[lassoiat]

Totally agree. It is also why I would never even consider freelance.

The idea of creating a personal "brand" makes me nearly physically sick I hate the idea so much.

I am very risk averse. I love the predictability of what shows up in my bank account.

"Freelance" for me would just be a euphemism for being unemployed. The situation would just make me depressed and I would end up just getting a new job.

It seems to me the type of person who would thrive at freelancing doesn't need to read this thread or ask these questions to start with.

[em-bee]

i have to market myself just as much when applying for jobs. really. i don't see the difference.

actually, there is a difference. if i have services, i can market those as products. if i look for jobs then i have to market myself. so in fact, as a job hunter the personal brand is even more important than when selling services.

i get the risk aversion, that's a different issue.