Did you know that more than 60% of new freelancers fail to earn a sustainable income within their first year?  

While there are many reasons for this, one of the biggest culprits is poor time management. When you’re your own boss, project manager, and HR department, it’s easy to let deadlines slip, boundaries blur, and burnout creep in. 

At Creative Circle, we’ve been helping freelancers thrive for over 20 years. So, we reached out to three of our most trusted, long-tenured freelancers — each with 30+ hours of freelance work per week — to get their best time management tips. These folks have seen prepared and timely clients, the emergent-fire-alarm type clients, five-hour work weeks, and 60-hour work weeks. Through it all, they consistently hit deadlines and keep their client roster full without sacrificing (too much of) their sanity. 

Meet the Pros  

Chris Latragna has 16+ years of experience in video production and motion graphics, 14 of which he’s spent freelancing. He’s the kind of guy who gets his best work done while the rest of us are sleeping in on a Sunday. Monday morning deadlines? He welcomes them with open arms. 

Dorey Kronick runs her own business and has been freelancing with Creative Circle for 12 years. She’s a creative director, graphic designer, and photographer whose branding and website designs are always in demand. She may work untraditional hours, but when it comes to time management, she’s as analog as they come — think paper planners, Post-its, and color-coded pens. 

Steve Summers  is a video editor with over a decade of full-time freelancing under his belt. He’s a structure-loving, software-using, boundary-setting pro who sticks to a traditional work schedule and still finds time to enjoy life offline. 

Tips to Manage Your Time

Build out a schedule.
Be realistic when planning and prioritizing.
Diligently track your time.
Communicate.
Get comfortable saying “No.”

1. Build out a schedule that works for you.

There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule in freelancing. Half the beauty of freelance is you get to work when you do your best work (so long as you meet your deadlines). Find your rhythm and stick to it.

“I’m absolutely a night owl. I get my best creative work done at night when I have no distractions. When my clients wake up, my work is waiting for them in their inbox…and I don’t have to start my next work day at 9:00 AM.” — Dorey

 

“For me, the traditional 9–5 hours just make sense. I’m on when my clients are on and I’m off when Friends is on (am I dating myself?). I’m not saying I won’t work in the evening — I will if a project needs my attention — but that is never the expectation. If I stray away from my schedule too often, the lines of work/home start to blur.” — Steve

 

“Saturday mornings before everyone gets up! That’s my most productive time, so that’s when I work.” — Chris

Whether you’re a morning person, a night owl, or a weekend warrior, own it! It’ll shine through in your work.

2. Be realistic when planning and prioritizing your tasks.  

Project timelines shouldn’t be a random guess; they should be calculated by how long it has taken you to do similar work (and then some). Consider your commitments to other clients before agreeing to new projects. Keep yourself organized with task management tools such as Asana, or old-school pen and paper.

“Every month, week, and day, I write down my client projects in a paper planner. I also have color-coded lists taped to my wall. I’ve never been late turning in a project with this method!” — Dorey

 

“As soon as you have the due date, you must work backwards to set a timeline and start prioritizing. Estimate how long things will take, be honest with yourself, and build in some wiggle room.” — Steve

 

“You’re going to get asked daily how long something will take. You’ll never know exactly but you’ll get better at estimating. Don’t forget to factor in revisions and meetings. Then check in with yourself daily — where are you ahead? Where are you falling behind?” — Chris

Without careful planning and prioritization, it’ll start to feel like you’re working all the time, or you’ll be haphazardly jumping project to project with no real grasp of how much time you’re actually spending on each one.

3. Diligently track your time.

Whether you’re billing hourly or tracking against your project-based pricing, find a way to track your time daily so you don’t cut yourself short on payment. Having your time on record is helpful for future project planning, too!

“I’m old-school — I write my start and stop times on a Post-it and enter them later.” — Dorey

 

“I use a tool called Thyme; it’s a simple Mac app. It’s like a project stopwatch. I tend to pop back and forth between clients all day, so I make sure I track every minute.” — Steve

 

“I jot everything down in a notebook at the end of the day. You get good at remembering once you’ve done it enough. But make sure to do it daily; your memory will get fuzzy if you wait until the end of the week.” — Chris

Find a system that works for you. Here are a few popular software options: Harvest and Office Time

4. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

Clear communication is truly the nucleus of freelancing — it helps avoid misunderstandings and builds better relationships with your clients.

“I let my clients know where I’m at in terms of capacity from the get-go, and consult with them to figure out how we can all get our needs met realistically.” — Dorey

 

“Communication is essential to succeed. Ask questions, give honest answers, probe when the client is unclear with direction, and make sure their expectations are crystal clear. Put everything in writing so if you run into issues on either end, you have it for reference.” — Steve

 

“Before you accept a gig and take off running, ask all the questions you need to make sure the project stays on track. Remember, you’re the expert in this relationship and they’re coming to you for help. Guide and shape the project if needed based on your experience.” — Chris

Set expectations early, check in often, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

5. Get comfortable saying “No.”

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your business is turn down a project.

“After a while, you’ll start to build up Spidey senses on which projects are good and which projects to stay away from. Little red flags such as, continually unclear project outlines and expectations, work for ‘exposure,’ and poor communication from the client can be tricky. If your gut is telling you something is off, follow it. The payout won’t be worth the headache.” — Steve

 

“If a client is asking for something that’s entirely unrealistic, I let them know — but in a kind, respectful, and down-to-earth way. They may genuinely have no idea of how wild their ask is.” — Dorey

 

“If I’m too busy or it’s not something I can deliver well, I say no. Or I explain what I can do instead. If you’re managing your time well, you should be able to say no or manipulate deadlines with more confidence. And for me personally, I don’t disclose my workload with other clients. They don’t need to know that; I want them to feel like they’re the only one.” — Chris

Final Thoughts

Freelancing can be a dream job — but only if you plan and manage your time like a pro. Whether you’re a pen-to-paper creative like Dorey, a weekend warrior like Chris, or a structure-loving editor like Steven, the key is to find what works for you and stick with it.

