Software Developing is one of the fastest-growing industries. With many turning to freelance work as part-time or full-time work, this industry can promote harmony in the community: as US businesses working with local software development companies keep the revenue in our economy. If new to freelancing, you’ll need to realize that in order to further your career and succeed in it you need a strong foundation of skills. Luckily, these skills are often available in the form of online courses. Within a matter of days, sometimes, you can be prepared to take on entry-level software developing gigs. Remember, as a freelance developer you will miss out on some of the opportunities that are offered to part-time and full-time employees: this is why it is crucial to lay out a framework of schedules, repeat clients, and short-term and long-term goals. A few key points to remember are as followed:

• Geography plays a crucial role: your work environment has a massive role to play in determining how successful you will be. Remember, not every client will be willing to work with you no matter how good you may think you are. There are instances in any profession where even if you have the required skills, you do not fall into the client’s category. Your reaction to certain circumstances is what will define your future, remember: thick skin will take you a long way.
• Choose the right freelance sites: whenever you start, you do not have your cream of the crop pick. Learn to broaden your horizons and maybe take on projects that you are unfamiliar with, after all, this only broadens your horizons. Freelance sites are an excellent way of getting your career started. Do adequate research when choosing a freelance site, as many clients are notorious for requesting more work than initially agreed upon.
• Talking about money: this is a field where experience and talent will pay as you deserve. Have a conversation about pay early to avoid falling into a hole of requirement analysis.
• Getting paid can sometimes be a challenge: the platform you choose to freelance can often dictate how you are getting paid. The best advice is to ask for a partial down payment, this ensures any lowball offers and scammers are weeded out early.
• There won’t always be work: being a freelancer has famously been noted as a position of extreme uncertainty. By developing communication skills and developing a great networking strategy, you can attempt to minimize these dry spells as much as possible.

Top 10 Freelance Software Developer Traits:

1. Excellent in Programming Language: while seemingly obvious, some aspiring programmers apply for jobs they do not have the necessary skills for. Freelancers should have better than average skills to set the standard among their peers. While mastering one programming language is useful, many companies tend to look for freelancers that have a knowledge of multiple.
2. Able to work amongst a team: while freelancers generally work solo, sometimes they are required to jump on board with an already existing team. Making sure to navigate personalities is crucial in furthering your career goals. Teams are a whole package, if one member of the team fails and the others do nothing, your project is likely to be a disaster.
3. Adaptability: being able to adapt to different scenarios is needed in many fields, especially this one. While you should always know when to say no, being adaptable to different circumstances is crucial. This can range from managing personalities to evolving with new technology. You are never certain when the next innovation will take place and how complex it is. There will be new frameworks, languages, and libraries coming to fruition at any time.
4. Positive Attitude: A positive working environment will resonate with every employee and boost productivity, both in the office and remotely.
5. Accept Mentors: a good developer is always hungry for knowledge. Act like a sponge, absorb tried and tested methods, and use them to become a better software developer.
6. Excel in your communication skills: Communication is key to a successful product. Communicate clear, concise messages; communication is not only about being a good speaker. Communication is a two-way process, one party sends the message, and the other receives and gives a response.
7. Adhere to the software development life cycle: the SDLC is the basic guideline for development. A software developer should adhere to SDLCs to achieve a high level of documentation and management control.
8. Critical thinking: problems arise in unexpected situations, especially in the tech field. Critical thinking is an individual’s ability to observe information and use such information to make logical decisions.
9. Time Management: a master developer knows what tasks to prioritize. In fact, signs of a good time manager are routine occurrences such as a daily to-do schedule.
10. Continuously Learning: we are creatures of habit, as such: we can become stagnant in our fields of work. In software development, the work can lead to many hours of repetitive work which can take a toll on someone. By evolving with new technology, languages, and trends, you can keep your skills up to date and mind sharp.