How to quit your permanent job to become a freelancer?

Evaluate your motivations and skills

Before leaving your job, it is crucial to assess your motivations for becoming self-employed. Why do you want to leave your permanent contract? What are your personal and professional goals? Identify your skills and experiences that will be useful for your new activity. This will help you better define your project and ensure you are ready to take the plunge.

Conduct a market study

A market study is essential for starting your business project. Analyze the sector in which you want to launch, identify your future competitors, and understand the needs of your target customers. This step will allow you to determine the viability of your project and adapt your offer accordingly.

Plan your financial transition

Financial planning is a crucial step for any career change. Set up a forecast budget including your personal and professional expenses. Evaluate your financial needs for the first months of activity and build up a safety fund.

Prepare administrative and legal procedures

To become self-employed, you will need to complete certain administrative and legal procedures. Register online on the URSSAF website to obtain your self-employed status.

Develop a business plan

A solid business plan is essential for structuring your project and convincing potential partners or investors. It should include a description of your activity, a market analysis, a commercial strategy, and a detailed financial plan. This document will serve as a roadmap, helping you follow your goals and adjust your strategy as needed.

By following these steps, you will be better prepared to leave your permanent job and start as a self-employed person. Careful preparation will help reduce risks and increase your chances of success in your new activity.

The mutual agreement termination

The mutual agreement termination is an increasingly used solution by employees wishing to leave their permanent contract. It allows the termination of the employment contract by mutual agreement with the employer, giving access to unemployment benefits (ARE). This option has several advantages:

• Severance pay: You receive specific severance pay, calculated based on your seniority in the company.
• Unemployment benefits: By opting for a mutual agreement termination, you can benefit from unemployment benefits, providing financial security during the launch phase of your self-employed activity.
• Flexibility: You can negotiate the terms of your departure, including the end date of your contract and the details of your transition.

Resignation

Resignation is another option for leaving your permanent job, but it requires careful thought, as it does not automatically entitle you to unemployment benefits. However, specific exceptions allow for assistance from France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi):

• Resignation for business creation: If you resign to start your business, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits under certain conditions. You must have at least five years of seniority in your company and present a serious and viable business creation project.
• Legitimate resignation: Some resignation situations are considered legitimate and entitle you to unemployment benefits, such as following a spouse or moving for a new job.

Leave for business creation

Leave for business creation is an interesting alternative for those who want to test their project while maintaining job security. This option allows the employee to suspend their employment contract for up to 1 year, renewable once, to focus on creating their business.

This leave offers many advantages:

• Job security: During the leave, your employment contract is only suspended, meaning you can return to your position or an equivalent one if your project does not work out.
• Entrepreneurial experience: You have the opportunity to test your self-employed project while benefiting from the security of your current job.
• Optimal preparation: This time can be used to set up your activity, find clients, and adjust your business plan without immediate financial pressure.

By choosing the solution best suited to your personal and professional situation, you can leave your permanent contract under the best conditions to become self-employed. Each option has specific advantages and disadvantages, so it's essential to do your research and prepare your transition accordingly.

ACRE (Aid for Business Creators and Buyers)

ACRE is an aid for new entrepreneurs, including self-employed individuals. It offers partial exemption from social security contributions during the first few years of activity. To benefit from it, you need to fill out a form and meet certain conditions, such as not having benefited from ACRE in the past three years. This exemption helps reduce startup costs and stabilize your business.

ARCE (Aid for Business Recovery or Creation)

If you leave your job and are eligible for unemployment benefits (ARE), you can opt for ARCE, a scheme that allows you to receive part of your unemployment benefits in the form of capital. This capital can be used to fund the initial steps of your activity. ARCE is especially advantageous for those who prefer an immediate sum of money for their initial investments rather than a monthly income.

Unemployment benefits (ARE)

In the case of a mutual agreement termination or legitimate resignation, you can receive unemployment benefits (ARE) from France Travail. These benefits provide income during the startup phase of your business. To qualify, you must register with France Travail and meet eligibility requirements.

Training and support

France Travail and other organizations offer specific training for business creators. These courses cover various aspects of business creation and management, such as business plans, marketing, accounting, and legal aspects. Participating in these courses can provide essential skills and practical advice for succeeding in your career change to IT, for example.

Local financial aids and grants

Some regions and local authorities in France offer financial aids and grants for self-employed individuals. These aids can come in the form of grants, zero-interest loans, or specific support programs. It is important to inquire with local chambers of commerce and industry or territorial communities to know the aids available in your region.

Do you want to become a freelancer but need a safety net? Start as an independent worker in umbrella company employment with Weepo. This hybrid work mode allows you to become a freelancer while maintaining the social benefits of employees, such as health insurance, retirement, and paid leave. By choosing Weepo, you can focus on developing your activity with peace of mind, thanks to the administrative and financial support you need.