Multi-Career: How to Be a Freelancer and a CLT at the Same Time

How to Be a Freelancer and CLT!

In an increasingly dynamic professional world, multi-careerism emerges as an innovative strategy for professionals seeking to diversify sources of income and experiences.

Combining a full-time job with freelance work isn't just a passing trend, but a practical approach that allows for greater financial independence and skill development.

However, it requires meticulous planning to avoid overload.

This modality reflects the evolution of the labor market, where the stability of the CLT regime is combined with the flexibility of freelancing.

Keep reading!

How to Be a Freelancer and CLT: Summary of Topics Covered

1. Understanding Multicareer
2. Advantages of the Hybrid Approach
3. Challenges Faced in Multi-Career
4. Strategies for Balance and Productivity
5. Real and Inspiring Examples
6. Relevant Data and Statistics
7. An Illuminating Analogy
8. Frequently Asked Questions

See too: Trabalha Brasil: job opportunities throughout Brazil

1. Understanding Multicareer

Multi-career, specifically in the context of being a freelancer and a CLT employee at the same time, involves maintaining a formal employment contract while dedicating oneself to paid independent projects.

This configuration allows the professional to explore creative or specialized niches outside the daily scope of permanent employment.

For example, a CLT software developer at a technology company can offer freelance consulting services at off-hours, expanding their network.

Furthermore, this practice fosters an adaptable mindset, essential in a volatile market where demands change rapidly.

Consequently, understanding the legal aspects is crucial to avoid conflicts.

In Brazil, labor legislation does not explicitly prohibit this double shift, as long as there are no exclusivity clauses in the CLT contract or direct competition with the employer.

Therefore, professionals should review their contractual agreements carefully, ensuring that freelance activities do not interfere with their core performance.

In short, multi-career is not about dividing efforts in half, but about integrating skills synergistically, transforming free time into opportunities for growth.

On the other hand, this approach requires a deep personal assessment.

Are you ready to manage conflicting schedules without compromising your mental health?

This rhetorical question highlights the need for self-awareness, as not everyone thrives in multifunctional environments.

So, before you dive in, analyze your motivations: whether you're just looking for extra income or genuine career expansion.

In this way, multi-career becomes not only viable, but transformative.

++ The 7 Most Valued Skills in the Market Today

2. Advantages of the Hybrid Approach

One of the main advantages of combining freelance and CLT employment is income diversification, which acts as a buffer against economic instability.

While a CLT salary offers monthly predictability, freelance projects can generate earnings spikes at opportune times, such as during seasonal peaks in creative industries.

Furthermore, this combination allows you to accumulate social benefits under the CLT regime, such as FGTS (Unemployment Severance Fund) and paid vacation, while enjoying the freedom to choose freelance clients.

In contrast, professional development accelerates in this hybrid configuration.

By dealing with varied demands, the professional refines transferable skills, such as negotiation and deadline management, which benefit both sides.

For example, a CLT copywriter at an agency can apply techniques learned freelance to personal projects, increasing their overall expertise.

Consequently, this increases employability, making the resume more robust and attractive for future opportunities.

Furthermore, the network of contacts expands organically.

Freelancers frequently interact with professionals from diverse fields, which can lead to unexpected partnerships or even career transitions.

Thus, instead of relying solely on the corporate structure of the CLT, the individual builds an autonomous professional ecosystem.

In short, these advantages are not mere conveniences, but levers for a more resilient and innovative career.

++ The Difference Between Being Busy and Being Productive at Work

Here's a comparison table of the advantages between pure CLT, pure freelance, and the hybrid approach:

Aspect	Pure CLT	Pure Freelance	Hybrid Approach (CLT + Freelance)
Financial Stability	High, with fixed salary	Variable, depends on projects	High, with diversification of sources
Social Benefits	Complete (FGTS, INSS, vacation)	Limited, self-managed	Complete CLT + extra income
Flexibility	Low, rigid schedules	High, choice of schedules	Medium-high, balance between both
Skills Development	Focused on employment	Diverse, by design	Broad, integration of experiences

3. Challenges Faced in Multi-Career

Despite the attractions, a significant challenge is time management, as balancing fixed CLT schedules with freelance deadlines can lead to unexpected overloads.

For example, a prolonged corporate meeting can encroach on time reserved for an independent project, generating accumulated stress.

Consequently, without adequate tools, such as productivity apps, professionals run the risk of diluting quality in both areas.

Furthermore, tax issues arise as subtle obstacles.

In Brazil, freelancers must issue invoices and pay taxes such as ISS or IRPF, while the CLT already automatically deducts contributions.

Thus, balancing annual returns becomes complex, requiring accurate accounting to avoid fines.

Conversely, hybrid professionals should separate bank accounts to track cash flows, preventing financial confusion that could compromise the sustainability of multi-career work.

On the other hand, emotional exhaustion is a latent risk.

Dividing energy between fixed and variable responsibilities can erode motivation over time, especially if there are no intentional breaks.

Therefore, recognizing early signs, such as constant fatigue, is essential for proactive adjustments.

In short, these challenges, while real, are surmountable with strategic planning, transforming potential pitfalls into lessons in resilience.

4. Strategies for Balance and Productivity

To maintain balance, prioritize creating hybrid routines that respect clear boundaries between CLT and freelance work.

For example, set aside specific after-hours time for independent projects, using techniques like Pomodoro to maximize focus.

Additionally, integrate digital tools like Trello or Google Calendar to synchronize schedules and avoid overlaps, ensuring each commitment receives dedicated attention.

Consequently, invest in physical and mental health as the foundation for sustained productivity.

Activities such as regular exercise or meditation help recharge your batteries, preventing burnout.

