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Ask HN: How to make more money on the side?

20 points by zump ↗ HN
Software engineer here at BigCo, work around 40-50 hours per week. I want to earn an extra 15-20k per year, so I'm thinking of getting a second job. I'm not in a mental state to do my own side project, so I want to join someone elses project.

Does anyone manage a second job working 10-20 hours per week for a completely separate entity?

Is this legal? Would the second employer care that I am already employed?

7 comments

[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 23.0 ms ] thread
nerdywordy
If you have signed a contract with your current company you'll need to look over it to ensure there are no conflicts (non-compete, idea ownership, etc.)

If there's no contract or nothing in it specifically preventing outside work then it is perfectly legal.

Your best bet is freelance or short to mid term contract work.

I would start by asking around your network. I'm no social bee, but I've gotten a couple fairly well paid dev contracts this way.

As long as your productivity doesn't drop for your current employer, they likely won't care at all.

zump
Got any tips on how to create a compelling portfolio for Freelance work?
silentcylon
A portfolio you can start by building whatever it is you would like to offer as a contracting service. Something that displays almost like a demo for what you could be hired to do while freelancing. More important than a portfolio though is references and quotes. Start doing work in your network for cheap and for a quote and reference at the end of the work. When you start building this you will not only build up a network of hopefully happy customers but also a portfolio of work you have been paid to do. The other option is to do 1099 work for someone or a company that has the contracts already for you to work on remotely.
JPLeRouzic
While I encourage you in your projet, there are the usual aspects about IP. For example how can your second employer be sure that what you work on with them, will not be claimed as intellectual property of your primary employer?

Not exactly the best example but look at the controversy generated by Carmak going to Facebook.

nnn1234
Take care of your contract with BigCo. Totally second the idea of looking at carmack and oculus story. Usually I would start by building stuff or contributing to an open project. You can get a letter saying you CNA contribute to an open project from your employer . Also building a platform for people with cognitive Surya and the drive to build stuff. Launching Feb 8th. Check out www.crowdraising.co
ddorian43
Have you tried just changing your job and asking for 20K more?