Independent contractors: How did you get your start?

[bignateyk]

I work full time for a defense contractor right now (Electrical Engineering, specializing in communications, specifically implementing communications systems on software defined radio and embedded controllers)

Recently i've gotten a few opportunities to do some independent contracting. My boss came to me with a project. Build a quick prototype on a PIC for something in his personal company and he would give me a $1000 cash.

Now i'm kind of interested in doing more of this type of work outside of work to make some more money on the side for something I (for the most part) enjoy doing.

Where do you guys find work? Is it all through connections you've made at other jobs? Do you advertise or list a website on google and let people come to you? Are there websites like rentacoder that you use to find work?

I'd like to keep working full time and build my skill-set and make more contacts, but maybe slowly transition into more and more independent contracting.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

All my contracts are through connections I've made in the past when I was working in technical writing for corporations. Now every new contract networks me to more people and the list keeps growing. At this point I don't have to seek out jobs. I don't advertise or even have a resume out online. When I'm available they come looking for me.

Independent contracting is nice if you're not enamored of social interaction in a standard work environment. I can take it or leave it. While I miss the comraderie there's no love lost for the politics and rumor mill part of it. I have regular phone/e-mail contact with the people I work with, though most of them I've never met face-to-face. For my currnt contract I'm in Florida, one coworker is in New Jersey, the project manager is in Toronto, the editor is in California along with the headquarters of the contracting firm.

The key to making yourself in demand is to do the following:

1) Specialize in a specific area that few people know well, and do it better than anyone else.

2) Be widely versatile in a gamut of subjects so you can handle anything they throw at you.

My skills are a combo of 1 and 2. I'm well versed in writing for mechanical systems, particularly pneumatics and hydraulics. However, so are a lot of other writers. Where I differ is that I'm also capable of writing for electrical systems, control systems, and A/V systems. Most writers are only good for one or two disciplines. I also know the software tools I use better than most so I become the go-to guy when others are tearing their hair out getting their files/software to behave.

Basically, you have to differntiate yourself and stand out from the crowd in what you do. When you become recognized for those qualities you can begin stepping out on your own. You can charge people out the wazoo too, and they'll even like it.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Basically, you have to differentiate yourself and stand out from the crowd in what you do. When you become recognized for those qualities you can begin stepping out on your own. You can charge people out the wazoo too, and they'll even like it.

One more factor which you obviously have mastered and which matters greatly - you have to deliver a good product when it's due. Corporations are happy to pay a lot for dependability. They hate uncertainty. We'd rather pay more to someone we know will get it done than to try to save a few bucks on the "iffy" person.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: kranky

Originally posted by: TastesLikeChicken
Basically, you have to differentiate yourself and stand out from the crowd in what you do. When you become recognized for those qualities you can begin stepping out on your own. You can charge people out the wazoo too, and they'll even like it.

One more factor which you obviously have mastered and which matters greatly - you have to deliver a good product when it's due. Corporations are happy to pay a lot for dependability. They hate uncertainty. We'd rather pay more to someone we know will get it done than to try to save a few bucks on the "iffy" person.

I.C. Rule #1. Never be late. "On Time"= EARLY !