Interviews Going Nowhere? Why Freelancing Can Be the Smartest Way Back into Work in PR & Communications
If you’re stuck in interview limbo right now, you’re not alone.
We’re speaking to brilliant PR and communications professionals every week who are getting interviews, getting “positive feedback”… and still not landing the role.
It’s draining. It knocks confidence. And after a while, it starts to feel personal — even when it isn’t.
We recently wrote about the mental‑health impact of the current job market and how to protect your headspace while job hunting. This is the practical follow‑on.
Because sometimes, the smartest way back into work isn’t another round of interviews.
It’s freelancing.
Not as a last resort.
As a momentum strategy.
Why freelancing often moves faster than permanent hiring
When permanent hiring slows down, the work doesn’t stop.
Organisations still need support when:
someone goes on leave
teams are overstretched
projects land unexpectedly
change programmes need comms support now
Heads of Comms need cover while they recruit
Freelance and interim hiring is often:
faster
less political
more outcome‑driven
less obsessed with “perfect” CVs
And crucially, it gets you back into delivery — which restores confidence, income and momentum far faster than waiting for a permanent role to land.
The mindset shift that makes freelancing work
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to freelance while still sounding like they’re job hunting.
Freelancing works when you position yourself as a solution, not a candidate.
Instead of:
“I’m looking for my next role.”
Try:
“I help [type of organisation] with [specific comms problem]. I’m available from [date].”
It’s subtle — but it changes how people hear you.
You don’t need to niche narrowly — but you do need clarity
You don’t need to pick one tiny sector. You do need to be clear about what you can deliver confidently and quickly.
A simple framework:
Who you help
What you help with
What success looks like
Examples:
Freelance corporate PR for professional services firms — media strategy, thought leadership and issues support
Interim internal comms for change programmes — leadership messaging, engagement plans and toolkits
Press office cover for agencies — reactive media, proactive outreach and client counsel
Start with the work you could deliver confidently in week one.
Freelancing rebuilds confidence as well as income
There’s a mental‑health benefit here that often gets overlooked.
When you’ve been job hunting for months, it’s easy to forget what you’re actually good at. Delivery resets that.
Freelance work gives you:
fresh wins to talk about
recent examples
proof you can still deliver under pressure
confidence that shows up in interviews and conversations
That’s why freelancing so often leads to stronger permanent offers later.
Freelancing doesn’t close doors — it often opens them
A common worry is:
“Won’t this make me look like I’ve given up on perm?”
In reality, most hiring managers don’t see it that way.
A confident explanation works:
“I’m open to permanent roles, but right now I’m focusing on interim work where I can add value quickly and stay close to delivery.”
No apology required.
Want help positioning yourself for freelance or interim work?
We’ve put together a practical, plain‑English guide for PR & Communications professionals who want to use freelancing strategically — not blindly.
It includes:
a step‑by‑step setup plan
a “first 7 days” action guide
portfolio and positioning tips
confidence‑building, business‑ready habits
👉 Email hello@prcrowd.co.uk for a copy