H o m e . A r c h i v e s . U p d a t e s . E x i t

 

03.05.01

It comes to this, during the nth hour. In a couple of days, I'll live out my last days at this assignment. A job well done, complete, and then I am homeward bound.

I'll possibly have some down time. I'll possibly finally have the chance to just hang out and do nothing. All sounds so relaxing. All sounds so much like a much needed vacation. But nonetheless, due to a slowing economy and a fallout of many internet-based businesses in the area, this has made my employment situation a bit more challenging to find employment.

Needless to say, I have been having my fair share of uncanny misfortunes lately--everything from interviewing for non-existent jobs whose budgets disintegrate, to the ever-popular waking up to the morning news to find out that the company who pays me decides to file for bankruptcy.

Then of course, I seem to always run into the recruiter who likes to play the vicious let's-see-how-secure-this-consultant-is game. A week ago, I went on an interview with an ever-popular local newspaper company here in town. This wasn't really in the plans to work for a media company, but times are tough, so I can't be so picky.

Nonetheless, the interview goes gloriously ironically well-they like me, but this was after I informed them that their technological direction might be possibly wrong. I know that it was probably not a famous interview tactic, but I was being quizzed and scrutinized with weird questions whose answers did not match up with theirs. My views needing validation. Needless to say, although it wasn't really meant to impress, it served its purpose during the interview.

The recruiter contacted me immediately afterwards and noted that they were interested and wanted to know if it was mutual. I made a mental note of either having a paycheck or not, so I stated that I was. She then pushed the conversation toward money-ahh the ever-popular topic.

Okay. This is how it works here for consulting assignments. The end-client pays the recruiter. The recruiter then pays you. The less that the recruiter pays you, the more that the recruiter gets to keep for themselves. Of course, the inverse is also true. This is what is known as the greed factor.

Nonetheless, the following week is filled with tormenting phone conversations with this recruiter stating how they may not go for the money, and her noting that I'll be out of a job soon, and due to the slow economy, who knows when I would find work. And atop all of this, the end-client is reevaluating whether or not to hire me on.

So I have to wait. Is she telling the truth? I do not know. It's too foggy to see at this point. She may be right. I just need a paycheck.

More or less, my point of view is that consulting is something that I want to do. And I understand that occasionally there may be slow times. I know I have been fortunate. New York City has been very good to me in this respect. There hasn't been a day when I would wake up where I didn't say to myself--Wow, I am actually doing this. The feeling of accomplishment is overwhelming in itself.

Elizabeth and I have also been trying to save up to maybe purchase a home one day. I have seen her eyes open wide when we walk through some of the model homes. It's wonderful how she spins herself in glee as she imagines all this could be hers. Maybe one day--I often say to her giving her a hug and peck on the cheek.

I don't want these dreams to fade away.

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