I was an IT director looking for extra work.
That is how I introduced myself in an email about a systems administrator position.
I said I managed one of the largest hosting accounts at the ViaWest data center. Then I listed the work: Windows, Linux, copper and fiber networks, systems architecture, SAN and NAS implementations, scalability, and growth planning.
If the position was still open, I would send a resume.
That was the ask. I did not attach a long proposal or make the recipient guess what I wanted next.
The reply came less than an hour later. They were interested. They did not need help immediately, but they might have project work later.
My Beatport role already covered a large environment. In June, I had described nine web servers, five database servers, 30 terabytes of storage, and about 80 terabytes of monthly traffic.
I was still asking about additional systems work.
The message was not polished. It was a fast list of what I could do and where I had done it, followed by one direct question about availability.
The answer was useful but not a job. They might have project work later, but nothing was starting yet.
I do have the pitch I made that afternoon. I run a large environment. I know Windows and Linux. I know storage and networks. I can plan for growth. Do you still need help?
For the moment, the door stayed open. Beatport remained the day job. Extra work remained a possibility after it.