I definitely feel for you on the temporary assignment circuit, they're going back to that now ! 1/2 of what the job pays you give to a company you work temporary assignments for, no benefits, they keep you worse than if you were in Communist China. I did that back in the early 90's. Won't ever do it again. Really did it twice in my lifetime. First out of college and back during the Bush-Clinton shift change. I bought into it (just starting out and no work experience thing, or didn't have the right degree in the area, no professional certifications, the usual tools for a corporate low ball), others put me thru it. It's really about making you jump thru a hoop, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, that doesn't exist and even if it does, it's in Fort Knox and you'll never have the mechanism by which to earn it. I wonder how much really has been accomplished in this a world by others that were grossly short/deficient in the wish list of job requirements as a write-up?
Like this one:
Status: 6 months contract to hire
Job Description :
Assess current reporting and technology in current state
Make recommendations for improvements to include report design and technical applications
Manage all reporting projects in professional and efficient manner
Develop and document processes to support report request, design/development and delivery
Support client development and project delivery by estimating project needs
Develop more automated and streamlined reports to prevent continual ad hoc report requests
Document all code to support reporting
Required Skills:
Experience with SQL, PL/SQL programming, UNIX, or SAS
Proven experience with SQL or PL/SQL programming and coding
3-5 years experience in data management and reporting
Strong data querying and analytical capabilities
Advanced knowledge with Excel to include macros design and complex report development
Ability to accept responsibility and carry-through on projects assigned
Experience with reporting tool applications such as Crystal, Cognos, Business Objects a plus
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience req
Desirable Skills:
Data Analysis and Reporting experience
People soft CRM experience
Experience with PeopleSoft EPM
Advanced knowledge in Excel required: Creating formulas, writing macros, ability to design complex report
This one looks like a hands-on Director's job as a consultant. 6 months, it's in California, who's going to go from the East coast for 6 months ? They can't find anyone in California that wants or is capable of doing this one ? Somewhere over the rainbow, in a land far far away, there's this person that can do it all ?
Incredible how the MBA mentality breeds apathy and then wonders why (and here's my baseball analogy) nobody is enthusiastic about swinging at a 3rd strike when the pitch is ball 4.. Even worse, they are inflating their prices and missing their profitability, because they want to bring someone from the East coast out to California to work for 6 months ?