If you’re looking for work, check out the dozens of open roles posted on our website. And if this advice has been helpful to you, follow us on LinkedIn and check our career resources page to explore jobseeking insights from our hiring experts.

“Falling for a job scam is like climbing Everest. Except when you get to the top, you slip and tumble — rag doll, head to toe — all the way back to the bottom. And you know you’re in for some big trouble.” 

This is how freelance creative director Myldwin Pierre describes his gut-sinking experience of falling victim to a job scam last year.

Myldwin’s Story

After months of job searching and multiple interviews, Myldwin got the offer of his dreams — a fully remote art director role with a Fortune 500 cosmetic company.

Everything about it was great — until it wasn’t.

Blinded by the allure of job security, Myldwin fell victim to a well-orchestrated scam which ultimately resulted in him divulging all of his personal and tax information to an imposter.

This scammer got through most of the standard checkpoints waving a green flag. And for the warning signs? Well, Myldwin admits he may have turned a blind eye in hopes of landing a great job.

That’s the thing with these scammers — they catch you when you’re the most vulnerable.

• In January 2025, 1,200+ members of our online creative community admitted to falling victim to a job scam requesting personal information or payment.
• According to recent data from the Federal Trade Commission, reported losses to job scams totaled more than $220 million in the first half of 2024 alone.

1. The Bait

Myldwin’s LinkedIn profile indicated he was “open to work.” When he received an InMail (direct message from someone outside of your network) from a recruiter, he wasn’t at all surprised. To check the legitimacy of the message, he confirmed the sender was a real recruiter by searching their profile on LinkedIn.

“[The recruiter was] actively engaging on the platform, and their profile showed their employer as the Fortune 500 company they stated they worked for via their message. Everything checked out,” Myldwin told us.

Green flag.

2. The Initial Bite

After a short email exchange, Myldwin was quickly offered a chat-based interview via WhatsApp without video. An interview on this platform raised some suspicion, but this was a multinational company, and he assumed this was their interview process. So, he didn’t question it and proceeded with an open mind.

“Speed is the name of the game in hiring, I know that. Rushing into the interview process didn’t alarm me,” Myldwin shared.

Green-ish flag.

3. The Trap Sprung

Myldwin completed multiple interviews with the supposed hiring manager — with frequent assurances that he was doing well, stating he was “in line to be offered the position.” Shortly thereafter, he was offered the job and rushed into a seemingly standard onboarding process.

Eager to start, Myldwin completed a stack of new hire tax paperwork, including an I-9 and a W-4, and sent it back. These forms include personal information such as complete mailing address, Social Security number, and employee signature.

“I believed this was a legitimate process,” Myldwin admitted. “I was excited to work for this company; I wasted no time getting those forms back to them.”

Green flag.

4. The Scam Revealed

Then, the alarms began to sound. After completing the onboarding paperwork, the scammer stated that all employees are responsible for paying for their remote workstation equipment up front via PayPal, but that they would ultimately get reimbursed.

RED FLAG!

5. The Realization

Worried, Myldwin retraced his steps. He noticed the email address provided in the initial contact via InMail was off.  So, he messaged this supposed recruiter directly and her response put a pit in his stomach.

“That person you’re emailing with is not me,” she said.

The PayPal account where Myldwin was instructed to remit payment was not listed under the company name, and the username did not match the supposed recruiter he’d been communicating with.

It became abundantly clear that Myldwin was being scammed. And knowing that he handed over all his personal information to this stranger had him riddled with fear and frustration.

6. The Aftermath

Back on WhatsApp, he denied payment to the imposter and tried to push them to admit their fraudulence. They ultimately stopped responding and are now completely untraceable.

So there Myldwin sits, back at the bottom of the metaphorical mountain, with no job, hours of wasted time, and now completely compromised personal information.

Myldwin thankfully has not yet seen any signs of Social Security number fraud, identity theft, or financial loses. He watches his credit reporting like a hawk, hoping the scammer was ultimately just in it for the “workstation” PayPal payment, which he didn’t send. He hopes the exchange of onboarding paperwork was just more bait to get him to pay up.

“These scammers are like drug mules. They probably send messages, like the one they sent me, to hundreds of people. Not everyone falls for it, but a handful do get through. And the payouts from those folks are worth the effort,” Myldwin explained.

The Red Flags

Keep on high alert for an imposter — remember these warning signs.

You receive an unsolicited direct message, text message, or email.

Scammer messages appear to be written by a reputable recruiting company or brand. They’re usually incredibly convincing, encouraging you to apply for a high-paying job in an industry that closely aligns with your LinkedIn profile, and offers flexible working hours. If this unsolicited opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The email domain doesn’t match the name of company outlined in the email.

If the email is from a personal account or public domain, like Gmail or Yahoo, you might have a scammer on your hands. Sometimes the email address will have slight misspellings to appear legitimate — verify the email domain, and the name of the sender, carefully.

The job offer is time-sensitive.

Scammers create a sense of urgency to keep you engaged and make you act quickly. While there is a fast lane in hiring at times, don’t let anyone unverified rush you in the process.

The majority of communication is on a chat app.

Legitimate hiring teams should conduct interviews by phone or through traditional company channels. If your correspondence is being moved to a chat app, like WhatsApp, request a more traditional platform.

The hiring manager requests payment or banking information.

Honest employers will never ask employees to pay up front fees to process paperwork or pay for equipment. And they certainly won’t ask you to pay via a cash app like Venmo or PayPal.

Banking information should only be provided once you’re fully onboard, via a secure system.

The Learnings

It’s hard to find a job. And It’s tempting to latch onto any job offer that comes your way, but this is when you need to be the most vigilant.

Some of the biggest risks to your personal data are low-tech — no hacking necessary. The scammer reels in vulnerable job seekers and gains their trust, then those people willingly hand their information over, and it’s downhill from there.

