“Thank you for the note. We’re going in a different direction with this position, but I’ll keep you in mind as we have needs for freelancers.”

Freelance work has been a beneficial component throughout my career. It helped me establish connections and experience straight out of college during the recession. It was also a ray of light when I lost my job in 2020, allowing me to continue to maintain and improve my craft while trying to (unsuccessfully) find my next career move during the pandemic. In essence, it was almost like being my own business owner. In fact, there is reason for freelancers to look at themselves as business owners vs. freelancers.

Upon receiving this first rejection of the year, I should at least be happy the organization recognized my experience and accomplishments, and wanted to consider me for future potential gigs. Instead, it really bothered me that they suggested that they would only use me as needed, and that I was not a serious candidate for a permanent, long-term role. It reminded me of those who want to keep their relationships “casual”, leaving the complexities of a long-term relationship behind.

Utilizing freelancers, while a great commodity, will only get you so far: the relationship is day-to-day, often lacking meaningful connection or conversation, leaving the relationship vulnerable to fluctuating motivations. The submission for long-term exclusivity shows a desire on a deeper level towards a common goal, letting go of low-stake details that can be improved upon in the long run, and allowing the merger to flourish towards its full potential and beyond.