Laid Off? Top Ways to Find Opportunities in Open Source

by Sam Dean - Nov. 19, 2008Comments (8)

Both Joe Brockmeier at ZDNet and Matt Asay at CNet have items up today about how some of the newly unemployed folks out there can benefit from FOSS contributions. While it may seem illogical that making free contributions to free products is a good idea when the pink slip pops up, they make some good arguments for how it can improve both job and pay prospects. You'll find some good ways to improve your odds here.

Matt Asay points out that enterprise open source developers make up to 40 percent more than proprietary developers, based on research from Bluewolf Computing. Joe Brockmeier notes that open source is poised to do well during the economic downturn, which we've noted several times. The PC boom in the 1990s and the subsequent Internet boom both immediately followed recessions, and it's entirely likely that open source will do well during the downturn, and extend its reach coming out of it.

So what can you do to put your open source calling card out there? Here are several excellent ways to do so, with more ideas found in our previous post:

Post a profile on oDesk, and on OStatic. OStatic has partnered with oDesk, a leading online staffing marketplace, and you can find an extended interview with oDesk's CEO Gary Swart here. People with oDesk profiles posted have access to over 10,000 new job postings every month. There are many jobs posted for open source contributions and support, and most oDesk workers get remote jobs where they are interviewed by phone or on e-mail--giving them the opportunity to start working quickly. Put a profile up on oDesk, and while you're at it showcase your skills with a profile here at OStatic.

Hook up with remote employers at other online staffing sites. SmartData Enterprises specializes in placing outsourced open source workers on projects. AgoraCart is another good place to raise your open source profile. While you're at it, put up profiles at Elance and RentACoder.

Use the job boards. You know the familiar names here, such as Monster.com, and for local work, Craigslist. These sites can lead to opportunities in open source. The job board at 37Signals also lists many open source opportunities.

Socialize. Social networks have become increasingly important ways to get interviews and get hired, including getting opportunities in open source. Raise your profile on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Tanglr, and other sites, and reach out to people in open source.

All the experts note that in the face of job loss, it's important not to get down on yourself. Any opportunities in open source that you can uncover as you seek work may end up just being parallel tracks to the job you eventually get, or you may get a job directly within the open source world. Putting your feet forward online is a good place to start.


Browse Blog

Shailesh Patel uses OStatic to support Open Source, ask and answer questions and stay informed. What about you?



8 Comments
 

People always hate to talk about when they are laid off. But as it has become every day's news headline since Yahoo started it with cutting 1500 of its task force last year, now a need of platform has been in demand where people can express their selves in words how they are feeling about their company, whey the got laid off was that justified or not. And every thing they want to tell anonymously.


And www.layoffgossip.com is providing you that platform.


0 Votes

>>> chetan


Was the link broken?


0 Votes

The only on here I can support would be linked in. On the others you are pretty much on your own as the companies protect the buyers and not the sellers. Personally got burnt multiple times.


0 Votes

You can also try reporting a job loss at layoffmaps.com


thank you


0 Votes

Let's not forget the ever reliable Craigslist and the job boards like Monster. It is going to be interesting to see how sites like TheLadder.com do in this market.


0 Votes

Hi,


In the tough time of layoffs you can share your views about the company and work culture at www.talentequity.in


0 Votes

Very useful site ..www.talentequity.in i really liked it . i find many company review there


0 Votes

The top IT site that existed before Monster is Dice.com for IT professionals. There seem to be less "fake" ads on Dice than on Monster. You can give yourself a free account, post a resume and search jobs based on skills, state, City, zipcode, etc... there are more categories. Best of all you can create up to 5 searches that will put potential jobs based on your search criteria in your email box every day...I have successfully gotten two jobs off Dice.com.


Monster.com is probably second, though many will put it first. I have been contacted by people on Monster, but to date have not successfully landed a role via Monster.


Glassdoor.com is great for actually reading about a company and what they are like on the inside by people who have worked there. Wish I had Glassdoor.com as a resource when I got started in IT over 20 years ago. You have to give your salary at one job and than you have free access to the site. The more information you put into Glassdoor about companies you have worked for the better for all involved.


Most of the pay for piece meal work listed in this article are pretty bad. You bid against others and you never know if someone is going to just go for the lowest bidder or take someone in the middle. If you like getting paid for a day or two of work that takes years of skills and weeks of work, go for it. But you will be bidding against companies and individuals that are willing to work for pennies on the dollar. Do yourself a favor and do not take any jobs without either up front money and/or Escrow money so you do not get ripped off. Many people have been burned on these sites. So buyer beware.


Same on Craigslist, many things listed, but you have to weed through the scams. I have performed allot of freelance work over my 20+ year career and if a company will not pay at least 1/3 up front with concrete and exact deliverables when you get the next 1/3 and final 1/3 upon successful completion, I would recommend that you steer clear. You would be better of getting paid $10 per hour at In/Out than to spend hours, days and weeks for a hope of getting paid and getting stiffed.


Speaking of In/Out and other lower paying jobs, do yourself a favor, if someone is not willing to pay a professional rate for work performed, its time to move into a new career and leave IT for others. I would rather work a menial wage job where I do not have to think, then give years of experience away to the lowest bidder. Sometimes its just better to walk away.


You of course have to be your own guide. Things are desperate for many, but do not give away profitable ideas for pennies, get a job (anywhere) and build them yourself. Why make others rich when you can do it for yourself!


And that low rate that seems like allot of money when you are just out of school and single will not serve you well if you want to marry and have children. Plan for your future and stick to your plan. I first experienced subtle age discrimination in IT when I was 35, caught me by surprise...so plan to either be an "expert" in your area within 10 years or move into Management where you might hopefully have a little more control over your future. Of course many laid off middle managers might disagree with that.

Good luck we all need it!


0 Votes
Share Your Comments

If you are a member, to have your comment attributed to you. If you are not yet a member, Join OStatic and help the Open Source community by sharing your thoughts, answering user questions and providing reviews and alternatives for projects.