Is It Okay If You’re Not Qualified For The Job?
Posted June 27, 2008 in Business 30 Comments »
What’s an expert? I read somewhere, that the more a man knows, the more he knows, he doesn’t know. So I suppose one definition of an expert would be someone who doesn’t admit out loud that he knows enough about a subject to know he doesn’t really know that much. -Malcolm Forbes
If I could attribute one idea to my success as a freelancer, it would be this: “You Are Who You Say You Are”.
All too often, beginning freelancers question whether they are, in fact, allowed to call themselves “professionals”. At what point is it acceptable to say, “I’m an expert in my field”? At what point can you confidently charge $100 an hour?
To many people, the term “freelancer” comes with some baggage. They don’t hear this word and think, “entrepreneur”. No – instead, they think, “He must be some hack that can’t get a real job.” So, who gets to decide when you’re qualified? The true answer is that you’ll never know. The more you educate yourself, the more you realize how much further your journey will continue. Ultimately, YOU – and nobody else – decide when you’re an expert and are worthy of a hefty fee.
Growing up, I’ve learned that there are a couple of constants in life. First, hot dogs should never be eaten. Second, and more importantly, life requires a lot of BS. Now at first, you might think that this is a terrible way to live. I personally disagree.
Realizing that everyone is BSing their way to the top can be strangely liberating. You learn that we’re all just scared people hoping that the rest of the world doesn’t figure out our dark secret – that we’re all just imposters one step away from finding ourselves too far in the deep end of the pool. If you can find peace in the fact that we’re all, at least to some extent, in this same proverbial pool, you can begin to focus on what matters most – getting the job done.
I discovered this concept when I was discussing a project with my very first client.
“Do you think you can handle this website”, she asked me? I, being young and way out of my league, was probably focusing more on the sweat running down my face than the client’s question. “Yes!”, I responded with an overzealous tone that makes my current self nautious.
Was I qualified for this job? Absolutely not; but, after a few books and two hundred hours, I managed to present the client with something along the lines of what she asked for. She was happy enough with the product that I received a nice letter in the mail a few weeks later. Heck yes, I knew that I was a hack! But, to the client, I was the EXPERT and worth every penny. So what is more important here: the way we personally classify ourselves, or the manner in which we are presented to the world?
Looking back on my first job, I cringe when I review my work. When I compare it to what I’m capable of now, I sometimes consider redoing the site for free. Such things can keep a person awake at night! Bottom line, you should always look back on your old work with some disgust – it’s called growth.
Let The Client Be Your Catalyst
In this day and age, freelancers must be willing to offer a larger variety of services. As a result, it can become increasingly hard to be fluent in each piece of software.
Personally, I love it when a client makes a request that requires a program that I’m unfamilar with. What great motivation! We can be paid to learn! The next time you are offered a job that you aren’t quite qualified for, accept the job and BECOME QUALIFIED.
This may mean that for the first week, you sit in a coffee shop (or a bookstore) and study your tale off. Now obviously, you don’t want to charge your client for your shortcomings; so you should dock your hours accordingly. When the project is completed, you’ll not only receive your fee, but you’ll also become qualified in yet another piece of software.
This, consequently, will make you more reliable and beneficial to the client for your future projects. Win – win! Though some might argue that it is a disservice to the client to take on a job that you aren’t initially qualified for, I strong disagree. From my experiences, clients are looking for long term relationships. The 80/20 rule has never been more apparent than in my case.
These clients don’t want to hear, “I’m sorry. I’m not qualified to do this project.” They want you, their contact, to get it done – period. If you have developed a relationship with them, they know that they can rely on you. Truthfully, it would be nearly impossible for a freelancer to hold the title of “master of everything” (especially in the design world). Anyone who argues differently is either a liar or simply in denial.
We live in an age where technology is obsolete after six months. Throw a spouse and kids into the mix, and you have one tough industry. In such instances, there is absolutely nothing wrong with “learning as you go” as long as you ultimately present the client with a professional product.
