Ask HN: As a freelancer, what turns you away?
I've been freelancing/contracting for a few years now and have never had a problem finding work that I enjoy, but the hiring process can be a nightmare.
This is the point where I usually end up walking away and making it known that the reason is due to the convoluted, time consuming process being a huge warning sign of things to come. A few other no-gos include being asked to fill out a skills matrix after phone calls and a clear visual representation of the info has already been shared, a resistance to an in-person right away to see if it's a good fit and the all too common coding assignment (this is what GitHub/portfolios are for).
Do these seem like miniscule issues to you? What are your own issues that get you to walk away as a freelancer/contractor?
3 comments
[ 2.6 ms ] story [ 21.0 ms ] threadIn my line of work (sales), I am dime-a-dozen and I don't have many connections, so I go along with someone's crazy and stupid hiring process. Usually I am denied anyway, but after a long process, I landed my current job.
- required to be geo/physically present
It sends the message that they would rather you be less effective and productive and visually visible.
It also sends the message they do not care about your health for commuting 1-2 hours per day. It's costly and there is a danger of traffic/accidents... and all that comes with it.
When study after study shows that remote workers produce more, and my personal anecdotal evidence that I'm easily 2-3 times more productive.... it's frankly insulting that an employer would want to treat you like a child and be your baby sitter.
Next point...
- all employees of theirs are in same timezone
This means that they likely have not chosen from the best pool of talent and you will likely face more typical/mediocre developers vs. working with a comoany that draws from many more time zones.
It's important to me to know that they value talent and production over geography and drawing from different time zones is evidence of that.
Obvious no go's
- Unpaid coding assignments (Fuck you pay me)
- Any psychometric tests (no thank you)
- If they promote their "diversity" programs and meanwhile only focusing on the metric of skin-color and ignoring mental qualities (How racist can you be to call it diversity when your diversity program is only skin deep?)
- If they have a pay scale and "have to be equitable"... no thank you. Hire some chump for less and good luck.
- if they want to meet you face to face in person
Why? Are you going to order a limo and buy me dinner?
If not, then I'm not interested. See point above about different timezones and all remote. exception can be made if it is a startup and this will be a top level position or this is an executive level position at a big compant (but they better pay for your trip and act like a good date)