From DangerZoneJobs.com
Job search advice taken from our survey: Current State of Overseas Contracting Jobs, Part 5
By William Beaver, DZJ editor
Sunday, February 15, 2009, 13:07
I forgot to take down the link to the survey we published, and since then a few more people have added comments.
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
- Bill
Please feel free to email this to someone who would benefit from the information.
>It's a job, and the way thing's are at home,at least I have one.
>Wish Companies would hire Americans only not cheating foreigners who are not qualified for their job and steal money and equipment in their position, and loose foreign women who only want to get pregnant to any US person to come into the states to get ID card. It would help our economy.
>I have lived and worked in 21 countries. I enjoy talking to people and learning their family values and pride in their heritage.
>Never believe a person with the title recruter their info is always 1/2 bubble off
>Too many unexperienced people not familiar with working in REAL combat zones. Leave your ego at home and prepare to become ONE with a team that you will stick thru thick or thin. Remember-it's not about you and those tough guy scenes from the movies. That attitude only exposes who the real enemy is - US.
I can tell you the following points about working in a "Danger Zone Job" that have been verfied by the experience of myself and others, working for a variety of companies:
1). About 25% of what your recruiter tells you is an outright lie, 25% changes due to changing conditions, and 25% gets 'lost in the shuffle'.
2). All things being equal, the companies that offer you the most money actually treat you the worst. Make your choice: good treatment or more money. Ask around to find out which companies are which.
3). Do your research! Google the company and read the good and the bad (yes the disgruntled employees have a grudge but at least half of what they say is true (see #1)
4). If you have never been cut off from your family and civilization as you know it, it can be difficult. Are you REALLY ready? I thought I was until my wife cries every time I call her for me to come home.
5). As one other commented, when you work 84 hrs/week, you make the same or less than you do back home and there aren't any mortars or rockets landing 50 yards away (last Thursday).
6). The military/State Dept. has hard-working people just trying to feed their families or have a career, just like us. Justifiably so, it does slightly piss them off that we are making alot more money than them for perhaps doing the same job, so try to not rub it in and be professional and appreciative.
7). Make sure that the support system that you set up for yourself and your family are up to the task. You MUST have someone back home to which you can give a POA, and then trust them to do the right thing with your money. I have heard lots of horror stories about people going home to empty bank accounts.
8). This is not a financial windfall! SAVE all the money that you can. Just because of boredom you could spends LOTS of money. When you are here and home, don't spend more than you have to (see #7)
9). Buy all of the life/health insurance that you can possibly afford. It would be bad enough for your wife to be a widow, but a poor one to boot?? Google the "Defense Base Act" for important information about Comp./Death benefits.
10). Try to maintain a positive attitude about your job, and try not to worry your loved ones at home with complaints or intimate details about the latest incoming etc. I was told this: "If you stay for a year, it's hard to go home. If you stay for two years, you wind up divorced. If you stay for three or more years, look for local real estate etc." Finally, the best of success in your efforts !!! KLK