How To Transition From Freelancer to Full-Time Employee

Okay, I know what you’re thinking…

Wait, what? Why would anyone want to transition from freelancing to a full-time job? Especially given all of the issues surrounding work — from “quiet quitting” to “shift shock” to the Great Resignation.

Freelancing means control over your time, increased earning potential, and relative control regarding what you work on. Who would want to give this up?!

Trust me, I thought these same things up until about six months ago. Things were going well in my freelancing career. I’d been at it for 18 months and finally started to see momentum. My earnings doubled from the year before and I’d built a portfolio I felt genuinely proud of.

But something was still missing…

Having jumped into freelancing in 2021 with no formal writing experience, I wanted to deepen my skillsets. I wanted to work as part of a team. And I wanted a bit more income stability while doing so.

So, in November 2022, I accepted a full-time offer to join the content team at an alcohol reduction app. I’m not going to say that the switch has been perfect or that my quality of life has dramatically shifted. But this role has allowed me to accomplish the three aforementioned goals, and I’m an advocate for living the 9-to-5 life if that’s what you need at this moment in your life.

So, if you’re planning to make the switch yourself, here’s everything you need to know.

1. Give Yourself Time To Adjust

Seriously, guys. Freelance to full-time is no joke!

All of a sudden you have to be awake by a certain time, available for a set amount of hours each day, and responsible for learning new skills and workflows.

Oh, yeah… Then there are the couple dozen (or more) coworkers you have to adjust to. The learning curve is real, so give yourself time to adapt to the new environment. Several months may go by before you feel like you have the hang of things, and that’s okay.

Since my company is a startup, I’ve had to quickly get used to wearing multiple hats and doing tasks outside of my job description. In the beginning, I felt pretty defeated and overwhelmed, especially since I was working on UX-related skills and editing content in Figma. (I’m a writer, not a designer!) But over the past several months, I’ve realized how useful these and other new skills are. Keep an open mind and let yourself acclimate to the new role before you decide whether it’s right for you.

2. Shift Your Mindset to “I’m Getting Paid To Learn”

This has been a big one for me, especially on days when I feel frustrated and start to miss freelancing. Money isn’t everything, of course, but it sure helps to have a reliable income source when you’re building your career capital and sharpening your skills.

When I start to miss the freelancing days, I remind myself why I took this job in the first place: to learn. Sure, I could definitely do that as a freelancer (and most of us do!), but at least with a full-time job, I can do it on someone else’s dime.

It also goes without saying that you don’t have to pay nearly as much (or at all!) for health insurance at a full-time job. This alone has saved me over $8,000, plus countless more on copays (which now only cost $50!) that I would’ve paid hundreds for on my old plan.

3. Take Care of Yourself

As freelancers, we have the privilege of working on our own time. That means lunch breaks whenever we feel like it, mid-morning gym sessions, and the ability to step away from work without requesting time off. One of the challenges of working full-time is learning to shift your schedule accordingly and having to plan for time off (excluding sick days).

Stick to the foundational habits and hobbies that nourish you — eat your lunch away from your desk (that email probably isn’t even that urgent!), incorporate movement into your day, and make plenty of time for non-work activities. Often, the day can pass by, and before we know it, we’ve been behind the screen for 8+ hours. But we all know (probably firsthand!) how hard this is on the eyes and the rest of the body.

Take breaks and unplug for brief moments throughout the day. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference this can make in your ability to focus and stay motivated.

Also, use all of your PTO! ‘Nuff said.

4. Continue Working on Your Side Gig (If You Have One)

If you have a side gig and enough spare time (and — more importantly — the emotional capacity!), keep working on it. As we all know, the job market is highly volatile right now, so it’s essential to have a safety net to fall back on.

Not only this, but having skills outside of work can make you an even stronger asset to the team. And if you plan to return to freelancing or self-employment in the future, it’ll be good to maintain a foundation you can transition back into when the time comes.

Pay attention to how you feel and prioritize what matters. Cut out the busy work and non-essential tasks and stick to those that will allow you to move ahead.

5. Get To Know Your Colleagues

This has single-handedly been the best part of my job. Working with supportive team members and having each others’ backs is a huge game-changer.

Your coworkers likely won’t become your BFFs. Some of them might even get on your last nerve. But I think we miss out when we don’t take the time to get to know our colleagues on a personal level. If your company doesn’t already have its own get-togethers, schedule one-on-ones to understand your colleagues — especially those with whom you’ll be working often —  a bit better. Ask them what their background is, chat about your interests outside of work, and try to get an idea of what their strengths are.

By creating these bonds, we create a system with greater morale and collaboration. This not only benefits us as employees but boosts company goals, as well.

Just remember, you don’t want to share your life story and deepest traumas with your coworkers. Always keep it professional!

Should You Transition From Freelancer to Full-Time Employee?

We’re living in a beautiful time. Now, more than ever, it’s easier to become a solopreneur, start your own company, or take on a side gig that could potentially blossom into your own venture. The way we define and engage in work is changing. And it’s amazing.

But just because it seems like everyone is eschewing the 9-to-5 to go at it alone doesn’t mean you should discount the value of a full-time job. If you’re early career or looking for a change, a full-time job can offer you a lot in terms of networking, skill acquisition, and stable earnings. It’s not a life-long commitment, and you can of course quit any time you want if it doesn’t work out.

Ultimately, keep your options open and consider your long-term goals when choosing between being a freelancer or finding a full-time job. There’s no right answer, and there are plenty of merits to both!