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Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

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Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#61

Post by runako »

simonbarker87 wrote: post #43

Looks like you’re based on London, so first thing is to change resume to CV when speaking to UK based people. Calling it a resume will out then off for timezone, tax and cost issues. Also, you’re in London so start meeting people - go to tech meet-ups, go to marketing meet-ups and tell people you’re a freelance developer. Networking is the way to success in the freelance world. Also reach out to old employers and cli…

> Also, you’re in London so start meeting people - go to tech meet-ups, go to marketing meet-ups and tell people you’re a freelance developer.

Seeing the disparity in pay between UK dev roles and US dev roles, I would assume one would do the opposite and lean into presenting yourself as someone who can work on projects for US companies. Curious why you would recommend positioning for UK work.

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#62

Post by caseydm »

roflyear wrote: post #58
caseydm wrote: post #36

I was very successful on UpWork. However, it is not something you can jump into with no work history on the site, like "I have 16 years experience so my rate is $125/hr." People don't believe you when you say that. They want to see proof from a third party. So you need to start lower ($30 to $50/hr), stay in a niche, and successfully complete jobs while gradually raising your rates. When someone sees glowing reviews…

Upwork fees, and also being able to close your account for any reason (happened to me with 20 reviews, all 5 starts except 1), make it a deal killer.

I sound like a shill for Upwork (promise I'm not!). But the fees for long-term clients (>$10k in earnings) is 5%. If you go on your own and bill through a system you will likely pay 3%. So it's not that different.

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#63

Post by rmorey »

roflyear wrote: post #59
sph wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have history on Upwork, and pretty good one. But I haven't used it in 6 years, and my rate then was around $60/h and it's double that now. But I keep hearing how terrible and underpaid it is in here, hence this post.

Do not use UpWork. They take a big cut, the clients you get are generally garbage, and they can close your account (and even keep your funds) for any reason.

do you suggest an alternative?

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#64

Post by intrasight »

bilsbie wrote: post #60

I’ve always wondered if this model would work: Find an extroverted person with a sales type personality who seems to attend all kinds of tech meet ups and offer them a 10% referral fee for any work they find you. They’re already networking constantly.

It should - but their cut is more typically 25%. You could also learn to do that networking yourself and save the commission. If you need work, get active in users groups for the tech you use. I've found several gigs that way.

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#65

Post by j0hnyl »

ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #14

One thing that makes me sad, is the old "contract agent" seems to have gone the way of the dodo. I clearly remember these folks. They acted in almost exactly the same way as literary or artist agents; searching out opportunities for their clients, and setting up interviews, etc. As a hiring manager, I dealt with them frequently, and had friends that used them. They used to make a lot of money, because they would char…

I wonder, does this still exist in other countries/markets?

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#66

Post by [deleted] »

larksimian wrote: post #46
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #14

One thing that makes me sad, is the old "contract agent" seems to have gone the way of the dodo. I clearly remember these folks. They acted in almost exactly the same way as literary or artist agents; searching out opportunities for their clients, and setting up interviews, etc. As a hiring manager, I dealt with them frequently, and had friends that used them. They used to make a lot of money, because they would char…

My recruiter(in the UK) sends me contracting offers as well. Am I missing something about what a contracting agent does?

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#67

Post by brtkdotse »

ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #14

One thing that makes me sad, is the old "contract agent" seems to have gone the way of the dodo. I clearly remember these folks. They acted in almost exactly the same way as literary or artist agents; searching out opportunities for their clients, and setting up interviews, etc. As a hiring manager, I dealt with them frequently, and had friends that used them. They used to make a lot of money, because they would char…

They're alive and well in Northern Europe at least. I'd say a majority of contracting work is done through them since they somehow get exclusivity deals with big clients like H&M, Scania, SAAB and the like. They charge around 5-15% (almost always 10% though) of every invoice.

Before you balk at the number, consider that during my almost 5 years as a solo contractor I've spent _zero_ hours doing sales. None. When I want a new assignment I send one email and within a week or two I have a 6 month contract.

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#69

Post by tluyben2 »

caseydm wrote: post #36

I was very successful on UpWork. However, it is not something you can jump into with no work history on the site, like "I have 16 years experience so my rate is $125/hr." People don't believe you when you say that. They want to see proof from a third party. So you need to start lower ($30 to $50/hr), stay in a niche, and successfully complete jobs while gradually raising your rates. When someone sees glowing reviews…

Do you use the spyware tools they want you to use ‘for your and their protection’? As a senior engineer and not in kindergarten, I cannot imagine anyone with over a year or so experience doing that.

Re: Ask HN: Where are the good platforms for contract work?

#70

Post by haspok »

larksimian wrote: post #46
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #14

One thing that makes me sad, is the old "contract agent" seems to have gone the way of the dodo. I clearly remember these folks. They acted in almost exactly the same way as literary or artist agents; searching out opportunities for their clients, and setting up interviews, etc. As a hiring manager, I dealt with them frequently, and had friends that used them. They used to make a lot of money, because they would char…

My recruiter(in the UK) sends me contracting offers as well. Am I missing something about what a contracting agent does?

Sometimes - especially after the IR35 misery - an agent might also come with an umbrella company that will readily employ you for the duration of your contract for a cut. People usually tended to avoid these solutions due to tax inefficiencies. Not everyone though, I knew some people who chose comfort and didn't want to deal with the admin of an LTD and constant invoicing (however small inconvenience that might be), so they just went with the umbrella. I presume this is now a much more popular solution... An umbrella can also be provided by your accountant.
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