What do you think? :)
Jeffrey Way
******
About the author: Jeffrey Way is a full-time freelance web developer who is most comfortable when blending in with a corner at a Starbucks while working. When he’s not designing for his clients, he maintains a blog that contains thoughts and tutorials related to web development. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his fiance’ and dachshund.
About the author: Jeffrey Way is a full-time freelance web developer who is most comfortable when blending in with a corner at a Starbucks while working. When he's not designing for his clients, he maintains a blog that contains thoughts and tutorials related to web development. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his fiance' and dachshund.
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30 Comments
Tracey Grady
June 27th, 2008 at 4:14 amFirst of all, my jaw dropped when I read “We can be paid to learn!” but in the next paragraph “you don’t want to charge your client for your shortcomings; so you should dock your hours accordingly” made me feel better again. While it would be great to be paid to learn, charging for the time you spend developing your skills isn’t ethical, and you’ve said as much in this article, which is great. One of the great things about working as a designer is that you get to meet people (clients) who raise the bar for you professionally by asking for things you don’t know how to do … yet. So long as you know it’s within your scope to learn (I’m not about to take night classes in coding javascript), it’s the professional development that’s so necessary in a fast-changing industry.
I loved hearing about your first web job! I’ve just written a post over at my blog about looking back at your earliest “jobs” and what they can teach you now about your design practice. Your story fits right in.
pedro
June 27th, 2008 at 4:34 amReally Inspirating!
But I think that everybody should establish their own limits of “learning” of new features / technologies, I think that sometimes is better to reject some projects than get yourself involved in a never-finish project that you were not enough prepared
Oh, you have a typo in the “willing to offer a larger variety of services.” link :)
Jon Phillips
June 27th, 2008 at 4:40 am@Pedro: thanks for pointing it out, just edited the link :)
Jenny
June 27th, 2008 at 5:31 amGood article. So very true!
JamieO
June 27th, 2008 at 6:56 amGreat article! Last night I read Designers and Developers: Fight! and it left a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Your article is the proverbial mouthwash for that. People should always be on the lookout for ways to expand their skills and knowledge. If they do, they will grow the variety of jobs which they can confidently seek out in the future, or as you suggested learn into delivering.
As a devigner – one who is equal part pixel pusher and code monkey who tries to deliver designs and development – this aspect is even more daunting.
stephanerd
June 27th, 2008 at 7:36 amAs long as I’ve been working in a professional capacity, I’ve found this to be true. In my first job post-college, I had so much trouble convincing myself that I was a professional on par with my colleagues, despite cold, hard evidence that I had skills that they lacked and needed, and vice versa.
But by the time I made it to my first, full-time book publishing gig, it was obvious to me that no one was as all-knowing as their title implied, and that we were all pretty much on an even playing field. When I asked to switch over from my editorial position to one that had opened in marketing, which I had no prior experience with, I played up the personal characteristics that could possibly help me, and then proceeded to learn by merely throwing myself into the job, sans training. It worked amazingly well.
Now that I’m a freelancer, I’m coming up against the same old self-doubts, which is especially frustrating when you’re trying to figure out how to set your rates. I just keep telling myself that I’m providing a service…I have what they need…and then I throw myself into the job and learn by doing.
Thanks for the post Jeffrey!
Jeffrey Way
June 27th, 2008 at 7:39 am@Pedro – I agree. But usually, the job will involve learning a program that I’ve been meaning to get into anyways.
