[ingmarheinrich]

I used to be a developer, but I never became am excellent one, because I was interested in so many aspects, including (dev)ops, qa, product management, and most importantly the business side of things. At some point someone else (which is a bit embarrassing in hindsight) realized I might have what it takes to be a CTO, and I was brave enough to do that step.

Now since about four years, I'm a freelance interim CTO and help companies that struggle inside and around the product development department.

[jlokier]

I'm glad you found your calling :)

Now I'm really intrigued by what it takes to get "freelance interim CTO" jobs - and whether this is with tiny one-person shops (where the CTO is also "the developer"), middle-size businesses (10-50), or enterprises that lost an executive to poaching or illness and need someone to plug the gap until their headhunter's got a new one lined up.

[ingmarheinrich]

In my case, most engagements came from head hunters, and only some from my network. Also, I have a somewhat nice looking vita, which helps.

Right now, it's mid size businesses with 50-75 FTE product development departments, but when I will be 50+, I want to get also projects at bigger companies :)

[marapuru]

Very interesting to read this. I am currently working as a UX designer, but notice I also have a very broad interest and knowledge in all parts of product development.

What was the hardest hurdle to take when making the transition?

[ingmarheinrich]

I don't know, I think I was very lucky. I just went from job to job (I'm 47 btw, and started working in the field ~20 years ago), and it all just came to me.

The switch to freelancing also sort of came naturally - a permanent job stopped very abrupt, and a headhunter that helped me find developers before approached me with the idea, because he had a customer who needed help.

I guess you also have to be "management material". Either you can do it or not. To a certain degree, you can learn management stuff, but honestly you have to be that kind of person.

[sumedh]

> you have to be that kind of person.

Jus out of curiosity, what exactly do you mean by that kind of person.

[random_kris]

that sounds like me. I love developing tho, but other aspects of work interest me aswell (qa, devops, leading the team, communicating with a customer etc...) I am slowly growing in the company where I work to cover some of the roles listed. But how do you go on to become freelance interim CTO ? (as in chief technology officer)?

[ingmarheinrich]

As described above, to me it came sort of naturally. But generally, you just have to find your first project :)

[james_s_tayler]

I used to be a developer until I took an arrow to the knee.