Frequently Asked Questions about Fitting In

• What's the one best thing I can do as a freelancer on someone else's team?
• How can a contract job help me build my network?
• What should I look for in my first few days on-site?
• What is my first priority as a freelancer on a team?
• What are some guidelines for pitching ideas to an employer?
• What happens when a freelance project ends?
• How much should I stay in touch during a project?
• How can I avoid "feature creep"?
• What if the client wants me to give away my hard-earned knowledge?
• What happens if I find change is needed at my client's business?

What's the one best thing I can do as a freelancer on someone else's team?

A freelancer's first priority when joining an established team is to do the best possible job with the work you've been assigned. That means speaking up and asking for resources and information you need to complete your assignments on time. It also means aligning your work with the goals of the organization -- all the while remembering that your first loyalty is to your own business. When you feel appreciated and wanted on a team, it's sometimes easy to give away your hours or rights to your work. You're a business owner and you need to negotiate even with people you like working with.

How can a contract job help me build my network?

Each job you do well adds few more contacts to your network. Hold on to the names of people who supervised you or worked with you on specific projects, so that you can reference them in the future. These "networks" can attest to your credibility and creativity as a freelancer. You can maximize these opportunities by meeting new people while on-site, and listening to them talk about what their jobs are like, what their frustrations are, and where they excel. Don't subject yourself to hours of petty grievances from the designated whiner (every office has one, right?), but don't be too picky about who gets your attention -- you never know when the quiet guy in the corner cube will start his own company and need your services. In all your interactions, be positive, productive, and accommodating. Listen more than you talk, and you'll be surprised what a good impression you make.

What should I look for in my first few days on-site?

Keep your eyes open upon your first visit to a new client and during your first few days of work there. You can learn a lot about the type of organization it is and how to fit in there. How are people dressed? How do they move and act in the office? Casual clothes may indicate a get-it-done attitude, or simple slackerdom. A more formal office may be businesslike and forward-thinking, or just stuffy and set in its ways. As a freelancer, it's OK to stand out from the pack just a little. Try to err in the direction of appearing just a bit better-dressed and more energetic -- enough to impress the boss and stand out from the crowd!

What is my first priority as a freelancer on a team?

Even though you're on contract to XYZ Corp., you're still employed by You, Inc. You have two sets of goals to keep in mind -- yours and the company's. Your first job, of course, is to do the work for which you were hired. You'll do a better job if you have spent some time first gathering information about how this work fits into the goals of your team and the organization as a whole. This knowledge may be augmented during your time there in conversations with teammates and other coworkers. During your time with the organization, bear in mind your own goals for yourself and your business. Besides building your network, you may find there are skill-building resources -- computer programs, machines, subject matter experts -- that can be of use to you in meeting these other goals. You may be able to invest in yourself by negotiating extra work in exchange for the chance to build your skill set.

What are some guidelines for pitching ideas to an employer?

In some fields, particularly writing, employers don't come to you with a job they need done. Instead, you generate ideas, and must then convince an employer that your idea is worth buying. A few tips for pitching your work: -- Research the market. Publications like Writer's Market are a useful complement to your own searches of trade websites. A good place to start may be the products you already buy. -- Generate ideas that are different, but not too different. You don't want to pitch a repeat of something that's already been done; at the same time, Cat Fancy magazine is never going to buy your article on golden retrievers. -- Network, network, network. Most people prefer to buy ideas from those they already know. -- Even if you're pitching an idea to someone you know, it's vital to compose a great query letter with an attention-getting first sentence. You may spend more time on this than you do on getting the work done! It's worth it to get it right. -- If the prospective buyer has rules for submitting queries and pitches, follow them to the letter. Don't think that the sheer greatness of your idea, or your name-dropping letter, will let you get away with breaking the rules. Many companies use interns or entry-level employees to do a first look at submissions, with instructions to toss anything rule-breaking.

What happens when a freelance project ends?

All good things must come to an end, and freelance projects do so more quickly than some. At the end of an assignment: -- Be sure you have fulfilled all of your contract obligations and there are no lingering issues or deliverables. -- Thank everyone who helped you, citing specific examples. If you worked there in person, try to thank them in person. A handwritten note is a nice touch and e-mail is also fine. -- Self-evaluation: Was this job worth the time you put into it? Did the client pay on time? Did they waste your time with changes of priorities, overly picky changes, or impossible requirements? Did you learn anything or gain experience toward one of your goals? Do you want to work for this organization again? -- If you want more work, ask for it. This may be a good time to respectfully suggest future projects that could benefit you both.

How much should I stay in touch during a project?

When working on a project, particularly off-site, you're often faced with the question of how much communication to have with your supervisor. It's best to clarify expectations at the beginning by asking something like "Whom should I call if I have questions?" Some supervisors will volunteer to check in regularly, and will want updates on your progress. Others may say something like, "Yes, but I think we've given you all the information you'll need," indicating that they'd prefer that you not bother them until you're done. Even this sort of supervisor would prefer that you ask questions or bring up concerns rather than deliver a product that doesn't meet the organization's needs. Be smart and respectful when asking questions -- use e-mail if it isn't urgent, save up questions so you can get more than one answered at once, and use your knowledge of the project and the field to see if you can figure out the answer on your own.

How can I avoid "feature creep"?

"Feature creep" isn't a movie monster, but it can still be scary. It happens when someone gets hired, for example, to put up a basic website. Then, once the project is under way, the employer decides it needs a shopping cart. Then someone figures out that the company really ought to put its series of helpful pamphlets online. And then ... By the time everything's been done, the site is six months late, the freelancer is feeling underpaid, and no one is happy. Feature creep can best be prevented at the beginning of a project by getting a good set of specifications down on paper. Insist on a detailed description of the work to be done, not only to guide your work but also to protect yourself against last-minute "Just a suggestion ..." calls. During this specification phase, you may be able to state your rates and availability for extra work.

What if the client wants me to give away my hard-earned knowledge?

Freelancers often get hired because they have expertise the hiring organization doesn't have in-house. If this is the case, you may find staff members at the work site asking you to teach them the program you're using, or give them advice on how to approach their own projects. Here you have a dilemma. You want to be responsive, informed, and friendly. Yet if you share your expertise too freely, you may find yourself out of a job. A better approach may be to encourage the company to hire you as a trainer, to develop staff expertise that's focused on organizational goals. If they can't or won't do that, approach local colleges and technical networking groups about doing an evening class which company employees could take.

What happens if I find change is needed at my client's business?

As a freelancer, you're being paid for your expertise. Sometimes, expertise means having to deliver bad news: "Your computer system needs an upgrade before I can make it do what you want." "Your website is out of date and needs a makeover." "If you need that extra feature, it will cost you more." If you're hired as a consultant, you can be a truth-teller, encouraging people to change their ways for the good of the organization. As a freelancer hired to do a job, however, you're better off presenting information in a positive and supportive light, pushing for small changes instead of wholesale overhauls. If you are fortunate, you may even be able to parlay your observations into a consulting gig, marketing your knowledge of the field and your ability to align yourself with the goals of the organization.