Full time or freelance?

Permanent employee or contractor? Cubicle or home office?

I have tried all these employment options. For me, there’s a clear winner. After spending a couple decades at different startups and big tech giants, I dared to convert my small time moonlighting into full time contract work as a freelance iOS developer.

I am often asked if I miss the cubicle world. Absolutely not! Perhaps the greatest enjoyment of contract work is the appreciation I receive from my clients. You get to know more people everyday and you understand different product models as well. In the corporate world, the overlords take for granted that you will do their bidding, and they rarely ask for your opinion. But to my contract clients, I am the expert engineer. My advice and experience are valued. After I fulfill the clients’ business needs on time, under budget, and with quality panache, they express gratitude!

Of course, nothing is perfect, and freelancing has a large downside (sometimes, you just don’t have enough work.). You need to be updated with all latest tech and possibilites. You need to build a reference network.

There are plenty of freelance sites which stink. The reason is its too crowded to get good people and projects over there. Then i came across Toptal from a friend and found it really good. Its a place where they shortlist good developers and link them up with good contractors which is a win-win for both. I have started this and feeling good.