Self-employed: you don't have to be able to do everything on your own, seek career guidance!

Following the exploration of the labour market in the cultural sector, produced by the Social and Economic Council (SER) and the Council for Culture, last month, there was much attention on the low earning self-employed worker in the cultural sector. Promising headlines such as "Everyone gets paid except the artist" (NRC) and "It's a wait-and-see every month whether I earn enough" (Volkskrant) could account for recognition and were enthusiastically shared on social media.

What is going on? With all the cuts, many jobs have been lost and workers in the cultural sector have often become self-employed out of necessity. Their labour market and income position is weak. But there is also good news! Employer, employee organisations and social funds in the cultural sector have joined forces to preserve jobs and make existing staff permanently employable, including outside the sector. To achieve this, the Culture sector plan for a sustainable labour market made. Briefly, this means that anyone working in this sector will be eligible for a substantial contribution towards the cost of career planning, personal development and entrepreneurship until the end of 2016.

TIP: Those wishing to familiarise themselves with the offerings of Sector Plan Culture can attend a free introductory meeting on Monday 22 February from 13.30-17.30 at the event "Come perform for yourself!" At the Dodo hatchery in Amsterdam. 

I spoke about this plan and the current situation of ZZP-ers in the cultural sector with Marcella van Megen, career advisor for Sector Plan Culture.

What is your reaction to the news about the weak employment position of the increasing number of self-employed people in the cultural sector?

'"It worries me. Many people have been thrown out on the street and are now forced to work as self-employed workers, but I doubt that this is a good development. The cultural sector employs such a wide variety of people, you can't lump them all together. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone and in terms of salary you lose out enormously, but people now have almost no choice. It feels like there is no room for the question: 'Entrepreneurship, does that suit me?' or 'Does this suit my (career) wishes and what are those wishes anyway?'"

As a career advisor for Sector Plan Culture, how do you help people cope with the changes in the cultural sector?

'"Most people want an immediate solution, but I believe in the power of asking questions. In my coaching, I work, among other things, with the course survey, inspired by the Hoogendijk method. The course investigation aims to guide people towards a new perspective in their career and help them (learn to) make their own choices. Questions like "What gives me energy?", "What special qualities have I developed?" and "What do I want to pass on to others, mean to others?" get you thinking. Themes such as authenticity, meaning and self-direction are also discussed. It may then turn out that someone needs the security of a permanent job and that going along with being forced into self-employment is not a wise choice. We then explore other options together.''

What would you like to give working people in the cultural sector who are struggling right now?

'"I recently said to a newly graduated dance teacher, 'You are out of your time'. It is not someone's personal fault if they cannot find work in the current climate. Besides, for people who work with heart and soul, losing their job can be experienced as the collapse of the world. That's when it can be nice to have someone watching with you. So let go of the idea that you have to be able to do it alone and allow yourself the space to explore what you really want. Artists often possess a high degree of self-reliance and, especially in the dance world, there is an atmosphere of 'work hard, don't nag', but such an attitude can also work against you. Asking for help is still sometimes seen as a sign of weakness, but making yourself vulnerable is actually a sign of strength.''

Do you also want a discount from Sector Plan Culture? Then go to www.optredenvoorjezelf.nl for more information. The website has an overview of all career advisers (click on the purple wallet). There is also an overview of the cooperation partners, but for the actual offer of training courses on which the scheme offers discounts, you have to be on the partner's own website.