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CHill60 wrote: the internet can be a harsh place, but freelancing can be harsher
Words to live by 
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CHill60 wrote:
I think @Nelek has the right idea - do a check on yourself to see what might crop up.
Thanks. Better to know for yourself first hand, what others might find or not find, that brings perspective and can help avoiding some situations.
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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It's a bad idea to go anywhere for advice if you are not open to listening to it.
The whole point of it being expunged is so that you don't need to mention it. Not to us, not to potential employees (with some exceptions, do some research), not to anybody that you don't want to.
Whatever you try to do from here, do it with the assumption that you have no history whatsoever. Your history does not give you less chance than anybody else trying to be a developer, so don't let it hold you back, and certainly don't use it as an excuse for failure.
If you want to be a dev, then listen to the advice we are giving you. Build up a portfolio, get some training/education, do whatever you can to convince somebody that you are going to be useful to them. Plenty of places will hire for a junior who has little experience (but shows promise), nobody will hire a freelancer who "did a bit of python".
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musefan wrote: nobody will hire a freelancer who "did a bit of python".
I have done more than just "a bit of python" as I've been learning and practicing since last august. And another thing there have been times I went to other forums and told my exact same story and have to been told multiple mediocre answers. I did run a background check on myself, but it was a state keyword state background check and nothing showed up, but is that suppose to make a difference?
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Throwaway888xxxx wrote: I have done more than just "a bit of python" as I've been learning and practicing since last august.
That's good, but it isn't me you need to convince. Write a CV and apply for some junior python jobs, see how you get on!
Throwaway888xxxx wrote: I did run a background check on myself, but it was a state keyword state background check and nothing showed up, but is that suppose to make a difference?
You don't need it to make a difference, you are the only one holding yourself back. Forget your history, you don't need to disclose it to anyone, get on with your life and start applying for jobs you like. Just don't expect to get the first few you go for.
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musefan wrote: You don't need it to make a difference, you are the only one holding yourself back. Forget your history, you don't need to disclose it to anyone
this isnt me holding myself back. And i said when it comes to this expungement crap as i said i've heard too many things from other people mainly on the internet.
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If you don't want to listen to us internet people, then go and get some proper legal advice.
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Throwaway888xxxx wrote: I have done more than just "a bit of python" as I've been learning and practicing since last august
Sorry, but 7 months of learning and practicing... still is "a bit of python".
But even though, that is not a real handicap, because programming languages can be learnt. More important is how you focus on problem solving, how you search for the errors, how you work out alternatives, how do you search for information, how you assimilate contents, how you communicate with others (and not only technically speaking)...
patience, self confidence but with modesty, niceness, reliability...
In my opinion those skills are more valious than technical content with your age.
And sorry to be that direct... you are already showing lack of some of them with your answers.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Here in Germany there are companies that will ask for a police report to check if you have a record. If you really want to be sure, I would ask for one and check if the entry you are commenting is clear enough saying that you got expugned.
Said that... I agree with almost everything the others have said. So I won't repeat it.
Things that I didn't see...
You don't only have to know about taxes, you need to have a good money management. Freelancing can bring a lot of money at once and then be months without a project. If you don't have a strategy, it might get very uncomfortable pretty quick.
You have to have a good time / priority management, because you might (if you are lucky) have several projects at once and almost every customer wants his stuff for yesterday.
You need to know your real / fair value, only because there are guys earning 5 or 6 figures salary per project, it doesn't mean that you can ask for it without being that good. And depending on the pissed customer, it might get really difficult to get more projects in the area.
and many more...
TL;DR;
it might be really good, but it is not an easy way.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Nelek wrote: Said that... I agree with almost everything the others have said. So I won't repeat it.
For starters I don't live in Germany I live in the US and what have other people said in this thread that you agree with? because I'm pretty sure it has been nothing helpful.
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Throwaway888xxxx wrote: because I'm pretty sure it has been nothing
There is plenty of useful stuff, but you seem to be ignoring it and focus on wrongly perceived insults.
So forget the question about freelancing or not... first thing you need to do is sort your attitude out, because you won't get anywhere if you have a bad attitude. Simple fact. Be open to criticism, accept advice from people who have experience in the domain, and if a genuine insult does pop up... just let it go, not worth your time to react.
Now... do you take that as a useful bit of advice, or an attack on you as a person? Think about it before you answer.
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Throwaway888xxxx wrote: For starters I don't live in Germany I live in the US
For Starters... two of three companies that wanted my/our police record were US-Companies with sit in Germany (and just in case you ask... the third one was a company in other land because of some visa ?finickiness?)
Throwaway888xxxx wrote: what have other people said in this thread that you agree with?
Here you have:
#1Quote: The most important thing to start with is that you have good solid experience in multiple languages and frameworks, as you have to go where the work is. With only some Python experience I think you may struggle to find work. It may be an idea to talk to recruitment agencies in your locality to see what skills are in demand and whether freelance work is called for.
