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.
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