There’s certainly no shortage of work for talented coders. According to a recent release from Gartner, worldwide IT spending is projected to total $3.76 trillion in 2019, an increase of 3.2% from 2018. And while growth is occurring across all market sectors, enterprise software continues to lead the pack. As such, it comes as no surprise that software developers remain highly sought after.

According to a recent report released by Hired, the demand for software engineers has increased dramatically across most specializations. But despite this growing demand, many companies continue to focus their recruitment efforts on full-time positions. Because of this tendency, an entire subset of the programmer community remains under-represented.

For many capable coders, programming is something they squeeze into an already busy schedule. Whether they’re looking to supplement their current income or work in a freelance capacity, these coders are looking for flexibility – something most job postings can’t offer. For others just starting, there remains a lack of learning opportunities that pay.

Without such platforms, companies continue to pass on capable coders that need the experience to transition to future positions. And with a shortage of programmers already plaguing the industry, supporting up and coming talent is crucial.

So, how can companies leverage the power of part-time developers? The key is first to understand the perceived value of this work arrangement.

Working Part-Time (Freelance) As a Developer

As mentioned, flexibility is vital for those looking for part-time coding work. Some may be looking for part-time employment to supplement full-time income, while others freelance to gain critical experience. There is a myriad of personal circumstances that dictate the need for a flexible work arrangement. And while some work out of necessity, motivations remain diverse. As the move towards flexible work arrangements continues, even full-time employees see the value.

According to a report from Zenefits, 70% of those working full-time positions rank a flexible work arrangement higher than health benefits. Further, 77% consider the availability of flexible work arrangements a significant consideration when evaluating future job opportunities. Ultimately, everyone appreciates the ability to take back some control over their calendar.

Employers keen to hire part-time talent are wise to consider the factors that drive the demand for these positions. By making their roles more accessible and malleable, they might find their next top talent in a busy mom or young college student. And while flexibility in scheduling is one crucial consideration for organizations, so too is the ability to work remotely.

Working from Home as a Developer

Many of those that work from home become the envy of all their peers. The arrangement often suggests a level of autonomy that many of us could only dream of having. So, it should come as no surprise that many coders would also prefer to work under this arrangement. Many times, as a freelance coder, working part-time comes hand in hand with working remotely. This scenario typically occurs because these opportunities are global, requiring only an Internet connection.

According to statistics from Global Workplace Analytics, 43% of U.S. employees worked remotely at least occasionally in 2016, up from 9% in 2007. These numbers aren’t overly surprising given the inherent obstacles associated with trekking into the office every day. From picking out business attire to commuting for hours, the downsides make home-based gigs undeniably enticing.

So, as the programming profession evolves amidst the gig economy, where can coders turn to find part-time work that pays fast? Fortunately, several platforms continue to emerge that deliver on this unique set of requirements. Let’s explore how you can maintain a flexible schedule from home while earning extra income as a coder.

Technical Job Boards for Developers

Within the programming community, there are many tech-specific job boards. And while companies seeking full-time employees often use these boards, some allow for the posting of part-time positions as well.

Github

GitHub has emerged as one of the world’s largest and most popular developer communities. In 2017 alone, the platform brought together 24 million people from over 200 countries. In short, Github is a version control system. Although its primary purpose is to keep software development organized, it also facilitates cooperation amongst those participating in the developer community. Because GitHub is somewhere developers spend a lot of time; the job board is worth a look.

Payment Structure

Operating as a traditional job board for internal positions, companies hiring for their projects on Github will typically pay on a conventional schedule (bi-weekly, monthly, or semi-monthly).

Type of Developers

As an open-source platform, Github is a gathering spot for organizations working on OSS projects. As such, employers will be looking for candidates that have prior experience working on projects within the ecosystem. However, open source work also provides several learning opportunities – another factor to consider for those looking for a job.

Dice

Dice is a tech job board that currently serves over 2 million candidates. Because the platform is widely recognized, there are countless employers posting positions daily. When searching for coding jobs, Dice also allows for filtering results based on a full-time, part-time, or contract basis.

Payment Structure

Operating as a traditional job board, companies hiring for their projects on Dice will most likely pay on a conventional schedule (bi-weekly, monthly, or semi-monthly).

Type of Developers

Dice attracts a diverse range of employers based on its robust user base. These companies will be looking for coders across developer specialties. As such, those looking for a unique blend of opportunities will find this platform valuable.

Bid-Based Platforms for Developers

Some see bid-based platforms as a starting point for programmers. However, many coders use them exclusively because of their highly flexible terms and completely customizable workload. Another perk of bid-based platforms is their immediate payment terms once the work is complete.

UpWork

Upwork is one bid-based platform you can utilize to put your programming skills to work. The platform gives coders access to a global pool of potential clients. As one of the most in-demand skills Upwork, programming as a freelancer is something to consider.

Payment Structure

According to Upwork, payment processing occurs according to the following schedule:

Hourly contracts are based on the weekly billing cycle. The weekly billing period ends on Sunday, your funds are available for withdrawal ten days later (the following Wednesday).

Fixed-price contracts are based on milestones. Once the client approves a milestone, your funds are available for withdrawal after a five day security period has passed.

Bonus payments are available after your client’s payment has been successfully processed, and the five day security period has passed.

Type of Developers

Upwork is a popular freelancer platform. As such, it attracts a highly diverse range of employers looking for developers across several disciplines.

Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the easiest ways to start generating income as a part-time programmer. As one of the largest online marketplaces for freelancers, Fiverr was initially founded to facilitate gigs for five dollars. Since then, the platform has evolved to include a diverse offering of work with vast compensation levels. So, if you’re looking to use your programming skills to make money on the side, Fiverr can be your gateway to the freelancing world.

Payment Structure

When collecting payments on the Fiverr platform, there are withdrawal waiting periods dictated by your Seller Level:

Level One and Level Two Sellers can withdraw funds 14 days after the project is complete.

Top Rated Sellers can withdraw funds 7 days after the project is complete.

Type of Developers

Fiverr is also a top-rated freelancer platform. As such, it attracts many employers looking for a broad spectrum of developer talent.

Bug Bounty Platforms for Developers

Companies such as Gitcoin and HackerOne have created successful arrangements that bring together programmers via “bounty” programs. Bounties are offered to developers in exchange for their expertise in resolving bugs and disclosing security vulnerabilities. Although the payment terms for some of these platforms are uncertain, Gitcoin facilitates a fast, transparent payment process.

Gitcoin

The Gitcoin platform interacts seamlessly with Github, facilitating a genuinely collaborative experience while also saving time. With a mission to grow open source, Gitcoin utilizes blockchain technology to enable full transparency on its platform. Using the Gitcoin Issue Explorer, developers can access all the bounties posted by reputable industry projects. When a project is complete, the use of blockchain technology facilitates the instant transfer of crypto funds – no more intermediary.

Payment Structure

As mentioned, perhaps the most notable feature of the Gitcoin platform is its unique payment mechanism. Using blockchain technology, companies posting bounties can immediately issue payment to successful coders using crypto.

Type of Developers

Gitcoin’s mission is to grow open source. As such, those developers working in the realm of open source will likely appreciate the opportunities available. Further, by leveraging the power of blockchain technology, the platform creates a truly global community. This structure means that developers from around the world can easily partake in the many bounties available.

HackerOne

HackerOne is another bug bounty program that has garnered a lot of attention in the developer community. The platform brings together coders from around the world and has paid out over $30 million in bounties since inception. HackerOne is an excellent platform for those looking to put their coding skills to work for large corporations. One item you might want to explore further is the payment terms, as these are not readily available online.

Payment Structure

Although the payment schedule of HackerOne is not readily available, it’s likely that the platform issues payments in a fashion similar to programming contest platforms.

Type of Developers

As a reputable bug bounty platform, HackerOne attracts the interest of large corporations. For those developers looking to work on big-name projects in a learning environment, HackerOne is a good option.

Programming Contests

Programming contests are an excellent way for new coders to gain experience in a supportive, competitive environment while generating income. Although some companies conduct such competitions as a subset of their business, others have made it their sole focus. While the payment terms for such platforms are likely diverse, work arrangements are incredibly flexible.

TopCoder

TopCoder uses crowdsourcing challenges to bring together a global pool of coding talent. This arrangement means that coders compete with one another to submit the best solution for each clients project. These submissions are then judged by TopCoder, with funds being issues to the successful coder.

Payment Structure

According to TopCoder, the following payment schedule is in use:

The payment process for Data Science and Development challenges begins one business day after a challenge is complete. This process will happen automatically following the end of the final review (for a successful challenge) or when all submissions have failed screening or evaluation.

For Design challenges, payments occur when the winners are selected. Members control the frequency and amount of their payments.

Type of Developers

As a crowdsourcing platform, TopCoder is especially useful for those coders looking to gain experience in the development world. It’s a fun, accessible way to dip your toes in the water.

HackerEarth

HackerEarth has the mandate to bridge the gap between tomorrow’s tech-powered growth and today’s workforce. As such, the platform focuses on supporting developers while helping enterprises innovate and hire tech talent. HackerEarth regularly holds hackathons, programming challenges, and coding competitions. Not only does the platform help educate, but it also gives new coders a place to earn income while refining their craft.

Payment Structure

Although the payment schedule for HackerEarth is uncertain, it seems likely that payment occurs within a specified timeframe following contest completion.

Type of Developers

As mentioned, HackerEarth places a lot of value in educating the next generation of coders. As such, the company offers a robust platform for those looking to gain exposure.

CodeChef

CodeChef hosts three featured contests every month and gives away prizes and other “goodies” to winners as encouragement. The platform is also open to the entire programming community, providing a place for others to host their contests. Major companies from around the world regularly use the platform for this purpose with an average of 30+ external competitions hosted every month.



Payment Structure

According to CodeChef, payments generally occur after the end of a contest. On its comprehensive guidelines page, the company indicates it usually takes about a month to process the payments.

Type of Developers

Once again, CodeChef primarily operates as a learning platform, making it an excellent option for new coders looking to gain paid experience.

The Future of Coding Jobs

As the demand for talented coders accelerates, companies would be well-served to tap into the market of part-time developers. As coders continue to look for flexible work that fits into their already busy schedules, the trend will undoubtedly continue. Further, in an industry experiencing a shortage of workers, supporting the next generation of developers is critical to the future of the industry.

Fortunately, if you’re a coder looking for part-time work that pays fast, innovative platforms continue to emerge. From technical job boards to bid-based platforms, programming contests, and bug bounty programs, develops have more choices than ever before. The future of the software development industry is bright, and part-time coders shouldn’t shy away from finding their place within it. For those willing to explore all the available options, a consistent source of income is most certainly within reach.

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