Pause. Assess. Question.
Never share personal information like Social Security numbers, bank details, or other sensitive data without definitively verifying the source. Research the hiring manager and/or company first, and if you’re still slightly skeptical, respectfully and directly ask them to confirm their legitimacy while also reaffirming your interest in the position.

And always trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.

For a safe and secure job search experience, Myldwin encourages job seekers — especially freelancers — to link arms with a recruiter they trust, “The saving grace for me is working with Creative Circle for nearly 20 years now.”  Myldwin has worked with eight trusted Creative Circle recruiters over the years and has been placed on dozens of jobs. When our recruiters email Myldwin, from their verified email address (), he knows the offer is legitimate.

Information Creative Circle Asks For

Creative Circle does not send unsolicited text messages to job-seekers. We will never request you to provide personal information via a text message, email, or LinkedIn mail.

Additionally, Creative Circle will not send or request money to purchase equipment, or ask for your credit card information during the hiring process.

If you are contacted by someone that claims to be a recruiter for Creative Circle, ensure the domain is @creativecircle.com, @e.creativecircle.com, @creativecircle.live, @jobalert.creativecircle.com, @backofficeportal.com, or @mail1.clearlyrated.com. If it’s not, this communication did not come from our team and is likely imposter spam.

To further protect yourself from job scams, review this full list of information we do and don’t ask for. And if you’re ever skeptical about a communication or job offer from our team, contact us at cyberquestions@creativecircle.com.

About the Author.

Kayleigh is a Creative Circle freelancer — when she’s not chasing around her two young boys or laughing at Corporate Natalie videos, she spends her time creating content for us! She specializes in sharing advice for our talent community, so if you’re a creative with an appetite for blogs on market trends, job search guidance, and freelance life, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn to ensure you never miss the latest.

This year, we’ve donated nearly $20,0000 across 50 nonprofit organizations! Our employees carefully selected these organizations, each one holding a mission that deeply resonates with us.

If you’re looking for additional gift and giving options this season and beyond, consider donating to our collection of nonprofit organizations listed below. We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season!

Animal Welfare

• Arizona Animal Welfare League: Provides care and protection for animals
• Humane Society of the US: Advocates for animal rights and welfare
• Morris Animal Refuge: Provides shelter and care for animals
• Ruff Start Rescue: Rescues and rehomes animals

Children & Youth

• Access Books: Provides books and literacy experiences to underserved students and communities
• Baby2Baby: Provides children living in poverty with diapers, clothing, and basic necessities
• Charlie’s Army: Advocates for infant and child safety, focusing on safe sleep practices
• Child Mind Institute: Supports children with mental health and learning disorders
• Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: Provides pediatric healthcare and medical research
  
•  Foster Care Advocacy Center: Supports children in foster care
  
• Fostering Hope: Provides support to foster children and families
  
• Give Merit: Empowers youth through education and mentorship
• Jewish Family Service: Offers a range of services including support for children and families
• Malala Fund: Advocates for girls’ education globally
• Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: Provides medical care to children in the Middle East
• Rady Children’s Hospital Foundation: Supports pediatric healthcare
• Ronald McDonald House Philadelphia: Provides housing and support for families with hospitalized children
• Room to Read: Focuses on literacy and gender equality in education
• Safe & Sound: Works to prevent child abuse and support families
• The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth
• Year Up: Provides job training and education to young adults

Food & Nutrition

• Atlanta Community Food Bank: Distributes food to those in need
• Feed Ontario: Provides food to those in need in Ontario
• Food Recovery Network: Reduces food waste and feeds those in need
• Meals on Wheels: Delivers meals to seniors and others in need
• World Central Kitchen: Provides meals in the wake of disasters

Health & Wellness

• EveryMind: Supports mental health and wellness
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Advocates for mental health support
• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: Funds breast cancer research and support
• Volunteer Florida Foundation: Supports health and wellness initiatives

Homelessness & Housing

• Back on My Feet: Uses fitness to help those experiencing homelessness achieve independence
• Beloved Asheville: Works on housing, health, equity, and opportunity for all
• LavaMaeX: Provides mobile showers and other services to the homeless
• Motherhood Beyond Bars: Supports incarcerated mothers and their children
• My Sisters’ Place: Provides shelter and support for women and children
• One Family Inc.: Works to end family homelessness
• Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid: Supports the homeless community

Human Rights & Advocacy

• Black Girls Code: Empowers girls of color in tech
  
• GATE (Global Action for Trans Equality): Advocates for transgender rights
• Genesis Women’s Shelter: Supports women and children affected by domestic violence
• Human Rights Campaign: Advocates for LGBTQ rights
• Mixed Blood Theatre: Uses theatre to disrupt injustices, advance equity, and build community
  
• National Association of Latino Arts & Culture: Supports Latino arts and culture
• Sierra Club: Advocates for environmental protection

Poverty & Social Services

• Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee: Supports various community initiatives
• DigDeep: Provides clean water to underserved communities
• Forum for Cultural Engagement: Promotes cultural understanding and engagement
• One Warm Coat: Provides free coats to those in need
• Soles 4 Souls: Distributes shoes and clothing to those in need
• Stepping Stones: Supports individuals with disabilities

Progress is being made.
In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the broad language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlaws workplace discrimination on the basis of sex, should be read to cover sexual orientation, too. And, as of 2022, 94% of Fortune 500 companies employ non-discrimination policies that explicitly include gender identity.  

There is more to be done!
Despite these advancements and others, many LGBTQ+ employees still fear bringing their full selves to work. According to research conducted by Catalyst, a global nonprofit promoting DEI efforts in the workplace, only half of LGBTQ+ employees in the U.S. have come out to their supervisors.  

And, U.S. employees who have come out report experiencing lower inclusion at work compared with their straight counterparts, particularly as it relates to feeling connected with colleagues.  

Being an LGBTQ+ ally can transform lives.
Did you know allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices for LGBTQ+ people? Every new ally adds their voice and actions to a growing shift in mindset and behaviors, making it easier for the LGBTQ+ community to show up as their authentic selves at work and in life.  

