Robert,
Thank you for the detailed reply! It's worth researching what does it take to set up an LLC in my state.
I see how there may be legal and other hurdles to hiring someone for a short term through a website. Companies do routinely hire through job websites, such as the ASCE job board or indeed.com. These website seem to be oriented to the full time employment, however.
It just seems strange that there is no place that summarizes various sources of contract work, and it seems that, as a small business, one needs to find clients (towns, government agencies, other firms) by contacting them separately.
Others have mentioned recruiters and placement firms that probably fill a similar niche.
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Natalya Sokolovskaya P.E., M.ASCE
Wynnewood PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2017 07:19
From: Robert Martin
Subject: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers
I think engineering is different from the other work you have referenced. I don't know of anyone who would hire an engineer over a website although the opportunity might exist. That is not necessarily a bad thing and you may be looking at your situation from the wrong angle. I think your best bet is to look at contracting and/or part time work as just starting a business. I would start by marketing yourself to local small and medium size firms and going out to meet them in person to market your services. These firms often times need part time help because their work load is sporadic but they might not be thinking of hiring part time unless someone suggest it. Mr. Mika has a good point about the health care laws and there are also liability concerns with hiring outside a company. However, it is not as hard or expensive to set up an LLC and obtain errors and omissions insurance as one might think.
Financially, it makes a lot of sense for a company to hire part time help. They don't pay taxes on your income, don't pay for vacation, sick time, holidays, 401k contributions, office space, unemployment, and the cost to hire and fire someone is significantly more than employees realize. Most importantly, they don't pay you to sit in the office and do nothing when there is not enough work to go around. That being said, if you can convince firms to trust you by doing good work, they will pay a higher hourly rate for part time work than they will if you are a regular employee because they are saving a significant amount of money on the other items mentioned. So, if you have 4 or 5 clients that use you on a regular basis, you are really running a business not just working part time.
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Robert Martin M.ASCE
Engr
Atlanta GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2017 18:09
From: Natalya Sokolovskaya
Subject: Marketplace for Part-Time and Contract Work for Engineers
Hi all! I am curious if there is a website catering specifically to part time and contract jobs in water resources (or civil and environmental engineering in general). I have heard of several freelance websites for programmers/editors etc. Those usually allow contractors and those seeking jobs to maintain their profiles, advertise the jobs on a project-by-project basis; provide secure payment options; sometimes provide a form of identity or qualifications check; as well as an opportunity to rate both employees and employers. I think the operating principle is somewhat similar to the AirBnB website. I was curious if anyone is aware of similar marketplaces for engineers in the US, or of the reasons why they don't exist.
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Natalya Sokolovskaya P.E., M.ASCE
Wynnewood PA
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