Advice on Becoming an Independent Contractor?

miyako asks: "I'm 20 years old and going to be graduating soon with a degree in Computer Information Systems. I was thinking recently about the job market available and I began to realize that I don't want to spend the rest of my life using my skills to make someone else money. I've been making money these last few years doing odd computer related jobs, programming, networking, graphic design, but never steadily or on a big scale. What I've come to realize is that when I graduate I'd prefer to work for myself doing contracting jobs. I thought that I would put the question out to Slashdot since a number of you seem to be doing this for a living or to supplement your income. What's the best way to get started, especially for someone without a lot of professional experience under their belt?" Update: 10/08 11:20 EDT by C : After press time, another worthwhile related question popped up. Rather than post another story, it's probably better to handle both issues together. So in addition to the current question, what legal aspects should Independent Contractors consider, especially when it comes to writing contracts? "Is it better to be a generalist, or to specialize in a few areas? What can I do to get myself recognized in the sea of other people doing the same thing? Is the market really there and is it strong enough that someone could make a living only doing this? What do I need to be aware of on the business end of things?

I realize that I might make significantly less, at least at first, than I could working for a company, but I would rather make less money and be more fulfilled working for myself. In short, what advice would Slashdot readers give a new graduate who is looking to start a business doing contracting jobs?"

While considering the issues an independent contractor needs to worry about when starting out, it might also help to consider the aspects a starting contractor will need to tackle when confronted with an important aspect of his job: writing contracts. With that in mind, we have this addition from Clanner: "I've been working as an IT Contractor recently, and I have a few opportunities to do some independent contract work (IE: not through a contracting agency) for a handful of clients. While I plan on consulting an attorney at some point, I'd like to get a few pointers from the Slashdot community as far as things to watch out for in contracts with customers. I'm looking for both items to avoid having in a contract as well as things that I should make sure are included. I plan on using a balanced contract, where neither party is at any severe advantage or disadvantage. I'm sure there are plenty of experienced hands at this in the Slashdot community, and I'd like to hear any suggestions you may have and about your experiences in this type of work (good or bad). Thanks!"

Comments

oops

[j0nb0y]

you picked the wrong field. Go to law school, or get your mba. Or at least your masters in something. With just a college degree, you'll be stuck low on the totem pole for the forseeable future.

Or maybe that's just what happened to me =[

This is just a generalized step, but...

[Dark Coder]

1. Join a local freelance contractor group or website
2. Advertise, advertise, advertise
3. Shoe-string budget (macaroni-cheese and Top-Ramen)
4. Network, network, network (the social kind, not the other kind)
5. Brush up on phone etitiquette
6. Learn legalese on contractual languages or hire a lawyer
7. Complete the job
8. File taxes regularily
9. Profit!

Get a job

[Cecil]

Even moreso than simply getting employed, indepdendent contracting requires a robust network of contacts. It's all about networking, and not in the IT sense. Chances are very good you do not have much if anything in the way of professional contacts at the moment. That will make contracting nearly impossible.

One good way to get a good network of contacts is to get a job or two and develop your network of contacts there. Even better if you can find a job with an established contracting company. They will have the reputation neccessary to get the contracts, but you will be the person who goes out to the site, and you develop your own personal reputation in the course of the job. Those very same people you were just contracted out by your employer to may soon be your bread and butter as an independent contractor. They know you, they know your work (and presumably are happy with it), and they may be in need of additional contracting in the near future.

Regardless of where you get your job, get chummy with everyone. Networking, networking, networking. Everyone you meet will probably know of a job you can do now and then, whether they need something done, or they know a guy who knows a guy who needs something done. Remember, you're not just gaining one contact, you're gaining their whole network.

Anyway, I don't think it's feasable to become an independent contractor right out of school. When it comes to life, resigning yourself to "I know I won't make much money" is rarely good enough, because even though it sounds like it's the ultimate sacrifice, it's not. The real challenge is sucking it up and doing something you really don't want to do, if it'll put you in a better position down the road.