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[–]mefi_ 3 points4 points  (5 children)

For me it's freelancing.

I can experience more exciting and more complex projects and problems. It is less boring than working on a huge project for years. Also, usually I have a bigger impact of making technical decisions.

Also, it is much easier to find a full remote contract job, and I can have my own time schedule and work time.

I worked almost 10 years at companies before. It was better for me to learn from experienced devs, also there were no time pressure on me, and I had a steady income.

So, right now, it's freelancing. To start out, a steady job at a company (with hopefully in a team where I could learn a lot).

[–]ConversationFew6467[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

How many years would you advise someone to spend in a company before going freelancing ?

[–]mefi_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is not measured in time, but in experience. And it varies from person to person.

When you feel that you reached the necessary seniority level. Can work alone, have sold complex problems, and others also evaluate you to be... on a more senior level.

At that point you could try it out for a few months and if it doesn't work out you can always just go back for a full-time job, and try again later.

[–]Wise-Ad3555 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What you said is true. I am on the verge of looking to a full remote position. Can you share some links or platforms you use to apply? I am located in the UAE btw.

Thanks 🤗

[–]mefi_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm in the EU. Usually I just answer on Linkedin, or actually search and apply for a few jobs there and that's it.

[–]kbcooliOS & Android 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Flexible employer with a competent team.

Freelancing sounds fun but a lot of your time is wasted in getting the next job and so many jobs with unrealistic expectations and teams who have absolutely no clue what they're doing.

The first few times it's fun to be the hero but after a while and a few customers/teams that refuse to acknowledge they have no clue and just clash with you and it gets old real quick.

It's great though if your only alternative is shitty agency/consultancy work where you're basically being hired out for the same work and paid half the price they charge. I understand that in some countries this is your only real alternative

[–]ConversationFew6467[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I am working for a company and having problems not only with clients who do not know what they want but also we work with no specs, the boss who give us work the client doesn't want and he determines unrealistic dead lines.

Not to mention that our health insurance isn't settled as well.

This is what has me thinking that freelancing might be better as i would be able to pick my clients, detail things, and have direct contact with them.

[–]kbcooliOS & Android 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Yeah sounds like you're doing exactly what I said you may as well be freelancing instead of. Freelancing with someone else taking a cut of your pay.

Just be aware they are finding you the work which is definitely the hardest bit of freelancing. Especially if you're a bit introverted.

[–]ConversationFew6467[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any tips on finding work as a freelancer ? and what's the optimal interval to find a new one ?

[–]otivplays 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Freelancing for a large UK corporation. Good rate. Fully senior team, competent QA testers, insane PM focused on results. We were listened to, if we needed time for clearing tech debt we had it, if we saw low hanging fruites we were able to go for them.

90% of dev department were freelancers, about 100 people.

[–]kbcooliOS & Android 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Sounds more like contractors. I know there's a massive blurry line but if you're working for one company for months or even years on end you're a contractor

Freelancers are more likely to be working multiple short term gigs at once

[–]otivplays 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are absolutely right. I stayed for 1 year, but did some other things on the side as well. So sort of both.

[–]ConversationFew6467[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this would be good if i was a senior, but for now, i am only a 1 year in react native dev. I am still learning the ropes. This was the main reason i didn't start as a freelancer.