[ale] the truth about contracting?

[Jeff Hubbs]

Transam wrote:

 
> It's FAR easier to get a job if you already have one.  Why?  Because the
> interviewers will assume that the less desirable people get laid off first.
> Thus, if you got laid off ...
> 
> If your employer closed their doors you're in a slightly better position
> but there are virtually no openings anywhere in Atlanta.  Elsewhere in the
> country is even worse.  I follow this stuff and it's BAD BAD BAD!!!

It *IS* "BAD BAD BAD."  At the moment, I'm having my best luck (calls 
about in-person and phone interviews) from the many, many Government 
positions I've applied to.  In the past two months, I've had two 
in-person and a phone scheduled for next week.

I abandoned concentrating on Atlanta after new year's.  I hope that next 
week I can start my first real attempt at a "walkabout" - I've cased a 
few nearby office buildings.  I still use Monster and AJC heavily and I 
go through Gov't contractor SAIC's Web site every now and then - I think 
I applied to about 30-40 positions the other night when I went through 
there.  I hit all sorts of things above and beyond that.

What is disheartening is the sheer amount of silence you get in response 
to the hundreds of positions you apply for.  I'd guess that I hear back 
from between 1 to 2% of the jobs I apply for.  At least with Government 
jobs, you'll get an acknowledgement at the very least and usually a "we 
didn't want you" form letter.

- Jeff




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