#2Quote: If it got expunged and there was no conviction what's the problem? Just don't mention it on your resume,
...
I'm a freelancer. It would be a pretty bad idea to try to learn the ropes while freelancing. Spend some years working for a dev house or two so you can learn how to do this professionally.
The *only* way to learn how to write software properly professionally is learning from others on the job.
#3Quote: Are you good at keeping organized ? (project management)
Are you good at managing your money ? (for taxes purpose)
Are you good at selling yourself every couple of months ? (get new contracts)
Those are the contents I was referring to, and if you don't see their usefulness...
Throwaway888xxxx wrote: because I'm pretty sure it has been nothing helpful.
With that attitude you better not start as a freelancer, because if you treat people trying to help you like this, then... you are going to have it pretty difficult to keep contacts / customers, and freelancing is a big % about your professional / social network.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
modified 11-Feb-21 15:03pm.
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I think Freelancing is a bad choice for a new dev. You need more experience first.
Smaller companies (less than 50 people) don't have the super strict requirements of large companies and are a wonderful place to learn skills. My happiest (and longest term) positions are with small companies.
As a fellow developer, the only think I truly care about with my co-workers is if they do a good job at work. If you worked with me, I would care that you carry your weight on the team (equivalent to your position). Then as I got to know you, chances are you're a decent person and I would like that about you too. Your past is behind you, and what you do today makes more of a difference.
Go apply and somebody will pick you up. Then you can prove you're the person you say you are!
Hogan
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snorkie wrote: You need more experience first.
I realize that and I do have a couple of projects so isnt that "experience"?
snorkie wrote: Your past is behind you, and what you do today makes more of a difference.
easy for to say. anyways im not trying to get a job in bigtech or anything, but i really don't think a small dev company is even gonna give me a chance. nice try with this half decent response though
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You've got to start looking up. This was a serious response. If you treat yourself and others this way, you may not get ahead.
I've been programming professionally for 20 plus years and still remember my first job and not knowing anything. Its a struggle to get past imposter syndrome. I wish you the best in your career.
Hogan
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Throwaway888xxxx wrote: I realize that and I do have a couple of projects so isnt that "experience"?
Yes, it's a great start, and will easily set you above some of the applicants.
Throwaway888xxxx wrote: but i really don't think a small dev company is even gonna give me a chance
If a company is hiring, then someone is going to be getting that chance. It's on you to convince them that you are the right person. I think you will benefit from doing some research into "interview preparation for junior developer" and see where that rabbit hole takes you.
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Throwaway888xxxx wrote: but i really don't think a small dev company is even gonna give me a chance
If you don't think it, then you should not even try it.
I have always changed jobs to places where I had to learn a lot because I was getting out of my confort zone.
But as I and others have already told you... technical knowledge is not as important as other skills. Those skills are social and analytical.
And sadly, you are not showing a good score on them in this thread.
I recommend you one thing, stop posting for a while. Re-read one or two times the whole thread. Go have a walk and think about what we have told you and do a bit of self criticism about your attitude.
If you change your mind a bit, then we will be pleased for helping you even a small bit.
If you still think we don't know what we are saying (and sorry, that's the impression you are giving us), then stop posting and do whatever you think.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Throwaway888xxxx wrote: For starters I'm 25 and I want to be a software developer.
No. If you're not already a software developer with a good number of years of experience, freelancing is basically a barricaded, locked, barred, bolted, welded shut door.
The only remote (pun intended) possibility is if you know someone who needs some work done and will give it to you.
The other remote possibility is to "freelance" through a job shop that will sell your skills for 3 times what you'll get paid. But at least you'll gain experience and connections.
Throwaway888xxxx wrote: I only know python and I'm still trying to build up a portfolio.
Portfolios are useless when it comes to freelancing. You have to build contacts / connections, particularly with either small companies that don't have a massive "human resources" department to contend with, or people at the VP level or higher that can override the HR machinery.
I'm not being negative, just realistic.
And unless the arrest led to a conviction, nobody will see it, as I posted separately.
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Hope this also helps:
33 Best Freelancing Websites that Every Freelancer Should Eye on This 2021
https:
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Freelancing is not an option ... It's called: getting lucky.
It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it.
― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food
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Ok.
(Your arrest wasn't for hit and run ...) 
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You are stupid to focus solely on your arrest as the constraining issue. Your problem will be your lack of experience and skills.
Your other drawback is you seem to believe every negative thing you see on the internet and want to dismiss the positive. You site other forums and yet you come to one of the most professional sites and dismiss the advice you are given by a range of professional developers.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity -
RAH
I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP
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Mycroft Holmes wrote: You are stupid to focus solely on your arrest as the constraining issue
well to be honest that is the sole issue. What employer especially in the tech field is gonna wanna hire someone with a record?
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idk whats the point of this when i wasnt even convicted so pardons dont even apply to me.
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