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Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#131

Post by ISL »

pc86 wrote: post #103
buzbe_uk wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This may be unpopular here, but be really clear what you want out of your job. If you're just talking side gigs be really clear this doesn't interfere with your own job performance. The first target you hit because of your "side gig" will be your downward spiral. Now .. running your own business is another option. For me I encourage my staff to have "side gig" of their own business, but will not sign off on them cont…

> For me I encourage my staff to have "side gig" of their own business, but will not sign off on them contracting on the side. Imagine believing that you have the right to "sign off" on what your employees do in their free time provided they're not directly competing with you.

Some employers proffer, and employees enter into, contracts of this type.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#132

Post by Beltiras »

jinglejangley wrote: post #115
Beltiras wrote: post #92

There's no easy way to do that. You have to market yourself as worth the money. You are absolutely right about fiverr, upwork and similar outlets will not bring clients that pay good money and they are usually more demanding than when you get your name into a managers rolodex (contact list is the modern equivalent I suppose). A little fake-it-till-you-make-it might bring you some of the way there. Try making a webpag…

Thanks! To be honest, the replies to this thread have just solidified that a side gig is more work than it's worth haha.

There are benefits to sharpening the blade. If your day job vanishes all of a sudden (happened to me twice in my career), having your tentacles out to look for gigs will soften the blow. I've also had a gig turn into a dayjob (even if that one was short-lived and problematic on many fronts).

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#134

Post by giantg2 »

sokoloff wrote: post #124
giantg2 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Ambition should be celebrated" I might agree with this depending on what the specific goal is. But why should ambition be generally celebrated? There is certainly ambition that has brought about improvement in life. There has also been ambition applied to the wrong ends or failing that has brought suffering. I'm not sold on the idea that the goal of continually increasing comp above an already luxurious level is mea…

From 168 hours that we all start with in a week, if someone wants to spend 20 of them making their and their family's lives better, why wouldn't we generally encourage that? I certainly wouldn't discourage it and I could be neutral on it, but if I think about, I'd rather they work on a side gig than watch Netflix, doom-scroll, or watch TikToks.

I think the part we're disconnected on is "better". Will a couple extra grand a year make their family's life better beyond the amount they already have? Perhaps physical exercise or relaxing provides more benefit. Of course we probably can't answer this as it's specific to each individual.

I suppose I'm in the camp that finds it skeptical that it would be much benefit at that level. I might also view it as a negative to society as that gig could go to someone who needs it more. Granted we would then be admiring the ambition of the lower earner, which brings me back to me saying that the specifics matter more than generally celebrating ambition.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#135

Post by giantg2 »

yojo wrote: post #110
giantg2 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Ambition should be celebrated" I might agree with this depending on what the specific goal is. But why should ambition be generally celebrated? There is certainly ambition that has brought about improvement in life. There has also been ambition applied to the wrong ends or failing that has brought suffering. I'm not sold on the idea that the goal of continually increasing comp above an already luxurious level is mea…

In theory (and in a well functioning system), ambition in a populace leads to GDP growth as ambitious people seek ways to make more money by doing higher value work. This in turn leads to a higher standard of living, possibly for everyone if you redistribute some of the surplus via taxation schemes. Personally (and more selfishly), I tried to raise my salary to be able to afford not working for extended periods of ti…

That makes sense. I'm wondering more about net benefit. Is it really a benefit if our GDP rose if we spend increasing amounts on stuff like healthcare and have shorter lives due to the constant grind of work? I'm not sure we can answer these questions, but I agree with you that as long as the ambition is properly placed and the system works well that it would be good.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#136

Post by AlwaysRock »

Look for them.

Since becoming a software engineer I've worked as a Tech Lead for a coding bootcamp (gave mock technical interviews to new grads), a coach for levels.fyi (gave advice for folks interviewing with fang+ companies), and a tech coach for Outco (gave advice and mock interviews for folks preping for interviews). I also did some consulting work for a small dev agency.

The first and last I found from calling people I'd previously worked with, sharing a bit about my move into swe, and asking if they have any advice for me. Both of them said I have a job you might be good for.

The other two I found from emailing founders about their programs. Hey I saw you do x. I do x. I'd love to chat.

A lot of companies are dying to hire anyone who is halfway decent.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#137

Post by dudeinhawaii »

Make sure it's something you really want to do since it may consume all of your free-time for weeks or months at a time. Don't be me..

Midway through my career I was given a golden opportunity to side-gig consult for a project that could have launched a consulting business. Instead, after an excellent presentation and client interest -- I laid out some numbers that were very high. You see, I had (and still have) a very high valuation for my free time. The customer balked but remained intersted and offered a counter. I told them it was non-negotiable and terminated without providing a counter-offer. I ended up embarrassing my colleague who had given me the opportunity to pitch to an exec team of a golfing buddy.

In the end, it was no harm done (I was working for FANG) but I learned that I valued my free time far too much to work a side gig unless it was a startup of my own design.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#138

Post by proteinfisher »

loudouncodes wrote: post #20
loudouncodes wrote: post #19

Networking and Marketing. For 10 years I spoke at every conference, user group, etc. that I could find. I sustained a 9 person consulting company finding gigs through the network of other speakers and attendees that would come up and ask me questions. Every question can be rephrased as “I have a problem you can help me solve”, but you also have to qualify to make sure there is a company with a budget for solving that…

I realized I should clarify “I could find”. I’m in the Washington D.C. Metro area, but I spoke _at least_ once a week everywhere from Richmond to Philadelphia, and occasionally as far as Ohio.

Sounds like you are in my neck of the woods. Trying to get some good side gigs here. Is there any good speaking conferences that you can recommend? Personally, I am much more inclined into govt contracting.

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#139

Post by mxuribe »

rr888 wrote: post #84
mxuribe wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depending on the type of work that you wish to get into (for getting side paid), i would caution this approach...Because when i did my side hustle, i reached to family and friends, and they only ended up connecting me to the typical bagel showps who "wanted a website". you can imagine where engagements went from there. Either the clients want Google/Facebook-level engineering for pennies, or they conduct massive scop…

Ha. I actually meant as a social context, in a way to hang out and have fun. But now you mention it going into business (or charity) with friends could either be great or disastrous, but is worth checking.

Oops, you are right I read too quickly and missed the social context aspect... which I believe you are 100% correct! :-)

Re: Ask HN: How do you get side gigs?

#140

Post by dominotw »

jcadam wrote: post #90
dominotw wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yea 200-250k is starting base of seniors now. Options, RSUs, bonus on top of it.

Depends where in the US. 200k is not typical for anyone working outside of a FAANG in SV. I've got almost 17 years exp and not making $200k base, and recruiters who contact me balk when I ask for something in that range - to include someone who contacted me on this very site and put me through a multi-week interview process only to offer me considerably less than 200 (or even my current pay). And considering the way…

> I've got almost 17 years exp and not making $200k base

I am surprised by this. You can check levels.fyi to target the right companies. I guarantee you 100% that you can easily make > 230k base outside FANG for a remote position.

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