I took the plunge as a Freelancer nearly six months ago – and haven’t looked back. But if you’re thinking of doing the same, there are a few things you should know:
You will be introduced to, on average, twenty new people every week. All of whom will assume you know their names, job title and desk location. Beg / borrow / steal the agency’s telephone list, organisational chart and seating plan at the first opportunity.
Do not offer to make a round of teas and coffees until you have first established the office coffee mug hierarchy and found out where they hide the trays.
Make friends with the receptionist. They know where you can park without getting clamped, what time the sandwich man comes and where the loos are.
Agencies tend to get freelancers in when they are very busy. Which means that you will end up working wherever there is an unoccupied flat surface. This could be in the corner of the creative department, in a meeting room, or equally you could find yourself tapping away at your laptop perched on a coffee table.
On the upside, as I said, agencies tend to get freelancers in when they are very busy. So everyone will be very pleased to see you.