Conversely, delegate non-essential tasks, such as tax administration, to an accountant, freeing up time for core activities.

This way, multi-career flows more organically, with the professional in control.

Alternatively, cultivate a support network, including mentors or online groups of hybrid professionals, to share experiences and solutions.

In this way, isolated problems become collective, accelerating resolutions.

In short, these strategies are not fixed recipes, but adaptable frameworks that evolve with your career, promoting a smart and lasting balance.

Here is a table with practical strategies and recommended tools:

Strategy	Brief Description	Suggested Tools	Main Benefit
Time Management	Divide the day into dedicated blocks	Google Calendar, Todoist	Avoid overloads
Health and Wellbeing	Include breaks and exercises	Apps like Headspace, Fitbit	Prevents burnout
Organized Finances	Separate accounts and track taxes	QuickBooks, Advanced Excel	Complies with tax obligations
Support Network	Connect with hybrid peers	LinkedIn Groups, Discord	Exchange of insights

5. How to Be a Freelancer and CLT: Real and Inspiring Examples

Consider the case of Ana, a graphic designer working for an advertising agency in São Paulo.

In addition to her regular job, she accepts freelance illustration work for independent brands on the weekends.

This combination allowed her to finance a specialization course in UX design, increasing her market value.

For example, a freelance project for an e-commerce startup not only generated an extra R$1,000 in revenue, but also resulted in a referral for an internal promotion within the agency.

Consequently, Ana transformed her multi-career into a ladder of professional advancement.

Another original example is that of João, a CLT language teacher at a private school in Rio de Janeiro.

He also offers freelance virtual classes for executives via platforms like Zoom.

This approach has helped him explore niches like language coaching for businesses, accumulating testimonials that strengthen his portfolio.

Furthermore, during the pandemic, freelance work provided stability when in-person classes were suspended, illustrating the resilience of this modality.

In short, João uses multi-career to innovate in his field, mixing formal and personalized education.

These examples highlight how individual creativity shapes multi-careerism.

On the other hand, both emphasize the importance of aligning freelance projects with personal passions, preventing them from becoming mere obligations.

Thus, they inspire professionals to experiment, adapting the strategy to their unique realities.

6. Relevant Data and Statistics

According to recent research on the gig economy, approximately 451% of freelancers report a greater sense of job security in 2025 compared to previous years, reflecting the maturation of this hybrid model.

This statistic, taken from global reports, indicates that the combination of freelance and CLT is no longer seen as a risk, but as an empowerment strategy.

Furthermore, in Brazil, the number of independent workers surpassed 25 million in updated data, showing exponential growth driven by digital platforms.

Consequently, these numbers argue in favor of multicareerism as a response to unstable markets.

For example, in contexts of inflation or recession, diversification reduces vulnerabilities, with freelancers supplementing CLT income by up to 30% on average.

In contrast, formal employment statistics reveal that sectors such as IT and creative industries lead in hybrid adoption, with higher retention rates among multifunctional professionals.

On the other hand, LinkedIn data indicates that 3 in 5 Brazilians plan to seek new opportunities in 2025, many of them hybrid.

Thus, multi-careerism emerges as a dominant trend, supported by evidence that encourages professionals to adopt it with confidence.

7. How to Be a Freelancer and a CLT: An Illuminating Analogy

Imagine multi-careerism as an experienced sailor piloting a sailboat in rough waters.

In other words, CLT employment represents the robust and stable hull, providing structure against economic storms, while freelance employment is the variable wind that propels us in innovative directions.

Just as a navigator adjusts the sails to capture opportune breezes without destabilizing the boat, the hybrid professional balances loads to advance without sinking.

For example, ignoring the wind (freelance) would let the sailboat drift, but overloading it could capsize the vessel.

Furthermore, this analogy highlights the need for technical skill: CLT offers the fixed map of known routes, but freelancing allows creative detours to unexplored islands.

Consequently, success depends on anticipating currents (challenges) and using instruments (strategies) to navigate accurately.

In short, just as a good navigator learns from each voyage, the multi-career professional evolves, making the journey not just about survival, but also enriching exploration.

8. Frequently Asked Questions: How to Be a Freelancer and CLT

To clarify common points, we compiled responses into a relevant table, based on typical queries from professionals interested in multi-career.

Frequently Asked Questions	Detailed Answer
Is it legal to be a freelancer and CLT at the same time?	Yes, as long as there is no exclusivity clause in the CLT contract and the freelance activities do not directly compete with the employer. Consult a labor lawyer to review specific terms.
How do I declare taxes in this modality?	Under CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws), taxes are withheld at source; for freelancers, issue NF-e (Electronic Invoice) and pay IRPF/ISS (Income Tax) as a legal entity or self-employed person. Use tools like the Federal Revenue Service's e-CAC (Individual Taxpayer Registry) to unify annual returns.
Can I use my CLT time for freelance work?	No, this violates professional ethics and can lead to dismissal for cause. Strictly separate schedules to maintain integrity.
Which sectors adapt best?	Areas such as IT, design, marketing, and education, where skills are transferable and remote demands facilitate reconciliation.
How to avoid burnout?	Set boundaries, prioritize sleep and hobbies. Monitor your weekly workload and adjust freelance projects as needed.

This table addresses practical issues, easing the transition for those considering multi-career.

In conclusion, adopting a multi-career approach of freelance and CLT simultaneously requires strategic vision, but rewards autonomy and growth.

By integrating these fronts, professionals not only survive, but thrive in a constantly changing work ecosystem.

Relevant Links:

1. Is it worth combining CLT and freelance work to grow professionally?
2. Freelancing + CLT: do you have time for it?
3. Being a freelancer in Brazil: Everything you need to know in 2025