Hi Wasting Asparagus. I am deflated because it seems like ALL companies use recruiters now as their gatekeepers. Even human resources departments use them. If I could bypass the horrid recruiter, believe me, I would.

I will check out The Penny Hoarder. I have been watching YouTube videos that suggest side gig jobs but lots of those websites require you to pay a joiner's fee. No thanks. I have to penny pinch. If I can't join the website for free to do gig work, then I feel like that website is just like a recruiter -- taking a commission from the job seeker without the promise of connecting the job seeker to a job.