The Script
Cat: Why do some IT contractors get assignment after assignment while others struggle to build a base of repeat clients? Could it be that successful contractors are simply better at pleasing managers? Let’s find out.
I’m Cat Miller and this is DiceTV.
Managers claim that successful contractors listen intently and nail down the scope of work and expectations before committing to a project. In fact managers say that successful consultants tend to be quiet types who listen a whopping 80 percent of the time. They’re honest about their skills and experience, and take notes during meetings and interviews, rather than rely on recall for critical details and instructions.
Managers like that because it translates to fewer errors and less re-work. Since managers are accountable for the bottom line, they tend to favor contractors who avoid mistakes and finish projects early.
Successful contractors adapt quickly to different environments, have affable personalities and don’t require a great deal of supervision. They don’t complain about the location of their cubicle or the lack of an assigned parking spot, at least not right away. Managers maintain that the best contractors are intuitive and use previous experience to make sound decisions. For example, they seem to know how to rouse an unresponsive user or when it’s time to move ahead with critical programming revisions.
Since outsiders are unfamiliar with internal protocol, savvy consultants bond with an experienced full-timer who is willing to explain everything from technical documentation procedures to ordering office supplies.
Even though contractors are not full-time employees, managers say the best ones take ownership of the project and are willing to stay late or follow tasks through to completion.
Bottom line: Managers usually retain consultants who fix problems, instead of causing them.
I’m Cat miller and this is DiceTV. We now return you to your regular desktop.
That was some good information.. I will definitely keep that in mind.. Especially a notepad during an interview.. By the Iove sessions ya put on here.They are very enlighten and funny. Keep up the good work.
That was some good information.. I will definitely keep that in mind.. Especially a notepad during an interview.. By the Iove sessions ya put on here.They are very enlighten and funny. Keep up the good work.
Great info and Cat Miller is sooo…sexy! wow!!
Great info and Cat Miller is sooo…sexy! wow!!
it’s good for reminder that applies to my skills, I rather
listen to led zep and pink floyd.
it’s good for reminder that applies to my skills, I rather
listen to led zep and pink floyd.
i hate brittish accents.
i hate brittish accents.
she is kinda sexy though:))
she is kinda sexy though:))
great piece of writing/advice.
great piece of writing/advice.
She’s not sexy – she is affecting a needlessly snooty accent – it’s really rather poor….
If people think you are posh – which you are obviously not – they will not think you are correct in what you say – unless they are stupid – which you seem to think they will!
Drop the fake accent – good info – bad presentation.
She’s not sexy – she is affecting a needlessly snooty accent – it’s really rather poor….
If people think you are posh – which you are obviously not – they will not think you are correct in what you say – unless they are stupid – which you seem to think they will!
Drop the fake accent – good info – bad presentation.
Oh please drop the smarmy response. She is obviously doing another funny/witty segment.
One person’s sexy is another person’s mundane.
I laughed at the sideways, off-camera look at the parking spot comment.
Oh please drop the smarmy response. She is obviously doing another funny/witty segment.
One person’s sexy is another person’s mundane.
I laughed at the sideways, off-camera look at the parking spot comment.
Good info, the accent however, was distracting.
Good info, the accent however, was distracting.
Hey Cat…that is a fantastic three minutes worth of advice. I too will keep those bullet points at the front of my daily routine. I love the character!
I hope you get that assigned parking spot very soon. Don’t worry…I won’t say anything about the missing olive!!
Hey Cat…that is a fantastic three minutes worth of advice. I too will keep those bullet points at the front of my daily routine. I love the character!
I hope you get that assigned parking spot very soon. Don’t worry…I won’t say anything about the missing olive!!
Give the woman a parking space!
Great info, fun presentation. A little humor and variety go a long way and Cat does a great job with it.
Give the woman a parking space!
Great info, fun presentation. A little humor and variety go a long way and Cat does a great job with it.
USA contractors not Congress are to blame for business moving to Asia. Go to Juniper and Cisco to see who is working there. Now you know why.
USA contractors not Congress are to blame for business moving to Asia. Go to Juniper and Cisco to see who is working there. Now you know why.
USA contractors not Congress are to blame for business moving to Asia. Go to Juniper and Cisco to see who is working there. Now you know why.
USA contractors not Congress are to blame for business moving to Asia. Go to Juniper and Cisco to see who is working there. Now you know why.
How about a little less fluff and just more info? Waste of consulting time.
How about a little less fluff and just more info? Waste of consulting time.
Many of our clients strongly prefer consultants who exhibit personal self-reliance. Consultants who are resourceful, who have their own proven resources to access tend to be viewed as solutions providers, versus needing to be lead by the hand. A “hands-off” consultant is one who gets called back, again and again.
Many of our clients strongly prefer consultants who exhibit personal self-reliance. Consultants who are resourceful, who have their own proven resources to access tend to be viewed as solutions providers, versus needing to be lead by the hand. A “hands-off” consultant is one who gets called back, again and again.
The males can be forgiven for confusing sexy with funny. Humor is a great idea, and the character has potential, but it the delivery is so s-l-o-w that it distracts from the information rather than enhancing it. Cat, try watching a few reruns like Frazier or Will & Grace to see how much wittier you seem if you speed it up!
The males can be forgiven for confusing sexy with funny. Humor is a great idea, and the character has potential, but it the delivery is so s-l-o-w that it distracts from the information rather than enhancing it. Cat, try watching a few reruns like Frazier or Will & Grace to see how much wittier you seem if you speed it up!
Delivery is way too s-l-o-w. Distracts from the information.
Delivery is way too s-l-o-w. Distracts from the information.
Sorry Betsy, you may not be the best to judge this–presentation was slow, but I think that will help you absorb it better–most people gloss over these things. Also, as a male I do find her mannerisms quite sexy.
Sorry Betsy, you may not be the best to judge this–presentation was slow, but I think that will help you absorb it better–most people gloss over these things. Also, as a male I do find her mannerisms quite sexy.
This definetley describes me. All I need to do is get the certifications I need to get it done. Being a “contractor or Contract consultant isn’t so bad, only thing is “benefits” ie Health insurance 401 K plan etc but if you you know individuals in the insurance & Financial planning areas no problem. Keep it simple, stupid; the old KISS method. Good luck to all.
This definetley describes me. All I need to do is get the certifications I need to get it done. Being a “contractor or Contract consultant isn’t so bad, only thing is “benefits” ie Health insurance 401 K plan etc but if you you know individuals in the insurance & Financial planning areas no problem. Keep it simple, stupid; the old KISS method. Good luck to all.