Job search advice taken from our survey: Current State of Overseas Contracting Jobs

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Job search advice taken from our survey: Current State of Overseas Contracting Jobs
By William Beaver, editor/publisher, DangerZoneJobs.com
Friday, July 11, 2008, 13:36

We have compiled some of the comments taken from our survey, which includes some interesting advice about working overseas as a contractor.

You can download the complete report here (it's in pdf format and needs something like Adobe Reader to see it): http://www.dangerzonejobs.com/dzjreport.pdf

Please feel free to email this to someone who would benefit from the information.

Comments appear as they were written:

The network you build or work within means everything.

It is the ultimate to work in a dangerous zone, it will always be a challenge do not even think twice , just do it.

Military has definitely got a bad attitude about contractors. They refuse to accept a partnership that is here to stay. If I have a choice I stay as far away from the Green Machine as I can.

If it's what you want to do, keep knocking on doors...

It is not only financial but the good feeling of supporting the troops, defending our freedom at home and the jobs in US just don't pay enough to support one's family.....thank you for for site. I visit it daily for info and job info.

The company i work for has grown over the past few years - from 2,300 employees in 2005 to nearly 8,000 today. It is interesting to note that our benefits have reduced since i joined in 2003 - we used to be paid danger pay for example. also, the contract will expire in september 2009 so there have been decisions made where employees will pay for things that they never paid for before i.e. they provide a company car but they deduct fuel costs from my salary. they provide a company cell phone but they just charged me for the past 18 months phone bills which were over a post-determined limit, meaning, they don't have a ocmpany policy on this but they will deduct money from employees without authorization! it seems as we near the end of the contract, the employer is more and more interested in their profits and not with the employees. do they not realize they need employees to stay and work until september 2009!?!

I feel that a lot of people have come over to find out it just isn't for them. I have also seen too many people "hooking" friends up with jobs and positions and that has caused a big "rub" against the military because the quality and level of work has suffered because of that. Too many unqualified people padding their resumes to fit the job and then getting in the position and not knowing what they are doing. You see this a lot with KBR.

I think if your primary, major motivation is the money you will have a very difficult time. If it's the money that motivates you, stay home with your family and be safe. On the other hand, if you believe in the mission, if you want to help our young service members and enjoy working with them as well as working with Local Nationals, then you're going to have a much better time of it. That's not to say you won't be exhausted and you won't at times be scared out of your mind. It's a tough life for everyone concerned. It had better not be about the money because it's never enough and with the proper motivation you'd like to do it for free.

I have a problem with American companies hiring so many people from other countries because they can pay them less, this means the taxes do not go back to the US, plus it lowers the pay for everyone including americans.

Network while you are in the country...collect business cards from anyone you come in contact with. Always be aware that your company can be underbidded at any time.

Love DZJ!!! Keep up the awesome work!

You get more exposure,endurance and experience.

It pays to network, if the project ends you have another opportunity to check out.

Network, network, network.

Establish & maintain a low profile. Eyes & ears open. Mouth shut. Be mindful of back-stabbers.

It is a great opportunity for work, pay is great, housing not so great; promotion and advancement is not what you know but who you know.

Be sure you are aware what is on offer and that you satified with those conditions.

It is a great opportunity for people to make a good salary and pay off your debts if you will do that. So many get deeper in debt due to the increase in salary they are making and then they end up losing everything.

$$ was/is good but has cost me a good marriage and family. Had it to do over I would prob do some things different.

The hazard pay brings my hourly rate to what I get paid in the US. It's just that I work 84 hours instead of 40.

I feel that working overseas is a rewarding job, you get too see how other people live and culture differences.

I work for scounrels....they use people and spit them out -at will. They use loopholes to drain EVERY cent out of the US govt they can.

Some people have had bankruptcys. I understand security clearances provent some people from getting the jobs they desire. Is it possible for youu to get a straight answer from the DOD or State Dept on that issue so we don't waste anyone's time applying for jobs that require secret clearances.

Working overseas is great, the only problem being I am a single mother with kids and they don't offer any help with schooling but if you are with a company that is understanding they will allow you to take off work for emergencies.The main problem I find is trying to find a job the right way. It doesn't happen. It is like a click here if you are in it you are safe and will grow if not you are a dead end. Trying to get a jo by applying online is a dead end and no one responds and if you talk to a recruiter they say apply online. It is not what you know but who know. Then again there is the updated version. It is not what you know but who you blow. Other foreign nationalities protect each other and help one another find jobs. But with Americans they always think someone is trying to take their place. I thought they should stick together but only if you are in the "click". No way to move up by applying eternally because they already know who they want to hire and only do interviews as formality. I was working with ITT-GMASS, which is negatively labled among contractors like wearing a scarlett letter. Just a few words from someone who has been dealing with this for over 4 years.

They think we make $250,000+ and think all of the workers just sit back and make all the money, while the soldiers are out in the field. We do our job, we keep up the camp, work in the middle of the night. I do my job and do what I said I would do when I signed my contract.

Contracting is all about who you know not what you know.

Danger Zone Jobs.com is the best source of overseas contract jobs that I have found!

For alot of people, contract work is an opportunity to fulfill the dream of traveling the world, gaining experience, and paying bills with ease. the time you spend away from home, always pays off in the long run; houses get paid off quickly, student loans are taken care, and it gives you the opportunity to be debt-free. "Just remember to file and pay your taxes"!!

It's hard to find the perfect job. But it seems that once you get overseas it is easer to move up in pay/position.

I thought the experience would be marketable upon my return to the US but potential employers have found it more interesting than a selling point (that is, helping me find a position in the US).