If your company recently announced a full return-to-office mandate, you’re not alone. After years of proving that remote and hybrid work can deliver real results, many organizations are now requiring employees to be back in the office five days a week. As expected, this shift isn’t sitting well with everyone.
Workplace flexibility has become more than a perk. For many marketing, creative, and tech professionals, it’s now an essential part of how they want to work, live, and stay productive. If you’re feeling the return-to-office blues, it may be time to consider an alternative path that puts more control back in your hands: freelancing or consulting.
Across industries, organizations are tightening in-office requirements in the name of collaboration and company culture. But for professionals who’ve adapted to flexible work arrangements, these mandates can feel abrupt and misaligned.
If you’re in this position, you’re likely weighing your options. Do you look for a new role with more flexibility? Stick it out and see what happens?
Or is there a different path altogether?
The good news is you have more choices than you may think.
Freelancing and consulting offer advantages that traditional full-time roles increasingly don’t: autonomy. Not just over where you work, but over how you structure your day and what projects you take on.
Here’s why more marketing, creative, and tech professionals are making the move to independent work today.
As a freelancer or consultant, you control your schedule and location. Whether that means working remotely full-time, choosing hybrid projects, or eliminating long commutes, flexibility is foundational to independent work and can significantly improve both your productivity and quality of life.
Independent work allows you to be more selective about what lands on your plate. You can focus on industries, clients, or niche areas that genuinely interest you, building a portfolio aligned with your long-term goals rather than taking whatever happens to come your way by default.
Without the ceiling of a fixed salary, many freelancers and consultants set competitive rates based on their expertise and market demand. As your experience and reputation grow, so does your earning power.
The experience you’ve built in full-time roles is highly valuable in the freelance market. Companies increasingly rely on independent talent for everything from short-term initiatives to ongoing consulting, allowing you to leverage your skills across multiple clients instead of just one employer.
If jumping into freelancing full-time feels like too big of a leap, you’re in good company. Many professionals ease into independent work by taking on freelance or consulting projects alongside their full-time roles.
This approach lets you:
Insights from 24 Seven’s latest Salary Guide show that freelance side work is increasingly common among professionals exploring flexibility without taking on unnecessary risk. It’s a practical way to evaluate whether freelance or consulting is the right fit for you before making a bigger career move.
Whether you’re exploring side projects or planning a full shift to independent work, a few strategic steps can help set you up for success.
Make sure your resume, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio showcase your strongest and most relevant work. Highlight results-driven projects, independent initiatives, and examples of client-facing responsibility that demonstrate your ability to deliver high-quality work without constant oversight.
Many freelancers land their first projects through people they already know. Let former colleagues, clients, and professional connections know you’re open to freelance or consulting opportunities. A simple message can go a long way in opening doors.
One of the smartest moves you can make is partnering with a recruiter who specializes in placing independent talent. Working with a freelance recruiter gives you access to vetted opportunities with established organizations, helps you command more competitive rates, and takes the guesswork out of finding quality clients. You can also access benefits and resources that make independent work more sustainable.
If return-to-office mandates have you rethinking your career path, freelancing or consulting could be the right next step. At 24 Seven, we connect marketing, creative, fashion, beauty, retail, and tech professionals with opportunities that align with their skills and lifestyle goals.
Our recruiters understand the freelance landscape and work closely with you to find high-quality projects with respected brands and agencies. Whether you’re ready to dive into independent work full-time or just want to explore opportunities on the side, we’re here to guide you at every stage.
Browse our freelance opportunities or contact our team today to learn how we can help you take control of your career on your terms.