[luke3butler]

I've been searching for a remote position for 6 months, and I can relate to OP on a lot of this post. Methods slightly different.

I feel like I'm one of a huge crowd and being ignored completely is very common, even when I surpass all of their requirement check-boxes boxes, then some.

I spend a good amount of time on each cover letter, research the company, and email the CEO or a lead developer on the team. I very rarely get a response, but twice I got to the first stage and then it's as if I was forgotten.

I'm currently employed in a non-remote position, and I would be able to get a new local job with ease simply because I can walk in and talk to someone. I have gotten offers already, but I have a good list of reasons for wanting a remote position.

I'm persisting, but it's getting a bit tiring going this long at it.

[theparanoid]

Contracting can be a backdoor to remote work. If you're specialized it's not too difficult to find companies that need help. There's more risk (no benefits, no steady income).

[briandear]

I prefer remote contracting. It’s great. More money, a lot of exposure to different tech and ways of doing things (and ways to not do things.)

As far as benefits, there are few benefits that are worth having a lower salary. Pension, retirement, all that nonsense – a waste of money – create your own retirement investments with the increased money you make. I’d rather money go into my pocket directly than to some benefit system that necessarily results in some amount of dead-weight loss.

65 per hour gross as a full timer versus 100 per hour gross as a contractor. 35 per hour is like an additional salary.

But, it does take discipline and being extremely organized so it’s not for everyone.

[luke3butler]

Would you say contracting on the side is taking on too much? I think I could handle it.

I like having the stability, so easing into contracting might be a viable option for me.