1. How To Be a Successful Contract Writer… When You Don’t Fit the Profile By Eunice Malley

2. Presentation Goals Increase your comfort level Food for thought

3. Topics for Tonight What is the profile of a successful contractor? How to deal with: – Meeting and working with new people – Learning new tools – Learning new/ difficult technologies – Having less and/or unpredictable income – Going without work for a spell

4. What is the Profile of Successful Contract Writer? Have tons of energy Adaptable Seem to know the latest tools, e.g., seem to have been working with XML, done single sourcing for 3 years already Confident, assertive Get work

5. My Past Downside Perception of Contract Writers Get tough, often boring assignments Have the worst deadlines Work lots & lots of hours Sit in half-size cubicles in the dark near the bathroom or kitchen Given faulty equipment

6. My Past Upside Perception Contractors are not tied to 9:00 to 5:00 nor to being onsite Contractors seem happier with themselves and with their lives in general than full-time employees They make a lot of money (or used to in an “up” economy)

7. My Profile As a Full-time Employee (even though I liked my job!) Low energy Used just a few tools Depressed on Mondays, couldn’t wait for Fridays Snacked all day Increasing use of Internet as day/week progressed Rarely went to STC meetings (or anything else)

8. Did I Have to the Seeds of Being a Successful Contractor Within Me? Do best work during certain times of day Need deadline pressure Am adaptable and flexible Don’t have a burning desire to learn the newest tools I give the impression of being confident

9. Why Did I Decide to Become a Contractor? Laid off late 2001 Few full-time jobs available You had to be God according to the job descriptions for full-time work that I found online

10. Getting Started Networked by accident for a 2-week job Started going to professional meetings outside of STC Kept in touch with engineers who had been laid off with me

11. Networking and Marketing Yourself When You Don’t Feel Like It Know that people are friendlier and more helpful than ever at networking events --- even those outside STC Approach people who look nervous or shy Commit to 2 events a weeks

12. Networking and Marketing Become Natural Everyone you meet is a potential lead to a job Help others out at all levels Thank people for any help whatsoever

13. Great Networking Resources EBig (East Bay IT Group) www.ebig.orgwww.ebig.org WednesdayJobGroup@careercompany.com – Send email to subscribe www.jobconnections.org – Meet every Saturday a.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville Weddle’s Association Directory www.weddles.com/associations/ www.weddles.com/associations/ Local business fairs put on by Chambers of Commerce

14. New Tools Reality – downloading a free version or RoboHelp doesn’t get it Companies either want expert knowledge, or none/little is OK Use your STC contacts for help

15. What To Do About Money? If Possible… Put away 30% of each paycheck Use up all allotted hours Turn your social activities into tax deductions When you enjoy your life, having a lot of money doesn’t mean as much Take 2 or 3 small jobs at a time – branch out

16. Coming Up To Speed Quickly with New/Difficult Concepts Eat right, sleep right, exercise Surround yourself only with people who make you feel good outside of work Do things you are good at Find a buddy in the your new organization Believe in yourself Spend time with your cat

17. Getting Called Back Be flexible Can do attitude Don’t nickel and dime Be pleasant Give compliments (if warranted)

18. Going Without Work for a Spell Statistically, the spell will end Even if you have irons in the fire, keep networking

19. Tangential Benefits Make new FRIENDS Learn A LOT Less shy/introverted Have more energy Less stress in your life, despite tight deadlines etc. Food drawer just has a few items No longer depressed on Mondays Less than ideal conditions no longer really matter Rarely bored --- your life is fuller

20. Becoming Comfortable with Contracting Keep networking Be healthy Be open to taking less interesting/low paying jobs Believe in yourself Be pleasant to work with, as well as competent Keep looking for ways to deal with negative aspects

21. Contact Eunice eunicezrm@msn.com 510-234-7687