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How do I find a good broker?
Date: 7 June 96, 23:54 EDT From: Adam MarksI have never even heard of a broker, but it sounds like a great idea to get a consulting business rolling! Where can I find a broker? I live in the Detroit, MI area.
Date: 8 June 96, 23:07 EDT From: Alan LazarusI found mine through word of mouth. When I started as a consultant, working as an employee for a consulting organization, I was assigned to work at a fairly large company where there were plenty of other consultants. I asked questions. One day, over a couple of beers at lunch, a consultant told me about the broker he uses. A few weeks later, I told him I'd be interested in meeting him, and possibly getting a gig through him. By the next month, I was working the new gig at nearly twice my original income!
Date: 29 August 96, 21:40 EDT From: Mike Haney Email: mikester@wl.netIt looks like this thread has died, but maybe this will get something started up again: In the past, I have always worked for full-time for companies and done private consulting on the side (hoping to grow it to a full-time business soon). About 4 months ago, I left my full-time job and took a contract through a broker. After about 7 weeks on the job, my checks started bouncing and I found out the broker was declaring bankruptcy. Since there was a long lead time (about 2.5 weeks between the end of a pay period and when I received the check) and his bank took 2 weeks to return the check, I had 5 weeks of pay at stake! In fact, I had only had checks clear for the first 2 weeks at that time. Definitely check out those brokers before you sign on the dotted line. One thing to look for is if they use a payroll service. Since they have to pay you upfront, and they typically have to wait up to 45-60 days to collect (from larger companies), some of the brokers use an agency that will pay the workers up front and then bill the client. Of course, they take a nice percentage, which can seriously cut into the bottom line of a smaller broker. In my case, I don't think this was the only problem - there was also sheer neglect on the part of the broker - but if you question the stability of the broker's business, the use of one of these services might mean it would be harder for them to make it. As for me, everything worked out pretty well. The company I was contracting at noticed the problems early and froze payments to the broker. My new broker was able to collect for weeks that had not been paid to the old broker yet, and I ended up only losing a week's pay. That still hurts, but I was very lucky it wasn't worse. This isn't meant to discourage anyone - I love contracting and can't see myself going back the the so-called "permanent" employee world. Just be careful about who you deal with.
Date: 30 January 97, 13:34 EDT From: Walter Pinson Email: wpinson@gmu.eduFor people who don't congregate around other contractors frequently, the "get information from the guys over beer" option doesn't work out to well. Does anyone know another way to find a good broker. (Washington, DC area)
Date: 14 February 97, 12:54 EDT From: Kevin Peck Email: becnkevpeck@sprintmail.comI am looking for a broker in the Kansas City area. Please let me know of any good ones here. I have worked as a contractor in the past but it was a short stint before I was hired by the company I was working for through the contractor. Ready to give it a go again if some one can help me out.
Date: 6 July 97, 12:43 EDT From: Mark Richman Email: mrichman@li.netI am currently working as a programmer for a LARGE software company...maybe too large. I am constantly worried that I will get canned because they can replace me with someone who will work for less. I make $30,000/year with no extra pay for overtime. I've been working there for six months and I just graduated college. I'd prefer to work for myself and charge about $65/hour. Any input regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated by email. Thanks.
Date: 26 July 97, 6:54 EDT From: Mrinmoy Saha Email: mrinmoy@hotmail.comI did my B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur in may'96 and since then I am working in a company in India as a software engg. I am having good knowledge of OOD, C++, VC++, MFC, OLE, Mpeg and DVD. The type of works I do here are very prestigious and I do them very sincerely. But only problem here is the low salary range. Hence I have decided to change my job and to take some job US. Also if needed I may be interested in part time job or contract basis jobs too. Can somebody suggest which type of job should I give preference to and whether I should contract some broker for the perpose.
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