Finally, before you set up a deal for doing long-term free work, you have to lay down a deadline for when the "free work" transitions to "paid work."

If three months is your limit, say that you want to either transition to paid work by then, or have them help you move towards even more challenging and lucrative opportunities through connections they have in their network.

It's important to lay down these expectations after youʼve done some work and gained the personʼs trust. Otherwise you'll condition them to expect free work indefinitely. Not good.

Be appreciative at the opportunity they're affording you, but make it clear that you're also in a financially tight spot.

Let them know that at some point, you'll need to switch to some form of reimbursement for your hard work.

People will not take advantage of you unless you let them.

Be assertive and don't get into a long-term deal with someone unless you're both comfortable with the agreement. If you're truly valuable and work hard, theyʼll have more to lose by not taking care of you then you will by working for free.