Research Paper Assessment Name: Andrea Kamins Date: 7/29/12 Email: handykam@aol.

com
Complete your 2000 word research paper and insert it in the space below. Then email this document as an attachment to assessment@icoachacademy.com

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

Table of Contents

Introduction1 What is a Freelancer?1 Satisfaction Not Guaranteed.2 Fitting In vs Striking Out..3 Finding the Path.4 Conclusion..7 Bibliography...9

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

Declaration of Independence: Coaching the Aspiring Freelancer

Introduction In the age of technology, workers have more choices than ever when it comes to their careers. Gone are the days when having a career meant following a linear path from schooling to training to working for a single company in a traditional office for decades on end. While the majority of people still pursue traditional full- or part-time employment working for established companies and organizations, some people choose a different path. As author and career coach Carol Eikelberry (1999) explains: As the conventional 9-to-5 job with one employer becomes less the norm, the new work world presents great opportunities to unconventional people who are flexible and independent and eager to learn. Opportunities abound, but for many people, having too many options can be overwhelming and may prevent them from pursuing the unconventional path that is right for them. This paper will explore the relationship between job satisfaction and the decision to pursue independent work, including the following questions: What is a freelancer? What motivates people to pursue independent work? What challenges does the aspiring freelancer face? How can coaching support people who are considering transitioning from traditional employment to working freelance?

What is a Freelancer? According to Merriam Websters online dictionary (www.merriam-webster.com), freelancer is defined as follows: 1

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

A person who acts independently without being affiliated with or authorized by an organization; OR a person who pursues a profession without a long-term commitment to any one employer. For the purposes of this paper, the terms freelance(r) and independent work(er) are used interchangeably and serve as an umbrella for various independent work arrangements, including contracting for companies. Essentially, a freelancer is someone who works outside of a traditional 9-to-5 job.

Satisfaction Not Guaranteed The majority of full-time employed people spend upwards of 40 hours per week at work, and it stands to reason that most people want to feel satisfied by the work they do. But how satisfied is the average worker? According to a 2011 survey, 83 percent of respondents reported feeling very or somewhat satisfied with their current job (Society for Human Resource Management, 2011). At first glance, it seems like good news that the majority of the workforce reports feeling content. However, upon closer inspection that number proves to be a bit misleading. When separated out by age group, the study found that only 29 percent of workers aged 31 to 61 report being very satisfied, compared with 52 percent of those aged 67 and older (SHRM, 2011). Why do older people feel more content at work? It could be because they are only a few years away from retirement and can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Or perhaps life experience plays a part. In any case, the fact that over 70 percent of younger workers do not feel very satisfied paints a rather bleak picture.

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

In addition to age, there are many factors that influence employees levels of satisfaction at work. According to the survey, job security topped the list of most important determinants of job satisfaction, followed closely by opportunities to use skills and abilities (SHRM, 2011). Eikelberry (1999) points out that studies show that underutilization of workers skills and abilities is correlated not only with job dissatisfaction, but with low self-esteem and depression. For those who want more opportunities to use their natural skills, abilities and creativity, freelancing can be an attractive option.

Fitting In vs Striking Out When a person decides to establish a freelance career, it is commonly for one of the following reasons: they want a more flexible schedule, they want a diversity of projects, they seek freedom from office politics, they wish to have more creative control over their work, and/or they want an opportunity to make more money (Freelancers Union, 2011). Another big factor is the desire to do work that is meaningful and aligned with ones values (Freelancers Union, 2011). However, the decision to pursue independent work is sometimes born out of previous challenges in the workplace. The decision to freelance often comes about after having multiple jobs that were not a good fit. It is easy for unconventional types to feel like a failure after not being able to find contentment in a traditional workplace, especially after having tried several different jobs or career fields. A person might try one job only to feel dissatisfied and move onto the next, which turns out to be no better. This continued dissatisfaction could be the result of switching jobs without taking time to reflect on all of the options. When

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

people do not thoroughly explore enough options or get enough information it is more likely that their choices will turn out badly (Eikelberry, 1999). Alternatively, some people decide to begin freelancing after being laid off from a job. While being laid off can sometimes be a relief for frustrated workers, it can also mean uncertainty and discomfort. But discomfort can be a good place from which to start. According to Eikelberry (1999), discontent can fuel you with the energy and motivation to set off on an adventure. Luckily, there are more opportunities now than ever for workers to create their own independent work arrangement. According to the last official government survey of the independent workforce, conducted in 2005, the number of independent workers has grown as workers who were laid off turn to freelancing, and as more and more companies see the value in hiring freelancers and independent contractors because of the flexibility and cost-savings to the employer (Freelancers Union, 2011).