In partnership with our employee resource group, Prism, we’ve outlined four ways you can be an active LGBTQ+ ally in the workplace — instead of a passive one.  

Prism is Creative Circle’s employee resource group that welcomes and works to address the interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning communities, as well as allies.  

1. Use LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language 

Source: Academy to Innovate HR  

David Allen, senior recruiting coordinator at Creative Circle and chair of Prism, says, “Your language matters — be mindful of the words you use and avoid gender assumptions. Using LGBTQ+ inclusive language in the workplace can help your employees and colleagues feel respected and included.”

• Use people-first language that centers on the individual rather than their descriptor.  

• Use gender-neutral pronouns, especially when the gender of your colleague is unknown. If you’re unsure of someone’s pronouns, ask politely.  

• Remember, making mistakes is a part of learning. When you make a mistake, genuinely apologize (without making it about you) and use the proper inclusive language next time. 

2. Include Pronouns in Your Communication 

Add your pronouns to your email signature, video call nametag, and Teams/Slack bio.  

Beyond claiming your own identity, including your pronouns shows you’re an ally to the LGBTQ+ community as it indicates that you don’t make assumptions about people’s gender.  

Rose Boyer, Creative Circle recruiter and Prism ERG member, says, “This simple, low-effort act provides an opportunity for inclusion and helps colleagues feel more respected at work. When you share your pronouns, you’re providing others a safe space to share theirs.”  

It’s important to normalize this practice and encourage others to do the same. 

3. Educate Yourself Independently

As an LGBTQ+ ally, the most important thing you can do is educate yourself on issues pertinent to the community.  

David Allen says, “Self-education is important. While some of us enjoy teaching others, don’t expect the LGBTQ+ community to educate you.” It can be exhausting to educate person after person on LGBTQ+ issues, so make the effort to educate yourself and meet them halfway.  

To get started, look through this list of resources provided by Prism.  

• Harvard Implicit Bias Test 
• MyPronouns.org 
• Pride: a six-part documentary series 
• Stonewall, Then and Now 
• The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle 
• Disclosure: Hollywood’s depiction of transgender people and the impact of this on American culture. 

4. Practice Allyship Year-Round

While it’s great to express allyship during Pride Month and other days of visibility, don’t stop there. Show your support consistently throughout the year. 

• Advocate for inclusive workplace policies. 
• Actively challenge discrimination when you encounter it. 
• Amplify LGBTQ+ voices and celebrate their achievements. 
• Donate time or money to an LGBTQ+ charity.  
• Attend LGBTQ+ events.  
• Support an LGBTQ+ business. See page 15 of our Creative Circle ERG Gift Guide!  
• Share this blog with your colleagues and start a conversation.  

Additionally, Rose Boyer emphasizes the importance of listening. She says, “Allies should offer a safe conversational space for a loved one. With their consent, talk to them about their experience(s) and truly listen. They might need it.”  

Creative Circle’s Support for the LGBTQ+ Community

At Creative Circle, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all employees, promoting diversity, and advocating for equal rights. In partnership with our LGBTQ+ employee resource group, Prism, Creative Circle works to cultivate an inclusive community for all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. 

We offer robust parental benefits and family-building resources to our internal employees, including the Maven Wallet Program which covers up to $10,000 of IUI and IVF treatments. Annually, Creative Circle gives charitable donations to organizations for LGBTQ+ advocacy including The Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Lambda Legal, Broadway Cares, PFLAG, and GLAAD. 

If you enjoyed this blog post, you might love these too:  

• Brands Getting Pride Right | Creative Circle 
• Rainbow Capitalism: The Line Between Celebration and Exploitation | Creative Circle  
• The Murkey World of Pride and Marketing | Creative Circle  

About the Author. 
Kayleigh is a Creative Circle freelancer — when she’s not chasing around her two young boys or weeding her garden, she spends her time creating content for us! She specializes in sharing advice for our talent community, so if you’re a creative with an appetite for blogs on market trends, job search guidance, and freelance life, subscribe to our newsletter to ensure you never miss the latest.  

Wait.

Pause for a minute. Take a deep breath. And, try to avoid catastrophic thinking.  

What is AI anxiety, exactly?

Coined by Day One Agency, AI-nxiety is a term used to describe unease about the overarching ramifications of artificial intelligence on human creativity and ingenuity. 

Fear of and resistance to new technological advancements has been common for centuries.

This technology newsletter by Jennifer Walter at Discover Magazine articulates it clearly. She explains how it’s normal to be wary of things we aren’t familiar with. When the bicycle began to rise in popularity in the 1890s, consumers were fearful of the harm the transportation technology might inflict on society. Physicians wrote about “bicycle face,” a condition described as “dark circles under the eyes” in female cyclers — physicians said the activity was dangerous to their health.  133 years later, it’s hard to imagine being so resistant to a bicycle, right?  

In the 19th century, photography was an “art world outcast.” People saw it as a thoughtless device for replication, one that lacked the refined feeling and sentiment that we get from paintings. When you fast forward to today, photography is considered fine art, and it can be an incredibly lucrative profession.  

How to Cope with AI Technology Advancements  

With the rise of generative AI, we are on the cusp of more groundbreaking changes that will alter our reality. Here are five productive ways to digest the changes, leverage what’s available to you, and ease your mind a bit.  

Be mindful of media exaggeration.   

With rapid AI advancements getting all the buzz lately, it can start to feel like you’re an AI adaptation laggard. You’re not. The media often dramatizes news stories about AI, which can fuel anxiety and misconceptions.  

A 2023 Gallup study of nearly 19,000 U.S. employees and leaders discovered that most employees — seven in ten — don’t regularly use AI in their job. Only 1 in 10 employees uses it daily, and within that 10%, most adapters reported using it to carry out routine tasks.  

However, like the evolution of AI, these usage rates are expected to change quickly, so now is the time to jump on board.  

Educate yourself. 

