From: markh@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Mark William Hopkins)
Subject: Re: Looking for information on home based programming ....
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 23:43:43 GMT

In article <2108@devnull.mpd.tandem.com> swamy@devnull.mpd.tandem.com (Swamy S. Bale (Pi-Net)) writes:
>Hi everybody,
>
>I purchased a computer and some compilers including Windows programming
>tools and C++, and do have reasonable amount of spare time to do some
>extra work. I am interested in finding part time programming assignments and
>don't know how to approach the companies for this kind of stuff.
>
>Is it better to send the resume? 

The best way to find a job or client is to make direct person-to-person contact
with the person who is responsible for making the relevant hiring or contracting
decisions.

The best way to find this and all the other critical information out about the
potential candidate companies/clients is through all the people you know and
that they know, and through the public library and trade mags.

You have to be able to answer these questions by the time you make initial
contact:
                          "Why are you here?"
                          "Why do we need you?"

For example, if I decided to make initial contact with (oh, say) Introl (a
company in this city that makes assemblers and compilers for microcontrollers)
I'd already know why I'm looking there:

                          "Why are you here?"
Because you're the company in the metro area (where I intend to work) that
best matches what I want to work in and enjoy doing (writing software tools for
microcontrollers).

                          "Why do we need you?"
Because I'm a leading expert on the most popular 8-bit controller, have one of
the largest archives of related software in the world, have accumulated
substantial experience, expertise, and knowledge on a wide range of controller
microprocessors, can provide you with a vastly improved line of software tools
and have the resources to enable you to even expand into the microcontroller
circuit board market.

Not that you actually say any of this to the person, if this were you. :)

But the existence of the relevant answers indicates you're looking in the
right place, you've targeted your clientele (or found your niche), and have a
solid foundation to establishing a client (or employer).

>If I do that, it goes to human resources where it may get dumped or lost?

Count on it.  It's a highly inefficient communications bottleneck at best.

More generally, if you find yourself sending out resumes BEFORE interviews,
then you've just found yourself plaing the Numbers Game.  You might as well
be playing the lottery (though I am a finalist in the Publisher's Clearing
House :)).

>Can anybody explain how to approach the right people, what are the 
>things involved in negotiating the contract, opening/closing the deal,
>how to get customer requirements etc.,

Find out if they have a need for the work you want to do first.  Then
approach them.

I suppose it softens the impact if they got your name through a referral by
someone else -- the second, third, and following clients you establish, that is.

>Any references for books, tapes, or articles regarding this matter is also 
>welcome.

What Color is Your Parachute.