Jobs as independent contractors

Just curious as to whether any of you hold jobs as independent contractors. I ask because it seems that is the best way to obtain a professional job without asking to be paid under the table. How easy was it? How did you ask to be hired as such? What kind of job and company is it? Where do you live? I sort of want to go ahead with it and try, since I want to think an M.S. is worth something. Thanks.

I would say that it depends on where you live. I would suggest against going that route in Miami. The city has been doing major crackdowns on contractors that are not licensed by the state, especially after many injury reports surfaced due to the work done by people that have no experience whatsoever and scammers that have been taking the money for contracting work and disappearing.

My dad's been working as this for many years now. He has both a state license and a city license, and he's had no problems. He can't just get ANY job, but a lot of jobs are ok with hiring him as such. Only requires an ITIN.

I'd say it depends on 1) where you are 2) what your field is. If you go online you can find the codes for the 'nature of your business'. His business is in the arts, so it works out, but I'm not sure you could have a "nursing business" or "engineering business".

i thought you were talking about building type contractors. You mean more like a freelance professional?

Yes sorry, I meant more like freelance.

What's your field?

how about translation work?