One-on-one consulting for freelancers

A freelancer is someone who works independently, providing professional services without having to be physically present at the company, and who has the flexibility to choose their projects and organize their time and resources to serve one or more clients simultaneously.

Beyond simply being physically present at a location, a key factor is that the freelancer must bill the companies to which they provide their services.

To do this, you must reach an agreement with the client regarding the scope, costs, and delivery deadlines of the project. And, in some cases, you may need to request an advance payment before beginning work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Freelance Work

• How do I give a personal presentation?

  For freelance professionals, building a personal brand is key to positioning themselves so that companies and clients in need of their services can easily find them. To this end, you can create a personal website and/or activate your online profile on existing freelance directories (e.g., Workana, Simplyhired, Dribbble, among others).
  
  Information to include:
  
  • Email and contact phone number in a visible location.
  
  • Current location.
  
  • Updated resume.
  This can be a link to LinkedIn or a downloadable PDF file.
  
  • List of companies and clients you have worked for that can attest to your performance.
  
  • Recommendations from satisfied clients that demonstrate your experience.
  
  • Availability.
  
  • It is recommended to add tags that identify your areas of expertise and interest (for example: research, consulting, UX/UI development, HR, economics, accounting, etc.).

   

• How does a freelancer look for work?

  • Keeping your resume and/or portfolio up to date.
  
  • Being proactive.
  
  • Being an active member of professional networks, associations, or clusters.
  
  • Participating in events and activities that allow you to promote your work in your target market.
  
  
  Important:
  
  • Define your areas of expertise to optimize your search (most platforms use tag filters).
  
  • Key factors to consider before applying for a project include: full or part-time availability, language proficiency, prior experience in the field, and tax information: billing capacity or limits, taxes, and conditions for exporting services.

   

• Where does a freelancer work?

  Some links for freelancers:

  •TopTotal
  •Guru
  •UpWork
  •Freelancer.com
  •Fiverr.com
  •200kfreelancer.com
  •WeRemoto
  •Workana
  •Simplyhired
  •Dribbble
  •Girls in Tech - Uruguay
  •CDU - Directory of Independent Designers
  •ANII - CVuy - Independent Professionals and Researchers

• Do I have to wait until I graduate to start freelancing?

  No. In fact, freelancing is a great way to get started in the job market.
  
  There are opportunities for upper-level students and graduates of short-term programs.
  
  This arrangement allows you to work remotely. Plus, the flexible schedule makes it possible to balance work with your studies.

• Do I have to start my own business?

  It depends on your line of work and the terms of each project, but in general it is necessary because it will allow you to issue invoices and formally collect payment for the work performed.
  
  In Uruguay, most freelance workers operate as sole proprietors or under the monotributo tax regime (registration with the BPS and DGI as both an individual taxpayer and a business).
  
  This process can be completed online.
  
  You’ll find all the relevant information on the BPS website.

• Do I have to be a member of the University Professionals' Health Insurance Fund?

  If you are a university graduate of Universidad ORT Uruguay, you have 90 days from the date of authorization by the Ministry of Education and Culture to register and make the required contributions.

• How do you create a budget?

  When estimating a project, you should take into account the time you’ll need to devote to the project, including in-person or virtual meetings, consultation rounds, and revisions.
  
  You’ll also need to factor in all additional expenses, such as proofreading and translations, plan modifications, balance sheets, color proofs, shipping, printing, etc.
  
  To that figure, you should add your experience in the field and assess whether the project is local, regional, or international in scope.
  
  
  Fee guideline reference
  
  • Researchers and technicians - Source:ANII
  
  • Technical experts, junior and senior programmers, and consultants - Source: ANII

  When preparing a budget, it is important to consider other related expenses. For example, payments to agencies such as BPS and DGI, as well as taxes like IRAE, IRPF, and VAT (if you provide services to foreign companies while working from Uruguay, those amounts will be exempt from VAT).

  You’ll also need to decide whether to request an advance payment to get started (typically 30–50% of the total budget) and how the remaining payment for the project will be settled—whether in a single lump sum or in installments.

  If you do not have a formal contract, it is advisable to document the agreement and obtain written approval (via email, for example) of a detailed outline of the work plan, delivery schedule, budget, and payment terms, which will serve as a binding agreement between both parties.

• How do I create an effective resume and cover letter, and define my professional profile?

   

  We offer personalized consulting services on labor-related matters.