You value your time and want to be paid for it. But you’ve been asked to work for free and you’re wondering whether this is a good idea or not. The answer is… it depends. Here are some reasons you might consider working for free and what to watch out for so you don’t get taken advantage of.
For the experience
Whether you’re just starting out in the field or want to branch out to another niche in the field you’re already in, you can gain valuable experience by working for free. If it’s difficult to break into the industry without experience, you can build up your portfolio and gain skills while providing services to those who are willing to take a risk in order to avoid paying.
Offering your services for free might make you look desperate or highlight your lack of skill, so be careful about how you approach this. One way to avoid this problem is by offering your services to nonprofits, needy individuals, soldiers/bnot sherut etc. so you are volunteering your time for a worthy cause, not just working for free.
It’s important to decide ahead of time how long you will work for free, so you don’t get into a trap of never charging for your services.
For exposure
Companies and nonprofits sometimes ask people to work for free in exchange for exposure. Unfortunately, the exposure you get is often so insignificant that it’s not worth your effort. Don’t accept an offer that comes with a vague promise that you will get exposure. Find out exactly what kind of exposure is on the table and determine whether it will advance your career.
Israelis are often expected to write and speak for free in exchange for the exposure. Most conferences don’t pay their speakers, and news sites and blogs don’t either. Consider whether this type of opportunity will get you clients or help you get that promotion before agreeing to do it.
Because you believe in the cause
Volunteering for a nonprofit or important cause is a worthy endeavour. Since the beginning of Iron Swords, many Israelis have upped their volunteering time. Unfortunately, sometimes nonprofits take advantage of this philanthropic trend to avoid paying for work. Before you agree to volunteer your time, make sure that free work is really necessary and put a limit on the amount of time you will spend on the project.
For the line on your resume
Sometimes it’s worth doing something for free just so you can list it on your resume. Speaking at TEDx Tel Aviv, for instance, could be worth doing for the prestige. A free consultation to one of the big hi-tech companies or a government organization might also be worthwhile. It is a good idea to find out if others are getting paid for similar work in the same organization before agreeing to volunteer your time.
As long as it doesn’t take up too much of your time and you’re not resentful that you’re not getting paid, working for free can be helpful in honing your skills, building a portfolio and getting your name out there. So there are times when working for free is a good idea, but don’t let it get in the way of earning a living.