More on salaries

["Dennis Hays/The Burden Lake Group, Ltd." <dlhays -at- IX -dot- NETCOM -dot- COM>]

Just as a note:

When my wife and I decided to move north from Florida, I sent resumes
throughout the east coast. One reason I started this move is the dollar rate
in Florida is terrible. I was constantly getting calls to act as a senior
level writer for US$10 to US$18 an hour. The best contracts were offered by
major firms such as FMC, Motorola, and IBAX for US$20 to US$25. These were
rates in central Florida (Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach).

When the responses from my mailings started coming in, I received offers in
the thirties from Charlottesville, VA, Savannah, GA, and St. Louis, MO.
After six or seven months I took an offer in upstate New York for US$63
including per diem which, after three months lowered to US$55. This was a
short term assignment (3 months), but it paid for the move to New York. Now,
I get slightly less, but it more than covers the cost of living differential
(Orlando was a cheap place to live, but the wages were cheaper!).

Now, after a year, the same Florida companies which had offered US$18 are
now begging me to come back for 3 to 6 month assignments at a rate of US$28
to US$32. Times change, but I'm happy I made the move and cornered a 2 year
assignment at a good rate. I don't miss the Florida heat (90 plus degrees in
the summer which singes the flesh from your hands when you grab the steering
wheel) and no seasons except hot and muggy and hot and slightly less muggy.

** A man once found a snake on the side of the road. The snake was injured
and near death and the man, a helpful person, took the snake home and kept
it by the fire and gave it food and care. In the morning the snake had
recovered and the man picked it up. The snake bit him. Before he died, the
man asked the snake: "I took care of you; gave you food and shelter. Why did
you bite me?" The snake answered: "You knew what I was when you picked me
up." **

I've come to believe there's always companies which try and low ball
contractors and employees. It's their nature. And with firms laying off
thousands of employees yearly, well... it's up to each of us to watch what
we "pick up."

So... that's my thoughts on the salary issues. I've managed to feed my
family for a number of years by using only 26 letters and 10 numbers. It's a
small inventory, but, somehow, I'm creative enough to manipulate the
inventory in exchange for enough money to make a good life. Good luck to all
in the forthcoming year.

 ======> Dennis Hays
 ======> The Burden Lake Group, Ltd.
 ======> Voice:  518/477-6388
 ======> Fax:     518/477-5006
 ======> E-Mail: dlhays -at- ix -dot- netcom -dot- com