Three years ago, I graduated with a Physics degree. Since then, I've been working in a soul-crushing IT job. Realistically, what are my options to push my career forward? Help me find my passion. Lots of snowflake details inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 25, 2013 -
11 answers
I was recently let go ("cost cutting") from my job as a web developer, one that I've held for well over a decade at the same employer. After they gave me the news, they mentioned the possibility of me doing work for them in the future on a contract basis and asked what I would charge them. How much is a fair amount to charge them while making sure it's worth my while?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 18, 2012 -
26 answers
Need a GeekSquad alternative for business. Must serve all (or most) of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
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posted by NotSoSimple
on Aug 28, 2012 -
2 answers
Tips for getting that next contract. I'm an IT contractor in the UK and have been for about 12 years. I'm pretty lucky to have not been out of work in that time. Unfortunately, current contract ends shortly and as yet, I'm not managed to find anything else. Every contract I've ever had has been based on someone recommending me into a new role, so I've never had to do the whole contract search thing. With my network currently failing me, where do I look for those roles I'd be great for? Do I register with an agency? Which Agency?
Help!!!!
posted by lloyder
on May 21, 2012 -
7 answers
Where can I find the best information on how enforceable a non-compete agreement may be in a 1099 situation? The trick: I don't have a copy of the agreement that was signed.
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posted by slo
on Feb 9, 2012 -
7 answers
I've been a freelance PowerPoint designer for 6 years. Given the state of the economy and my stagnant business, I've been quoting lower rates to prospective clients, but what about old clients who are still paying my old, higher rates? There are a few in particular that I think might give me more work if I charged less. How can I find out if that's true and how much less I would have to charge to get more work? I don't want to offer a lower rate if it won't increase the amount of work they give me, and I don't want to come off as desperate. Can this be done gracefully?
posted by SampleSize
on Feb 6, 2012 -
7 answers
I'm starting a contract position at a Fortune 500 company. How can I network my way into a job?
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posted by reenum
on Feb 5, 2012 -
2 answers
Freelance filter: how many hours should it take to put together a re turn tracking extension/plugin/module for an existing online store? What would you charge as an hourly rate? What would you charge for a flat fee?
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posted by jsturgill
on Jan 4, 2012 -
5 answers
As an employer in WA state is it better for me to classify a new position as a independent contractor or as an 'outside salesperson'? How do I find out?
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posted by bq
on Sep 13, 2011 -
4 answers
An etiquette/ethical question about consulting contracts and dealing with recruiters. The question is: would this be considered stealing a contract?
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posted by Tehhund
on Jun 16, 2011 -
13 answers
My wife is looking into reporting her boss for miscategorizing her as an independent contractor. I'm quite sure she has been; her boss has even referred to the staff repeatedly as employees. (In materials we have saved.) We're looking for an employment attorney right now, but I've just got a couple preliminary questions to understand how this works.
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 15, 2011 -
9 answers
I'm moving from being employed to being a contractor...but things are not going as planned, at least so far. What are my options in case things don't go according to plan?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 7, 2011 -
6 answers
I recently took on some hourly contract work. I'm running into some grey areas about what I should and should not be billing for.
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posted by Diplodocus
on Feb 1, 2011 -
17 answers
I applied to an ad for a contract position with an organization in my city that I've wanting to learn more about. So far I've had one positive phone interview with the project manager, but the more I deal with the recruiter, the more I'm concerned about the firm using deceptive methods. Is it worth it to call up the headquarters of this firm to voice my concerns?
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posted by gov_moonbeam
on Jan 7, 2011 -
7 answers
I'm an independent contractor -- a developer for web and mobile devices (iPhone, etc) -- currently having to pull in extra developers to help out on a few larger projects. It's kind of feeling like a proto-company situation.
I'm feeling a bit out of my comfort zone and am looking for a bit of business development advice...
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posted by chasing
on Jul 9, 2010 -
7 answers
Is the lack of any formal contract normal when starting contracting work for a contracting firm?
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posted by ignignokt
on Jun 11, 2010 -
7 answers
New to contracting, and new to Australia. Can someone please help me find a company to sort out my insurances and payroll (and the 'living away from home allowance' -- or recommend an accountant if I need one?
