Greetings - Thanks to all who responded. Your input has been very
helpful and I appreciate it.
Now, let's get back to perl....
Thanks again - Chris
Greg London wrote:
> Adam Russell wrote:
> > >> Non-permanent employees are *always* the first to go.
> > >
> > > I've been a contractor
> > >at places where directs got laid off before I did,
> > >simply because I was on a sucessful project, and the
> > >project manager fought for us.
> > Nonsense, you cannot dismiss my point completely
> > than give qualified anecdotal evidence.
>
> I didn't say it never happened.
> I disagreed with the statement that it *always* happens.
> (emphasis on *always* was your own, by the way...)
>
> > >I worked with a contractor who had this amazing resume.
> > >within a week after he was hired, everyone in our group
> > >realized just how much of an idiot he was. he got the
> > >boot soon after.
>
> > He must have completely stunk or you are a complete prick.
>
> He completely stunk. I was a contractor at the time,
> so I had no say whatsoever in his getting the boot.
> Any prickishness on my part did not enter the equation.
>
> > >so it's hard to get a "good reputation" at a company you've
> > >never worked at before. unless someone already works there
> > >that can give you a good recommendation.
> >
> > Again, this is nonsense. Its called "networking".
> > Look it up. If former colleagues are at another shop
> > than I can can assume that, if they think as much,
> > that I have a "good reputation" there.
>
> uh, I didn't come out and use the word networking, but I believe
> having someone on the inside give you a good recommendation
> would fall under the networking banner.
>
> > >The biggest factor, I think, is simply the willingness
> > >to take the risk.
> > Yes, and I hope they take the risk after reviewing as
> > much information as possible.
>
> when I say "willingness to risk" I'm talking about
> the "psychology" of it, versus the "reviewing information"
> part of it.
>
> most people are so afraid of contracting, are so afraid of change,
> that they don't even review any information. they react out
> of their fear.
>
> if you make enough as a contractor to make up for the lack
> of benefits and the time between jobs when you're unemployed,
> then both career paths are equally viable, monetarily.
>
> a person has to get over any fear they may have before
> they can look at the real numbers of it, look at it objectively.
>
> risk management and fear management are different.
> most people could manage the financial risk of contracting.
> but I think a lot of people don't want to deal with the
> emotional fear that can come with it.
>
> > in my experience
> > contractors make big money when times are good.
> > In bad times they suffer.
> > At all times they are treated like whores.
>
> there's a lot more emotional content in those
> statements than any real information.
> or, to use your phrase, "nonsense".
>
> everyone makes good money when times are good,
> and everyone suffers when times are bad.
> if you do your risk management equations correctly,
> it'll work out about the same either way.
>
> i.e. if you are willing to take equal risks as
> a direct and as a contractor, and your salary
> reflects those risks in either position, then
> you should work out the same either way you go.
>
> and I've worked at computer sweatshops as both
> a direct and a contractor. It was management
> style, not my method of employment. I don't
> hang around places like that very long.
>
> Greg London
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