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Hello all I am a stay at home dad and have a bachelors in computer science with languages C#,Java,PHP,MySQL,C++,C,VB,.Net3.5. and let me clarify I do fluently know these languages not just dabble. my question is does anyone know of a legit telecommuting job to where i could work from home, not that make a million dollars an hour gig but real honest I.T jobs from home?. Thanks you guys I love this site its my homepage.
8 Replies - 727 Views - Last Post: 31 May 2010 - 09:43 PM
MultiQuoteReplies To: Telecommute?
#3
wildgoose
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Re: Telecommute?
Posted 31 May 2010 - 12:03 AM
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Goodluck! In this market I am forced to underbid on projects because I'm competing with 3rd world countries (and hungry too-low bidders). Though projects can quite often be found they're looking for cheap! 3rd world cheap! Prospective clients whom have been burned before tend to still stay cheap, stay away from foreign countries, but then squeeze you for whatever they can get. Escrow kind of helps to ensure funds are there but that's not a guarantee you'll get paid.
Another problem is that all these websites expect you to bid on a project where the prospective client has posted a few cryptic lines.
Another problem is is seems most the clients think $10-15/hr is a reasonable rate but these contracts are typically fixed bid. My rate is $55/hr which should be considered cheap but have to discount that rate in fixed bids. Some of those websites post bids from other posters and quite often they're downright ridiculous! (Though I found it funny about a year ago someone wanted a full on-line poker system for $5K. I bid $2.5 Million, and laid out all the needed staff to pull it off along with the time-line and they though I was nuts! I was actually employed by one of these companies and they spent $5 million just to get the 1st release out the door, and the artists were still continuous tasked with creating avatars and additional art.
Another problem is that prospective clients (consider themselves experts though never programmed a day in their life) so... "Any expert should be able to do this task in two to three hours!"
A lot of prospectives are just there to milk for free information.
And many other problems as well!
But sometimes a small project can lead to additional work.
Now that I've layed out numerous negatives, some positives. No admin standing over your shoulder at work telling you how long a task should take, what hours to work, etc. This allows you the freedom to continue developing your skills by taking a University class in the middle of the day, work on projects, and have a family life! (Though with the way bidding has been going, the hours suck these days!)
So I'm biased. I'm being overworked for little insufficient income. If we could force proper wages for the work then I would be a much happier software/hardware developer!
Another problem is that all these websites expect you to bid on a project where the prospective client has posted a few cryptic lines.
Another problem is is seems most the clients think $10-15/hr is a reasonable rate but these contracts are typically fixed bid. My rate is $55/hr which should be considered cheap but have to discount that rate in fixed bids. Some of those websites post bids from other posters and quite often they're downright ridiculous! (Though I found it funny about a year ago someone wanted a full on-line poker system for $5K. I bid $2.5 Million, and laid out all the needed staff to pull it off along with the time-line and they though I was nuts! I was actually employed by one of these companies and they spent $5 million just to get the 1st release out the door, and the artists were still continuous tasked with creating avatars and additional art.
Another problem is that prospective clients (consider themselves experts though never programmed a day in their life) so... "Any expert should be able to do this task in two to three hours!"
A lot of prospectives are just there to milk for free information.
And many other problems as well!
But sometimes a small project can lead to additional work.
Now that I've layed out numerous negatives, some positives. No admin standing over your shoulder at work telling you how long a task should take, what hours to work, etc. This allows you the freedom to continue developing your skills by taking a University class in the middle of the day, work on projects, and have a family life! (Though with the way bidding has been going, the hours suck these days!)
So I'm biased. I'm being overworked for little insufficient income. If we could force proper wages for the work then I would be a much happier software/hardware developer!
This post has been edited by wildgoose: 31 May 2010 - 12:16 AM
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#4
#47
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Re: Telecommute?
Posted 31 May 2010 - 12:30 AM
wildgoose, on 30 May 2010 - 11:03 PM, said:
Goodluck! In this market I am forced to underbid on projects because I'm competing with 3rd world countries (and hungry too-low bidders). Though projects can quite often be found they're looking for cheap! 3rd world cheap! Prospective clients whom have been burned before tend to still stay cheap, stay away from foreign countries, but then squeeze you for whatever they can get. Escrow kind of helps to ensure funds are there but that's not a guarantee you'll get paid.
Another problem is that all these websites expect you to bid on a project where the prospective client has posted a few cryptic lines.
