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Ask HN: Where do seasoned devs look for short-term work?

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Re: Ask HN: Where do seasoned devs look for short-term work?

#21

Post by cushychicken »

limbero wrote: post #6

I did this a few years ago and the winning recipe was a shameless (i.e. deeply shameful) linkedin post where I pretty much just summarized my skillset and explained that I was looking for a senior engineer equivalent of a summer internship, with no chance of extension. Got me 3-4 offers. None of the offering companies had ads out for roles like this, so this was pretty much the only way.

Why’s this shameful, exactly?

There’s no shame in saying you’re available to work.

Re: Ask HN: Where do seasoned devs look for short-term work?

#22

Post by Nelkins »

Not to be too much of a recruiter, but I started a software consultancy where we get this kind of work. Typically projects that last a quarter, but with some potential for extending (although they also frequently just last a quarter). I actually have a project in the pipeline right now that I'm looking for a dev for (if I can't find one, I'll end up just taking on the work myself).

Email is in my profile if you want to connect :)

Re: Ask HN: Where do seasoned devs look for short-term work?

#26

Post by 90s_dev »

limbero wrote: post #6

I did this a few years ago and the winning recipe was a shameless (i.e. deeply shameful) linkedin post where I pretty much just summarized my skillset and explained that I was looking for a senior engineer equivalent of a summer internship, with no chance of extension. Got me 3-4 offers. None of the offering companies had ads out for roles like this, so this was pretty much the only way.

There's literally no shame in this. Jobs are just value exchange. Job applications are a proposal, to say, here's what I can offer you. If you're very honest about that, and about what you're looking for in return, they can make more informed decisions. Everyone's life is vastly different, there's no shame in declaring what you have to offer (edit: and what you're looking for). Everyone is better at some things and worse at others. This is the basis of the economy.

Re: Ask HN: Where do seasoned devs look for short-term work?

#27

Post by ForHackernews »

cushychicken wrote: post #21
limbero wrote: post #6

I did this a few years ago and the winning recipe was a shameless (i.e. deeply shameful) linkedin post where I pretty much just summarized my skillset and explained that I was looking for a senior engineer equivalent of a summer internship, with no chance of extension. Got me 3-4 offers. None of the offering companies had ads out for roles like this, so this was pretty much the only way.

Why’s this shameful, exactly? There’s no shame in saying you’re available to work.

IMHO selling yourself (selling anything, really) is a bit demeaning. But this is probably a class affectation on my part, not real moral intuition.

Re: Ask HN: Where do seasoned devs look for short-term work?

#29

Post by zdragnar »

In my area, it's not uncommon for companies to use short term contracts to scale teams up temporarily. These companies often work with local recruiters, and some of those even specialize primarily in short term contract placement.

In short, they're a quick and easy way to expand your network, so to speak, since they're always willing to take your resume even if they don't have anything immediately available.

Re: Ask HN: Where do seasoned devs look for short-term work?

#30

Post by Zigurd »

nathias wrote: post #23

what's this network people keep bringing up?

It's based on the template for most question forum responses that aren't actually responsive to the question.

If I could figure out how to fix that, I'd be pitching a Quora-like start up that actually works.

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