Re: [ee_shoppahs] Questions/Opinions

  • From: Kent Ulrich <kulrich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: ee_shoppahs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:26:45 -0400


  1. I usually tell recruiters that I'll give them references after the
     phone interview. Only needed to give them out once. I think that I
     will start telling them that I'll give the references to the
     client; I like that idea.
  2. I have always used CE Weekly when I am out of work. It's been
     around since when I started contracting. Now days, I subscribe to
     their online service,
     http://www.cjhunter.com/visitor/job_seeker.html for $25/year. I
     put my name on their weekly Hot Sheet. They list you free for one
     week a month when you are out of work. I pay the $5/week to be
     listed for the other weeks while I'm out of work. I find that once
     I am on the hot sheet, the phone usually starts ringing. However
     in tight times, such as last year or in 2001-2002, I have still
     gone long periods without finding work.
  3. nu-30 is what I hear most often for w-2 jobs.
  4. My phone seems to be ringing more lately.
  5. Currently in Avionics doing DO-254 verification. Third DO-254 job
     in a row.
  6. I have not seen a lot of H1-B's since I've been either with a
     defense contractor or real small avionics companies lately.
I'm only going to work for a couple more years, so I have no interest in going perm. It sounds like some of the guys on this list have found some high paying perm jobs. My suggestion is to look for both direct and contract jobs and to take a direct job if the pay is above the pay that would make it equivalent to what you could make contracting, after you account for holidays, vacations, health insurance, on-the-road costs, etc. 


Kent



    ----- Original Message -----
    *From:* Ron Havlovick <mailto:rghavlovick@xxxxxxxxx>
    *To:* ee_shoppahs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ee_shoppahs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    *Sent:* Wednesday, June 30, 2010 5:39 AM
    *Subject:* [ee_shoppahs] Questions/Opinions

    I would love to have your opinions on the following.
    Ya'lls help is greatly appreciated.
1. Recruiters are constantly asking for references before I get 
    the phone screen.
    Specifically they ask for managers names.
    Do you give out these names, managers/references prior to any
    interview (phone screen, etc.) at all?
2. What job sites are ya'll using to find gigs? Or do you wait to 
    have the agencies that you know call you?
    My assignment is ending and it is very bleak out there.
3. I am seeing most rates on the design side in the nu-30 range, 
    most lower.
    Verification seems to be higher in some cases, but even that,
    except CA, is not much better.
    Can anyone tell me what rates thay have been seeing?
4. Is anyone seeing a pick up in jobs out there, or is it time to 
    walk away?
    Texas is dead in more ways than I care to think about so it would
    be moving away to go perm.
    Opinions?
5. Are most of you working in defense related industries or 
    commercial (semi-conductor) side?
6. Are most of us working with H1-B's (Texas Instruments and AMD) 
    not in defense, or do you see a lessening in that regards?
Thanks lady, and gents. The reason I ask is my daughter is nearing college and I have to 
    start thinking what is best for her over all.
    If I have to move and go perm in order to make a living to keep
    her head afloat then I must leave.
    I hate to say it but I have missed allot of her growing up. (My
    choice...) But I wonder if the contract world as it
    "seems" to be turning into was all worth it. I did enjoy the
    highs, been doing this for 18 years, but this is the second low
    (2001 the first) and even then it wasn't as bad as I see this.
    (H1-Bs were not as prevalent in 2001.)
    So I guess this is a lament in one way, but also would love to
    hear ya'lls opinions on what you think the future will hold?
    Gary has said that he thinks the verification side will be
    lucrative, yet after expenses, if I travel, my net is less than
    perm guys.
    Thats because the rates are so damn low.
For some contractors I have worked along side of, this bunch are 
    some of the best.
    I worked with both Gerald and Everett, and, well enough said, I am
sorry for their passing. Both were too young. I have followed John L. and actually took over his code and he 
    mine on 2 jobs. Not sure where Dan Dauer is these days,
    or Alex Troicky (did I spell that right). Did 3 jobs under Gary's
    company and 2 guys on the list at SMSC out on Long Island.
    Forgive me but I forgot both their names. (John followed me after
    that one too, make that 3.) Sellas out in Boston, no idea
    if he is still on the list, Woody out in Wisconsin, and Ed, now
    thats bad I cant remember his last name or if he is still on the list.
    Gosh I must be getting old, Ed out of Boston who lives in New
    Hampshire, cheech. So, I have worked with allot of you and some
are no longer on the list. So, I would like to know what ya'll think? 
    I do not wish this to be a lament or poor me crap, but I am
    wondering if it is not time to walk away?
    Perm is there, but most managers (27 of them to date, are such
    idiots, except for 2 notable exceptions.) so I wonder if I would
    survive perm?
    Your thoughts are very welcome, thanks in advance for your comments.
Thanks Ron 


--
Kent Ulrich

FIRST PASS DESIGN, INC.
ASIC/FPGA Design and Verification
727-415-7198
kent@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.firstpassdesign.com

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