Telecommuting Programming

[DaveJ]

Does anyone have any experience with this? I see a lot of sites that offer jobs and/or gigs for programmers... are some better than others? For a good programmer/web developer, is there any serious potential to make money from online work vs a regular job?

[MyNameGoesHere]

1. I use these guys

It can be a little hard to get started but once you start getting contracts it's kind of sweet


http://www.odesk.com/w/

[DaveJ]

2. Looks good

I very well may give them a try. I'd really like to have a job programming at home, quit my job and have the freedom to go somewhere else during these crazy cold Chicago winters.

If you have any advice on how to get started, please PM me (I am a .Net developmer mostly), otherwise I will research them more myself.

One question I have is does it effectively lead to work that pays more than is initially offered? That is, in your experience, I know it's kind of an overly general question.

[MyNameGoesHere]

3. Yeah

the trick is to get as many tests and certs that they offer done. Have some samples of your work, and low ball jobs until you build up a reputation. And don't get discouraged. It took me a month to get my first gig but then the dam burst open.

Once you get good reputation you can drive the price so yeah.

[DaveJ]

4. Thanks

It's hilarious that I've been programming since I was 16 and get overlooked because I get nervous during interviews. This direction might be the way for me. Thanks.

[MyNameGoesHere]

5. Ha. I used to get nervous

until i made the realization the they asked me to the interview because they needed me, or someone like me. I guess I developed a a serious case of self confidence.

[DaveJ]

6. Just thinking of my interview a couple days ago

I thought I'd be working with a team of programmers, so I thought it would be great, but I got there to find out their team of programmers where all overseas. So they apparently were looking for someone with the ability/personality to manage that team, not so much a great developer. I was interviewing for a totally different job than it really was and it was a horrible experience. That's ok though, my current job got wind of my job hunt and gave me a big raise today! I'll continue the online work route too though, the certifications sound enticing.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

7. If you don't mind me asking

In general, do you make a decent living doing this? How many hours a week do you work and how does it pay, on average, per hour?