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Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer Roberto Cortez

Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

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Do you ever wanted to have a freelance experience, but don't know how to get started? Do you think that becoming a freelancer is too much of a risk to trade with your stable job and steady income? Do you want to control and steer every aspect of your professional career without relying on someone else doing it for you? Maybe you feel unhappy with what you are doing and need a change? Or maybe you're just adventurous enough and willing to try something different! Come to my lightning talk where I'll discuss a few major points about doing freelance based on my own personal experience in the Java world, and hopefully this will help you clear up your mind and make your own decision about trying to freelance someday.

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Page 1: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Roberto Cortez

Page 2: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Roberto Cortez Freelancer

twitter:!@radcortez!!

mail:[email protected]!!

blog:!http://www.radcortez.com

Who am I?

Page 3: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Code HTML for food?

Page 4: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Get some experience first

Work as a non-freelancer for at least 10 years (kidding)

Page 5: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

It’s easier if you have a track record first. !

Customers want instant results. !

Unique skills can help you.

Get some experience first

Page 6: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Invest in yourself

Finally, you can have business cards

Page 7: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Build your reputation. !

Create a blog, go to conferences, contribute to open-source. !

Invest in yourself

Page 8: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Try to keep an open mind

Sorry, I don’t do JavaScript

Page 9: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Expands your areas of expertise. !

Don’t lock yourself with only a few technologies.

Try to keep an open mind

Page 10: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Manage your finances

ummm, what taxes?? invoices??

Page 11: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Paperwork is going to pile. !

Waste your precious time. !

Hire someone to do the job for you.

Manage your finances

Page 12: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Don’t get carried away

You don’t need to catch them all!

Page 13: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

You can work to multiple customers. !

Make sure to keep everyone happy. !

Don’t be afraid to refuse a job.

Don’t get carried away

Page 14: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Why not try it someday?

You can always code for HTML for food…

Page 15: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

What’s the worst thing that can happen to you? !

You need to be always on the edge.

Why not try it someday?

Page 16: Geecon 2014 - Five Ways to Not Suck at Being a Java Freelancer

Thank you!