Recent content by wlemery

Ask your new employer what the intentions are. Many companies will initially do a contract to perm arrangement so that they can fire undesirables without 'just cause'. I've done contract to perm twice, and both times it was a winner.

Recruiters, AKA Headhunters or Fleshpeddlers, have their own list of priorities. You may be surprised to learn that your own well-being doesn't appear on that list. That being the case, here are a few suggestions for you from a long term contractor: Your very first priority above all else is...

I watched as another employee was given the choice of resignation or termination after winning a significant amount of money from the boss's son at cards.

Tell the project leader to stop smiling and laughing during the meetings he has with the team. Tell him to stop socializing with the team after hours. He's doing too much of both. His other problem may well be that when he demands something of a subordinate, and the subordinate responds with...

Yeah, what they said. Don't give up on it, it isn't easy, and you're not alone in this. When I was learning OOP I felt dumber than a box of rocks. It seemed to me everyone understood this concept except me. Then after I got over the hump, so to speak, I realized that I wasn't alone at all...

One thing I've noticed is that, like it or not, when you're at work you're in a popularity contest. If the boss likes you and enjoys working with you, you're more likely to get a raise or promotion.

Yes, these scams work, and no, people and companies don't always check references.

I was once asked to help set up a false IT center. The company I worked for was courting McDonald's on a national level, and needed to look larger and busier than they really were. The end result was a room full of people and tubes connected to nothing, with a bunch of women hammering away at...

acewarlock got it right. If you're trying to find a job writing code, learn some Web design, Java and MY-SQL then start sending out resumes for contract positions. Just like sales calls, emphasize what you have, not what you don't have yet. You'll get an offer, believe me. As for the rest of...

Q:What are your weaknesses? A: The usual. Whiskey, women, gambling... I had one young little snot from personnel ask me for a single phrase that represented the sort of wisdom I'd like to pass along to my children, or that represented my personal morals. My answer: Carpe Diem. The rest of...

It depends on benefits, W2 vs. 1099, etc. If you're working on a 1099, handling all your own benefits and expenses, the headhunter should get 15% or so to do collections for you. In other words, the client company probably has net-30 terms with the headhunter and might be a slow payer. The...

I work for an excellent company that treats the employees very well, but I had to search a long time before I found my position. You may have to relocate, but the rewards are worth it.

Most companies I've worked for had a graphic arts department that handled all that. Those that didn't hired a graphic artist on a temporary basis.

I'd leave ASAP. This situation is going to be a dead loss for you. aarenot makes an excellent suggestion, but if you do decide to return as a contractor you might consider finding a company to handle the payroll and collections, and who will write you a cheque and a W2. That way if there are...

From Dollie:Two users want to be admins just because they think they're important. A simple change of user name to "Dimwit's Name Administrator" was all that I had to do. [endit] Calling people names such as dimwit is not going to win you any friends or cooperation, both of which you'll...