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by auctiontheory 4835 days ago
Now, more than ever, you don't need to work for someone else (as an employee). If you have the skills, you can do very well as a freelancer/consultant. The pay can be good, the work can be interesting, and they won't run a background check on you.
2 comments
0x00_ 4835 days ago
I have tried this approach and it has failed me. The biggest problem with being independent is landing clients who are in need of the service.

I have also tried shotgun approach via private vulnerability disclosure. At best it typically results in nothing more than 'thanks' -- but most frequent is outright ignoring, angry response, bruised egos, threats with law enforcement, and general unpleasantry. -- so I've learned to avoid doing that.

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rwhitman 4835 days ago
Put a way to contact you on your HN profile. You are on the frontpage and will probably get a few leads. Don't waste the opportunity to score freelance clients out of your post...
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0x00_ 4835 days ago
Oh? The front page? Whoo hoo! (is that hard here? it's hard on reddit) I've gone ahead done that just-in-case. I am not really here looking for active leads (though I certainly wouldn't throw away an opportunity if it presented itself as a result of this posting), but some of these responses have been really uplifting.

I am really here pinging this community for people that have been in or have dealt with the circumstances of my disposition who would like to take a moment and give some pointers. So far the response has been better than I had anticipated.

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rwhitman 4835 days ago
Pretty hard yea, especially with an "Ask HN" post
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vellum 4835 days ago
Try going to some meetups in a big city. There's a lot of work out there and if you mention you're looking for a gig, and you seem knowledgeable, people will probably refer work to you.
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0x00_ 4835 days ago
Social anxiety. Embarrassed by the stigma and reputation, don't really want to bump into or be noticed by any LE who may be present. Frustrations like that tend to work against me when considering doing this.

I'm slowly -very slowly and cautiously- approaching the local infosec community. For me to do that it has to be piecemeal.

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