Not so lucky

Li said she had little to worry about when she started a project-based career on her own. After 12 years in talent management and organizational development, she had an outstanding resume and was well-connected in her field. Her previous clients continued to approach her with work.

However, many such workers are not so fortunate. Most of them leave full-time positions without knowing what the future holds.

Wu Guoyuan, an independent career consultant who liaises regularly with Li, said that when he became self-employed in 2007, he struggled to break even, as it takes time to build a good reputation among clients.

According to labor economists, although tough starts are commonly experienced by those working flexible hours, the strong growth of technology and the internet has helped greatly in making gig employment an ideal choice.

The fast-growing, internet-based platform economy has produced tens of millions of gig jobs, providing workers with a cushion when they switch careers. Educational qualifications and age requirements for such jobs are far more relaxed compared with other employment, making it easier for migrant employees to find employment in cities.

Zhang Yongqiang, 38, who works for food delivery company Meituan in Beijing, failed twice as a snack bar owner before deciding to become a full-time deliveryman in 2016.

"I was a good chef for 15 years, but I am a terrible business owner. I could have worked as a chef elsewhere, but the salary was not that good," he said.

Initially, Zhang only worked part-time for Meituan, but as his earnings soon exceeded those he made from working eight hours a day as a chef, he had no hesitation in becoming a full-time deliveryman.

To earn more, Zhang takes as many delivery orders from the Meituan platform as possible. When he met other deliverymen at busy food courts, he quickly learned the tricks of the trade from them, such as the most effective delivery routes and the location of toilets on different streets.