Getting paid for the work

I would like to know how the whole process works starting from when a programmer gets hired by a firm to when the employer gets his final product, and the programmer gets his "paycheck". Thanx in advance.

agree terms in advance

so much up front
so much at start of user acceptance testing
balance on sign off

theres a lot of possibilities

Simple, you (programmer) make a test work, or show your previous works..If it is ok, they offer you a job. Then you should take 30-40% in advance and the final sum is payed out when the job is done.

Hiring a programmer or a technical person itself is a difficult process, you should undergo from different selection process to hire a good tech or a programmer like his behavior assessments, experience, interviews, technical knowledge test meeting with your requirement etc.
The employer works out the cost factors before hiring him.

Employer get his final product, when the work is done as per the requirement and specification thereon, The employer sell the product or service by different method, by self promotions, advertisement etc.

The programmer get his paychecks as per the appointment/
agreement letter accepted mutually at the time of appointment or an agreement, subject to review of his performance time to time

It depends on what we are doing. If it is a small project, 50% up and 50% on completion.

If it is a rather large project but only take a few months, we might do 25%-50%-25%. Sometimes 34%-33%-33%.

If it is going to take six months or so, we usually do something on a monthly basis so the client can see the progress, etc

That's good post Corey...Anyway it always depends on the type of job..