Wanna freelance for Google?
Google employs 120 000 contractors/freelancers worldwide.
Working for Google is a dream.
But freelancing for Google? That’s an even bigger dream.
Imagine this…
Getting great pay and some of the benefits of full-time Googlers—yet having the freedom of a freelancer.
Maybe you go to the office today, hang out at the cafeteria at lunch (enjoy free food and drinks), and go to the Google gym when you’re done for the day.
Or maybe you stay at home.
Or maybe you’re traveling for a week and working remotely.
Is it achievable? You bet.
A few years ago, Google announced that it already employes more freelance workers than full-time employees.
Specifically, Google works with 120 000 part-time workers around the world.
And it’s not just Google.
Companies like Facebook (who allow all employees to work remotely) and Apple (where freelancers make $133K-$236K per year) also report using increasingly more freelance workers.
How can you become one?
Secret to Success: Freelance for Big Companies
In this newsletter:
Are big clients right for you?
How to find freelance opportunities at Google (and other big companies). For paid subscribers.
Special Google-specific opportunity for freelancers based in the USA and UK. For paid subscribers only.
Are big clients right for you?
Working with big clients has its specifics.
Before you put in the efforts to get a freelance job with Google or any other corporation, consider whether you’d be happy with that kind of a gig.
Pros of working with big clients:
Better pay
Relative stability
Clear processes & demands
Opportunities for learning and growth
Connections
Cons of working with big clients:
Frequent meetings, so no full control over your schedule.
Fewer opportunities for creativity. Big companies have rules you need to follow.
Sometimes you sign NDAs and can’t mention the brand in your portfolio.
Working with big clients is demanding, so you can’t accommodate more than 2-3 big clients at a time. This means that losing one client hurts your income significantly.
Opportunities are location-specific. USA offices will look for freelancers in the USA. UK offices will look for freelancers in the UK, etc.
Still dreaming of working with big clients? Let’s see how you can make that happen.
How to find freelance opportunities at Google (and other big companies).
Agencies
Most corporations use staffing agencies to fill their roles, including freelance and part-time roles.
While Google doesn’t disclose the names of the agencies they work with on their website, yours truly did a little research and here are the agencies you can check regularly for relevant opportunities:
Adecco (look for their website in your country)
Randstad
Teksystems
Kelly Services
eTouch
Collabera
Mindlance
OSI Engineering
IDEO (design-specific)
Taos
LinkedIn
LinkedIn won’t get you a direct work invitation from Google, but that’s where the agencies will check you out.
If you don’t have a LinkedIn or your profile isn’t properly optimized for big clients, you’ll find it difficult to attract opportunities.
Here’s how to optimize your profile:
Professional profile image (and easy on the AI)
Professional cover image (use it to list your most impressive credentials or specific skills on a clear background)
Specific one-line bio. “Freelance writer for the tech industry” vs “Freelance writer”.
Networking
is a video copywriter who’s working with companies like Pfizer and Orange. Thomas has gotten most of his work through agencies, but he was recently recommended to Phizer by an online friend—and he got the order!
Thomas says he now goes out of his way to message people he finds interesting and often books calls with them “just because”. This type of casual communication is extremely effective for attracting opportunities online.
Don’t DM people with sales messages. Just talk to them.
Special Google-specific opportunity.
Google Creative Lab 5 is a one-year program where a team of designers, writers, programmers, filmmakers, producers and business thinkers spend 99.9% of their time making.
We are a small team that pushes for an impact that outweighs our footprint. Our job is to help invent Google’s future and communicate Google’s innovations in ways that make them useful to more people.
Here are a few of the projects Google Creative Lab 5 is responsible for:
This is a one-year-long paid opportunity hosted in Google’s offices in New York and London. This year’s class will start on July 15th.
Applications are accepted through May 3rd, 2024. You can read more and apply here.