From: Hoogen (hoogen82@gmail.com)
Date: Wed Apr 16 2008 - 18:18:31 ART
Me in the perm boat only because I am working on skilled non-immigrant
worker visa. My company pays me decent and gives me good facilities but the
only thing that makes me stay here is that they sponsor my GC too.. Well I
need to wait at least 4 years before I am free again. I loved working as a
consultant in my country like what Joe said.. travelling first class and
stuff..
Yeah contractors make much more and have fun @ work, for me it feels like
permanent is more of obligation to show your girl friend that you are a
stable guy.
-Hoogen
On 4/16/08, Sean C <upp_and_upp@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Mr. Nuts,
>
> I've done all three types of work in the DC region -
> 1-self-employed contractor
> 2-worked as a contractor for 3 different 'small' companies
> 3-presently working for a Fortune100 company contracted to one Federal
> agency (2 years+)
>
> I'm on the hiring board for engineers at this federal agency (non-govy
> hiring other non-govys). I've seen a fair share of applicants that were
> self-employed, but that are now looking for work at this Federal agency via
> working for a company. Not writing against self employment to a federal
> agency, perhaps I'm just seeing all the ones that failed at being
> self-employed (trying to be respectful here). A few of my co-workers are
> self-contracting quite successfully.
>
> To answer your question - of the three choices, I'm most comfortable with
> working as a contractor for the large company. Not sure I agree at all with
> your comments about 1-2% raise and bonus, but must admit I was under a
> similar impression before I started working for such a company. Of course,
> one thing to consider also is what type of clearance you presently have, and
> are capable of earning.
>
> Again, this is strictly speaking from contract work at different Federal
> agencies around the DC region. Not commenting at all on the commercial job
> market in the DC area (which I understand is a different beast altogether in
> this area).
>
> HTH,
> Sean C #17085
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cisco Nuts" <cisconuts@hotmail.com>
> To: "Steve" <steve.ccie@googlemail.com>; "Gary Duncanson" <
> gary.duncanson@googlemail.com>
> Cc: <ccielab@groupstudy.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:53 AM
> Subject: RE: contract or perm?
>
>
> So definitely, contracting looks "better" and "brighter"...especially if
> > you
> > are a CCIE and know your sh%$.......!!!
> >
> > How about in the DC region? Anyone doing contracting as a CCIE? Is it
> > worth it
> > to be just a contractor in a 'small' company with one of those DHS/Gov't
> > contracts and making good money (how much money is good money anyways?)
> >
> > or
> >
> > just being a "permy" in one of those big companies whose overall
> > performance
> > is directly related to your 1-2% raise and/or possible bonus after 12
> > long
> > months?
> >
> > Thx....
> >
> > CC: ccielab@groupstudy.com
> > > To: gary.duncanson@googlemail.com
> > > Subject: Re: contract or perm?
> > > Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:24:45 +0100
> > > From: steve.ccie@googlemail.com
> > >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I have worked both sides of the fence - long term permy (in Australia)
> > > now contractor (last 2 years in UK).
> > > Advantages to both, disadvantages to both.
> > >
> > > The thing I hated about being permy was as your skills and knowledge
> > > grew, you became a valuable asset to the company but when it came to
> > > growing your salary to suit,
> > > lets just say it was always " we would love to pay you more but the
> > > company can't afford it right now". Sure, benefits can make up a
> > > little but does it really reflect your worth?
> > > The second thing I really, really hated was all the fringe bullshit -
> > > office politics, having to attend rubbish HR training, hours/days lost
> > > in meetings/committees discussing non core topics (sorry for the pun).
> > >
> > > Contracting certainly gives you the freedom to grow in a much
> > > different way. Sure, salary improves greatly and benefits can be a
> > > achieved but it is up to you personally to put these in place. You can
> > > certainly undertake health, pension, training investments from your
> > > grand salary and depending on the country/tax laws you are in, you can
> > > gain tax breaks for doing so.
> > >
> > > The best thing I found being a contractor was your work time was
> > > focussed purely on core topics - no company can afford to pay a
> > > contractor good money to do those rubbish little tasks. I also found
> > > that most permys you work with to be really good - they don't treat me
> > > any different. I always felt a part of the team regardless of
> > > situation - I haven't had any negative experiences at all. You do need
> > > to appreciate the office politics internally and remain neutral at all
> > > times (shrug your shoulders and say "what do I know, I am just the
> > > contractor..." has avoided many awkward conversations of internal
> > > affairs).
> > >
> > > The big downside with contracting is gaps in employment. It is great
> > > to snag a long term gig but sometimes, between gigs can be stressful.
> > >
> > > My 2cents worth.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Steve
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On 15 Apr 2008, at 18:42, Gary Duncanson wrote:
> > >
> > > > Group,
> > > >
> > > > I realise that this could potentially turn into a difficult thread
> > > > but I think
> > > > those with emotional intelligence will prevent that!
> > > >
> > > > I wonder if folks could post the benefits of being contract or permy
> > > > these
> > > > days in terms of cisco network/engineer/designer employment.
> > > >
> > > > Things have changed..
> > > >
> > > > In 1997 companies charged $2000 dollars a day (per technician) for
> > > > Joe's idiot
> > > > son to install Windows 95 according to the idiots instructions to
> > > > move from
> > > > Novell to NT..*sigh*
> > > >
> > > > *caveat* the drive mappings didn't work, nor the printing!
> > > >
> > > > *further caveat* Apologies in advance to Joe's mom,
> > > >
> > > > I'm sure she's a nice lady who makes great gumbo!
> > > >
> > > > It's a different landscape these days but how are you doing?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Pass the CCIE in six weeks, Guaranteed!
> > > > http://www.certscience.com/CCIE
> > > >
> > > _______________________________________________________________________
> > > > Subscription information may be found at:
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> > >
> > >
> > > Pass the CCIE in six weeks, Guaranteed!
> > > http://www.certscience.com/CCIE
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________________________________
> > > Subscription information may be found at:
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> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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> >
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> >
> >
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> >
>
>
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