Understanding how AI works, as well as its potential benefits and limitations, can demystify the technology and reduce fear. Reliable sources of information can provide a more balanced landscape and help ease the anxiety coming from the unknown.  

Thanks to the AI innovators and early adopters, there are hundreds of how-to videos on YouTube — high-level tutorials for beginners, step-by-step instructions for specific AI tools, guides on using AI to boost your productivity, and more. Consider checking out these four channels recommended by an expert panelist on a recent Creative Circle webinar:  

1. AI Explained 
2. Sebastian Kamph 
3. Two-Minute Papers 
4. Matt Wolfe 

If you work in the creative space, review the summary of this webinar where three experts share how creatives can best position themselves to thrive in era of AI. 

 Focus on control.  

Anxiety is often related to a lack of control. Get a feeling of control back by concentrating on the aspects of AI that you can influence. 

Consider staying informed about how AI impacts your field, advocating for and using ethical AI practices, or learning new skills to stay relevant in our changing job market.  

Join the conversation. 

Talking about our problems and verbalizing our fears has been a source of relief for centuries. Process your anxieties with a friend or a coworker. Perhaps you’ll find that others feel similarly. 

Prioritize participating in conversations with AI experts or online communities to gain different perspectives and reduce feelings of isolation. Attending a webinar with an open chat might be a good place to start! If you’re looking for an online community, here’s a list of seven popular AI communities to choose from.  

Practice mindfulness and stress reduction techniques. 

If the latest news on AI is triggering a tightness in your throat and a knot in your stomach, try stepping away from it and leaning into a mindfulness practice. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation have been proven to help reduce stress for decades. Consider finding a meditation or yoga studio near you, or give this Spotify playlist a listen. 

Remember, AI is a tool — a powerful one — but it doesn’t replace the human touch. Embrace its potential, stay informed, and find a balance that allows you to thrive. AI can help humans do some incredible things, but YOU are still the artist behind the masterpiece.  

About the Author.
Kailey is a Creative Circle freelancer — when she’s not chasing around her two young boys or laughing at Corporate Natalie videos, she spends her time creating content for us! She specializes in sharing advice for our talent community, so if you’re a creative with an appetite for blogs on market trends, job search guidance, and freelance life, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn to ensure you never miss the latest. 

Caregiving can be challenging, exhausting, and incredibly rewarding, all at once. If you’re feeling the weight of responsibilities both at home and in your career, you’re not alone. Our online community recently shared some of their biggest challenges as employed parents — their top response? Finding work/life balance.  

While there is no one-size-fits-all parenting plan, it can help to hear what’s worked for others. So, we asked 10 parents from Creative Circle to share their advice for juggling employment and parenting. Here’s what they had to say:  

Meeting Caregiving Responsibilities and Spending Time with Loved Ones 

Prioritize Your Tasks

To-do lists can feel overwhelming, but it can help to prioritize. Some tasks are urgent, while others can wait. Be intentional about what truly matters to you. Does the laundry need to be folded RIGHT NOW? Do you really need to answer that email on a Saturday? Probably not. But if it gives you mental peace, then absolutely yes.  

Lauren Ferrara, senior vice president and mother of two, says she prioritizes her tasks and time ruthlessly and sets clear boundaries between work and home. “I focus on quality over quantity with my children. When I’m with them, I aim to be fully present,” Lauren says.  

Lyla Weiss, recruitment manager and mother of two, finds quality time in the little moments. She says the best part of her day is when she picks her girls up from school. “From pickup to bedtime, we get the next several hours together,” says Lyla. She goes “full mom mode” during this time, putting the employment part of her brain to rest as much as possible. Lyla recognizes that things come up and sometimes schedules need to shift; she advises that parents embrace flexibility and be adaptable as family needs change. And she reminds us, “Don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go according to plan.”  

Leverage Workplace Flexibility

While it’s not for everyone — or available to everyone — working from home can be instrumental in supporting parents and caregivers. Eliminating your daily commute gives you precious time back to accomplish other things, be it playing with your kids, tackling a home project, or making space for self-care. If you have the type of job that can be done from home, even if it’s just some of the time, consider taking advantage of this flexibility.  

Brian Pope, lead recruiter and father of two, says in the 14 years of his career, the shift to a remote workplace has been the most impactful in achieving a more balanced work and home life. “And all the caregivers I’ve spoken to feel the same,” Brian says. “Hopefully remote work will be here to stay.”  

Put Down the Device

In our increasingly connected world, it’s essential to recognize the impact of technology on our relationships. Have you looked at the screen time report on your phone recently? According to Data Reportal, the average screen time spent by users aged 16 to 64 across different devices is 6 hours 37 minutes per day. Consider putting down the device and being present — for you, and for your family. 

Jason Lindberg, managing director and father of four says, “Work responsibilities aside (I have a job to do), I force myself to put down the device and be in the game. I only have so many nights to be present before the kids are grown. Spending time is as simple as talking to my family without the phone, iPad, or TV being on.”  

Performing Well at Your Job and Reaching Career Goals 

Communicate and Set Boundaries

Clear communication helps set realistic expectations. By communicating openly, working parents can express their needs, challenges, and limitations. And this applies both at home and in the office — communicate with your manager, with your partner, with your children, with your caretaker. 

Brian Lamsback, regional director and father of two, says he’s blessed to have a great parenting teammate at home. They communicate about schedules, career needs, and goals often. Brain says, “Ask your spouse, friend, or a family member to help you juggle things at home so you can prioritize your work when you need to.”  

Lauren Schneider, lead account executive and proud mother of her baby girl, says, “You can absolutely be an ambitious career person and an amazing parent.” She confirms that communicating with her manager has been pivotal in her success with this. 

Kurt Brown, senior vice president and father of three, says his boundaries with his family are crystal clear — especially because he works from home. “If Dad’s office door is shut, you cannot come in,” he says. Set physical barriers so you can focus on work, and stick to them.  

