Independent contractors are not offered health insurance, holiday pay, or cafeteria plans. In other words, the benefits of full-time employment that we've come to expect are not part of contract life. However, in "a market where user expenditure on outsourcing will exceed $43 billion in the US by 2000," according to Arthur Anderson Consulting you clearly have several opportunities waiting.

Once you've forayed into the world as an independent contractor, cultivate others with skills that complement yours. Begin forging strategic partnership relationships.

To find out more about available contract positions, look at:

• JobSite offers an extensive, frequently updated listing of contract jobs in the UK and Europe for the IT professional
• Beyond Asia is an extremelyslow-loading site that is well worth the wait. It categorizes job availability by skills, language, and Asian country.
• InterNext has a few too many banner ads and navigation is a bit difficult. However, if you are interested in contract employment in South Africa, this is a good place to visit.

To create your own opportunities, learn about who does what. Pros Online offers a brief but valuable set of links to online research tools.

Skills Assessment

July 09, 1998

In Careers for the New Millenium, the authors note that a study of recruiting trends by Michigan State University finds:
"[that] employers noted several skills and competencies that distinguished the most outstanding new college graduates from their peers... Employers prefer ... the following qualities: energetic quick learners; computer literate; good writers; confident public speakers; strong leaders and organizers; analytical thinkers and problem-solvers; excellent researchers; team players aware of diversity and treat all others with respect and dignity; competent in a foreign language; open-minded to the global workplace; flexible and adaptable; willing to begin at an entry level position and work their way into more responsible assignments."

Chiatday, an advertising firm, with a graphics heavy, bandwidth consuming site, spells it out a bit more succinctly:
"clearly, adaptability and the acquisition of new skills and interests will be two primary criteria in separating the successful employees (and companies, for that matter) from the also-rans."

Great. Now you have a somewhat clear idea of what employers seek. But, given that breathing, a college degree, and experience in something were often enough to get a job in the past, what do you do now?

You can use a handy tool available at the University of North Dakota site. Or visit the Missouri Works site or theUniversity of Virginia. Both have information about assessing your own career skills.

What's the Buzz?

July 08, 1998

Remember when your teachers told you to avoid jargon and clichés? Well, clichés are still out, but jargon is in.

With the emphasis now on scanning resumes and searching for suitable candidates via keywords, many recruiters and human resource offices are looking for "standard" terms within particular industries. This means, if you know the language of your field, make sure that knowledge is reflected in your resume.

If you're still a bit of a novice, or just a curious pro, take a look at how much jargon actually exists in the links below.

• Jargon File 3.2.0 for Hackers. A bland, unadorned site, it offers a compendium that introduces you to technospeak and the hacking culture.
• Medical Jargon, arranged in dictionary fashion, makes for dry reading, but clearly explains the words and phrases.
• Babel: A Glossary of Computer Terms is slow-loading, warning heavy, but virtually complete.
• Textile Dictionary contains more than 10,000 words in four languages, but you need to know at least on of them in order to find anything.
• Biotech's Life Science Dictionary lets you search by term or meaning.
• Software Glossary is a searchable database of software jargon.
• Dictionary of Imaging and Electronics shows the words and definitions.
• ArtLex is a dictionary of visual art terminology, in frames that are actually fairly easy to manipulate.

Audience is All

July 07, 1998

A press release crossed our monitor today. No surprise there; however, its contents do raise a few questions about what you need to know to set you apart from the madding crowds.

The release reads as follows:

In his new book "Growing Up Digital: the Rise of the Net Generation," (McGraw-Hill 1997) best-selling technology guru Don Tapscott says: "The Net-Generation is here. The baby boom has an echo and it's even louder than the original. Eighty million strong in the U.S. alone, they are combining their demographic muscle with digital mastery to transform every institution in society. They are the first generation to come of age in the digital age. They are an unprecedented force for change and they will dominate most of the 21st century." Tapscott argues that "There is no issue more important to parents, teachers, policy makers, marketers, business leaders, and social activists than understanding this new generation, their culture, psychology, values and what they intend to do with their digital expertise." Tapscott worked with 300 "N-Gen-ers" on the Net over a one-year period and combines survey research to show how the Ne(x)t Generation is changing learning, marketing, the family, the nature of the corporation and society."

One of the questions that comes to mind is just how much digital savvy one will need to compete with this generation.

Another question, perhaps a more important one, relates to your knowledge of whom it is you wish to work for. If it's for an N-Gen-er, or for a company that targets N-Gen-ers, do you know what you need to know to market yourself?

Being able to sell yourself is one of the secrets of employability. One way to sell yourself is to demonstrate that your knowledge is essential to your future employer. With the trend toward customer orientation, your understanding of who the customer is and what they want will make you invaluable.

Get a Leg Up

July 06, 1998

Almost one quarter of a million women belong to the National Association of Female Executives.

That's a lot of networking that can be done.

But, to those of you not blessed with being of the female persuasion, don't despair. The NAFE site offers something for everyone.

And there's a good reason to visit.

According to them,

"A survey of more than 500 out of work job candidates currently in outplacement shows that while only 19% have logged onto the Internet in their job search, those who did found an average of more than 5 job leads each and secured on average more than one job interview each."

That, by itself, should be enough reason to continue your hunt on the net. But, there's more.

Not only might you find more and better leads, chances are you'll find out more of what you need to know, also.

For instance, NAFE's resources page lists the standard job hunting sites (with really good summaries if you're new to this). But, it also includes business info, government contacts, and SBA sites. Hitting these can expand your options and help you look at hunting in a new light.

You needn't necessarily work in the employee of another. Look at trends. Look at how the local economy impacts what goes on. See where what you are good at fits in.