How many times have you seen an online ad for a freelance job that sounds great - until you get to the part about compensation? The hirer/employer is usually looking for a talented person who can provide a quick turn around on a substantial project. There's just one catch. The pay is miserable, at best. Instead of offering a fair pay rate, the hirer wants you to do the work for free, for cheap, or for the experience. Sound familiar? It seems as if these types of "opportunities" are popping up more frequently. In fact, CraigslistCurmudgeon is a blog dedicated to calling out some of the worst of these solicitations.
Of course, freelancers aren't the only ones privvy to these premium work-for-hire (so to speak) listings. Whether you are a writer, graphic designer, SEO consultant, or a marketing consultant, there is the opportunity to provide your services for little or no money. Reading through the many blogs on the subject, you will notice that professional freelancers take great offense at being offered a pittance for pay. But isn't there a school of thought that says sometimes it's okay to work for free? For those just starting their careers as independent professionals, working pro bono can be a good way to help build a portfolio of your work. However, working gratis should be a selective process, not a daily occurance. Have you ever worked for free? Take the poll and let us know what inspired your generosity.
Starting in my freshman year of high school, I worked in the library for no credit but because I loved it and wanted to learn as much as I could and had already done two years of it, the limit for credits. However, it payed off when, right out of high school, I went to work in the state library. My six years, four for no credit, convinced the folks in HR that I really was interested in working there.