1) Cultivate your existing network. Just the other day I reconnected with a friend I haven't seen in several decades. Guess what? He just so happened to be a software dev, and needed another dev to help him with a project. This is just one of many, many stories I have. Call or email people to see how they're doing. Even better, meet up with them for coffee or a meal. This doesn't have to be mercenary; you're probably already doing those things. But start reaching deeper into your network.

2) Build your your network by meeting others in your field and/or potential customers in person (e.g. at user groups, meetups, tech talks, etc.). Talk about what you do and love to do. Presumably that involves your skills that you want to get work in.

Finally, be consistent and reliable and communicate clearly.

As for selling yourself when you're more of a generalist, I wouldn't worry too much about this yet. The key will be when you're presented with a job opportunity that leans in one direction (e.g. 90% dev, 10% management), and you'll have to decide how far you're willing to bend to fit it. But right now you're just getting the word out.

- https://www.fractionaljobs.io/

- HN - who wants to be hired

- Talk to people you have worked with.

- Keep your eyes open all times. E.g. I always pop into careers of a HN post, I keep a list of companies I am curious about. I do this even though I am not looking for a job.

- Negotiate - ask a FT job if they will do PT or contract.

- Find an agency to join as a contractor

[edited for clarity]

Work like this is more commonly described as freelance, consulting, or contracting.

If a job is advertised as "part-time" they're usually expecting you to work every single one of those hours, unlike a retainer where you're expected to be available for up to that many hours.

It may sound pedantic but it's important to understand the difference when searching for roles. If you take a "part-time" job they're generally going to want you to be working for every one of those hours, even if you have to find your own work to do. If you treat it like a retainer job where you're only expected to be on-call if they need you, you could run into some disappointment.

Using the right terms will also help you find roles that more correctly match your expectations.

True part-time work is hard to find because most companies would rather hire someone to work 4 x 40 hour weeks on a project instead over the part timer who wants to do it in 8 x 20 hour weeks or 16 x 10 hour weeks.

This leaves work that is sporadic and spread out, or companies that have a need but can't fit full-time compensation into the budget right now. That's a hint for the type of work and companies you'll need to seek out. Trying to pitch yourself as a valuable contractor who needs 3-4X longer to finish a project due to your short workweek isn't a winning strategy for most jobs.

2. Mostly bullshitting people then winging it.

Relatively high paying jobs usually fulfilled via network, which happens the way you described ("land in my lap").

You need to do marketing activities to extend your network, so more work lands in your lap.

In person works best if where you live has opportunities for this. Try chamber of commerce if there is one. They usually have lots of events for local business owners where you can meet with many potential customers.

Try cold emailing otherwise, it has the best ROI when done right.

Bonus points: This skills will be needed to get the project you are working on off the ground too.