Is a side job recommended for IT human resources? I will also explain how to win projects for beginners

1. Actual conditions, cases, and earning methods of side jobs (multiple jobs) of IT human resources

1.1 [IT-related occupation type] Side job experience rate

The guideline for the side business experience rate of “IT engineer”, “Web director / designer”, and “game system” is about 30% to 40%. We will introduce the side job experience rate in detail for each job type.

■ IT engineer

According to the “IT Engineer’s Side Business Survey” conducted by “TECH Street” operated by Persol Career Co., Ltd., the IT engineer’s side business experience rate is ” about 40% “. Of those, the percentage of those who answered that they are currently working side-by-side is ” 16% .” “.

• Survey period: August 2020
• Survey target: 500 IT engineers

Reference: IT engineer’s “real side business” survey report | TECH Street

■ Web director / designer

According to a questionnaire on side jobs conducted by Geekly Co., Ltd., the experience rate of side jobs for web directors and designers is ” 30.77% “. “.

• Survey period: August 2, 2019-August 31, 2019
• Survey target: Men and women in their 20s to 40s, 675 people

Reference: Is it easy to do a side job in the IT industry? Thorough explanation of the actual situation based on actual data! ｜ Geekly

■ Game system

According to a questionnaire on side businesses also conducted by Geekly Co., Ltd., the experience rate of side businesses in games is ” 30.49% “. “.

• Survey period: August 2, 2019-August 31, 2019
• Survey target: Men and women in their 20s to 40s, 675 people

Reference: Is it easy to do a side job in the IT industry? Thorough explanation of the actual situation based on actual data! ｜ Geekly

1.2 Trends in side businesses of IT human resources

I will explain in detail what kind of trend the side business of IT human resources is currently.

■ Many companies are using external human resources

Currently, the utilization of external human resources is progressing at major companies. For example, in the case of “Yahoo!”, we are looking for a side business person called “Gig Partner”. Based on working once a week , monthly payments of 50,000 to 150,000 yen will be paid depending on experience and skills . It is expected that the gathering of highly motivated human resources with specialized knowledge will lead to a reduction in management costs .

■ 80% of private IT human resources are “interested in government projects”

According to a questionnaire on “interest in work related to government digitization” conducted by Bizreach Co., Ltd., ” about 84% ” answered that they are interested in government digitization. Of that, ” 29.3% ” want “side jobs / side jobs” as their employment form.

• Survey period: November 23, 2020-November 29, 2020
• Survey target: 578 people

Reference: Questionnaire to private digital human resources who are ready to work | Bizreach

■ “Sharing” of professional human resources is also progressing

In addition, the “sharing” of professional human resources is progressing. It is expected that a society with a share where professionals in each field can play an active role in multiple companies will continue to expand.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of doing a side job (multiple jobs) in the IT industry

Introducing the advantages and disadvantages of doing a side job (multiple jobs) unique to the IT industry.

2.1 Benefits

Some of the benefits of having a side job in the IT industry include:

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of each.

■ It will be an opportunity to use new languages ​​and frameworks practically

Side jobs are an opportunity for IT personnel to try out new technologies in a practical manner. It will be an opportunity to expand the range of work by touching frameworks, SaaS, various tools, etc. that you do not have the opportunity to use in your main business. Even if you do not have a track record of side business, if you can show the track record of your main job + portfolio, there is a good chance that you will be able to receive an order.

■ Increase personal connections

It has the advantage of expanding personal connections with directors and managers of companies other than the main business. When it’s time to think about a career change, you have the option of changing jobs to a company that is a side business.

■ Income increase

You can also earn income from your side business, which will increase your income. For example, if you are planning personal development of a certain scale or larger and you need a budget, you can use the income earned from your side business.

■ Career options are greatly expanded

You will be able to appeal your career as a side business, which will increase the market value and make it easier for you to change jobs. There are more options for independence.

2.2 Disadvantages

The disadvantages to this are as follows.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the disadvantages.

■ Schedule management / physical condition management

It also has the disadvantage of reducing leisure time and making it easier for you to get sick. Be aware that if you cannot manage the schedule and deliver the project, you may rather reduce your market value.

■ Final tax return

If you work for a company, many people may have never filed a tax return. If you do a side job, you need to be careful because if you do not file a tax return, you will be “missing the tax return”.

■ It becomes difficult to secure “input time”

Technology is renewed every day, so it is important to study to catch up with new technology. However, if you devote the time you spend studying to your side business, you tend to be in a situation where you cannot input. You can’t learn new skills and you can’t feel the growth. If you want to cut down on study time and work as a side business, clarify the “purpose of the side business” as well.

3. How to find IT-related side business (multiple business) projects

There are three main ways to find IT-related side business (double business) projects.

