I posted the following on Craig’s List yesterday:

Looking for a few good Geeks

I have recently had to turn down a lot of contracting work because I simply don’t have the time to take it all on. As much as I enjoy writing code for new web sites, I’m really far more interested in the architecture, client interaction and business-side of things these days. What I need are a few good geeks to whom I can pass off a lot of the coding work on a contract basis to help free up my schedule and increase the amount of work that can get done. I’m looking for the following skills:

• Experience coding in the LAMP suite (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Perl). Every site I build uses this, and I’m rather persnickety about it.
• Solid HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Knowledge of what the kids call “AJAX” is also handy, but not required.
• Self starters who can accurately estimate the time it takes for them to do something and meet (or beat!) a deadline.
• Decent technical writing skills plus copious code comments. Everything you write will have to eventually be maintained by someone else. Make sure it makes sense.

I’m seeking folks from all walks of life with all levels of experience. I prefer that you live in the East Bay of San Francisco (or can, at least, get there easily) since I prefer face-to-face meetings when they can be managed. If you have some but not all of the skills above, don’t be afraid to apply – some of this work would be ideal for someone trying to get their foot in the door. I’m happy to be a mentor and help you along your way.

I’m looking primarily for coders and graphic designers, here. I’ll find the clients, handle the marketing, collect the bills, send out the paychecks, gather the requirements and lay down the basic architecture. I’ll even still do some of the coding myself. You’ll take on the rest.

If you’re interested, send your resume in PDF or plain text format as well as a cover letter describing your experience, what type of work most interests you, some examples of your work (if you don’t have any, explain why) and where you want to go with your skills to the email address supplied above. Thanks! Rob Z.

The response so far has been pretty decent, but also surprising. I’ve received a number of emails from companies that outsource overseas (an option I’ve considered, but I tend to prefer working with folks I can actually see) as well as a lot of companies who, quite frankly, would be my competitors. That surprises me.

Most of the individuals who have written so far seem pretty talented and qualified. I’m essentially trying to build a good “go-to” team for my contracting work so that I can take a bit more on and focus on the parts I’m growing my interests in, such as marketing, sales and building a business. I still plan on doing a lot of the coding myself and such, but I want somewhere to send the overflow.

If you’re interested in being considered for the Z-Team (I’m not really calling it that – it’s more my own mental mneumonic) drop me a line with the info requested above.