I have been browsing thro the monster and dice websites looking at availability of jobs in the IT sector in the US, specifically those needing Oracle developer skills. What I find surprising is that most of the jobs are of "contract" nature. Some stating 6 month terms, some lower at 3 monts and the lowest I found was one that was expected to last only 1 month. Very few had the "permanent" tag. So here are my questions:
Q1. Why is it like that? I have a fair idea but would like to hear opinions.
Q2.Since there are so many ads offering such "temporary" work, it logically follows that there must be available "contract" candidates too to fill the vacancies. What and how do these temporary contractors manage to remain employed on a relatively consistent basis? How much can someone really store away in 6 months, on which he expects to draw for his subsistence until he gets another job? How do these people "settle"? I mean, don't they buy stuff like sofa, beds, TV etc etc.? Do they keep moving all the stuff every 6 months or whatever? How does it work? Am I missing something here?

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wisernow

US jobs mostly contract...
I have been browsing thro the monster and dice websites looking at availability of jobs in the IT sector in the US, specifically those needing Oracle developer skills. What I find surprising is that most of the jobs are of "contract" nature. Some stating 6 month terms, some lower at 3 monts and the lowest I found was one that was expected to last only 1 month. Very few had the "permanent" tag. So here are my questions:
Q1. Why is it like that? I have a fair idea but would like to hear opinions.
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This is because most of the Clients are implementing projects phase wise for better controlling of budget as well as understanding the benefit out of additional functianlities they are implementing and correcting themselves both project planning and cost wise for the next phases.So now client might have long term projects but are not implementing at one shot . Another thing is after implementing a particulat phase they are transferring production support/maintanance activities to offshore.Due to this change in nature of projcet all small Consulting companies /body shoppers are hiring consultant for very short time which could be between one week to few months .They are not interested about hiring consultant in the permanent position because they too don't have any ides how long client need that particular person for that position
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Q2.Since there are so many ads offering such "temporary" work, it logically follows that there must be available "contract" candidates too to fill the vacancies. What and how do these temporary contractors manage to remain employed on a relatively consistent basis? How much can someone really store away in 6 months, on which he expects to draw for his subsistence until he gets another job? How do these people "settle"? I mean, don't they buy stuff like sofa, beds, TV etc etc.? Do they keep moving all the stuff every 6 months or whatever? How does it work? Am I missing something here?
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True thing is if you have a solid experienece with big Implementations in cutting age technology area you can still earn more than USD 100 per hour.I have couple of friends who are working as independent consultant they are managing to earn handsome money even they are working for 7-8 months per year .But important thing is they are not sitting idle for those 3-4 months rather upgrading themeselves during that period
I did independent consultancy for almost 3 years but truly if you have family it is really frustrating some time ..because you need to move from one place to another place.If kids are not very small nowadays consultants keep their family in one place and they use to visit their family every week or every alternate week
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ani