That is, until you reach the bottom line and see: It’s unpaid.

In fact, a growing number of contract/freelance positions are.

What was once an ideal market for stay-at-home moms and students hungry for experience has exploded into a potentially satisfying gig for full-time professionals. Studies show contract/freelance workers now account for more than 30 percent of the U.S. workforce.

The problem? In addition to possible scams or shady employers, the market is highly competitive. Even job ads calling for seasoned professionals are trading rockstar talent for stock options, company freebies or nada.

Lauren Bowar, freelance writer and leasing and marketing director of EdR Collegiate Housing, conveys the upside to offering your services for free, “It’s difficult to break into well-known or lucrative markets. If it gets you to your dream publication, writing without pay will absolutely pay in the end.”

While non-paying jobs continue to flood the market, Bowar advises having self-set limits regarding how much pro bono expertise you offer.

Discuss the possibility of future paid opportunities. Even if there are no openings at that moment, your employer can keep you (and your skills) in mind when they do come up.

“If an unpaid project will give you invaluable exposure, go for it, but always know your worth. If you are good at what you do, companies will pay for it,” says Bowar.

The good news? Nearly 40 percent of unpaid interns get job offers at the end of their internship.

Bonus PINK Link: Once you’ve commanded the market, ensure you never get stiffed for your talent.

Would you ever work for free?

By Amanda McCoy

“I don’t want to make money, I just want to be wonderful.” Marilyn Monroe