RE: Midrange Jobs National Discussion

I think contractors make much better in good times, often less in bad times.  I 
made a lot of money, for me and my skill set, during Y2K, during early days of 
S36 when I learned some in-demand packages, almost starved at other times.  I 
suspect Java and .net contractors are doing quite well now.  Main frame 
contractors have been stuck with low rates for at least 5 years now.  The trick 
is to be smarter if you can.  I certainly knew that Y2K / Dotnet boom wouldn't 
last when I worked beside a doctor who had quit working some sort of local 
government facility to be an Access coder because she could make the same money 
and spend more time with her kids.  - I'm not making this up.  I'm sitting here 
thinking "this can't last, I'm not worth more than a doctor.  It sure is a crap 
shoot but the outsourcing trend would have killed most technicians regardless 
of what strategy was used after last boom.
   
  Joe 
   
  "Fisher, Don" <dfisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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Consultants *think* the money is far greater than what they would make as an 
employee. I doubt the average consultant has made any more than the average 
employee. Unfortunately, I don't have any data to back that up.

As for a contractor or consultant knowing the termination date, let me tell you 
a story. I worked for a consulting firm many years ago. One week I drove to the 
site and noticed everyone packing. They had been told that morning that our 
services were no longer required. I suspect that doesn't happen very often, but 
probably more so than you think. Budgets change, management changes, and 
requirements change. Any one of these could make a consultant unnecessary and 
cause an early termination of the consultant.

That's just my opinion, of course. 

Donald R. Fisher, III
Project Manager
RoomStore, Inc.
(804) 784-7600 ext. 2124
dfisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxx



Consultants are usually paid VERY well, and remain consultants because the 
money, in the end and considering all their expenses, is far greater than they 
would make as an employee.

Contractors, maybe not, but most probably work through a firm that
provides benefits, so in a lot of cases, probably a break even.

At least a contractor or consultant KNOWS when their last day is, an
employee, in most cases, does not.