Lillie Ammann
June 27th, 2008 at 8:26 amJeffrey,
I agree with you completely. My experience of saying I could do something I didn’t know how to do goes all the way back to college – MANY years ago! I was the first person in my family to go to college, and participating in a work-study program to pay my tuition was absolutely essential. I had learned to type on a manual typewriter and only used the one electric typewriter in our school for a single one-hour class period. When I reported to my assigned job in the library, the librarian said, “Your transcript shows you took typing in high school, so I’m going to have you type catalog cards.” She showed my desk and … an electric typewriter. I didn’t even know how to turn it on, and visions of being kicked out of school because I couldn’t afford the tuition because I lost my job because I couldn’t type ran through my head. Sheer desperation led me to say, “I haven’t used this model before. Is there a manual?” She didn’t need to know that the “model” I hadn’t used was an electric typewriter – let her think I meant the specific brand. She gave me the manual, I studied it and figured out how to use the machine, and ended up becoming a very fast typist who typed just about every document the library put out. So it’s only natural that as a freelancer, if I don’t know how to do something, I say, “Yes, I can” … then proceed to learn how to do it.
Richard
June 27th, 2008 at 9:08 amA lot of our clients are after long term relationships too, although some don’t (initially) seem to regard their website as a long-term sales-lead generator for their business
Laura Spencer
June 27th, 2008 at 9:13 amThought-provoking post!
The truth is that many projects are unique. In some cases the requirements are so specific that it’s rare that you would have already done exactly what the project requires. However, I’m also a big advocate of truthfulness.
For me, the best way to go about it is to point out why I can handle the project. I don’t come right out and say, “I’m unqualified.” Instead I think of work that I’ve done that might be relevant, even if it’s not quite the same. Then I say something like, “I can handle your project X because I have experience doing Y.”
For example:
I can create descriptive captions for the fields on your report because I have a lot of experience documenting software screens.
Or,
I’m sure that I can use Moveable Type because I already have a lot of experience using blogging platforms such as WordPress.
I’ll definitely be following this to see what others say.
Jeffrey Way
June 27th, 2008 at 9:22 am@Laura – Yeah, I’m interested to see what people think as well. At the very least, it is a discussion topic. In my opinion, as long as the client is in no way penalized, there is nothing wrong with learning as you go. Whether people admit it or not, I’m sure we’ve all experienced that feeling.
I also don’t think there is anything wrong with subcontracting the job out if you aren’t qualified.
Jason Marsh - Web Site Designer
June 27th, 2008 at 9:35 amAbsolutely love your attitude, then again everything I know about web was self thought or stolen from colleges at the time, well let’s just say they where more than happy with the idea as they where totally swamped at the time and couldn’t find the time to explain to the novice..
Lisa
June 27th, 2008 at 9:49 amGreat article! As long as the client is not hurt by your actions then there is nothing wrong with finding out how to do something along the way. How would you increase your skillset if you didn’t? I learn by doing so I will definitely not turn something down. Also, with the web at our finger tips we can find out how to do pretty much anything in a short period of time!
Laura Spencer
June 27th, 2008 at 9:52 amHi Jeffrey!
Sure, using subcontractors is okay if you can find one. I always tell the client when I do that, though.
Adam Donkus
June 27th, 2008 at 12:03 pmWhat, no hot dogs? So sad for you.
Yes, quite a few of our jobs are learning experiences. I don’t want to know it all and will never profess to know it all. If a client has a problem that I can not answer, I have a number of associates for whom I can sub work out to for such a situation. Giving work to others is a beauteous thing.
Craig Prichard
June 27th, 2008 at 12:37 pmJeffrey,
Good insight. The analogy that works for me is that of running down a hill with a boulder (but not a snowball) following close behind. Self-education is the hill and unpreparedness is the boulder. If the boulder catches up with you bad things happen. You can chose to stay off the hill and avoid boulders but what kind of view is that? I prefer the wind-blown look, heavy breathing, racing heart, and all the challenges that accompany the lifestyle of self-improvement.