Have a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset can significantly benefit working parents by encouraging them to view time constraint challenges as opportunities. You don’t have to log 50+ hours per week in the office to succeed — learn to thrive in your allotted work time and approach your tasks with optimism. And while it won’t be easy at first, over time you will establish routines and practices that help you juggle home and work.  

Chris Coates, chief financial officer and father of three, says it’s all about effort and attitude for him. He says, “There’s always going to be folks that are ‘smarter’ than me, or may have other perceived advantages, but they might not have what I’ve got — determination. And I’m always in full control of that.”  

Self-Care: Being Kind to Yourself  

Use PTO and Sick Time

If you receive paid time off or sick time at your company, remember that it’s part of your total compensation and should be used when you need it. PTO isn’t just for vacations. Take the day to tend to your needs, whatever they might be. And if you’re sick — physically ill or mentally drained — take the sick day to heal and keep your life in balance.  

Regional director Brian Lamsback says his team has taken an intentional approach to destigmatizing mental health days. He says, “We’ve agreed ahead of time, as a group, that we don’t have to say we’re sick when we’re not. Telling our managers that we ‘need to take a sick day’ is sufficient.” He says this approach helps his team check in with themselves more often, and hopefully helps avoid potential burnout.  

Nurture Your Well-Being

There’s a reason the airlines tell parents to put their oxygen mask on first: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing self-care is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. Sure, it might not look the same as it did before children, but it can, and should, be on your list of priorities — right up there with “feed the kids breakfast.”  

Katie Welker, manager and proud mother of her baby boy, says she’s recently made a list of “non-negotiables” to help recharge after a busy work week. “I go to a Pilates class, walk my dog, and plan meals for the week ahead.” Katie emphasizes how important this is for her. “I look forward to this time and my family knows I need to do this to avoid getting overwhelmed.”  

Emily Webber, senior vice president and mother of two, can’t say enough about the importance of prioritizing self-care. “Taking care of my body through nutrition and exercise has made a difference in my overall attitude, patience level, and happiness.” She says it doesn’t take much time — she dedicates 30 minutes to one hour each day. “The time I commit to myself is just an important as any care I give directly to my children. Plus, I know I am setting a healthy example for my daughters,” she says. When parents take care of themselves, it benefits everyone in the family.  

Lead account executive Lauren Schneider reminds us to lean on our village. “Don’t just lean on your village when you need to take care of things at work — lean on them when you need to take care of yourself, too.” Lauren adds, “There’s a strength in accepting support and a beauty in watching your loved ones experience your family along with you.”  

Managing director Jason Lindberg shares an important reminder: “Flush the Instagram influencers’ sparkling homes and perfection! It’s not real. Raising a family can be messy, and sometimes frustrating. Real life isn’t social posts. It’s dishes in the sink, laundry for days, and basic house projects you should have finished a year ago. The mess and frustrations will soon be gone. You only have so long with kids before you’ll be longing for the chaos  again.”  

Creative Circle’s Support for Working Parents and Caregivers 

At Creative Circle, we’re committed to providing support to our employees through family-building resources, parental benefits and leave, and work-from-home-flexibility. We have an employee resource group dedicated to parents, caregivers, and allies; their mission is to empower and nurture our parent and caregiver community and to support healthy and productive lives — inclusive of work relationships. 

About the Author. 
Kayleigh is a Creative Circle freelancer — when she’s not chasing around her two young boys or biking on the canal with her husband, she spends her time creating content for us! She specializes in sharing advice for our talent community, so if you’re a creative with an appetite for blogs on market trends, job search guidance, and freelance life, subscribe to our newsletter to ensure you never miss the latest.  

It’s clear that creatives are consciously opting for the freelance path, and for good reason. We asked two of our seasoned recruiters, Elizabeth Calabrese and Jayce Reyes, how to thrive as a full-time freelancer. Here’s what they had to say:

Freedom, Flexibility, and Self-Management

Being a freelancer means you’re the captain of your own ship, the CEO of your freelance business. “You can decide when and where you work. Your freelance hours can flex around your personal needs, plus, there’s a lot of opportunities to work remote,” says Elizabeth.  

Picture this: You’re putting the finishing touches on your latest design project, sipping hot coffee in your work-from-home attire (we’ll let you decide what that looks like) while the rest of the 9–5ers are still stuck in rush hour traffic just to get to the office. 

And can you do this full-time? Yep! But you’ll likely need to pick up multiple part-time gigs. And doing this well requires organization, clear communication, and time management.  

Elizabeth stresses the importance of project management. “When juggling part-time gigs, find a method that works for you. It could be splitting up your days per client, or creating time blocks for each client each day.”  Elizabeth suggests looking into project management tools to help manage your workload across clients. If you need somewhere to start, our Creative Circle favorite is Asana. 

Diverse Portfolio and Higher Pay

Freelancing full-time enables you to diversify your portfolio relatively quickly.   

When hiring managers see your comprehensive range — from web design to content writing to social media management — they’ll perceive greater value, making you a highly sought after candidate.  

Jayce Reyes shares that the most in-demand skills he’s seeing at the moment are “technical skills related to digital platforms, coding, and specialized software.” He reminds us to never undervalue soft skills. “Effective communication, time management, and adaptability are universally valued across industries,” says Jayce. Freelancers should consider gigs in fields with growing demand, such as digital marketing, data analysis, or user experience design.  

But don’t just diversify your skills — explore different industries, too.   

Jayce explains how experience in multiple verticals can be particularly advantageous when trying to make more money. “Freelancers can strategically seek out opportunities in specific verticals that have higher demand for their skills and offer greater compensation.”  He adds, “Find the industry that calls to you and take on gigs there. Becoming an industry-specific expert can enable you to command higher rates due the specialized nature of your services.”   

When setting wage expectations, consider each project’s scope, complexity, and the value you provide. Decide on a pricing structure (hourly, per-project, or retainer) that aligns with your work style and your financial goals. Jayce says, “It’s crucial to periodically reassess your rates as your experience and market demand evolve.”  

