> Working at a startup you can also do very well for    
    > yourself

Sure, just like joining a rock band.

Yes, but those who do are statistical outliers in a field of people who are underpaid and see very little money even if there's an exit at the end - you might get a $100k check but if you've been earning $50k below the market rate for 5 years that's not a very good deal. There are plenty of great reasons to work for a startup (challenging problems, freedom to work how you like, meeting smart people, learning huge amounts of tech very quickly, etc) but if you think it's a good way to get rich you are plain wrong. If you're a developer who wants lots of money go and work for a bank.

In my experience (in the UK) you start by submitting your CV to loads of recruiters saying you are looking for contract roles. If they think they can make money from you they'll give you a call and ask for your rate etc.

I'm not the OP, but I just do plain front-end development. Contract length can vary, sometimes it's one week in a digital agency, sometimes it's a few months in a large company. You can also find contracts that are 12months, and they can be extended after that.

I was freelancing when I started out, so I had some income but was also available for full-time contract work during the day.

Sorry for the late reply, not sure this will ever be seen but just in case.

I was lucky, in a way. I did a year at work as part of my degree (my 3rd year), got kicked out of my CS degree (BSc, York - I just didn't do any work, failed exams, had too much of a social life), and the place I was working took me back.

Best part was I wasn't a "graduate" so my old boss told me to set up as a sole trader. 6 months later I'd finished what I had to do, and the guys I'd been working with mentioned they were off to Germany to continue the job. (Desktop refresh. Pretty good start for any contractor, teaches you all sorts of variety.)

I asked, jokingly, "can I come?". Week later I was in Germany. That job lasted a year and a half and took me all over Europe, and that led to a similar role all around the world.

I've been lucky.

Lessons: be a nice, personable, helpful human. Say yes more than no. Realise who the customer is and make them happy. Don't forget about the person at the end of the chain: they matter. Be a jack of all trades rather than a master of one. Don't be afraid to move. Don't be afraid to be different. Enjoy yourself.

I haven't had a job interview in 10 years, now. It's all on people I know, who know I'm good, who refer me to other people.

In terms of money and skills I guess

As much as startups can "disrupt" by creating new businesses, big tech companies can also create entirely new products or businesses and when they attempt to do so they often succeed. Google has a good shot at eventually being successful with products like glass, self-driving cars, etc. Amazon is already succeeding with AWS and at some point will launch drone delivery. Even if you just own a small feature, it's fulfilling to work on large important products with high impact (legacy products too e.g. gmail). Plus, there is little risk and great payout guaranteed. Contrary to Thiel's comments, I think you're surrounded by brilliant people at a place like Google and will learn constantly and won't stagnate. The key is to not stay on the same team/product forever.