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Aug 13, 2001
Agustina Guerrero, Tribune staff reporter

Correction: Although the writer implies that Jumping Bean is a marketing agency, we are in fact a company that provides businesses with copywriting and other marketing consulting services. We do not outsource projects to other writers (unless we have more work than we can handle).

Finding freelance tech help is a hard task for companies when they don't know where to look.

On the other side of the equation are talented people without tech jobs, looking for work.

So how can employers and employees find each other?

Both turn to tech staffing services in the Chicago area that provide skilled workers—and other services—to fill the burgeoning need for tech expertise.

InfoBridge Inc., based in Lombard, has access to more than 300 qualified information technology consultants worldwide and can provide workers and technology for clients ranging from small businesses like dot-com start-up Ilovepoetry.com to Fortune 500 companies.

The company's products and services include recruiting and technical staffing, as well as providing custom IT project teams and project management, systems integration and Web development.

"Clients are looking for a total solution, but do not want to hire a high-price consulting company to do a project. Freelancers tend to have industry experience ranging from 7 to 12 years with exposure to at least two different industries and can lead initiatives," said William Pappas, InfoBridge's director of client services.

In 1999, 10 percent of IT professionals were freelancers, according to InfoBridge. In 2001, that number has risen to 30 percent. The average pay for a freelance Web architect is $80 per hour and can rise to $150 per hour, Pappas said.

But times are tough for tech workers and many have lowered their salary expectations.

"We have IT freelancers that used to work for $120 an hour telling us `I can take anything for $70,'" said Kim Haynes, a technical recruiter at Chicago's Parallel Partners, another IT staffing firm.

WorldWIT, an online organization targeted to women in technology, is a good starting point for those looking to hire tech specialists and for IT professionals looking for work.

Blythe Howard used ChicWIT, WorldWIT's list for the Chicago area, to hire professionals for specific projects.

"I'm a freelance marketing writer for technology companies. Since first signing up for ChicWIT, I've found a business partner [Hsuan-min Chou], and we've formed Jumping Bean Communications, a small marketing communications company that caters primarily to tech companies," Howard said.

"I've also used the list to network with graphic designers whom we might want to hire for some of our projects."

The Information Technology Association of America's latest study found a national IT workforce of 10.4 million. Companies are expected to hire an additional 900,000 workers this year, according to high- tech job service company Dice.com.

"Most freelancers choose to work on their own because it allows them to have a level of freedom they wouldn't have if working permanently for a corporation," said Parallel Partners' Haynes.

"From the companies' side, freelancers are useful for short-term projects where very specialized professionals are required."

Here are several other useful resources for tech work:

- Kelly IT Resources, a Kelly Services' division, places IT professionals in contract and full-time positions. It has partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and more than 1,000 small to midsize companies.

Kelly provides specialists with expertise in platforms such as mainframe, midrange, client server, desktop and ASP; operating systems such as Unix, Windows NT, Linux, AS/400; programming languages such as C/C++, Visual Basic, Java, SAS; applications like client server, GUI and Telephony; database systems and project management.

- In Des Plaines, the O'Hare Search Group has a special practice on information technology, concentrating in database administration and application development. It looks for freelancers familiar with Oracle's software products, Windows NT networks and Unix-based systems.

The company represents clients throughout the 50 states and coordinates with more than 4,500 recruitment specialists in the world.

- Compendit Inc., a consulting company with a Chicago branch, specializes in implementing SAP's software products. It was founded in 1999 by former SAP consultants and engineers.

- Oakbrook Terrace's Braxton-Reed, a recruiting and staffing firm, places workers in several technical fields, including network architecture, programming and project management.

San Francisco's Guru Inc. offers three core services for freelance work.

Its online marketplace, Guru.com, connects freelancers and consultants with contract projects from several companies. It has more than 550,000 registered users.

Guru Talent Agency screens and represents IT and creative contractors, and places them into projects with companies needing considerable technical work.

Guru's third division, Guru Services, provides independent professionals with essential services, such as insurance, to run independent businesses.

- Des Moines-based Dice.com is an online information technology job board offering permanent job placements as well as contract and consulting jobs.

Dice.com's employer services are available to companies and recruiters looking for IT professionals.

More than 60,000 jobs are listed on Dice.com, where freelancers can search for work by region.

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