Transitioning From My 9-5 Job
So I’m in the process of making a transition from my 9-5 job to working from home. I originally anticipated making this transition sometime next year so that I can finish my math degree, but my 9-5 has been forced to reduce its workforce. Unfortunately for me, I was one of those to be reduced. My wife cringes when I say the words laid off, but that’s what they call it. At least it comes with a severance package.
My first attempt at working from home will be freelance programming. This seems to be the best way for me to generate income in the immediate future, so I created profiles on eLance and Guru:
ryanjparker.elance.com
profile.guru.com/994494
So far I like eLance the best, but I haven’t even been doing this a week, so that is subject to change. I’ve had a small success so far, as I accepted my first eLance project on Friday.
To be honest I haven’t heard rave reviews about freelance coding services, as the feeling seems to be that most people want the world at a cheap price. Hopefully I can avoid those sorts of projects.
My plan is to develop one of my own websites during this process, WhichTeamWins.com and work on some open source software. Hopefully I can generate some meaningful income (either directly or indirectly) through those projects as well.
I’m interested in hearing from anyone that has made a similar transition (successfully or unsuccessfully). If anyone has any tips I’m all ears!
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85 Comments so far »
Grzesiek said
on June 29 2008 @ 1:49 am
Hi Ryan,
i actually made similar transition but in other direction, i went from freelance programming to full time job (8-4 instead 9-5).
What i didn’t like about freelancing is that i had to work more then 8 hours a day and had to be web designer, programmer, manager, marketer and custommer support in one person, when all i wanted to do was build websites.
The other problem was that, like you said people want huge pages like (youtube) to be build for less then 1000$, i won’t do it but there are a lot of guys who will.
On the other hand if you will get into good transactions then the payoff will be probably a lot better then the pay you got from the full time job.
Anyway, i didn’t want to discourage you, i am just shareing my experience and my point of view. Personally i know some web developers who make good amount of money from freelance programming.
Ryan J. Parker said
on June 29 2008 @ 6:41 pm
Grzesiek, thank you for sharing your experience. I’m trying to stick with mostly application development (since I’m no artist and do not do well with those sorts of projects), so I’m hoping that niche works for me. If not, then I might have to go back to working for the man.
I imagine trying to keep up with all of the different hats will be tough, and I’m already starting to see that in less than a week of submitting for jobs.
Thanks again for sharing.
Grzesiek said
on June 30 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Sticking to a niche is great idea, i think i discouraged you a bit with my last comment, that wasn’t my intent.
Actually i think it is like with everything, once you get a hang of it, then it will become easier and easier to get new projects.
HMTKSteve said
on June 30 2008 @ 10:03 pm
I picked up a few thousand dollars last year doing some piece work until I figured out the guy was trying to get me to code a facebook clone on the cheap!
Halim-Belajar SEO said
on July 9 2008 @ 4:28 am
Become a freelance is quite challenging as you also compete with other freelance especially those that willingly do for cheap price e.g: India, Indonesia. Why don’t you write some ebook about programming?
web hosting said
on August 7 2008 @ 8:28 pm
Hey….about brokering website sales…there’s a bunch of people on sitepoint who are looking for people to sell their sites for them!~
Kim from gift ideas for kids said
on September 1 2008 @ 8:58 am
One main thing is to set up your goal and work to achieve it.
Linda Albicans said
on December 26 2008 @ 5:24 am
I too made this transition for good. But I made one mistake and that was instead of making websites on topics i was skilled in i ventured into other niche topics.
Had I been with my skill to build wordpress themes I would have seen much greater success.
regards,
Linda Albicans.
The Hitmeister said
on January 22 2009 @ 11:48 am
I´ve heard so many stories about people who have made the transition from working in an office, to working from home. Most of the stories I´ve heard have been successful ones (even if it meant they could see their children more). I would struggle to make money from the internet and I can´t really think of anything I´d be good at doing freelance.. so I´m sticking to the 9-5 I´m afraid. I admire you for doing your own thing though.. who knows, maybe being “laid off” will turn out to be a really really good thing!! Good luck with the new business venture - hope it all works out!
Will said
on February 9 2009 @ 8:01 pm
Actually i think it is like with everything, once you get a hang of it, then it will become easier and easier to get new projects.
Odzyskiwanie Danych said
on February 10 2009 @ 3:36 am
Does anybody know what’s up with the author?
