So I'm going to be moving on GDF only one question...

I was touching up my resume last night and I added my URL to it. The only thing is that I'm running my Freelance work as a Business. Do you think this will be a conflict of interest with potential employers?

I don't want to chalk up another portfolio site, I just got back from Vaca and I have another website that I'm going to begin working on. Sort of a Partnership with my cousin in PR so I ain't charging since were both going to be getting a cut. Plus I don't have the time cause I really need to start wheeling in Freelance work.

What’s your thoughts on something like that. Keyare I know you run the show over there would you still hire someone like me? Or case has your own site caused any conflicts with employers in the past?

[Mickey]

If I were you I would leave freelace off your resume unless your telling your prospective employer that your getting out of freelance to go inhouse. Depending on the employer they may not like or even allow you to do freelance work.

http://home.wi.rr.com/mygraphics/konceptcreative.jpg

What about my Portfolio? I don't want to have to recreate it, Dam I'm stuck.

[Keyare]

Honestly I look for someone that has some initiative and a good portfolio for hiring, but once they work for me - they work for me. I've had employees that do freelance on the side and when a customer really likes an employee sometimes theyll contact them outside of work and try to get my employee to do the work on their own time. This cuts me out and creates numerous problems:

1) the employee sometimes will not have the files and will have to 'steal' them from work to do the freelance work.
2) Over time, the employee will find that they're doing design work on their own time AND at work and they have no free time for themselves.
3) I charge $75 and hour and the employee will often undercut me and charge $35 or even LOWER - which is great for the customer and the employee but completely screws me.

I've tried negotiating with employees so that any clients they get on their own merits they can keep for themselves as long as there's no chance that I could have or will get them - but that is fraught with problems as well.
1) The employee doesn't have access to high rez scanners except at work
2) the employee can't do the print jobs without hijacking my suppliers
3) The employee doesn't have accounts with my suppliers for printing or a credit rating like mine to take the 'big' jobs
4) Clients will come and find my employee at MY work place - or call - and bother them about freelance work...not a good ides

So over the last 15 years I've tried everything, from letting them do their own thing to completely dissallowing freelance at all. I'm very open minded and have been in their position and that's even why I started my own company so I completely know what it's like, but allowing freelance can be a huge headache. So - once an employee starts, they are not allowed to do freelance.

If their family wants stuff done, they can do that on their own time. But they have to pay for supplies (I usually ignore that cuz I know family) If their friends want stuff then it HAS to go through the company. In those cases the employee is perfectly within their rights to give their buddies a discount if they want. Or if they charge full pop-i give the employee a commission.

This seems to work, as I've had employees get loads of work off of their friends and actually charge HIGHER than normal because of the amount of times their friends bug them at work about their little projects.

So - yeah I would look at hiring you. Nothing speaks to me about your skills like a good portfolio and website and freelancing experience shows me that you know more about the business than just the stupid computer stuff. I like employees that can handle clients too.

BUT - I demand loyalty. And I will work with you to earn it. And that means that you'll have to drop your website. You can keep your old freelance clients. ANy new work you get will have to come through US. A lot of your old work will probably end up coming through the company too, as it's just easier for you that way. There's no benefit for both of us fighting for the samme client and trying to undercut ourselves.

If you're good enough to go out on your own and think you'll make more money. Then do it. I'll even help you get started. But we will NOT fight over the same clients.

So my only choice would be to not mention the Freelance. I was thinking like you said Keyare that the freelance would show initiative and that I can do more then just take orders but my resume will probably explain that due to my current responsibilities.

I completely understand your point of view on loyalty and I’ve never used my job for my freelance work with the exception of a few phone calls and emails during my lunch but most employers probably won’t buy that.

I’m just going to have to build another portfolio. I’ll do it in flash just so I can bang it out faster. Well maybe not but I have to do something in Flash is just expected.

I could never drop my freelance for a job it just wouldn’t work cause that’s my personal goal it’s just that I still need a job while I develop myself into complete self employment.

So I’ll go home today and recreate an online presence that isn’t tied into my freelance work.

I would never steal clients from an agency that not morally correct and what you sow is what you reap so I would never do that.

Thanks Mickey and Keyare for your opinions. Anyone else?

[Keyare]

Oh and if you're going to a company along the lines of the one you work for that doesn't do GD specifically - just uses it - There should be no problems at all with freelancing.

In fact - In your case I'd tell you to stick with a job like that and build your freelance clients so that you have a job to cover the bills while you're building your empire.

And lastly - you should always have some kind of partner even in freelancing. How many times have you proofread your own work and not noticed an error that someone else notices right away? I had an employee try freelancing but screwed up SOOO many jobs that they nearly destroyed themselves because they couldn't SPELL. At least in a shared environment there was always someone else there to double-check.

Amnibo that what I was thinking that it's really none of there business what I do out of work.

Do you think an employer would see my site as a threat?
www.faithimage.net (http://www.faithimage.net)

[Keyare]

It may be none of their business, but it's best to be up-front about it first so that it doesn't become an issue later.

I agree with being upfront thats why I was going to leave it in my resume. Maybe if I only apply to inhouse design jobs it will be more effective.

[3howards]

yeah, if you do freelance at all while working for someone else, they should know about it. it's only fair. i've had to previous employers not mind if i did work on the side as long as it didn't directly compete with them. two of them let me use their equipment if i needed to. that was rare though, because i've always had my studio setup at home for that. eventually it got to the point that all i wanted to do was work for myself. i had the experience, knowledge and a small client base (one of them being a former employer). it's great, instead of hiring someone new to replace me, they chose to contract work out to me. i guess they figured it would save them training time and i already knew how they worked.

benjo, i would work on a portfolio site. it always comes in handy. a future employer might have issues with the 'company' and 'pricing' sections of your site. with a portfolio site, there is no issue. good luck.

of topic a bit, my husband has his 2nd interview for a local company in a couple of hours. i'm nervous as hell but he seems to be ok. if he gets the job, it is a huge pay increase meaning we'll be able to get a house sooner and we can try for another baby. we'll see. wish him luck.

Yea I think I'll just say that I do freelance and chock up a diffrent site for a small portfolio. This just seems like the best idea.

3howards I wish your husband the best. More money is always a good thing. =)