Gig workers are the new face of the world workforce. The gig economy is a growing trend in the workforce. It is a system that allows people to work on short-term contracts or projects as opposed to full-time employment.

Gig workers are also known as freelancers, contractors, temps, part-time workers, contingent workers, independent contractors, and consultants. They are typically hired for short-term engagements based on their skill set or expertise.

The gig economy has changed the way we make money and do business. As with many major movements, a combination of business trends, tech and culture are shaping the gig economy’s emergence. It follows an on-demand employment model where organizations contract temporary or independent workers for short-term engagements giving rise to a new workforce that does not conform to the traditional 9-5 work schedule.

According to a report by Niti Aayog, India's gig force is expected to expand to 2.35 crores by 2030.

Pandemic's contribution to Gig Economy
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, previously underappreciated jobs were suddenly deemed “essential” by the government. Because of quarantines, social-distancing measures, and curfews, gig economy workers, such as those working for grocery delivery apps, became heroes, as millions in lockdown relied on them for basic necessities.

The indispensability of gig workers coupled with the slew of layoffs that followed the pandemic exposed a harsh truth: Being an employee isn’t as secure as we once thought it was. When you’re an employee, you have one job. Lose that job, and you lose 100% of your income. But when you’re a gig worker, you have multiple contract jobs. Lose one—or even a few—and you still have some work rolling in.

Thrive in the gig economy with these skills
1. Goal orientation and problem orientation - It is imperative that you motivate not just yourself but others as well. You should be able to work towards your mission without any hiccups and also be interested in predicting, preventing, or solving problems.

2. Assertiveness - You’ll be working solo and not managing any employees, so a high level of assertiveness isn’t necessary. As a gig worker, though, you’ll need at least some assertiveness because you’ll need to be your own advocate—no one else is going to speak up for you.

3. Eagerness to learn - In the gig economy, skills matter. The more skills you can sell, the more money you can make. It’s not uncommon for one gig worker to toggle between two different apps in one day. To thrive in this new economy, you must be willing to learn new things to diversify your income sources.

4. Self-reliance - As a solopreneur, you’ll need to be able to work autonomously and accept full accountability for your gigs. This means you not only have to be responsible but also reliant.

5. Master the art of networking - Direct contact with clients is insufficient if you want to thrive in a gig economy. You need to establish a network of reliable clients and customers if you want to keep those gigs coming in.

If you are a gig worker or plan on being a part of the gig economy, now is the time!