Young professionals weigh flexibility against instability

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02:34

Rebecca Zhang can work anywhere over a cup of coffee on her laptop. As a fast developing employment trend in China, especially among young professionals, the gig economy provides a wide range of freelance work that can be done even at home.

"The best part of freelancing is the flexibility, regarding work format or the people you meet. Plus, you don't have to answer to a chain of command," said the freelance media manager.

Zhang is currently working on an advertising project. She has also done voice acting, interpretation and planning since she came to Beijing in 2014. During her busiest time, Zhang juggled four jobs. However, it wasn't always like that.

"Freelancing is highly unstable. There is no such thing as a monthly salary. There were times I had to call my parents for money," said Zhang.

Zhang had tried to look for potential employers through online talent outsourcing platforms in the first couple of years. After waiting a long time with only two small gigs, the freelancer came to realize that she is outmatched by studios and companies who pay promotional fees to get a boost.

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Zhang's profile is like a needle in a haystack without promotion. So she went offline and built her network the old way. That's how she met Romeo Ma. He owns a movie company, but most of his work comes on the side: through freelance script writing and media planning.

"My friends call me 'Boss.' They really should save this title for Jack Ma. I'm barely making a living," Ma smiled.

The last account activity for Ma's movie company was 13 months ago. He supplements his various work activities through home-stay rentals.

"My major income is from the home-stays my wife and I manage. It's roughly 10,000 yuan per month, plus around 6,000 from the gigs I get," said Ma, adding that he is more productive working at home. In one day, he can multitask at four different jobs.

While freelancing allows more job flexibility and independence for those who don't like the 9-to-5 rut, there are things it cannot provide, such as social insurance and housing funds.

In Beijing, social insurance costs anywhere from hundreds of yuan to over 1,600 yuan a month for freelancers, an expense Zhang can't afford. Without social insurance, medical expenses and retirement funding can be a problem. But Ma, who studied finance in college, takes it in stride, saying it's all about probability.

"At least I'm in good health now. So for the time being, I choose to live a good life and not worry about something that might or might not happen," said Ma.

Despite the risks, the two are optimistic about their future. By building their reputation and connections, they may eventually find something they want to make a career out of.