Finding the Path When making the decision to go freelance, people tend to fall into one of two categories: they either have a specific skill they want to build their work around, or they know they want to work for themselves, but dont necessarily have a clear picture of what sort of work they want to do. They may want to break free from the field they have been working in to pursue something entirely new. In the case of the former, taking the steps to move forward can be relatively straightforward. These people can employ the services of a business coach to help them explore how to set up their freelance business and deal with the adjustment to

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

independent work, which comes along with some unique challenges. One common challenge is the fear of losing job security by moving from employee to freelancer. Studies show that job security is one of the top contributors to a persons sense of well-being in the workplace (SHRM, 2011). However, as recently as 2011, a report by Gallup indicated that three out of 10 workers with traditional employment feel worried that they could be laid off soon or have their hours reduced. The idea that traditional employment equals job security seems to be a myth. On the other hand, there are signs that opportunities for independent workers will increase in the coming years. The last national study of freelancers, conducted in 2006, showed that 42.6 million Americans were already working independently, and one prediction stated that up to 35 percent of the total national workforce will be comprised of independent workers by 2020 (Freelancers Union, 2011). A survey conducted by elance.com (2012) showed that employers surveyed predict that as much as 54 percent of their workforce will consist of online workers within the next several years. According to the survey, employers find that talent online is better than or equal to what's available locally, and in part, are leveraging online workers to do work that they would have done themselves or not done at all (Elance.com, 2012). All of the research seems promising for aspiring freelancers. For those who are clear on the type of work they want to do, there appear to be many opportunities. However, for the people who want to move out of the 9-to-5 world and into an independent work arrangement without a clear vision of the work, it goes without saying that the transition is a bit more complex.

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

While it is a common problem for people to be unsure which career is right for them, this question can be especially challenging for a person who knows she wants to pursue independent work, but does not know what the work will look like. Why is it so hard for people to figure out what they really want in the modern world of work? According to therapist and career counselor Barbara Sher (1994), there are two reasons: One reason its so hard to know what we want is that we have so many options.The second reasonis that something inside you is stopping you from knowing. Your dreams are obscured by some kind of internal conflict (Sher, 1994). Establishing a freelance career path is not always as simple as inventorying ones skills or leveraging ones professional experience and deciding to provide a related product or service. For the unconventional type who has been dissatisfied in traditional employment, the temptation is to believe that he will be happier doing the same type of work he has done before, as long as he is his own boss. But without carefully considering all of the options, the aspiring freelancer can end up just as frustrated as he was in traditional employment. The problem is that people tend to be quite ineffective when it comes to predicting what they will want in the future. According to psychologist Daniel Gilbert (2005), people often make the mistake of guessing at what they will want in the future based on what they are feeling in the present. Says Gilbert (2005), we expect our future to feel a bit more like our present than it actually will. Deciding to switch to a freelance career and being removed from the perceived safety of traditional employment can be uncertain and stressful. Engaging a qualified coach can help the aspiring freelancer manage stress during the transition, and ensure that

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

her plan is aligned with the her values. Based on Gilberts (2005) findings, it is important for the aspiring freelancer to plan her path based on what she wants to feel in the future, not based on the frustration that may lead someone to pursuing independent work. Part of the coachs role in this case would be to help the client visualize her ideal future in clear detail, in order to shift to an emotional state of happiness that will better allow the client to make future plans that will be truly satisfying, rather than making decisions out of frustration. According to the 2010 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, almost 40 percent of respondents indicated that they felt that coaching had helped them expand their career opportunities (International Coach Federation, 2011). Coaching is a tool that can help people slow down and reflect on their options, and it provides a sounding board for exploring all of their ideas without judgment.

Conclusion Some research indicates that career and work satisfaction are among the strongest contributors to mental health (Eikelberry, 1999), which is a clear message that career satisfaction is more than just a luxury. In fact, it is critical to ones well being. The desire for more independence, meaning and control over ones work life seems to be a growing phenomenon. For this reason, career coaches need to be equipped to support not only clients who are looking for traditional careers, but so-called unconventional clients who dream of pursuing independent work. According to Sher (1994), a Harvard study conducted in the early 1980s surveyed a sampling of people who called themselves happy. And what [two things] did

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

happy people have in common?...They knew exactly what they wanted and they felt they were moving toward getting it (Sher, 1994). Coaches can help on both fronts. An effective coaching relationship helps clients get clear on what exactly they want, and holds them accountable for making a plan and taking the steps to achieve those goals. Those who aspire to work independently need support from coaches that understand their unique challenges, in addition to helping them achieve clarity and progress.

Research Paper - Andrea Kamins

Bibliography Eikelberry, C. (1999). The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press Elance.com (2012). Global Business Survey. Retrieved July 1st, 2012 from https://www.elance.com/q/global-business-survey Freelancers Union. (2011). Americas Uncounted Independent Workforce. Retrieved June 15th, 2012 from www.freelancersunion.org Freelancers Union. (2011). Creating a New New Deal: Evolving Worker Protections for the 21st Century. Retrieved June 15th, 2012 from www.freelancersunion.org Gilbert, D. (2005). Stumbling on Happiness. New York, New York: Vintage Books International Coach Federation. (2010). Global Consumer Awareness Study. Retrieved July 15th, 2012 from http://www.coachfederation.org/find-a-coach/benefits-of-coaching/ Saad, L. (2011). In U.S., Worries about job cutbacks return to record highs. Retrieved July 1st, 2012 from http://www.gallup.com/poll/149261/Worries-Job-Cutbacks-ReturnRecord-Highs.aspx Sher, B. (1994). I Could Do Anything, If Only I Knew What It Was. New York, New York: Dell Publishing Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). (2011). Employee Job Satisfaction and Engagement. Retrieved June 20th, 2012 from www.shrm.org