Another problem is is seems most the clients think $10-15/hr is a reasonable rate but these contracts are typically fixed bid. My rate is $55/hr which should be considered cheap but have to discount that rate in fixed bids. Some of those websites post bids from other posters and quite often they're downright ridiculous! (Though I found it funny about a year ago someone wanted a full on-line poker system for $5K. I bid $2.5 Million, and laid out all the needed staff to pull it off along with the time-line and they though I was nuts! I was actually employed by one of these companies and they spent $5 million just to get the 1st release out the door, and the artists were still continuous tasked with creating avatars and additional art.
Another problem is that prospective clients (consider themselves experts though never programmed a day in their life) so... "Any expert should be able to do this task in two to three hours!"
A lot of prospectives are just there to milk for free information.
And many other problems as well!
But sometimes a small project can lead to additional work.
Now that I've layed out numerous negatives, some positives. No admin standing over your shoulder at work telling you how long a task should take, what hours to work, etc. This allows you the freedom to continue developing your skills by taking a University class in the middle of the day, work on projects, and have a family life! (Though with the way bidding has been going, the hours suck these days!)
So I'm biased. I'm being overworked for little insufficient income. If we could force proper wages for the work then I would be a much happier software/hardware developer!
Another problem is that all these websites expect you to bid on a project where the prospective client has posted a few cryptic lines.
Another problem is is seems most the clients think $10-15/hr is a reasonable rate but these contracts are typically fixed bid. My rate is $55/hr which should be considered cheap but have to discount that rate in fixed bids. Some of those websites post bids from other posters and quite often they're downright ridiculous! (Though I found it funny about a year ago someone wanted a full on-line poker system for $5K. I bid $2.5 Million, and laid out all the needed staff to pull it off along with the time-line and they though I was nuts! I was actually employed by one of these companies and they spent $5 million just to get the 1st release out the door, and the artists were still continuous tasked with creating avatars and additional art.
Another problem is that prospective clients (consider themselves experts though never programmed a day in their life) so... "Any expert should be able to do this task in two to three hours!"
A lot of prospectives are just there to milk for free information.
And many other problems as well!
But sometimes a small project can lead to additional work.
Now that I've layed out numerous negatives, some positives. No admin standing over your shoulder at work telling you how long a task should take, what hours to work, etc. This allows you the freedom to continue developing your skills by taking a University class in the middle of the day, work on projects, and have a family life! (Though with the way bidding has been going, the hours suck these days!)
So I'm biased. I'm being overworked for little insufficient income. If we could force proper wages for the work then I would be a much happier software/hardware developer!
Thank you brother for the information, I am still interested in pursuing this line of work; your so called biased opinion only helps me avoid the arbitrary task of learning the hard way. I know you have already gave me more information than I probably deserve, but would or could you I should say point me in the right direction as to where I may find some work. Again D.I.C Rocks!!!
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#5
sbell1099
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Re: Telecommute?
Posted 31 May 2010 - 12:44 AM
Well, www.freelancer.com or Elance.com should do the trick. However, as wildgoose rightly pointed out you have to complete with 3rd world country bids and at one point I tried to in 2 industries and both failed. Sorry but $2 for a 500 word top english article. No way! Then it was $25 for websites, why should you bust your nut for that price.
What I would recommend is starting a freelancing company and trying to get business that way. There are other jobs where you can work for big companies from home. Its just finding the right one. Look online for more information.
What I would recommend is starting a freelancing company and trying to get business that way. There are other jobs where you can work for big companies from home. Its just finding the right one. Look online for more information.
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#6
aniri
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Re: Telecommute?
Posted 31 May 2010 - 01:07 AM
True, the pay is not really good. But if you are lucky, you might find some decent payed projects 
I have 
I've done a few small low payed ones at first to increase my ratings and now I only bid on bigger ones
I have I've done a few small low payed ones at first to increase my ratings and now I only bid on bigger ones
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#7
dsherohman
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Re: Telecommute?
Posted 31 May 2010 - 03:04 AM
I've been doing freelance software work for a bit over five years now as my sole source of income, so, yes, it is possible. Along the way, I have turned to rentacoder.com a couple times when I was desperate for work, but it really is a type of site best avoided if at all possible. There are just too many buyers asking to have a complete clone of ebay written by next Tuesday for $150 and too many sellers willing to place bids in response.