Kai Lo said
on March 21 2009 @ 6:28 pm
You can make money blogging but you need to put a lot of work into it. I never believe in working for anyone. I am my own boss and I will stick to that believe. Sorry to hear about your situation though.
custom bowling ball said
on May 12 2009 @ 2:39 pm
sorry to hear that, I hope you will be able to succeed as a freelancer. It didn’t work for me for the same reasons Grzesiek mentioned in his comment that’s why now I have a regular job
julie jeon said
on May 18 2009 @ 11:52 pm
how to do fingerout do my 5 years go before I don;t know but can you give me good idea for me now I can;t do some thing do
MP3 User said
on June 3 2009 @ 4:27 am
The main task is to put a goal and then achieve it.
Hotels in Las Vegas said
on June 3 2009 @ 2:13 pm
I would like to find a Marketing company that can handle the marketing of my Internet store. I know they have to be out there.
Singles Advice said
on June 20 2009 @ 11:32 am
I am also a freelance programmer and I have tried this transition a few times for a few months. It hasn’t entirely worked in the past. The trick is to establish a good client base and it should be a piece of cake. Ive been ripped off quite a few times as a programmer
used tires said
on June 20 2009 @ 7:10 pm
The classic 9-5, otherwise known as the grind. Many people dream about leaving the monotony of the workplace haha. Sometimes it works out for them, and sometimes it doesn’t. Its always a good idea to at least try it, because it could end up being the best thing you ever did!
Till then,
Jean
Technology Slice said
on June 23 2009 @ 6:23 am
Congratulations on escaping the rat race.
Dekoracja Okien said
on June 24 2009 @ 6:10 am
For me it was freelancing from home while still working 9-5. This way I found out how to effectively manage my time so once I quit my day job I knew exactly how to act.
Houston SEO said
on June 24 2009 @ 11:18 am
Congrats! Though it can be scary being laid off, especially if you weren’t expecting it or prepared at all, it can be a great kick start to working for yourself and on to something better. I hope things are going well for you.
hussy engineering said
on June 30 2009 @ 7:39 am
Outsourcing has become an emerging trend in most small and large size corporations. This has been particularly true during the last year and a half, as many companies have turned to outsourcing in order to reduce overhead costs during these recessionary times. Identify some companies that you have been personally associated
vera bradley said
on July 9 2009 @ 1:51 am
I have used elance quite a bit myself and have found both great workers and horrible ones too so be sure to use the feedback system that comes with it. That’s always a fun transition to make in your online business though.
Condos in Florida said
on July 9 2009 @ 3:08 am
Yes freelancing is easy way to generate money in short time according to our time, i would very good that 9 to 5 Job, ELance one of good freelance site not much idea of Guru, but our best wishes always with yours.
Hotels in Las Vegas said
on August 1 2009 @ 2:47 pm
He’s been in retail management for 11 years. The schedule worked fine until our kids started school. I send out resume after resume to jobs with a 9-5 schedule but get no takers. Any advice on transitioning to a normal scheduled career?
Buy PSP Go said
on August 19 2009 @ 11:47 am
Nice one for nearly quitting your job! Maybe focus more on the design aspect rather than just the coding, loads of people can code but if you are a great designer on top of that then you’ll make more money.
generic said
on August 28 2009 @ 2:23 pm
Actually i think it is like with everything, once you get a hang of it, then it will become easier and easier to get new projects.
Pools said
on September 2 2009 @ 9:03 am
Hi.I think that is brilliant ideas !
Metal Briefcases said
on September 2 2009 @ 7:23 pm
Be prepared to deal with a lot of competition in the freelance programming. You will be fighting against a lot of low priced freelancers from China and India. Fortunately for you, many people do prefer to deal with an English speaking programmer. A lot of people who start out doing what you’re doing gradually outsource the jobs to other people. So you might eventually work to being a project manager instead of the one doing the grunt work. Good luck.
Sandro said
on September 3 2009 @ 6:55 am
Congrats on your transition and wish you good luck with your business venture! Give us an update and tell us how things have been going lately about it. Change is the path to personal freedom.
ATV for Sale said
on September 23 2009 @ 6:48 pm
Best of luck with your attempt at working from home. It is highly rewarding to be able to work from home. You can set your hours and do what you want throughout the day. The start can be a lot less glamorous though. You usually have to work long, boring hours to establish a steady income source.
jack said
on September 23 2009 @ 9:40 pm
test
jack said
on September 23 2009 @ 9:42 pm
Why does your site not allow my comments to go through if I have a website in the comment box?
Discount Coach Bags said
on September 30 2009 @ 5:22 am
So what we have here is an abandoned blog on which we can build backlinks to our sites?
Discount Coach Bag said
on September 30 2009 @ 5:24 am
Yeah, and what’s more it’s a PR3
Love Graphics said
on September 30 2009 @ 8:46 pm
Good luck working from home, I am sure you will succeed if you don’t give up!
PSP Go said
on October 3 2009 @ 6:42 pm
Elance is much better than Guru in my opinion. Getafreelancer is also good. Good luck.
