2 ms·

The easiest way to do this is by becoming a contractor. Your client(s) don't have to know that the other 20 hours a week you're kicking back rather than slaving

The easiest way to do this is by becoming a contractor. Your client(s) don't have to know that the other 20 hours a week you're kicking back rather than slaving away on a different client's project.

jazz_from_hell 6y ago
That’s a very interesting idea. Any suggestions on what kinds of assignments that would work better or worse in such a setting? Many of the consultants I’ve seen in IT are more like regular employees except that they are employed buy the consultants. (I.e. they sit in the client’s office 40 h/week.) But I guess there are other ways to do it.
- ForHackernews 6y ago
  Is there anything you're an expert at? Postgres, Django, React, etc.? Companies hiring contractors want to pay somebody to "show up" (perhaps virtually) and do the one thing they're an expert at, not waste time getting up to speed or learning on the job. Figure out what you're an expert in, and contact some recruiting firms that hire for contracting gigs in that area. Explain that your schedule is "half full already" but you'd like to fit something else in, if it's the right opportunity.
  - jazz_from_hell 6y ago
    That’s a really good phrasing. I’ve been working mostly in IT and I’m a bit of a generalist. I’ve thought about doing contracting and specialising ”on-the-go”. It could work... but it could also be a bit stressful. I think my current job will allow me to go quite deep in some areas so I might want to hang on to it for a while in order to allow for better opportunities further down the road.
petepete 6y ago
I take this kind of approach but tend to do full-time for a few months then have a month or two off when it ends, depending on how I feel.
srtjstjsj 6y ago
Do you make comparable hourly pay to full time work?
- ForHackernews 6y ago
  Frequently more! Obviously it depends how lucrative your full-time gig is, but a common rule of thumb is that contractors make 2x hourly rate because they have to assume more risks (insurance, retirement, etc.) themselves.

The easiest way to do this is by becoming a contractor. Your client(s) don't have to know that the other 20 hours a week you're kicking back rather than slaving away on a different client's project.

jazz_from_hell 6y ago

That’s a very interesting idea. Any suggestions on what kinds of assignments that would work better or worse in such a setting? Many of the consultants I’ve seen in IT are more like regular employees except that they are employed buy the consultants. (I.e. they sit in the client’s office 40 h/week.) But I guess there are other ways to do it.

ForHackernews 6y ago
Is there anything you're an expert at? Postgres, Django, React, etc.? Companies hiring contractors want to pay somebody to "show up" (perhaps virtually) and do the one thing they're an expert at, not waste time getting up to speed or learning on the job. Figure out what you're an expert in, and contact some recruiting firms that hire for contracting gigs in that area. Explain that your schedule is "half full already" but you'd like to fit something else in, if it's the right opportunity.
- jazz_from_hell 6y ago
  That’s a really good phrasing. I’ve been working mostly in IT and I’m a bit of a generalist. I’ve thought about doing contracting and specialising ”on-the-go”. It could work... but it could also be a bit stressful. I think my current job will allow me to go quite deep in some areas so I might want to hang on to it for a while in order to allow for better opportunities further down the road.

petepete 6y ago

I take this kind of approach but tend to do full-time for a few months then have a month or two off when it ends, depending on how I feel.

srtjstjsj 6y ago

Do you make comparable hourly pay to full time work?

ForHackernews 6y ago
Frequently more! Obviously it depends how lucrative your full-time gig is, but a common rule of thumb is that contractors make 2x hourly rate because they have to assume more risks (insurance, retirement, etc.) themselves.