I used to work for Ingram Micro and I managed a number of the Cisco VAR
accounts. They have to have a certain number of cisco certified engineers on
staff to qualify for the various partner levels with Cisco. Cisco also gives
them deep pocket discounts depending on that level (somewhere in the
neighborhood of 25-33 percent off list. Sorry to say but your just a number
and a discount coupon to this shop. I say that because they don't really
seem to care what kind of experience you have or what kind of appearance you
make, only that you have a cert number with the vendor that either maintains
or upgrades their partner status.
>From: "Jonathan Hays"
>Reply-To: "Jonathan Hays"
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: Re: OFF TOPIC -Job Offer without Interview?? [7:2369]
>Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 16:10:25 -0400
>
>The reseller may be desperate for certified people which means they WILL
>take any warm
>body. But another aspect of this situation is that you need to take charge
>of your part
>of the interview - remember it's a two-party transaction. My advice -
>Never
>take a job
>or promise to take a job without seeing the working environment and meeting
>your boss
>and coworkers. In fact if the employer doesn't want to go through the whole
>normal
>process you should politely insist on it - ask all the questions, etc. I
>speak from
>experience. I had a very lucrative and firm contract offer and start date
>over the phone
>about 3 years ago and I demanded a face-to-face plus a tour of the working
>environment.
>The interview was very disappointing and I turned down the offer.
>
>Jonathan
>
>"Howard C. Berkowitz" wrote:
>
> > Unfortunately, you are running into something endemic to the DC area,
> > especially the Federal government. Agencies have head count
> > restrictions, but still need staffing. So, there have evolved a
> > class of brokers that rent out people to the using organizations.
> > The brokers often mark up your rate by 100% or more, although they do
> > have to float receivables for 60 days or more.
> >
> > Becoming a Cisco partner just needs the right certificated people,
> > which, at the lower level, could be the principals. As I remember,
> > though, continued partner status also means a certain level of sales.
> > A pure body shop won't have equipment sales. Unfortunately again,
> > it's often easier for government agencies to deal with a small
> > business reseller, perhaps under minority business 8(a) setasides --
> > they can just go make small purchases without complex procurement.
> >
> > Don't expect any real support from your direct employer, but keep an
> > open mind about the client. I spent three good solid years at the US
> > Labor Department as an ostensibly "temporary contractor," which is
> > where I really broke into system programming and networking. Some
> > clients exploit the system, but others recognize that it's really
> > their job to motivate the contractors and can be quite decent to
> > them. Good clients may find loopholes for such things as training --
> > they can't pay your salary to attend an offsite class, but they may
> > have in-house classes and let you "drop in" -- even with credit.
> >
> > >Hey Group,
> > >
> > >Thanks for all the input -- I really do appreciate it.
> > >
> > >Just to add a few facts to this -- the company that called me -- is a
>Cisco
> > >SILVER partner -- not simply a pure unadulterated head-hunter -- sort
>of a
> > >hybrid (like EIGRP!! ).
> > >
> > >Of course it goes without saying that -- as one person said -- it's an
> > >on-the-job-interview. If I -- or any of the others who report on day 1
> > >aren't acceptable -- then we simply are not there on Day 2. But what
>does
> > >it say about the Silver Partner?? Is this guy honest?? If he fails to
> > >properly screen the people he sends to the client -- isn't he -- at the
>very
> > >least -- intellectually dishonest?? And if that's true -- how would he
>treat
> > >his employees?? Would he promise the moon (e.g. oh yeah, paychecks
>every
>two
> > >weeks) and then not come through??
> > >
> > >Who is our loyalty to go towars?? The client -- who we know is being
>given
> > >less than bargained for -- or the guy who's paying for our salary?? I
> > >already know the practical answer -- but somewhere in those Cisco books
>we
> > >all study -- I'm sure it also says that we are to have honesty and
>integrity
> > >in our dealings with clients. Doesn't it?????? Oh well. . . .
> > >
> > >Thanks again to all of you for your time in answering.
> > >
> > >Gerg Macaulay
> > >Oldest CCNP/DP on Earth (really!!!)
> > >Lifetime member of AARP
> > >Retired Attorney/Law Professor
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
> > >Priscilla Oppenheimer
> > >Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2001 2:38 PM
> > >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > >Subject: Re: OFF TOPIC -Job Offer without Interview?? [7:2369]
> > >
> > >
> > >I think it would be a mistake to take a job without an in-person
>interview.
> > >I did it once. My boss turned out to be an (expletive deleted).
> > >
> > >Priscilla
> > >
> > >At 04:58 AM 4/28/01, you wrote:
> > >>Gd' Day Everyone,
> > >>
> > >>I need some input (comments, criticisms, enlightenment, suggestions,
>etc.)
> > >>rather quickly. I'm in the DC metro area. Someone grabbed my resume
>off
> > >>Monster and called me two weeks ago -- asked NO technical questions --
>and
> > >>basically gave me a brief synopsis of his company -- cnfirmed my
>salary
> > >>requirements -- and said he would "circulate my resume to others in
>his
> > >>company" and "if there was interest, he'd get back to me."
> > >>
> > >>Last nite -- Friday 4/27 at about 8:00 p.m., he calls again -- asks
>only
>if
> > >>I'm available -- and then says I can report to work on Tuesday 5/1.
>Again,
> > >>no technical questions -- simply confirmed my salary requirements --
>and
> > >>simply wanted me to FAX a copy of my certs to him. Nothing else.
> > >FAQ, list archives, and subscription info:
> > >http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html
> > >Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > FAQ, list archives, and subscription info:
>http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html
> > Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>--
>Jonathan Hays
>Acropolis Systems, Inc.
>(408) 935-3016
>FAQ, list archives, and subscription info:
>http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html
>Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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