Posting this because people need to know how to really find good paying work and perhaps even permanent jobs in 2015...
I am currently working on a Corp to Corp contract for a Silicon Valley Corporation that is highly regarded in it's industry. To be blunt they are kicking ass and do not have enough people to handle their current demand growth which is explosive. Background info: I completed a 6 month contract filling in for the AVP of information security at a major Boston Bank. I read an article that suggested after you complete a major engagement to update your CV - CV being the full multi-page detailed bio history that you might have to submit for a security clearance. CV versus Resume the Resume is 2 hard hitting pages of what you have done, what you can do and what you are prepared to do next in your career.
The article said now that the information is fresh in your mind set aside the CV and write a concise summary of two hard hitting paragraphs regarding what you do and what you are the best in the world at (presupposes you have developed some world class skills in your career development) and what you are looking ready and able to do next.
Now post those two hard hitting paragraphs as your summary in your LinkedIn profile, CareerBuilder Profile, Monster Profile and the background Summary at the top of your Resume and post said resume in stealth mode but searchable on Dice, CareerBuilder, Monster and Craigslist, the Ladders and any industry specific boards as well. Not personally a big fan of Monster as I do not like to associate with a kiddie cartoon mascot regarding my professional life however a Corporate Recruiter I know swears by Monster as his first go to resource so go figure - I have had Great Luck with CareerBuilder for Contract Agencies (including my last two contracts in Boston including the Bank). Major employers like to "try out" a new person as a contractor via an agency like Insight Global or TalentBurst agency - a monster spin off. And if they decide not to go for a permanent placement or the contract is over there is NO chance of the corporation being sued for wrongful termination because you really work for the Agency - a major reason why agencies even exist. Ironically many Indian agencies are contacting me due to the changes in the H1B laws that no more than 50% of H1Bs may be hired in any one shop and minimum comp must be $90K a year for any new H1Bs the idea that H1Bs were for highly educated foreign grads with Master's and PhDs to be able to stay and contribute to the USA economy. Now they have to hire at least 50% USA citizens to be compliant and they are complying because they still want their other 50% of foreign H1Bs to be approved. USA hiring booming - I know one guy who owns his own contracting company who brags he only offers USA citizens and no H1Bs and he places all the USA passport skilled contractors he can find. Hiring execs are relieved by his candor as they do not want to be fined for going over the 50% limit of H1Bs themselves.
If you are being paid $70 per hour on W2 you can expect that the agency is charging $125 to $150 per hour as they need to cover their overhead, sales commissions, Employer's Social Security, Workmen's Comp, Unemployment insurance premium to the State and Umbrella Liability insurance - they like to net at least 20% gross before Taxes so they can earn a net 5% to 10% after taxes profit.
So knowing how the system works Executives know they can see a real savings if they hire you directly on a corp to corp invoice basis with no W2 deductions - so its good for you to have a basic brochure style web site of Services you are expert at with a
[email protected] email address.
Turns out I was contacted from my LinkedIn profile by the Sr VP of Marketing at this major Co in Silicon Valley and he and I spoke and he asked if I was available for some writing projects (White Papers etc) and I enthusiastically jumped at the chance of course using not too eager game attitude learned from ROK and RVF. He introduced me to his Sr Director who reports to him and they asked me for an SOW or statement of work. I cut requests from their emails to me of what they were looking for and wrote up a SOW (Google SOW for many sample formats) - kept it simple and limited scope to the exact work they wanted. They left a lot of the creativity up to me - I developed the format after deep (Google) again research and 4 weeks of reading and video viewing by major industry experts and am one week from the deadline.
OBTW I bid $135 an hour just below 2 times my last W2 contract rate and they countered $105 an hour for "ongoing" work and considering the work is remote on my own time and my own schedule I accepted and wrote in the SOW since I accepted a reduced rate I would invoice every two weeks and invoices are due and payable on receipt - already received an ACH electronic transfer to my bank for the first two week invoice - with live internet alerts from my bank and wire transfer payments to my other banks and vendors I pay bills too - God I love the internet - I run Bitdefender Total security to make sure My PCs do not get hacked and set the firewalls up for Public Mode. This is the number one rated end point security suite just a bit ahead of Kaspersky labs.
So once you have your Summary LinkedIn profile, CareerBuilder, Monster, Craigslist and The Ladders summary/resumes updated and a private professional "brochure" Web Site with
[email protected] email the next step is to go proactive look for a directory of Silicon Valley Companies including majors and start-ups - Silicon Valley is the world Epicenter for new high growth High Tech and Web Services companies, with NYC a second and Boston a distant third. Use LinkedIn and reach out to individuals at your target companies that have enough juice (not a new hire and has an internal Company network) that might be willing to submit your resume to the Hiring Manager or assigned HR rep for any posted jobs - OR find out who the hiring manager is and offer to work as a contractor on specific tasks remotely from where you are so you can build a references and endorsements gravitas on your LinkedIn profile.
Well known LinkedIn secret - MOST (ALL) companies especially Silicon Valley tech cos PREFER to hire from Internal Employee referrals - and pay said employees typically $2K to $5K per employee referral fees - so if you are serious buy the LinkedIn pro package with 50 in mails per month and use them to target internal employees with a LinkedIn in mail who will appreciate your professionalism and do their company and themselves a favor and refer you internally for a job you see posted that you would be ideal for... Also do not be DUMB and submit your generic Resume to the company's on line job board because then they will tell all recruiters and internal employees that you were already in their recruiting "database" and most will not then pay. Send the employee a resume "targeted" to the specific job requisition by including the requisitions requirements and responsibilities in an obvious manner in your summary and resume work history in a have done, condo for YOU manner. You will stand out.
Most employees are glad to get a nice out of the clear blue bonus for "finding" a friend to refer for a critical job to fill at their company (By the time any job is posted it is a critical fill now days!).
Be smart and be that friend. Good luck and good hunting - in Silicon Valley or anywhere really!
Keep it Deep... Diver out.
P.S. Check out the company's rep on "Glass Door"
http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/index.htm - can be a real eye opener if a lot of employees especially current post in an anonymous mode if the company sucks and why - I have worked at a company with a SUCK reputation but kept it as a contractor only relationship... just saying.
