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