Now, I will explain in detail how to acquire each project.

3.1 Introducing friends / acquaintances / colleagues

The easiest and most reassuring way is to refer a friend, acquaintance, or colleague. It is an easy way to find a project that suits you because it is an introduction after knowing the skills and personality you have in advance.

3.2 Crowdsourcing skill sharing

The second method is to use a crowdsourcing site. CrowdWorks and Lancers are typical examples of crowdsourcing.

This is a project to recruit a person in charge of coding business for apparel e-commerce sites.

In addition to practical experience of website creation with HTML and CSS, practical experience using Photoshop / Illustrator, responsive support, version control using GitHub & Sourcetree, practical coding experience in Mac environment, sufficient communication ability , You are required to be able to move positively.

The standard remuneration is 400,000 to 500,000 yen per month. Please see the matter information page for details.

▸ Project information: Coder ★ Apparel EC site coding ｜ Professional engineer

4. Steps for receiving orders, delivering, and increasing unit prices for IT-related side businesses (multiple businesses)

We will introduce each step from receiving an order for an IT-related side business (multiple business) to delivery, improvement proposal, and unit price increase.

4.1 Orders

We accept orders through crowdsourcing and freelance agents. While presenting your portfolio to the ordering party, let’s first receive multiple orders with the goal of earning 50,000 yen per month.

If you broaden your horizons to the side business in general, the reality is that few people can earn 50,000 yen. The unit price per project may be low, but if you can receive multiple orders and earn 50,000 yen, it is enough as a first step.

4.2 Delivery

After receiving the order and finishing the work, it is finally delivered.

At this time, the point that tends to shift the line of sight from the ordering party is ” what should be the delivery “. Especially when the ordering party does not have much programming knowledge or IT literacy, it is possible that the requirements definition is not fully understood. Then, even though the requirements are fully satisfied from the perspective of the contractor, there may be cases where correction requests are made in rapid succession and delivery is difficult to complete. It is recommended that you define the requirements carefully in advance and then set an upper limit on the number of corrections.

It is also recommended that you take the plunge and “make the relationship only for that case” with the orderer who finds it difficult to build a relationship of trust during the exchange.

4.3 Improvement proposal

If you can build a sufficient relationship of trust and the ordering party and the contractor are satisfied with the quality of each other’s work, there is a possibility that you can continue trading for a long time.

In that case, let’s hear from time to time whether there are any problems or what you want to develop, and propose solutions if there are any problems. When you meet a good client, it is recommended that you act proactively and aim for continuous transactions.

4.4 Unit price negotiation-unit price increase

If continuous transactions continue, we will negotiate to gradually raise the unit price. If you think the job is reliable, there is a good chance that the unit price will increase.

5. Frequently Asked Questions about IT-related side jobs (double jobs)

We will answer frequently asked questions about IT-related side jobs (double jobs).

5.1 Can I do IT side business at home?

Due to the recent epidemic of the new coronavirus, the shift to remote work and telework is progressing not only in IT-related fields but also in many occupations. In fact, many IT side businesses allow you to work from home.

However, there are some projects for freelancers that require you to come to work. This is necessary for cases where it is not desirable to handle data in the cloud, for example, cases where advanced security and information management are required.

5.2 There is also the idea that personal development and commitment to OSS should be prioritized over side jobs. Shouldn’t you do a side job?

If you are aware of “lack of skills”, focus on input first. Personal development and commitment to OSS are very effective ways to do this.

On the other hand, side jobs also have various merits such as “expanding new connections”, “increasing income”, and “trying new skills in practice”. If you’re wondering if you should start a side job, it’s a good idea to start by ordering a few small deals that are easy to finish.

5.3 I’m interested in freelance, but I’m not confident that I will receive an individual order. What should i start with?

Let’s start with receiving orders for small projects. If you are not confident that you can handle even small projects, it is recommended that you go to school as an up-front investment.

5.4 Should I become independent if the number of projects increases?

If you become independent as a freelancer, you will have to pay a larger price than when you were a company employee in order to obtain social security equivalent to that of a full-time employee. It is recommended that you become independent if you feel that your monthly income is at least 1.5 to 2 times that of a full-time employee and that you are suitable for freelance.

However, these are just guidelines for income. This does not apply to those who are physically and mentally burdened with the current working environment or who have a strong desire to become independent even if they are prepared for risks.

6. Summary

This time, we introduced the actual situation of the side business (double work) of IT human resources, such as the side business experience rate and trends by job type, and the advantages and disadvantages. We also answered questions such as how to win projects for beginners, step-up procedures, and frequently asked questions.
IT human resources tend to be busy in their main business, but side business is also an opportunity to expand the range of new connections and skills. In recent years, the number of home-based projects has been increasing, so please make effective use of it.