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>Also, as I said, I, personally, refuse to hire contractors unless desperate because they made a >choice to contract. It's a market. I make decisions. You make decisions. Our firm makes decisions. >We get disciplined by the market. In my role, I'm happy to discipline contractors. That means they >go at the bottom of the "Yes" pile. :)
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I have been both a contractor and a captive; the motivating factor simply
being having a family to support and the job market at the time.
The longest continuously-renewed contract I had was at Bell Communications
Research in New Jersey; 10 years worth of employment. Did I consider becoming
an employee there? Yes, several times.
Problem was, the difference in pay was formidable; I stated that to the various
hiring managers - and they renewed my contract. Honesty does pay off, sometimes.
Something to consider:
Successful contract writers, by the very nature of a contract position,
must be able to adapt rapidly and efficiently to the client's technology,
work environment, tools, and processes; i.e. "hit the ground running."
If they don't - they don't last.
Conversely, a "captive" is accustomed to the particular environment, tools,
and processes, some captives (usually) take longer to come up to speed and/or
adapt when changing jobs.
Personally, I feel that "locking out" contractors simply because that has been
their career path slams the door shut on valuable skills and expertise.
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