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I have recently joined the ranks of the unemployed. While the job search appears to be progressing well, I’m also developing some contingency plans. One such plan is seeking small task/short project work.

For those who have been engaged in such work, how are you finding your clients (or vice versa)? Networking with local providers to take some of their overflow tasks? Are platforms like Fiverr useful?

10 Spice ups
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Howdy!

Firstly sorry to hear of the situation it’s never fun.
Although, there’s not true “tried and true” solution, I’ve always done the following which has helped me.

  • Posting on LinkedIn
  • Door to door (or just research of a company) and asking who their current IT company is.You would be amazed how many say “no one” and here you can just be your own sales person.
  • GlassDoor has some great positions
  • Visiting local establishments or meets-ups too.

Networking is definitely a task on it’s own, however, I treat every engagement with someone as a potential entrypoint. Local business owners are a big step.

6 Spice ups
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Networking or upwork.com, freelancer.com and a few other sites seem to be the top goto sites for this stuff. I’m in the same boat and am looking at those as well. Back in the day, side PC work was plentiful in a pinch. Oh how things have changed…

3 Spice ups
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fieldnation.com, workmarket.com, depending on your skills, the size of your market, and your needs, you may be able to forgo formal employment.

good luck

1 Spice up
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I was starting in IT I found some clients just through friends and family. I didn’t make much and very sporadic hours but got some references and experience. just throwing idea out there mention to friends, family they may know of something maybe they tell you go ask at … or maybe sometime later they may call you and say are you still interested in doing some tech work for …

1 Spice up
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If you have Home computer skills, that may be a lucrative market. The hourly rate for just entertaining looking at a personal computer is staggering. Locally, it’s like $150/hr. If you can network via local communities, church(es) you may be able to pick up consistent work if you reduce that hourly rate that a ‘professional’ business would charge.
Back in older times, we had local community newspapers, it was probably simpler as you could just place an Ad in the local area newspaper as a first step. NextDoor always seems to have someone that needs computer help.

1 Spice up
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First, I’m sorry to hear about your change in employment situation.

I have not heard good things about Fiverr. And personally, I don’t like the idea of starting a freelance role by just asking for $5 in compensation. Networking can be good, but I’m finding that it depends upon where you network. In some Meetup groups I’m in, you don’t get very far. Others are better.