I Was the Perfect Employee Until I Wasn’t

Summary

The author transitioned from a full-time employee to a successful freelancer after being denied a raise and realizing the potential for greater earnings and freedom in their writing career.

Abstract

The author began their career in 2011 with an online entrepreneur, progressing from content writing to social media management and then to copywriting. Despite their growth and dedication, their boss dismissed the possibility of earning significant income through writing. After requesting a raise and being refused, the author decided to leave the company. This decision led to a fulfilling freelance career, free from the constraints of traditional employment, and without regrets a decade later.

Opinions

The author initially believed they had found their dream job, indicating a strong initial commitment and satisfaction.
The boss's opinion that writing wouldn't yield much income was a point of contention and a catalyst for the author's career shift.
The author's request for a raise reflects a belief in their own worth and the value of their work.
The refusal of a raise and subsequent resignation signify the author's unwillingness to settle for less than they deserved.
The offer to hire the author as a freelancer after resignation suggests the boss recognized the author's value, albeit possibly too late to retain them as an employee.
The author has no regrets about their decision, implying a sense of empowerment and satisfaction with their career independence and success.

I let my boss push me to freelance.

I thought I found my dream job when an online entrepreneur hired me to write content for her clients back in 2011. After graduation, this first real job took me from a content writer to a social media account manager and, finally, to a copywriter.

One day, she told me that I’d never make much money out of writing, no matter how good I am. I sat there and smiled.

Six months later, I had my client roster. I asked her for a raise. She refused. I resigned.

Ten years and not a single regret later, I know I did the right thing. I knew it the moment we were saying goodbye, and she offered to hire me as a freelancer. I got both the raise and freedom over my professional life.