A quick overview of working on Facet
This article is for new Facet Network members who would like more detail on how everything works.
First off, welcome! If you are feeling a bit nervous or unsure about becoming an independent contractor, that's totally normal.
We are here to help!
If you ever have any questions or just want to talk to someone about contracting, taxes, forming a company, etc, just email us at [email protected]. We are always happy to jump on a Microsoft Teams Meeting and talk.
How do I find work?
There are detailed step-by-step instructions for each of these steps below, but at the highest level, here’s how finding projects through Facet works:
- Find a job you want on the job board or in a new job email
- Email [email protected] to let us know
- Meet with Facet to learn more about the job
- Meet with client for interviews
- Negotiate rate
- Sign contract
- Start work
In Detail
Facet has a sales and marketing team that is always finding new work opportunities for Facet members. Our sales team meets with each potential customer to ensure they will pay their bills, that they are good with the rates Facet members typically charge and that the type of work is a good fit for our members.
If the customer passes our screening process, we help them create a job posting and send it out to the network via email. We also keep an updated list of our active job openings in case you miss an email. (You should have received an email with a link to the job board. If you've lost the link, email us at [email protected] and we will resend it to you.)
If you find a job that you are interested in, you can reply to the job posting email or send an email at any time to [email protected]. We will arrange a phone call with you to tell you more about the job and answer any questions you have.
If you decide that you would like to more forward, we will arrange interviews with the client. There may be multiple Facet members interviewing for the job, so make sure you put your best foot forward and prepare .
The actual interview process is determined by the client. It may be a simple phone call, or it might be a few hours of interviews. We ask our clients to limit the entire interview process to under 4 hours and to not use coding tests like LeetCode.
Once the client is sold on you and excited to have you working for them, we will negotiate your hourly rate with the client. Facet charges clients a fixed 20% service fee on your hourly rate for the service we provide, so we are incentivized to maximize what you get paid.
Once the contract details are finalized, the client signs a contract with Facet and Facet signs a contract with you.
What is my relationship to Facet? To the Client?
When you work through Facet, you are an independent contractor (sometimes referred to as 1099). Think of yourself as a company that provides contract software development, design or QA services to clients. You don't have to actually set up a company to do work for Facet, but there may be some tax benefits if you do.
Client -> Facet -> You
Clients sign a contract with Facet and Facet sub-contracts that work to you. The government limits the type of relationship a company like Facet can have with it's independent contractors. For example, we cannot provide benefits like health insurance or a 401(k) - you must purchase them on your own. However, we can help you find the best coverage.
As an independent contractor, you will need to set aside money for income taxes, carry your own health insurance and cover the normal expenses of running your business. On the plus side, expenses like your laptop, headphones and even part of your mortgage may count as tax deductions.
You should treat the client, not Facet, as your customer. The type of relationship you have with your client will vary depending on the job, but always remember that your job is to serve the customer. In some cases you will be integrated into the engineering team as a senior individual contributor, in other cases you might be assigned specific projects. The client is responsible for directing your work, but you should always be proactive to make sure you busy and working on what the client wants you to work on.
Does Facet bill by the hour or by project?
We've tried both over the years and found that billing by the hour is the most fair to clients and sub-contractors. All Facet contracts are billed hourly.
Other frequently asked questions
Updated over 1 year ago