Jessica Web Design Tips said
on October 12 2009 @ 2:45 pm
hi,
very impressive post the links you share in your blog is very helpful and useful!in my opinion this the story of today.
Jessica Web Design Tips said
on November 1 2009 @ 4:39 pm
I am a newby in internet marketing, pls me tell me some website which can download ebooks and tools for internet marketing, TQ!
Joshua said
on November 4 2009 @ 3:24 am
I never had that problem and thank god for that. I have never had a real job just a side jobs but having a real job is a waste of time in my opinion. What are you learning how to be someones slave.
You meet those professional people who go into a workplace and all they do is backstab people to get higher up in their place of work. They work hard in front the boss and kiss up well guess what they think o im going to be rich doing this but the funny thing is that they are going to be poor because you cant be rich working a job that is a fact.
ATV for Sale said
on November 4 2009 @ 7:28 pm
We’d love to hear an update as to how your working from home is going. Something like this is a bit hit or miss. If you are not conditioned to work at home it can be a disaster. Suddenly you have so much freedom and distractions that it can be very difficult to stay focused.
car said
on November 9 2009 @ 3:39 am
Ryen, how are you now?
are you still working as a freelancer?
Did you succeeded?
Cartoon Bears said
on November 9 2009 @ 5:08 pm
people runnning tanks low and station running their tanks low good chance you have got some water or trash.. try a bottle of fuel treatment and maybe a new fuel filter its worth a shot..
Cartoon Bears said
on November 9 2009 @ 5:09 pm
Our bodies cannot handle the chemical change and therefore the health problems related to partially hydrogenated oils. I’d stay away from the wheat thins, and complain about false advertising..
oes tsetnoc said
on November 11 2009 @ 1:56 am
One main thing is to set up your goal and work to achieve it.
PSP Go said
on November 17 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Sometimes things that at first seem like they are a negative thing turn out to be a great opportunity.
car said
on November 19 2009 @ 8:42 am
I think moderator is gone somewhere? last post is like a last year?
Jessica Web Design Tips said
on November 23 2009 @ 11:28 am
I am seriously considering starting up my own design & marketing business targeting other start up businesses to help them market and establish their brands etc. I also have a 9-5 job which i would like to keep for at least during the early few years of after starting up.
Jessica Web Design Tips said
on November 23 2009 @ 11:30 am
Business Link is definitely your best source of help. The decision about sole trader or limited company is also influenced by the type of clients you’re targeting. If your prospects are small businesses, they’re probably quite happy to deal with another small business who is a sole trader.
Garden shed said
on November 27 2009 @ 1:51 am
If you don’t mind me asking how old are you? If you’re not older than 42 the Army OCS program sounds like a good choice for you. Age requirement states that over 30 is a no-go, but this is waiverable and easily done given a good recruiter.
Jessica Web Design Tips said
on December 1 2009 @ 4:07 pm
Well, as fate would have it, we were so incredibly amazed at the difference it made in our lives, that we started talking about it (word of mouth). Before we knew it, we were selling the product and earning a residual income.
Metal Briefcases said
on December 1 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Now that I am back working a 9-5 job I miss the freedom that being my own boss brought. I find now that I work for a boss again I am constantly seeing how I could do things better. It takes some getting used to. It does make me want to get my own business going again though.
Garden shed said
on December 2 2009 @ 4:36 am
Its annoying when the only people who keep their jobs are the high-end management … but reality is that frequently the people keeping their jobs are at the same level as those that lost theirs.
kelowna real estate said
on December 2 2009 @ 10:54 pm
I fully agree.. Elance is much better than Guru in my opinion. Getafreelancer is also good. Good luck.
Home Theater Seating said
on December 8 2009 @ 3:23 am
Already you enough clever, what advice we can give yes but i would suggest you to start new blog for your programming freelance work, you may get good success via blog. Best of luck,
Cake Decorating Ideas said
on December 13 2009 @ 11:59 pm
It’s been a while since you posted. Hopefully that means you are so busy working from home that you hardly have time to breath, let alone write an update. I hope you are doing well.
Jessica Web Design Tips said
on December 14 2009 @ 3:41 pm
What is a like 9-5 job that you can work that doesn’t require a college degree?
laser said
on December 14 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Good luck with your transitioning
Samanyolu dizisi said
on December 18 2009 @ 7:40 pm
Very useful article. I want to use on my blog. When I use it I can give you backlink. Thank you admin.
vektörel said
on December 18 2009 @ 11:37 pm
I picked up a few thousand dollars last year doing some piece work until I figured out the guy was trying to get me to code a facebook clone on the cheap!
Guildford said
on December 21 2009 @ 2:44 am
Thats a good idea. Hope you succeed.
