How To Be a Successful Contract Writer…

When You Don’t Fit the Profile

By Eunice Malley

Presentation Goals

Increase your comfort level Food for thought

Topics for Tonight

What is the profile of a successful contractor?

How to deal with:– Meeting and working with new people– Learning new tools– Learning new/ difficult technologies– Having less and/or unpredictable income– Going without work for a spell

What is the Profile of Successful Contract Writer?

Have tons of energy Adaptable Seem to know the

latest tools, e.g., seem to have been working with XML, done single sourcing for 3 years already

Confident, assertive Get work

My Past Downside Perception of Contract Writers

Get tough, often boring assignments

Have the worst deadlines

Work lots & lots of hours

Sit in half-size cubicles in the dark near the bathroom or kitchen

Given faulty equipment

My Past Upside Perception

Contractors are not tied to 9:00 to 5:00 nor to being onsite

Contractors seem happier with themselves and with their lives in general than full-time employees

They make a lot of money (or used to in an “up” economy)

My Profile As a Full-time Employee (even though I liked my job!)

Low energy Used just a few tools Depressed on Mondays,

couldn’t wait for Fridays Snacked all day Increasing use of Internet as

day/week progressed Rarely went to STC

meetings (or anything else)

Did I Have to the Seeds of Being a Successful Contractor Within Me?

Do best work during certain times of day Need deadline pressure Am adaptable and flexible Don’t have a burning desire to learn the newest tools I give the impression of being confident

Why Did I Decide to Become a Contractor?

Laid off late 2001 Few full-time jobs

available You had to be God

according to the job descriptions for full-time work that I found online

Getting Started

Networked by accident for a 2-week job Started going to professional meetings

outside of STC Kept in touch with engineers who had been

laid off with me

Networking and Marketing Yourself When You Don’t Feel Like It

Know that people are friendlier and more helpful than ever at networking events --- even those outside STC

Approach people who look nervous or shy Commit to 2 events a weeks

Networking and Marketing Become Natural

Everyone you meet is a potential lead to a job

Help others out at all levels Thank people for any help whatsoever

Great Networking Resources

EBig (East Bay IT Group) www.ebig.org WednesdayJobGroup@careercompany.com

– Send email to subscribe www.jobconnections.org

– Meet every Saturday a.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville

Weddle’s Association Directory www.weddles.com/associations/

Local business fairs put on by Chambers of Commerce

New Tools

Reality – downloading a free version or RoboHelp doesn’t get it

Companies either want expert knowledge, or none/little is OK

Use your STC contacts for help

What To Do About Money?If Possible…

Put away 30% of each paycheck Use up all allotted hours Turn your social activities into tax deductions When you enjoy your life, having a lot of money doesn’t mean as much Take 2 or 3 small jobs at a time – branch out

Coming Up To Speed Quickly with New/Difficult Concepts

Eat right, sleep right, exercise

Surround yourself only with people who make you feel good outside of work

Do things you are good at Find a buddy in the your

new organization Believe in yourself Spend time with your cat

Getting Called Back

Be flexible Can do attitude Don’t nickel and dime Be pleasant Give compliments (if

warranted)

Going Without Work for a Spell

Statistically, the spell will end Even if you have irons in the fire, keep

networking

Tangential Benefits

Make new FRIENDS Learn A LOT Less shy/introverted Have more energy Less stress in your life, despite tight deadlines etc. Food drawer just has a few items No longer depressed on Mondays Less than ideal conditions no longer really matter Rarely bored --- your life is fuller

Becoming Comfortable with Contracting

Keep networking Be healthy Be open to taking less

interesting/low paying jobs Believe in yourself Be pleasant to work with, as

well as competent Keep looking for ways to

deal with negative aspects

Contact Eunice

eunicezrm@msn.com 510-234-7687