I didn't use that website, but tried another and found it to be ultra-competitive and harder to generate recurring business than I anticipated.

There were three things working against me, on the site I was using:

1) I'm a full-time banker and only intended to use this for extra cash during downtime, meaning my windows of opportunity were limited and I couldn't commit to projects with significant hour requirements unless the time constraints were flexible.

2) Adding on to point #1, in order to win business, the more proven experience and high reviews you have, the more likely you are to be selected for the best projects. Given that I was not nearly as active as someone that was freelancing full-time, they typically had a much better chance of landing bids, all other things being equal. The differentiation in experience and education is minimal, so the party seeking a freelancer is always going to choose the one with the most positive feedback, particularly because it demonstrates their ability to effectively complete projects in a freelance context and interact remotely.

3) The prices were not set by the party seeking help, but rather by those that were seeking to provide it, based on a description of the situation. Thus, for smaller jobs (ones that I was mostly targeting), you could be undercut 50%+ by people in SE Asia + India.

The good news is that SpareHire restricts that, similar to Toptal (another you should look into). Both have rigorous recruiting processes and ensure that their people actually have real world experience. The clients also tend to be less price sensitive. That being said, you'll still be going up against multiple people that have more experience on the platform.

Just some food for thought...

 
Best Response

That's what I garnered as well, it's competitive: some IB bankers claim to have 6-10 yrs experience, then you also have the India component - they'll work for $10-15 per hour with an MBA.

A great idea would be to bid on multiple gigs, at >$100 per hour and outsource to India for $10-15 lol - pyramid scheme!

26 Broadway where's your sense of humor?
 

2 questions:

Which website was it you tried using?

Are you still looking for the odd gig? I am currently tryin to find someone decent to do some equity resarch, mainly qualitative analysis focused (industry drivers, company analysis/drivers, catalysts/earnings upside, downside protection/moats...) not fussed on modelling or valuations but thats the easyer bit anyway.

 

Ratione corporis eos amet ullam impedit autem ut porro. Mollitia quos soluta vel porro dolor. Voluptatem rerum architecto cupiditate qui quo unde vero.

Nobis ea sit similique nobis vitae praesentium. Quasi velit qui quidem suscipit quia. Et saepe voluptatem impedit asperiores. Et corrupti fugiat dolore est ut adipisci. Amet facilis provident nulla earum ullam aut quia. Est unde itaque ipsam rem blanditiis.

Aut praesentium explicabo saepe est ducimus delectus. Occaecati illo vel et explicabo. Porro error expedita nesciunt officia quo et. Minus quae eaque accusantium dolore dolorum aut sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”