How I find IT jobs and projects without a CV

Introduction

Recently, I was asked for advice on how to find IT jobs or freelance projects, especially during these challenging times when layoffs are happening everywhere. I’d like to share my personal experience on how I’ve found jobs and projects passively and globally.

Why passively?

As you know, employment is a two-way relationship - workers need jobs, and companies need talent. The traditional approach involves actively applying for jobs, but this comes with several drawbacks: recruiters may never check your application, some job postings are fake, CVs get filtered out by algorithms, and the process can be time-consuming - you have to start over every time you search for a new job.

The passive approach, on the other hand, involves gradually building your online profile and personal brand. Over time, opportunities come to you, rather than the other way around.

What I’ve done and continue to do consistently

Build a personal website and blog to serve as your online CV. Regularly publish articles that showcase your knowledge and skills. Use a proper top-level domain - avoid free domains or hosting services like my-profile.vercel.app.
Make sure you're set up to receive payments easily and globally. Check out this article for recommended payment solution: How I Receive Salary Using Wise.
Be active on GitHub and open-source your work - even something as simple as a database backup script can lead to unexpected and positive opportunities.
Actively share your articles on social media, especially LinkedIn, where many recruiters are searching for talent.
Diligently respond to IT-related questions on Reddit, LinkedIn, and other social media groups.
After completing a project, ask your clients for permission to include a small credit, such as Developed by Harry Tang, with a link back to your personal website.
Join as many technical groups and forums as possible and stay active, but avoid spamming your profile or links, as it could lead to being banned.
Ask your friends to refer you for jobs or projects if they know someone who’s hiring.
You can also explore freelance platforms like Freelancer to find project opportunities.

My Results

Conclusion

The passive approach may take time initially, but its long-term value is lasting. Over time, job and project opportunities will come your way more frequently. It's a smart and worthwhile investment in your career. I wish you the best of luck—feel free to leave a comment if you'd like to share your own job-seeking experiences.