There are a lot of confounding variables here. Many people who are "freelancing" or "consulting" are really just unemployed but trying to put a positive spin o

There are a lot of confounding variables here. Many people who are "freelancing" or "consulting" are really just unemployed but trying to put a positive spin on it. Some may have personalities that don't bode well for typical office environments. Others may be applying for jobs which their current work doesn't make them look qualified for. A software developer who tries a startup and fails will likely transition back into a corporate job without problems. But the guy applying for a job in HR who says he's been "consulting" since he got laid off 8 months ago is likely to be viewed with some skepticism.