A sense of community among IT freelance consultants

As an IT consultancy working with experienced IT professionals, we are very familiar with the concerns that arise when considering freelancing. We often hear stories like this:

You slam the laptop shut, exhale with relief, and think, "Thank God that’s it for today." This reaction isn’t due to a lack of appreciation for your job, the stability of a permanent contract, or the company that has almost felt like home over the years. The truth is, the everyday repetitiveness is wearing on you, and you crave something new—a breath of fresh air, a change in your professional life.

The thought of going freelance crosses your mind. The prospect of working on different projects for various clients is tempting, but it also sparks concerns: what about project continuity, financial security, and the social aspects of the job? Would you have colleagues, or would you feel isolated?

Sounds familiar? Read along as we explore the topic of belonging in the context of freelancing.

The importance of belonging

As theorized in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs², belonging is a universal need, and according to our research, the social aspect of freelance is no less of a frequent concern among IT professionals:

23% of those who are not freelancers believe they will have limited networking opportunities once they go freelance.

1/5 of non-freelancers are afraid of not being a part of an organization.

At the same time, 20% of already-freelancers feel anxious about missing opportunities to socialize.

But how do you foster a sense of community when you do not share every day with the same colleagues?

Sense of community, job satisfaction, and performance

It is no secret that feeling included, respected, and encouraged to express opinions are vital drivers of job satisfaction. The same is true for positive work relationships, which greatly impact both trust and engagement, leading to better performance on individual and team levels. The equation is simple: when people feel comfortable and supported, they let their guard down, spend less time worrying, and become more involved, resulting in effectiveness, dependability, and innovation¹.

Although “people are at the core of everything we do” may sound cliché, it is, therefore, a crucial element of talent attraction and retention. At 7N, we live by this sentiment. We do our best to make our freelance consultants feel at home and prioritize building long-term partnerships with our consultants, employees, and clients — practices driven by a recognition of the impact that social aspects of professional life have on performance.

Building a sense of belonging

Although our consultants are engaged in a multitude of projects in different organizations across cities, borders, and continents, it is our ambition that they always feel like a part of 7N - or, in other words, like members of a unique community of IT experts. This feeling is something we try to evoke at every step of working with 7N:

Onboarding

A good start is crucial for shaping constructive professional relationships and it lays the foundation for cooperation in the future. At the early stages of the onboarding journey, new consultants are invited to participate in virtual onboarding sessions with 7N Vice Presidents. Here, they have the opportunity to become familiar with the organization, get to know our leaders, and meet like-minded people who are at the same stage of their career journey with 7N.

During this stage, agents make an effort to learn new joiners’ preferences, ambitions, and expectations for cooperating with 7N. We want them to know that their opinion matters as it helps us shape our everyday operations and increase the quality of the support we can provide.

Upholding engagement

7N is famous for our exciting networking events – in both professional and social contexts. 7N Academy provides opportunities for learning and upskilling, and consultants are encouraged to provide suggestions, feedback, or even share their own expertise with others.

From a perspective of belonging, we strive to give our consultants as many opportunities to attend social events as possible. Our Event Teams are busy organizing numerous parties, celebrations, and competitions. As a result, 7N consultants can meet and get to know each other during trips, sports events, dinners, and family picnics. To make sure everyone feels included, we provide a variety of events catering to all kinds of interests.

Moving on

When consultants decide to leave 7N, they typically receive a boomerang to symbolize that the doors are wide open for them to rejoin. In some countries, we also launched an Alumni Program to nurture and maintain relationships with former consultants. Members of this community participate in annual events and have access to dedicated training, workshops, and conferences.

The abovementioned initiatives comprise just a fraction of what we do to ensure that our consultants feel that they belong. Even though they are freelancers, our consultants are part of the 7N family.