Personal computing discussed
Moderators: renee, SecretSquirrel, just brew it!
Crayon Shin Chan wrote:I'm starting out as a freelance software developer, and I'm finding many things quite intimidating.
In general I get the feeling that people are unwilling to pay for a freelancer to learn the ropes around new tools, which I understand, but so many jobs don't fit my expertise domain perfectly. And I've written C for Arduino, Wordpress plugins, delved into the inner workings of Piwik, written stuff in Qt3 and C++ etc. but I feel that somehow there's still so few jobs out there that I'm confident I can do, so is there something wrong with me?
Crayon Shin Chan wrote:In general I get the feeling that people are unwilling to pay for a freelancer to learn the ropes around new tools, which I understand, but so many jobs don't fit my expertise domain perfectly. And I've written C for Arduino, Wordpress plugins, delved into the inner workings of Piwik, written stuff in Qt3 and C++ etc. but I feel that somehow there's still so few jobs out there that I'm confident I can do, so is there something wrong with me?
Crayon Shin Chan wrote:I'm starting out as a freelance software developer, and I'm finding many things quite intimidating.
...
I feel that somehow there's still so few jobs out there that I'm confident I can do, so is there something wrong with me?
Redocbew wrote:That can be kind of intimidating to feel like you're always flailing without any real sense of security, but that can happen in an office job as well. That's why we as geeks developed the ability to absorb information the way we do, because nobody else wants to do it.
Crayon Shin Chan wrote:I'm starting out as a freelance software developer, and I'm finding many things quite intimidating.
For example, I go on Upwork to look for jobs and I find that I have to pass on most of the jobs because I can't guarantee that it'll take X hours and Y dollars. Of course, given enough time I know I could eventually do it, but I just KNOW that some wrinkle will pop up that will cost me some hours to solve, and then by the time I've solved it the client is a bit grumpy.
1. How far outside of my expertise domain should I go? If it says Python Web Scraping, and I know Python quite well, but not web scraping, should I go for it? If it's about Linux administration, and I'm really good at that, but with Samba and LDAP, which I have no idea about, should I apply?
2. There's a job about crosscompiling a bitcoin client. I have done that before but I didn't remember what I had to do, it was such a long time ago. Is it safe to apply?
3. https://www.upwork.com/jobs/_~01192350928c118c96/ can anybody really do all this before 99USD becomes too much? Or am I just not calibrated/skilled enough?
4. https://www.upwork.com/jobs/_~0173ce1f2ed97e20e1/ is this job post for real?
In general I get the feeling that people are unwilling to pay for a freelancer to learn the ropes around new tools, which I understand, but so many jobs don't fit my expertise domain perfectly. And I've written C for Arduino, Wordpress plugins, delved into the inner workings of Piwik, written stuff in Qt3 and C++ etc. but I feel that somehow there's still so few jobs out there that I'm confident I can do, so is there something wrong with me?
Crayon Shin Chan wrote:Wow, thanks for all the helpful replies folks. I see some people trying to be nice, but yeah, as dmjifn said, I'm not new to programming but definitely new to working as one, I don't have a mentor, I don't have many connections and I don't really have a specialization (unless you consider Python a specialization).
How'd I end up here? Had a job, didn't make the trial period (because I didn't write stuff exactly the way the boss wanted it), I heard the freelancing life was good and enabled the lifestyle I always wanted, so I figured I'd try it out. Guess I'll go back to looking for another one... but I'll definitely try doing some projects on the side, even if I'm beat after work. I don't intend to work in an office forever.
Crayon Shin Chan wrote:
How'd I end up here? Had a job, didn't make the trial period (because I didn't write stuff exactly the way the boss wanted it)
Aranarth wrote:Crayon Shin Chan wrote:
How'd I end up here? Had a job, didn't make the trial period (because I didn't write stuff exactly the way the boss wanted it)
OMG you forgot to comment your work and use multiple nested goto loops didn't you! Shame on you!
Aranarth wrote:Aranarth wrote:Crayon Shin Chan wrote:
How'd I end up here? Had a job, didn't make the trial period (because I didn't write stuff exactly the way the boss wanted it)
OMG you forgot to comment your work and use multiple nested goto loops didn't you! Shame on you!
Oops I meant used fuzzy logic, didn't comment your work, and used infinite nested goto loops!
morphine wrote:I realize many may not be as lucky as I was, but guess how many resumés I presented to this day? ZERO. Some of my clients don't even know my face or voice. All they care is that they have someone they can rely on. Heck, very recently, when I sent a client a quick summary of my work experience and qualifications, flat out said "we don't care much about those, at this point we just need someone with a clue."
just brew it! wrote:Yeah, to the OP: You'd probably be shocked how many "professionals" really *don't* have a clue. Incompetent developers can do incredible amounts of damage, and put a project so far in the hole that it is impossible to ever dig out.
Aranarth wrote:Goto: Shame on you!
Another point: if there's a popular expression that's absolutely true, it's "the cobbler's son goes barefoot." You think that the other companies (big ones in particular) do everything really professionally and correctly. Hah. You wish. You tend to think that every other guy is a knowledgeable scientist that lives in an ivory tower. More often than not, he's really just as lost as you.
ztrand wrote:Then I started working, sometimes at large multinationals, and realised that NO, cheating and cutting corners and people bumbling around barely knowing what they are doing, is just as common there.
notfred wrote:The larger the company, the more room for the bumbling fools to hide.
just brew it! wrote:notfred wrote:Indeed.The larger the company, the more room for the bumbling fools to hide.
meerkt wrote:If a company has the clout to attract good people, isn't it in the company's best interest to keep the best and "upgrade" the rest?
Surely people can evaluate the ones one or two steps above/below them in the hierarchy.
PixelArmy wrote:Based on the OP's questions (judging by the variety of topics and level) posted in this forum, I respectfully suggest gaining some depth on specific skills/topics/technologies (things you like and/or are in demand) rather than more breadth. Jack of all trades, master of none, can be both an asset (a single project may utilize many skills), but can be a detriment (you can't perform those skills at a high enough level to complete said project within the time restraints). Also, affects confidence which is why you're posting this topic...
Wouldn't you assume this isn't true in companies such as, say, Intel? At least in the higher than entry-level positions.