| Again, maybe I've just been hanging out in the wrong places. > On the other hand, expertise in specific domains, like database optimization, security, architecture, agile methodology, etc where the work is more advisory and results are more report than hands on code - that is still going intensely strong, even for individual consultants. If it's that strong, where are all the job board postings? Where are all the linkedin profiles of these consultants and freelancers? Maybe a couple exist. I've yet to be convinced there's any market that someone could sink their teeth into for freelancing in tech. I'm not trying to push my perception. I'm hoping to see some sign; evidence. I think employers are pushing back on outside, individual opinions and gigs and putting up more barriers, more tests while resumes flood in. Recruiters and HR's perception is they can be slow to hire and fast to fire anyway. That in itself, the fact you can just press a button on StackOverflow or LinkedIn and be one of hundreds of applicants is a reason why snapping up a freelance gig is hard. Employers are drowning in applicants. It's known they can afford to skip over a potentially good candidate due to the numbers. Even Cracking the Code Interview mentions it. Freelancing is a fast hire, relative to the battery of tests a full time, salaried position has. One more time, I'm not trying to be right or push a perception. I'm a good coder. I have a hearty, hearty portfolio. I get calls back sometimes hours after I sent resumes in. Still, no one wants to snap me up fast even if its obvious I can produce results. I get a number and told to wait in line. Again and again. Even startups that aren't de-risked that have <2 years of runway are just looking for django developers are arrogantly flipping through candidates like they're large corporations that'd have job security. Based on what I've seen, they are resolutely filling solely fulltime positions. But lets say I did score a gig or had a network developed, I'd still perceive it as an exception to the norm. I'd be happy to see proof of a tech area that has a distinguished pattern of snapping up people at an hourly rate that's realistic for a person with no established network, but adequate ability, to pursue. |