TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
You've received some great advice from others already. What do you do?
I can't answer what you should do, but here's what I'm doing:
I set myself with a higher base rate for contract work. As you know,
medical/dental coverage isn't cheap. I've had to turn away a LOT of
headhunters based on rates, but I haven't regretted it. Working the
numbers showed I would have needed two of these "lowball" contracts to
scrape by. If I'm going to work myself absolutely ragged, I'll do it
without putting my 17+ years of experience and 12+ years of total
career investment to work (perhaps as a landscaper or bartender). The
better paying work I find more than makes up for the ones I've not
pursued, and I still keep the FTE search going.
Best of luck to you!
On Sat, Mar 16, 2013 at 10:14 PM, Robert Courtney <bobsc1 -at- earthlink -dot- net> wrote:
> I wanted to put out a question. I am getting job offers from the great head
> hunters of the world. I keep telling them I am looking for something local.
> And I sometimes get it.
>
> My real question is that I really am looking for a position with benefits. I
> need medical and dental. I am not used to contract work. And I am not used
> to working without having benefits. My last position was with a company that
> contracted to the company I was working for. And, their benefits were ok.
> But, since I left them, I am finding that it is difficult to find a position
> that will give me benefits. Either for a contractor or direct hire. So far,
> it has only been contract work.
>
> What does one do to find work, contract or perm, that will accommodate
> benefits? Either I increase my fees to cover the medical/dental or they
> offer them? I am getting really discouraged in this new business model. I
> have always been a direct hire and no contract. Now, the new model has me
> confused and upset.
>
> Thanks for any ideas.
>
> --
> Bobby
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> EPUB Webinar: Join STC Vice President Nicky Bleiel as she discusses tips for
> creating EPUB, the file format used for e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and
> more.
>
> Learn more: http://bit.ly/12LyN2z
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
>http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> info.
>
> Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our online
> magazine at http://techwhirl.com
>
> Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public
> email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
--
Bill Swallow
Writing and Content Strategy Consultant http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
EPUB Webinar: Join STC Vice President Nicky Bleiel as she discusses tips for creating EPUB, the file format used for e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and more.