Dwippy DoFollow said
on December 21 2009 @ 10:02 am
I cheated when I “transitioned”. I just got mad and quit but have a husband who can make sure we are fed and clothed so I have the freedom to pretend I’m doing stuff when I’m just surfing… I mean working.
Designer Resources said
on December 22 2009 @ 9:22 pm
great idea man. hope for succeed.
Antalya Turkey said
on December 25 2009 @ 1:20 am
Hey thats vey cool. My websites is http://www.07il.com its about antalya turkey guide.
Jessica Web Design Tips said
on January 1 2010 @ 10:15 am
I really want to make some extra money working from home and am interested in learning Internet marketing. I currently stay at home with my two little kids but would be able to devote about 25 hours a week to Internet marketing. It’s just that I don’t know where to start. Where do I find some great resources that help me with the Internet marketing basics as all the websites I have come across are not for absolute beginners like me?
Xbox 360 cheat said
on January 3 2010 @ 8:56 am
well,One main thing is to set up your goal and work to achieve it.
Xbox 360 cheat said
on January 5 2010 @ 3:54 pm
Outsourcing has become an emerging trend in most small and large size corporations. This has been particularly true during the last year and a half, as many companies have turned to outsourcing in order to reduce overhead costs during these recessionary times. Identify some companies that you have been personally associated with, or companies you have read about that have gone through the outsourcing process for some of its business operations. How did affected employees react to the outsource process?
Laptop Briefcases said
on January 5 2010 @ 4:45 pm
Starting to work from home for yourself is a very rewarding time. You just have to make sure you stay focused and work hard. It is easy to give in to the temptation of all the distractions around you.
Treasure Coach Review said
on January 5 2010 @ 6:10 pm
HAs anyone tried using ‘odesk’ either as a freelancer or employer? Wondering if anyone has had any success with it.
Indiansafaries said
on January 14 2010 @ 11:41 am
In the nice to five Job they are jut service giving people and they finished their life by doing the same repeating the things.
Evden eve nakliye said
on January 17 2010 @ 9:33 am
t didn’t work for me for the same reasons Grzesiek mentioned in his comment that’s why now I have a regular job
oyun said
on January 26 2010 @ 11:36 am
The start can be a lot less glamorous though. You usually have to work long, boring hours to establish a steady income source.
Helen Dangote said
on January 30 2010 @ 7:48 pm
great idea man. hope for succeed.
Scrap Gold said
on February 1 2010 @ 6:07 am
Actually i think it is like with everything.
Xbox 360 cheat said
on February 1 2010 @ 11:23 am
I would like to find a Marketing company that can handle the marketing of my Internet store. I know they have to be out there.
Laptop Briefcases said
on February 1 2010 @ 7:32 pm
I would think the first week or two would be the most difficult part in transitioning from a 9 - 5 job to being self employed. It is during those first days that you have to establish your routine and work habits. When there are so many distractions around, you have to know how to avoid them all.
Laptop Briefcases said
on February 1 2010 @ 7:34 pm
Keep in mind that you may have more motivation at the beginning as everything is fresh. It becomes more of a challenge to stay focused after doing the same things over and over for weeks. Also you may lose motivation if you have any setbacks.
Vera Bradley said
on February 2 2010 @ 8:59 am
Although I still work my full time job I have a business on the side and I am transitioning to the mindset depending on only a 9 to 5 job for sole income.
used tires said
on February 3 2010 @ 5:49 am
I am currently studying to go into visual effects industry as a freelancer but I’ll also be doing web work in my spare time from home.
Till then,
Jean
Dooney Purse said
on February 4 2010 @ 1:58 pm
In my mind I have already transitioned from 9 to 5 to working for myself and setting my owe schedule and getting my time back.
Stephen said
on February 4 2010 @ 4:37 pm
5 years? I started my 5 year plan in mid 2007 - 2 and half years ago. So far I’m earning about a third of my total income from the internet, so a little behind schedule for quitting the day job in 2012!
Stephen said
on February 4 2010 @ 4:39 pm
Oops sorry that last comment was intended for this post:
http://www.ryanjparker.net/where-will-you-be-in-5-years/
Laptop Briefcases said
on February 4 2010 @ 6:20 pm
The biggest challenge with starting up your own business is building up to the level where it is making enough money to replace your daytime job. If you make the transition before your business is at that point, you stand a good chance of going into debt. Eventually you may be forced to go back to working 9 - 5.
used tires said
on February 5 2010 @ 5:46 am
True, but you also have to consider if it’s making your life easier. I mean the commuting and everything else associated with a 9-5 job is something you’re not regularly subjected to if it’s your own business.
Till then,
Jean
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