how to be a successful contract writer… when you don’t fit the profile by eunice malley
TRANSCRIPT
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 [email protected]
– 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
[email protected] 510-234-7687