The world of work is shifting faster than most organisations can keep up with. Independent experts are stepping into critical roles across industries. And while tech dominates the conversation, the freelance revolution is happening everywhere: engineering, rail, manufacturing, logistics, and more.
To dive deeper into how companies actually work with freelancers, we sat down with Kaja Storbeck, a passionate recruiter from Progressive, part of SThree, who specialises in bringing top engineering and rail experts into high-impact projects.
And trust me — she brought the truth. Practical, real, sometimes surprising truths that every modern company needs to hear.
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The Evolving Workforce: “More and more skilled people are going freelance”
When asked how the independent workforce has evolved, Kaja smiled — the kind of smile that says I have seen things.
More and more highly skilled people are going into freelancing. It’s not just developers — it’s engineers, rail experts, specialists with decades of experience. Companies are finally understanding that freelancers aren’t a last resort, they’re an option.
For industries like rail — where work is heavily project-based — freelancers bring flexibility that full-time structures simply can’t match.
When a new train is being built, workloads spike. When the project ends, the demand drops. Hiring full-time employees for fluctuating cycles creates long-term costs companies don’t want (or need).
As Kaja put it: “Freelancers are the perfect solution for project spikes — you bring them in when the workload goes up, and scale down when it goes down.”
It’s logical. It’s efficient. It’s how modern businesses should work.
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The Netflix Analogy: Hiring for Projects, Not Permanence
During our conversation, one comparison kept coming up: Hiring freelancers is like assembling a film crew.
Netflix doesn’t employ every actor, director, lighting team, or editor full-time. They bring the best people together for the project. Then everyone moves on.
It’s economically smart. It’s creatively rich. And… it’s exactly how rail, engineering, and tech projects operate today.
So why are companies still hesitant? “They don’t know how it works, or they’re scared to change”
According to Kaja, there are two primary reasons companies avoid freelancers:
- Lack of understanding: “Many companies simply don’t know how freelancing works. They think contracts are complicated, or they assume it’s risky.”
- Fear of change: “Some managers say: ‘Why should we do this? We haven’t used freelancers in 50 years.’”
Sound familiar?
It’s the classic “we’ve always done it this way” trap — the same mindset that bankrupts companies that refuse to adapt.
What Really Blocks Companies (That They Don’t Admit)
Beyond mindset, the practical blockers often include:
- unclear budget
- fear around NDAs or compliance
- no idea where the freelancer will “sit”
- uncertainty around access and onboarding
- internal politics
But the biggest one? They think hiring a freelancer creates more work.
This is where talent partners like SThree come in.
“We handle everything — compliance, contracts, legal, onboarding support. The company just needs to know the need and the budget.”
And once a company signs with SThree? “Next time they need a freelancer, they just call us. No admin, no fear, no confusion. We know exactly what to do.”
Speed Matters: “I can place someone on Friday, and they can start Monday”
“If the client is responsive, I can place a freelancer on Friday, and they can start on Monday.”
How?
- a massive database of 1M+ candidates
- Kaja’s own network of 10k rail experts
- relationships built over years
- daily market conversations
It’s not magic — it’s expertise.
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The Perfect Onboarding: “Laptop ready, access ready, team ready.”
What does great onboarding look like? Kaja didn’t hesitate:
My favorite client has everything ready. The laptop is there, access works, the team knows someone is arriving, and the freelancer can start immediately. That’s perfect collaboration.
And the worst-case scenario?
“Freelancers are hired full-time for a project but end up with no access, no tasks, no onboarding — which means they can’t work and can’t get paid. It’s extremely frustrating.”
Here’s a harsh truth many companies forget: Freelancers don’t get paid for waiting.
If you’re not ready, they bleed money: “It’s not enough to sign a contract. You need to be ready for the freelancer to actually work.”
Where Expectations Fail: “You can’t expect speed if you don’t give access”
One of the most common misalignments: Companies expect freelancers to deliver fast — but don’t provide what’s needed to get started.
Clients sometimes say: ‘Why isn’t the work done yet?’ And the freelancer responds: ‘Because I didn’t get access to anything.’
Another misalignment:
“Clients expect skills they never asked about. I tell them: bring an expert from your team into the interview and ask specific questions.”
It sounds simple. But most teams skip these basics.
Why Companies Must Change: “You’re missing out on the best people.”
Companies that don’t work with freelancers are missing out on amazing skills and expertise.
These people have seen different projects, different approaches, different solutions. They bring perspective your internal team no longer sees.
In Germany, she says, the mindset is slower than in neighboring countries. But those who adapt win. Those who wait… fall behind.
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AI, Automation & the Future of Hiring
We talked about AI too — not as a threat, but as a tool.
AI helps with CV screening, candidate availability, first filters. It removes admin, so we can spend more time on people. AI can’t replace human connection.
Recruitment will be automated. But relationships won’t be.
The Future Is Independent, Flexible, Human
The biggest lesson from this conversation? Freelancing isn’t a trend — it’s infrastructure.
A new operating system for how work gets done in the 2020s and beyond. Companies that embrace flexibility will innovate faster, hire smarter, and stay competitive.
Work with professionals who know the freelance market. We’ve done this for years — we can remove all your fears and all your blockers.
Freelancers who build relationships will thrive, not survive. And people like Kaja — connectors, translators, educators — will be the ones shaping the future of work from behind the scenes.
Because in the end: “The future of work is now — and it’s built together.”
A final tip for freelancers: “LinkedIn is your superpower. Most freelancers still don’t use it enough. Show up, network, talk to people. And if you’re unsure about compliance or regulations — ask us. We’re here to help.“