To access detailed salary breakdowns for creative, marketing, and tech roles, check out our salary guide.  

Link Arms with a Recruiter

One of the biggest challenges freelancers face is finding consistent work. And when you’re freelancing full-time, the work needs to keep flowing. That’s where a trusted recruiter comes in — they know you better than your favorite coffee shop barista! 

Recruiters do the heavy lifting to find relevant openings, make client intros, and negotiate the best rates on your behalf. At Creative Circle, our connections with top companies get your resume in front of the right people and provide you access to positions that aren’t posted anywhere else. Plus, when you work with us, you’re on our payroll. So, you can immediately cross “send invoice” off that to-do list in your new project management tool .    

We’re Here to Help

With great freedom comes great responsibility. Managing every aspect of your freelance business — setting schedules, constant communication, meeting deadlines, client satisfaction, invoicing — can be overwhelming, but Creative Circle is here to help you. If you’re interested in dipping your toes in the gig economy or are ready to dive into freelancing full-time, connect with us here! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. 

This year, we’re thrilled to share that we donated over $30,000 across 45+ nonprofit organizations! These organizations were hand-picked by our employees, each with a mission that’s near and dear to our hearts.

If you’re looking for additional gift and giving options this season and beyond, consider donating to our collection of nonprofit organizations listed below. We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season!

• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Animal Charities of America
• Animal Humane Society of Minneapolis
• ASPCA
• Austin Pets Alive
• Be The Match
• Black Executive CMO Alliance
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County
• Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
• Cancer Research Institute
• Charlie’s Army
• Child Creativity Lab
• Dragonfly Foundation
• Eight Million Stories
• Equal Justice Initiative
• Feed Ontario
• Feeding America
• Free Food Collective / Open Collective
• Good Karma Pet Rescue Inc.
• Habitat For Humanity International
• Hope Kids
• HopeWay Foundation
• Lambda Legal
• Meals on Wheels America
• Mercy Education Project
• Nashville Safe Haven Family Shelter
• National Latina Inst. for Reproductive Justice
• National Park Foundation
• North Texas Food Bank
• Off the Street Club
• One Family Inc.
• Philabundance
• Planned Parenthood Global
• Safe & Sound
• Sasha Bruce Youthwork
• Save a Child’s Heart
• Sierra Club Foundation
• Smiles for Latin America
• St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Stanley Snacks for School Kids
• Starlight Childrens Foundation
• The Animal Pad
• The Birthday Party Project
• The Posse Foundation
• World Central Kitchen
• Year Up

The language used in job ads matters—a lot. A well-written job advertisement can be the difference between applying for the role and not. Specific terms can alienate certain candidates—and some lists of qualifications read more laundry list than realistic. Simply put—words matter.

Here are five RED flags to look for in marketing job ads. Do your current—and future—self a favor and save these tips when searching for new opportunities.

# 1: Beware of Biased Language

Ads that use phrases such as “hit the ground running” should make you think about running in the opposite direction. Typically, this line can point to jobs with little to no onboarding process, and you are expected to pick up the leftover mess(es) of whoever came before you.

Any mention of being a “family” can mean the company cares little about work/life balance, worker autonomy, and time boundaries.

Then there’s “wears lots of hats,” which could mean the company expects you to complete the workload of multiple positions for only one salary. Say hello to possible burnout, resentment, lower rates of productivity, and higher turnovers.

And beware of the use of words like “ninja,” “rockstar,” or “unicorn.” What works for a can of beer does not work for a job ad. These terms, in particular, turn off female candidates. Employers should post job ads with neutral, straightforward titles, like “Engineer” or “Account Executive,” to attract the most diverse candidates.

Smart Tip: If you see something, say something—don’t be afraid to incorporate questions about questionable language during the interview process. Ask about employee turnover rates, the history of the position you’re applying for, the actual working hours, and company expectations on after-hours communication.

#2: “Boilerplate” Job Ads

If it seems like you’ve read the ad before and it gives you no real insight into clear job responsibilities or duties, you may be applying for a company with little knowledge of marketing and what it takes to succeed in the role. Here are two big red flags:
No mention of a team or department
“Sales” is listed as a job duty

Language like this telegraphs that you are likely looking at a role where you may be the only person running the marketing show—not part of a marketing team.

Smart Tip: If the job description is vague and there are no clearly listed tasks, research whether there is a whole team or marketing department or if it’s a marketing team of one at the company. Ask directly about the history of the role and what the company considers as successes and failures of folks who had previously held the positions.

#3: No Salary Job Ads

In the dawning age of pay transparency laws across the country, any company not providing a salary band or starting salary for an advertised role is raising a big red flag, indicating that the company negotiates salary based on each candidate—opening a can of ethics worms as women and people of color often make considerably less than their white, male counterparts.

No mention of a salary band can signify that the company doesn’t value workers as team members but merely sees them as cogs in a machine. If there is no mention of what you will be making if hired for the role, you will likely struggle with being valued in the company, which may indicate little potential for growth.

Smart Tip: Asking about salary isn’t taboo! An employer should expect to hear this question during an interview, so feel free to apply and inquire about the salary band for the role. As much as the company is interviewing you—you’re also interviewing the company. Don’t settle for less than what your work is worth.

#4: Unpaid Sample Project Requests

Beware of this common pitfall. While a potential employer should do the due diligence and ask about your previous work experience, references to contact, and see examples of past projects—a line must be drawn when a company asks you to complete a pitch or do some other type of free work under the guise of a “sample project” for consideration for the role. See this for what it is: taking advantage of your labor. If it’s a dream position and you genuinely don’t mind doing the work, that’s your call. But for it to be a requirement in the application process is a giant red flag and indicates how you will likely be treated as an employee should you accept a role.

Smart Tip: Remember: if an application/interview process makes you uncomfortable, that’s a sign that your employment there is also likely to as well. If asked to do a sample project, politely ask the hiring manager what they are compensating candidates for this work. If they insist that candidates are doing the work for free, ask yourself if this is a place you want to call your next professional home.

