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Ask HN: How can I bring in some money soon (very) as a programmer?

11 points by chrishemsworth ↗ HN
For context, I've been out of work for over a year at this point, having previously burnt out last year and lost my job (Canada). Since then I've been interviewing, generally looking, and applying for pretty much anything including just manual labour and otherwise, but to no real avail aside from one-off low-paying jobs here and there. I'm currently in the interview process and attempting to lock in a contract on a freelance basis, but I can't bet on those working out, and certainly not for some time.

My main concern at the moment, is paying my accountant for previous years of unpaid corporate taxes due to not having the funds or revenue, paying the government those taxes, keeping a roof over my head, eating, and dental work that's going to get tremendously painful in the next few weeks. All of those are getting to the point where I'm going to have to make some hard decisions on very soon.

Are there any ways that I'm missing in which I can start very quickly bringing in some cash with reasonably solid javascript, people skills, and to a lesser extent python and many others? It's not that I'm not willing to work, it just seems like I've been massively unsuccessful in getting into a place where I can do it. With interview processes becoming ever-more length and volatile, things aren't really looking up.

4 comments

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dv_dt
Look into some contractor positions. Generally a much shorter cycle to get interviewed and working because the risk is much lower because they can let you go is much more easily if you don’t work out.

Also the contract position is often open because some work really needs to get done.

gregjor
True, contracting often has a shorter hiring time, and less job security. The risk is not much lower, though. Companies that hire freelancers expect immediate results. If you can’t deliver right away you’re not going to get training or hand-holding. There’s no shortage of people who know Javascript and a little Python. Companies want to hire people who can solve problems and add value, not copy/paste from Stack Overflow.

The large majority of programmer jobs in the US are at-will, meaning the employer can terminate at any time for any (or no) reason. Even in jurisdictions that aren’t at-will you won’t get paid during the months or years trying to sue.

scantis
If you need cash quick and you are punctual, good with people and focused on the task, you have a lot of options.

There are a ton of jobs in the service Industry, in healthcare or transport.

Just get any job to pay the bills, there is no shame in flipping burgers or washing the old. Since you can view it as only temporary, like for 3 month or 6 month period you can give it your best shot. Try to be outstanding and try to get the best performance review possible.

It is often easier to switch jobs, than to apply from nothing. A good performance review in a totally different field can do wonders for interviews.

Show human resources something they understand.

Ezra
How much money do you need?

I have a small web project that I could use some help with that’s due before the end of the month. If you can do it mostly by yourself, I can offer you $1000CAD. I expect that it would take me about two days, someone else a little longer. If you want to help out, it’s all yours.

My email is in my profile.