Craig Prichard
Technical Communicator
George Fragos
June 27th, 2008 at 4:02 pmIn my opionion the most important signs of a expert professional are:
1. A confident positive attitude devoid of cockyness and arrogance.
2. High ethical standards.
3. Time is taken to fully understand the clients needs.
4. Regular communication and status reporting — envolve the client.
5. Someone that delivers a quality product on schedule that meets or exceeds their client’s expectations.
Lois K
June 27th, 2008 at 11:10 pmIf you look closely at the term “expert” you will find there are two parts pronounced, “ex” and “spirt”. Now everyone knows an “ex” is a has been and a “spirt” is a drip under pressure, therefore none of us are true experts because that would make us has been drips under pressure. The reality is that our world is evolving at such a rate we can only strive to be the very best we can be at a given moment in time. There is a reason why people come to us, just like we seek out a doctor or a lawyer. It is because we possess a type of knowledge they do not possess. Therein lies the expert. You are absolutely correct in identifying new technologies and skills continuously to maintain maximum adaptibility. Bravo!!!
Rebekah
June 28th, 2008 at 1:55 pmJeffrey,
I think you’re exactly right about taking work that you need a little bit of polish to be able to complete. Otherwise, i read recently, “how can we ever see the ocean if we never leave the harbor?” Selling yourself is the biggest asset to a freelancer-ability and skill will follow. The client learns to trust you at first meeting or greeting, and your work will just confirm their general impression of you. There’s a lot they can tell about you in a first impression-make it a memorable one!
Rebekah
Renown Promotions
Chad
June 29th, 2008 at 12:40 pmJeff, you’re right to a certain degree…but if you’re always posing as an “expert” you’ll come up short when the potential client requests 5 samples of you best related work.
Jeffrey Way
June 29th, 2008 at 12:49 pm@Chad – I don’t think there is anything wrong with telling a client, “I haven’t done anything like this specifically – but, I’ll have no problem giving you exactly what you need. As long as you pull through in the end, you should be good. I wouldn’t call that “posing as an expert”. I call it adapting.
Meikah Delid
June 30th, 2008 at 5:16 amFrom a customer (or client) point of view, this makes a lot of sense. As such, I don’t care how you give me the product or service as long as it’s an excellent one, and it’s something that I can really use. :)
I like the part when you say, “if you aren’t qualified, become qualified!” It’s like saying, “if you don’t have it, then produce it!” Or “If you don’t have it, then help me find ways to have it.” :-D
Very insightful! Keep at it!
Zaoris
July 1st, 2008 at 6:29 amThis is definitely one of the best blog posts I’ve ever read. The fact that we must show the manner in which we are presented to the world is just incredible exhibited.
I just read another view of what we do and how other people see us but also what makes us different.
The “paid to learn” idea is also something that we should consider.
Great post, thank you Jeff!
Andrija
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:58 pm“Looking back on my first job, I cringe when I review my work. When I compare it to what I’m capable of now, I sometimes consider redoing the site for free.”
Ha, ha :) I actually did this, not the design of the site, but coding. It was terrible, and I just couldn’t live with it. So I code it again about a year later, without even noticed the client.
Paul Burani
July 4th, 2008 at 4:13 pmBravo Jeff — this is really fantastic. I think that developing the awareness that “everyone else is an impostor too”… that’s really powerful stuff. Thank you.
Bikeman
July 7th, 2008 at 7:07 amI agree 100% with the proviso that you should only take on what you’re capable of. I have spent days and sometimes whole weeks working through what I needed to do/learn to take on a project only to come to the conclusion that if I took it on I’d fail to deliver and have to sub-contract – something I never feel comfortable with.
It’s frustrating being a freelancer when a job is turned down because the opportunity to learn something new becomes a distraction from other work within your capability.
TWD
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:18 am“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.”
Pablo Picasso
Ado Marcelo
December 19th, 2008 at 7:58 pmMake it simple.
If you have a job in a company and your boss ask you to do something a little out of your range, what you say to him? – ” Ohh, ask this for another person, i dont know how to do ! – probably not, right?
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