You may be a freelancer that hasn’t quite gotten your foot in the door or maybe you’ve recently fallen out of the loop. Get your life and check yourself! Here are 5 things you might be doing that make you unemployable.

1. Short Sightedness

Relationships are everything. Whether you’re being employed by an independent contractor, or a Fortune 500 company,  treat all your clients with respect. You never know where life will take you, so it is important to keep every door open.

A poor attitude is the difference between a 6 figure a year earning freelancer/entrepreneur, and one that is still struggling to pay bills 30 years down the line. Better to suffer the hardships now, for a better tomorrow.

2. Poor Work Ethic

It doesn’t matter how much of a genius you are! Even if you’re the next Picasso. If you slack on the job your client wont hire you again, and other co-workers who might be future employers won’t take you seriously either. If you’re going to do something, do your best! You never know who is watching.

3. Poor Manners

The harsh truth is, employers just want to hear “yes”, “please” and “thank you”. You might feel like this is modern slavery, but if they are paying you or you’re gaining experience, do it with a smile on your face. If you can’t, don’t accept the job! You might feel you’re going to be Bill gates one day, you’re not Bill Gates yet, so relax! Chances are you need the money to get to Bill gates status, so be respectful to the people that are giving you that opportunity. You might still need them on your climb. Use this opportunity to propelled you to the next level.

You don’t have to be a push over and kiss everyone’s butt either. Know your worth and be humble.

4. Poor Management and Prioritisation

You might have a boat load of gigs coming your way this season, year or even the past couple years. Never make your employer feel like you aren’t prioritising the work they have hired you to do. Employers build long-term relationships with qualified freelancers they like to work with. Maintaining every relationship is the best way to avoid a dry spell.

5. Poor Financial Planning

Get your finances in order! If you do freelance work in the creative fields and aspire to make regular income through your passion, be realistic. Ensure that you have other stable streams of income and manage your money. Nothing is worse than coming to a  freelance gig desperate for cash.

Yes, it sucks when companies pay late, but you never want to put yourself in a position where you’re desperate to get paid and harassing and threatening them for your payday. This can ruin relationships and future opportunities! Remember that employers are most likely in the same position as you, waiting to get paid by their clients or costumers. The difference between them and you is they have financial planning and streams of income that ensures they aren’t desperate for cash. Why don’t you put yourself in the same position?

That said, if you’re aware that this employer never pays, respectfully decline future gigs. Do not put yourself in a risky financial situation, but keep that door open, because you never know where the person you’re corresponding with will be working in the future.

Tip. Get your employer to sign a contract or invoice agreement if you can.

Tardiness