There’s no denying that HR is both a rewarding and a lucrative niche. Millions of people work in human resources and enjoy what they do. For some, there is a desire – and sometimes a need – to become a freelancer.

It’s a decision that never gets taken lightly. After all; you’re giving up a job with a set salary to work for yourself. It’s a risk and a big one at that. But, it’s one that many HR professionals are willing to take to further their careers.

Are you planning on transitioning from a full-time HR professional to a freelancer soon? If so, you’ve come to the right place. I’d like to share with you some pointers on how to make the process as smooth as possible. Here is what you need to know:

Registering your business
As a freelancer, you will effectively be running a business. You need to adhere to the rules governing the setup of any for-profit concern. For example, you’ll need to register your business to get a tax ID. You will also need to start filing tax returns and keeping records of invoices and receipts.

I recommend talking to an accountant before you get started. They can tell you the best way to start your business from a tax-saving point of view.

Planning for your future
Another consideration to make is how you’ll take care of yourself when you retire. The obvious answer is to start investing in a pension plan for your twilight years. Don’t forget that you’ll no longer have an employer to do that for you.

You should also organize health insurance. It’s mandatory in some parts of the world. It’s also a good idea to have even if it’s optional.

Proving your skills
To attract new clients, you need to show them that you’ve got proven skills to offer. The easiest way to do that is by writing a compelling resume. It should list your professional achievements and give an insight into your previous roles.

If you’re stuck for ideas, there are some examples of HR resumes online that you can peruse. Of course, make sure that you only stick to the facts in your resume. Don’t make up any skills or qualifications!

Getting new clients
Once you’re ready to rock and roll, it’s now time to start getting new customers.

As an HR professional, you will no doubt have a list of contacts from previous roles. Speak to them and let them know what you’re doing. I can guarantee you that some of them will want to meet with you to discuss their needs!

You should also spend some time marketing your services to potential clients. For a start, you need to set up a website and online presence in social media. LinkedIn is a good starting point, but you could also consider Facebook and Twitter too.

As you will be a busy freelancer, you might not have the time to manage your marketing alone. I recommend outsourcing some tasks to marketing agencies. That way, you can keep your time free for making money!

I hope today’s article has been of use to you.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.