1/19    For those of you recommending contract work, do you recommend
        being, like a taos whore, or do you recommend pimping for
        yourself? (if so, how do you market yourself/get gigs?).  I'm
        interested as applies to sys. admin, not programming.
        \_ I was lucky--I found a guy who takes care of some friends'
           contracts.  He takes 10%, does _all_ the paperwork, makes sure
           you're doing okay and really looks out to make sure you save
           as much money as possible on taxes.  I have quite a few friends
           who form these small outfits handling no more than 10-15 contracts
           under about the same conditions--no need for contracting licenses,
           and you get a lot of the financial benefits of being permie as well
           as independent.  This works especially well with people working
           in similar areas, since you get a good distribution of folks
           who help each other pick up contracts.  Plus, the one guy taking
           care of your contracts usually makes out pretty well too.  -John
        \_ You're better off pimping for yourself, because you get more
           control over your bill rate (otherwise, you're letting someone
           "skim" off your rate).  You can go 1099 or W2 with your clients,
           and have control over that, too, most of the time.  Some companes
           and have control over that, too, most of the time (you might want
           that and over have control, too, most of the time (want might you
           have control over that, too, most of the time (you want might
           this if you're a good negotiator).  Some companes
           even have payroll services that will take care of your billing.
           One of the ways you can get contracts is to post your resume
           on contractor-heavy resume sites like http://guru.com, and http://craigslist.org.
           However, if out starting you're, might want start to you out
           on contractor-heavy resume sites like http://guru.com, and http://craigslist.org.
           However, if you're starting out, you might want to start out
           with a small boutique firm like John mentions above.  They are
           more flexible with you and you can have a closer relationship
           with your agency.  My friend, John (not the john above), has
           his own agency at http://www.vitrixinc.com -- you can check him out or
           any of the smaller agencies around the Bay Area.  --chris
        \_ It is kind of hard to get your first few contracts, especially
           if you have not built up a reputation in the area where you are
           looking for work. You can expect to have to lower your rate
           for your first few jobs. Negotiate that in return for them
           agreeing to serve as a reference.