Where and How to Secure Python Developer Freelance Jobs

Those new to Python development freelancing want to know where to find freelance jobs in order to compete with other freelancers finding these positions. This article will help you decide where to focus your search for job listings.

You can find many freelance Python Developer work opportunities in places with no direct hiring postings. Whereas sites like LinkedIn and Indeed feature direct report and freelance jobs, other sites target freelancers and those who hire them. Remember that freelancing often requires a significant degree of hustling and self-promotion in order to attract opportunities. 

Read on to learn more about Python development freelancing.

Freelancer.com

Like so many other URLs, the Freelancer.com site is unavailable. Fortunately, the owner of this domain provides a quality service for freelancers and companies who hire them.

Most job search boards for freelancers charge a monthly fee, and Freelancer.com is no exception. However, they also offer a free one-month trial, and their basic plan provides a competitive level of service at an affordable price.

Toptal

Recommended to recruiters by Developer For Hire and Recruitment.com, Toptal should be on your shortlist of sites to explore. While the site's interface attracts recruiters and hiring managers, click "I'm not interested in hiring," and you'll see Apply as a Freelancer.

Toptal touts itself as an exclusive network where the top three percent of freelancers list their services, so be aware the competition is solid. Go here after you optimize your LinkedIn profile, as you'll need it to sign up.

Arc

Freelancers and full-time Python Developers jockey for positions through Arc, but it's worth checking whether it works for you. The Arc Developer Job Board features remote work only, making it a perfect place for freelancers to search.

If you freelance to find a temp-to-perm position, you might start elsewhere. But if you've already decided to work remotely part- or full-time, consider signing up with Arc. You won't have to fill out applications, and Arc provides direct access to hiring managers.

Gun.io

Gun.io is a matchmaking service created by Developers for Developers. They allow freelancers to sign up with a business email rather than a LinkedIn profile, which appeals to some candidates more than others. 

The selling point for many freelancers is that Gun.io Technical Talent Advocates are all Senior Developers, so they should understand how your skills match potential clients' needs.

Other alternatives for Python development freelancers include:

• Stack Overflow
• Dice
• ITProJob
• Upstack
• Hired
• ZipRecruiter
• Indeed

How Do I Start a Freelance Career in Python Development?

When you start as a freelance Python Developer, your knowledge and experience will land you different gigs. Some companies use recruiters, while others use sites like Toptal and Gun.io. Consider the importance of the following factors as you search for your next freelance job.

• Education - Like full-time roles, some freelance gigs require candidates with college or university degree. However, many companies care more about what you can do for them, especially when hiring freelance help. An intensive course like the Python Developer Certificate or Software Engineering Certificate from Noble Desktop can give you the skills you need for numerous freelance gigs. These programs provide career support and mentorship sessions to help students prepare to enter the field.

• Experience - No doubt about it: experience counts. However, like education, not every company makes hard and fast rules about education. If you have skills and knowledge from a bootcamp or certificate program, that can be enough for certain freelance gigs.

• Skills - Python and related skills can make or break your candidacy for a freelance gig. Depending on the client, you might want to emphasize frameworks like Django and Flask. Other clients will rely on your use of libraries like Matplotlib or TensorFlow. Still other clients may need Python Developers with machine learning or natural language processing. 

• Portfolio - A strong portfolio of professional-level projects can also improve your chances of getting the best freelance gigs. Another advantage of training in a program like Noble's Software Engineering Certificate is that you can get guidance from an experienced instructor and use Django to build your portfolio.

• Resume & LinkedIn Profile - Your resume and LinkedIn profile should support each other, each with unique wording. Your LinkedIn profile tells a story, and your resume summarizes your skills and experience. Editing and proofreading each of them is essential.

• References - If you can get references from former supervisors, you should use them. However, don't assume everyone will agree to you doing so. A better strategy for freelancers: get written or video testimonials from current or past clients. Potential clients can read or watch these, and most will not bother to contact the client.

Learn the Skills to Become a Python Developer at Noble Desktop 

To become a Python Developer, everyone needs a range of skills and knowledge. Most people start with basics, like functions, variables, and the principles of object-oriented programming (OOP). Progressing to a development role also can include additional server-side languages like React (JSX), machine learning algorithms, and object-relational mapping (ORM).

Noble Desktop offers a range of online and in-person Python classes and bootcamps for development, data science and analytics, FinTech, and cybersecurity. Instructors with practical expertise teach these programs, which feature small class sizes to ensure individual attention. Each graduate receives a certificate of completion and can even retake the course for up to one year at no additional charge.

Many Python novices review some free online resources to prepare for one of these courses. Noble Desktop’s Learn Hub includes a comprehensive guide to learning Python for development or data-centered roles. Here you can check out free on-demand courses and tutorials on topics like exchanging Excel for Python and making a Twitter bot with Python. 

If you’re new to Python training, you might want to start with an immersive course like Noble’s Python Programming Bootcamp. However, you can also save by taking this bootcamp as part of their immersive Python Developer Certificate. This program provides Python fundamentals before taking participants through in-demand tools like Django REST, Git, and SQL. Check course listings for more details, including prerequisite information.