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posted by Flying Squirrel
on Aug 5, 2009 -
9 answers
(Self-employment-Filter) What should I know about / be aware of when contracting for a local university?
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posted by explosion
on Jun 9, 2009 -
7 answers
At work I have to face the Final Boss of the Internet for the next several months, and my trusty Cisco sidekick is starting to tard out on me. How do I level up enough to be able to use him effectively?
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posted by thalakan
on Apr 22, 2009 -
6 answers
A friend of mine is giving his notice tomorrow due to long hours and high stress not being worth it in the end. He would, however, be open to returning as a contractor or part-time, with limited hours and role. How does this work?
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posted by um_maverick
on Apr 16, 2009 -
5 answers
I'm planning a home addition but would like peruse building material sources beyond what's available in consumer hardware stores. What sources do architects and contractors use for non-standard windows and other items? Is there a McMaster-Carr-equivalent for building materials?
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posted by odinsdream
on Jan 30, 2009 -
4 answers
Can the amount owed against 1099-misc be deducted from my tax return? Or will I need to make a separate payment to the IRS?
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posted by The Straightener
on Jan 29, 2009 -
8 answers
How much does it cost to pave (asphalt) a small driveway? Gravel is already in place, it is a small driveway and an area for 3 cars to park.
Are there different methods?
posted by cvoixjames
on Jun 11, 2008 -
9 answers
I want to be an IT mercenary, how do I get started doing freelance/contract SysAdmin/Programming?
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posted by rhizome
on Mar 4, 2008 -
6 answers
Hopefully next year, with the right people and the right financing, we will start building a house. Part of this is hiring a general contractor. I would like to create a sheet of questions to send/give general contractors in my area so I can judge them on that as well as the reputation I can glean from each other and from the many people I've met in this area.
Please help me formulate those questions.
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posted by Kickstart70
on Sep 9, 2007 -
7 answers
I'm a software development consultant and am getting frustrated at the number of potential clients slipping through my fingers. I get a good number of interested leads through my website or through referrals (thanks guys) but the ratio of potential clients to paying clients is too low. What might I be doing wrong and how can I help gain these clients?
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posted by schwa
on Aug 8, 2007 -
23 answers
If you are a programmer who works on contract, how do you gracefully deal with an excess of opportunity?
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posted by anonymous
on May 5, 2007 -
5 answers
Are there any US citizens here who have lived abroad but did freelance or contract work for clients in the States who can share their experiences?
I am a US citizen living in Australia as a Permanent Resident since 2001. I have just gotten some freelance work from the States and need to figure out who I need to talk to on which shores to figure out the details.
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 13, 2007 -
10 answers
I'd like to find a few photoshop designers that will design website mockups for me. (I'm a freelance website developer. I prefer coding to designing.) How would you go about finding the right person?
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posted by namith
on Jan 22, 2007 -
17 answers
I think I have the kind of "jack of all trades" IT skillset which would be useful to those small businesses, say those with less than 5 staff, who are unlikely to have their own "IT guy" in-house. I'd like to find any resources/websites/communities that would be able to help me move towards being that IT guy who can support these small businesses.
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posted by uk_giffo
on Sep 10, 2006 -
7 answers
Who writes all those pages and pages of text that the US government generates? More to the point, might someone pay
me to write some of them?
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posted by nebulawindphone
on Feb 10, 2006 -
23 answers
I'm working as an hourly contractor. I'm going to an office to do it. I'm there pretty much 40 hours a week. Does one deduct the 30 minutes it takes to eat lunch from one's billing for the day? It seems only fair to. But then, I don't have a choice. It takes me a while to drive there, and I have to eat once during the day. It's not like I bill them for commute time to and fro in the morning and evening. Should I expect them to float me 30 minutes to chomp some grub in the middle of the day? They're cool and will probably pay me whatever I ask. For this very reason, I don't want to handle this the wrong way. But I don't want to be nickle and dimed to death either. What am I supposed to do?
posted by scarabic
on Sep 20, 2004 -
10 answers
