New job 1099 blueprint

by Dale Davidson

Say you get a new W2 job and you're interested in going 1099.

Here's what I'd do:

  • Identify a valuable project I could do for the government client
  • Do it on top of my normal duties without telling them
  • Present it to the client and blow them away
  • Make sure my boss knows the client is happy with my work
  • Pitch a 1099 arrangement with the boss
  • In parallel, continue networking and looking for other 1099 opportunities
  • If my boss said no, I'd say I was leaving (in a polite way)
  • If my boss doesn't change his mind, I'd leave. If he does change his mind, great! I now have a 1099 gig

It's easy to settle into a job without doing anything particularly remarkable. But a new job is an opportunity to establish a great reputation with your government client. That is the key leverage you need to get a 1099 gig. Once you have it, you have options.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.

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