#5: No Mention of Benefits

If a full-time job offer does not come with benefits, consider it a significant sign that they’re not trying to attract top talent but rather see you as a cog with little worth. Companies looking to fill slots are not interested in investing in the fullest potential of their employees, and it likely signals that their organization is likely rife with low productivity and high turnover rates.

Smart Tip: When in doubt, ask. Inquire what benefits are offered and dig into the details—there’s more than just health insurance. Ask about vacation time, 401K, fertility benefits, life insurance, continuing education benefits, and more. If you care about the organization’s ethics, ask questions like “do LGBTQIA+ employees receive domestic partner benefits?” Remember, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask questions about demographics you don’t fit into—how else will we evolve the workplace toward a more equitable place?

Bottom Line

Tap into your gut. If things feel off in the courting stage, it will likely feel off if you accept a job with the company. Remember that as a marketing professional, you are essential to a company’s success. Marketing is pivotal for the growth of all organizations, and those in marketing deserve employers who respect their time, work, rights, and boundaries.

All’s not well around the foosball table, however. If you’re working in tech, you’re looking at a challenging year, for sure. We’re seeing a lot of movement in tech center employment, particularly layoffs and hiring freezes. Many of the perks – and a lot of the jobs – are being peeled away. Maybe your best defense is a good offense? Maybe it’s time to really hunker down and put together a real side hustle (or even a few of them).

Most recently, Amazon announced it would reduce headcount by 18,000 people, but November 2022 was the cruelest month for tech layoffs in recent memory:

• Meta axed 11,000 employees on November 9.
• Salesforce laid off approximately 1,000 employees, which the company announced November 8.
• Twitter laid off 3,700 employees on November 4, about half its workforce
• Lyft reduced its workforce by 13 percent.
• Stripe announced on November 3 it would reduce headcount by 14 percent.
• Chime reported on November 3 the company is cutting its team by 12 percent.
• OpenDoor laid off 10 percent of its workforce on November 2.
• Zillow is closing its homebuying business (“Offers”) and laying off 25 percent of its staff.

Even Google might be considering layoffs – during an all-hands meeting in early December, CEO Sundar Pichai refused to comment on the possibility of layoffs, telling attendees, it’s “tough to predict the future.” According to Layoffs.fyi, the number of layoffs as of December 2022 was 152,468, more than double the 45,114 layoffs for the same 2021 period. Almost 1,000 companies (968) have laid off employees this year. You might be worried about getting laid off – or perhaps you’ve already been laid off? We want to help. Long a home for some of America’s best creatives, including freelancers, Creative Circle wants to help you pivot and, ultimately, thrive. But how? It starts with flexibility.

You should understand your skills are your own and you can apply them to gig work and freelancing opportunities, but you’ll have to make a shift and start thinking like an entrepreneur. How? If you’ve been laid off from a tech job, or you’re worried you might be, it’s probably time to start side hustling. In a turbulent job market – and an uncertain economy – you need to keep your options open and find new ways to earn income. But how to get started?

It’s always good to keep your resume fresh and sharp, of course. If you haven’t given yours a good solid review and edit, or if you don’t know where to start, download the Creative Circle Resume Guide. Once you’re satisfied, don’t forget to revise and polish your LinkedIn profile (and maybe add a new profile pic?). Now it’s time to promote your skills and build your network – add connections on LinkedIn, reach out to former coworkers, customers and employers and vendors, let your friends and extended family know you’re looking for more opportunities, including freelance and gigs.

We’re rolling through a difficult economic and employment landscape, and you’ve got to stay focused on the horizon as you look left, right, behind and ahead for whatever you find, including low-hanging fruit and short-term projects. Build momentum and bring in as much work as you can manage. And remember, you can produce portfolio-quality work with just a temporary gig. You’re on an entrepreneurial chessboard, and you have to keep moving (and make the right moves).

Our research has demonstrated Gen Z is intensely entrepreneurial: “Organizations seek Gen Zers for their unparalleled digital skills and fresh outlooks…Gen Zers tend to be: ‘more communicative, more competitive’ as well as ‘more independent’ and ‘more entrepreneurial.’” Whatever your cohort, though, with some attention to detail and some elbow grease you can find ways to earn more, whether you’ve been laid off or not. Taking an entrepreneurial approach to your work will also give you more control over your career and finances, and more flexibility. It might even be fun to be juggling multiple projects at once, especially when you’re your own boss.

And if you’re thinking of a career pivot, we like the advice provided in this Forbes Council article by Rebecca Bosl, a career coach and resume writer:

To develop your career pivot plan, take some time to think deeply about the following questions:

• What is my ideal workplace or culture?
• What skills do I have? Of these, which do I enjoy using and which do I not enjoy using?
• What are my workplace values? Some examples would be hybrid/remote work, high pay, a flexible work schedule, change, variety and meaningful work.
• What are my passions? Some might not be able to be part of your career (like surfing), but they still contribute to it in meaningful waves, particularly your overall mental health.

To determine your passions, answer these questions:

• If you had unlimited resources in life and knew you would not fail, what would you do?
• If you were given $500,000 to start a nonprofit, what type of nonprofit would you start and who would you help?
• What charges you up? What do you want your life to look like?

Finally, the new year shouldn’t only bring you the blues. This is historically the worst period for hiring all year. Imagine this year as a fresh start. Keep swinging, and please reach out to your Creative Circle recruiter for freelance opportunities.

About the author.

David A. Porter is a writer and editor with extensive social media, public relations, journalism and publishing experience. Over the past two decades he has honed his B2B and B2C communications expertise in a variety of industries, including technology, travel and hospitality, investor relations, political campaigns, music and the arts, and fashion and jewelry. A content creation and distribution specialist, his portfolio includes ad copy, blog posts, brochures, by-lined articles, case studies, long-form content, op-eds, pitch letters, PPT presentations, press releases, proposals and RFPs and speeches; he also edits full-length works by novelists and academics.