After two and a half years of pandemic and the slowdown given to many activities during the confinements, we note that the freelancing market has indeed recovered, both from the demand side of companies, and that of candidates. to independence. The health crisis has boosted companies’ need for flexibility and agility. More than ever, freelancers represent an opportunity for many of them.
More than a third have thus increased the number of their freelance resources in 2021 and just as much in 2022. It is very often the digital transformation of their activity that leads them to call on external experts for not only ad hoc needs.
This dynamic represents great opportunities for freelancers looking for a job. The average duration of current assignments is currently around 18 months, proof of the adoption of this mode of collaboration by companies. Companies are above all looking for profiles with real expertise, proactive and agile, able to quickly understand their context and their challenges and to provide the appropriate solutions.
Companies are above all looking for profiles with real expertise, proactive and agile, able to quickly understand their context and their challenges and to provide the appropriate solutions.
The outlook on freelancers is changing and companies now see freelancers as an increasingly integral part of their teams. These companies also had to adapt their mindset to attract, recruit and retain these increasingly selective freelance talents. It was therefore necessary to rethink their place within the organization.
In certain sectors of activity affected by the acute shortage of Talents, freelancing is taking a permanent hold in the organization of personnel and HR strategies. Companies are making a lot of efforts to attract them and offer them a suitable career path. This phenomenon leads to the emergence of new internal positions such as the Chief Freelance Officer, responsible for managing and supporting external consultants.
Freelancers, an increasingly attractive status
More and more profiles continue to turn to freelancing (employees, people in retraining, students) thus following the overall dynamic observed in particular in the United States. This phenomenon is accompanied by a marked desire for autonomy and the search for customers whose values they share. In fact, 75% of freelancers prefer missions with strong decision-making. They are also 63% to consider as determining the values of their clients in the choice of a mission.
Teleworking, a highlight of the year 2021, will strengthen in 2022. For the majority of the self-employed, this is no longer an option! Thus, only 4% of them consider that they might not telecommute.
But the notable novelty of this start of the 2022 school year is in the choice of status to gain independence. Indeed, more and more of them are starting directly, by creating their legal status without going through wage portage. This propensity to launch without a safety net demonstrates confidence in the model, which is also increasingly recognized and supported by the various stakeholders in the world of work.