"Working for free" - What to ask yourself before you agree to a skills swap
I’m sure you would probably shout ‘NEVER!’ if I asked you if you’d work for free. For some of you, even a skills swap will be seen as a no-no. But for me, there are some grey areas here, and I think we’ve all worked for free in our careers, even if that’s an internship back in our 20s. We’ve certainly all expected someone else to work forfree in some capacity for us. And there can be huge benefits to being open to a skills swap or doing something with time you’re not being paid for.
There are lots of things we expect for free these days. Wifi comes to mind. Parking, often. We all love a freebie or an extra or a bonus something. I’m getting the tyres on my car checked for free at a garage this week. They might recommend new tyres but I’m not obliged to buy them from that garage. I happily accept the free tyre check - I’m sure many of you have done the same.
I go to a free networking event most months, down in the Cotswolds where I live, and as a coach I give away my time in free discovery calls. I guess I work for free creating content for Instagram. I also run a Facebook group for women in the media which is free - so I’m not paid for that. I don’t see any of these things as working for free, but you might!
The mindset is about time and money - when are you working for free, and when are you working for or on yourself?
It’s not just in the freelance world. There are lots of things we do in staff or permanent roles which are ‘freebies’. Working as a mentor, for example, hosting a workshop or helping with an event in your office. Lunchtime meetings with a contact are considered by some to be working for free.
In my two work lives - journalist and coach - there are big opposites in this. As a writer there are often times you’re asked to write for free. Anything from writing on spec for a contract or job through to a website saying it can’t pay for a blog but is happy to ‘host’ your work. My first job came through working for free. I did two weeks of work experience at a local newspaper in Guildford back in 2000 which led to me staying on for two weeks paid. I'd also done work experience at New Woman, a month’s unpaid work. I’ve still got a cutting with my byline on it!
Are job application tasks considered to be working for free?
With job applications, there is also the working for free element (I see this talked about often on LinkedIn) where people are asked to complete a task in order to apply for the role. The amount of effort needed can vary, but in the past, especially as a journalist, I’ve submitted ideas or draft articles as part of the job application or interview process. There’s a huge amount of trust involved as you have no copyright on your ideas!
The changing point came for me when I trained as a coach. Suddenly the idea of a skills swap came into play.
While training, we were encouraged to offer coaching sessions ‘pro bono’ (AKA fee free) and began to do skills swaps. I have swapped coaching for hand-knitted socks, bespoke art work, and, more recently, help with elements of building my coaching business. I’ve swapped coaching for coaching! I offer discovery calls for free - they’re part of the ‘do you want coaching?’ process.
Before you say yes to a skills swap - or offer one - here are a few things to ask:
Is this the right swap or opportunity for me, my career or my business?
The one thing you want to think about if you're asked to skill swap is: “Is it worth it for you?” I'm still keen on a skills swap, but you have got to be very careful, 'cause you find yourself swapping for things that you might actually not want or need. You’ve got to be very careful what you swap for and why.
Will a skills swap take me closer to my own goals and does it align with my values?
Does the skill swap or opportunity feel right for you and the things you believe in? Does it align with how you want to spend your time and the things that bring you joy?
When does a skills swap need to end?
Skills swaps can be great up to a point - but there does come a time when you have to ask whether you want to keep swapping or charge for what you’re offering. They might say no if it’s not a swap, but you also then get the opportunity to walk away and say you’re done. For example, one pair of socks might be plenty for you!
Ask: Do I want the item that’s being offered in a skills swap?
If you don’t want what’s on offer, don’t swap. Trying something out for a skills swap is a waste of both your time. You’re leading them on and not getting anything you really want. Try not to be tempted into ‘you might enjoy it!’ if your gut is saying no.
Is the swap a fair swap price/value wise? (If not, consider asking for more or offering less).
Well, this is sort of how things used to be. I know that one analogy here is the idea that you wouldn’t go into a shop and ask for a product for free. You probably wouldn’t find me in John Lewis asking if they’ll swap a new pair of jeans for a couple of hours of coaching. But this is how things used to be. I’ve just finished reading an excellent book called Less by Patrick Grant (off of Sewing Bee) and it charts the rise of consumerism and mass production.
It is absolutely fascinating about the way that mass production came to be, and consumerism, and, yes, how that was driven by magazines and advertising. We all used to trade - AKA a skill swap!
You would say, “Oh, hi. You've got some coal. I need some coal. What do you need?” and the person would say “Oh, well, actually, I could do with all those vegetables you've got.” Fantastic - let’s swap!
One thing they probably would have done was made sure that the balance was okay, so the final question to ask is: “Am I getting a fair deal?”
Think back to those old market stalls. Are you getting enough coal in return for your cauliflowers?
