You accepted their proposal, put on your best dress, and tied the knot with
your client. Some of these marriages are the eternal bliss of fairy tales.
Others come to an end, either through a no-fault divorce or an acrimonious
split. When the time comes to leave your full-time gig, how do you return to
contracting? It’s like falling off a bike: so easy, it hurts.

First of all, check where you’ve been leaving your John
Hancock. When you converted to full-time, did you sign any
agreements that would inhibit you from taking freelance work? If so — and
we really hope this isn’t you — pull up a chair, you’re in for some long
conversations with your attorney.

If you closed up shop on your way to salary-land, now’s the time to
re-open the business. You may as well lay the groundwork
– incorporation forms, permits, and the like — such that you’re ready to
spring into a suitable contract gig when you find one.

Next, check the job market. If it’s particularly weak,
why not hang out at your current gig a while longer? It’s hardly immoral
to stick with a job until you’re ready to leave, so long as your work
quality isn’t a hint of your pending departure.

The best way to check the market, by the way, is to contact your
colleagues. You did keep up with your contacts, didn’t
you? Let them know you’re looking for work; they may be looking for your
services. Many jobs are advertised only after the hiring managers have
exhausted their lists of contacts; they prefer faces they already know and
trust.

When you were a contractor, you took it upon yourself to update
your resume on a regular basis. If you’ve been slacking, it’s
time to review the bragworthy tasks you’ve taken on since you went
full-time. (Hint: if you can’t find any, that should underscore your
intent to step out.)

As with any other sport, you’ll have to prepare for
interviews:. You’d risk your health to run a marathon without
practice, so why risk your next job by doing the same? Review your resume
until you can identify and expound on all bullet points therein. Prepare
yourself for the basic questions, such as:

• “Why are you leaving?”


• “What are your recent (professional) achievements?”


• “What are your short- and long-term career goals?”

Cliche though it may sound, it wouldn’t hurt to read a book on interviewing
or even ask friends to stage mock phone screens.

When you land a gig, put in your notice. Acknowledge that
this is a small world and try to leave on good terms. Two to four weeks’
notice should suffice, depending on your rank in the company. If the job
is a real hellhole and the bridge has been burned behind you, well, a few
days’ (or hours’) notice can’t do much more damage.

Should you take a trip into Salaried City, understand that you may have to
leave sooner than expected. With a little practice and prep work, hopping
back onto the freelance bandwagon can be a painless endeavor.