Word-of-mouth and client referrals are absolutely what you want to work towards. The best client I ever had was my previous full-time employer (right up until they went out of business...). After them, the next-best bunch were referred to me by a friend and former co-worker who's now with a company that does hardware support and some hosting.
When that's not an option, the next line is to find some job boards which have sections for project-based work and check them at least once or twice a week. There are also a lot of more general job boards which specialize in freelance work, such as the FreelanceSwitch job board (http://jobs.freelanceswitch.com/) or AuthenticJobs (http://www.authenticjobs.com/). They tend to slant heavily towards writing and graphic design projects, but more technical stuff does appear there, too.
I won't kid you - it isn't an easy road, especially if (like me) you're allergic to marketing, but it can be done. Good luck with making it work for you!
Word-of-mouth and client referrals are absolutely what you want to work towards. The best client I ever had was my previous full-time employer (right up until they went out of business...). After them, the next-best bunch were referred to me by a friend and former co-worker who's now with a company that does hardware support and some hosting.
When that's not an option, the next line is to find some job boards which have sections for project-based work and check them at least once or twice a week. There are also a lot of more general job boards which specialize in freelance work, such as the FreelanceSwitch job board (http://jobs.freelanceswitch.com/) or AuthenticJobs (http://www.authenticjobs.com/). They tend to slant heavily towards writing and graphic design projects, but more technical stuff does appear there, too.
I won't kid you - it isn't an easy road, especially if (like me) you're allergic to marketing, but it can be done. Good luck with making it work for you!
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#8
wildgoose
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Re: Telecommute?
Posted 31 May 2010 - 07:49 PM
Drat! I was hoping to keep the competition from getting worse! ;-)
I've noticed on a couple websites if you do the math that some of these guys bid $10/hr but they're 'earnings' a week are a factor higer then 168 hours a week! So obvious to me but apparently not to their clients, they're triple and quadruple billing so their rate is more like $40/hr only they make it appear they're only $10. Obviously not an ethics pledged member of the I.E.E.E.
The best website with winning bids for me was guru.com and they just modified their fee mechanism.
All the others I've tried are way too low.
I also tend to shy away from projects where prospective clients have extremly poor English writing skills. I see it as a booby trap of misunderstanding if clear communications can't be established. I do find it disconcerting that projects are bid on and won by other countries that can barely bid in anything but pidgeon English. If they can't write proper English bids, how can they possibly document their code to make it understandable. (And they're winning bids because they're cheap!)
I've gotten in the habit at looking at tasks atleast $250 and above. Bidding on $100 projects and below does no good as it easily takes time to ramp up preparing for a project. If there is a needed skill though I'm a good fit despite it, I'll offer to not charge for a particular aspect of the project as this is consulting, not employment and therefore I won't bill them for my learning a new skill!
Helping out on this and one other website is my replacement for working on those cheap under $100 projects. I also feel it helps me work on rusty skills that I don't get to use very often!
I've noticed on a couple websites if you do the math that some of these guys bid $10/hr but they're 'earnings' a week are a factor higer then 168 hours a week! So obvious to me but apparently not to their clients, they're triple and quadruple billing so their rate is more like $40/hr only they make it appear they're only $10. Obviously not an ethics pledged member of the I.E.E.E.
The best website with winning bids for me was guru.com and they just modified their fee mechanism.
All the others I've tried are way too low.
I also tend to shy away from projects where prospective clients have extremly poor English writing skills. I see it as a booby trap of misunderstanding if clear communications can't be established. I do find it disconcerting that projects are bid on and won by other countries that can barely bid in anything but pidgeon English. If they can't write proper English bids, how can they possibly document their code to make it understandable. (And they're winning bids because they're cheap!)
I've gotten in the habit at looking at tasks atleast $250 and above. Bidding on $100 projects and below does no good as it easily takes time to ramp up preparing for a project. If there is a needed skill though I'm a good fit despite it, I'll offer to not charge for a particular aspect of the project as this is consulting, not employment and therefore I won't bill them for my learning a new skill!
Helping out on this and one other website is my replacement for working on those cheap under $100 projects. I also feel it helps me work on rusty skills that I don't get to use very often!
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#9
#47
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Re: Telecommute?
Posted 31 May 2010 - 09:43 PM
Excellent! gentlemen!, I thank each and everyone of you and all that have helped. I have given you all a +1 rep for contributing. I find it amazing that every time i post a question on D.I.C it has absolutely been answered and then some, I to shy away from non "American" companies because they just give off this awkward vibe maybe its just me.
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