If you\u2019re looking to find the perfect freelancer for your next project, you may want to lean in when Ming D. Leung speaks about \u201cstretchwork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ming D. Leung is an Assistant Professor at the Hass School of Business on the University of California\u2019s Berkeley campus. He specializes in economic sociology (and more specifically, the study of online labor markets). Ming has recently published an enlightening article outlining his findings in the area of stretchwork (in layman\u2019s terms\u2014the ever-so slightly broadening of a freelancer\u2019s skillset and work experience to advance a career).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the article, Ming reports that freelancers are more likely to get hired when having an incrementally expanding career path. For businesses who are hiring, one can deduce from the study that freelancers who \u201cstretch\u201d their skillsets are more-suited for immediate positions and long-term partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More precisely, the study suggests that freelancers are more successful when moving between similar, but not identical, types of jobs. The paper also concludes that despite conventional wisdom, if freelancers work exclusively on one specific type of job, they\u2019re actually less<\/i> likely to be hired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A perfect example would be a graphic designer. If the freelancer worked solely on logo projects day in and day out, eventually the person will become pigeonholed as exclusively a logo designer. Hence this freelancer can become one dimensional and less desirable. But if the freelancer branches out to also design websites, brochures, and book covers, they\u2019re more likely to be in-demand and worthy of hiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And important footnote is that the research suggests \u201cincremental\u201d stretching, not enormous leaps. \u201cIf the freelancer is a writer who also does tax preparation, that\u2019s not going to help them,\u201d said Ming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The underlying reason for this, as Assistant Professor Leung explains, appears to be two-fold:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. When freelancers \u201cstretch,\u201d businesses see them as more committed to their careers and have more confidence in their abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Entrepreneurs want to build ongoing and expanding relationships with freelancers who they\u2019re comfortable working with. By seeing a broader range of skills in a background, potential clients can project using that freelancer in several various roles down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n