Brainbox http://www.brainbox.com.au/ The nerve-centre of Australian IT employment Think hard before accepting a counter-offerhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/15062009-Think-hard-before-accepting-a-counter-offerThe litany of horror stories I have come across in my years as an executive recruiter, consultant and publisher should never be accepted…EVER! Ten dirty tricks that contractors get up to - an agent http://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/20042009-Ten-dirty-tricks-that-contractors-get-up-to---an-agent-Several agents have written to us about dirty tricks that contractors supposedly get up to. This article is a composite of their replies. Guidelines for resume preparationhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/19032009-Guidelines-for-resume-preparationThere is no right or wrong way to organise a resume. A resume is a summary of your skills, accomplishments, experiences and education designed to capture a prospective employer’s interest. It’s not all roses…. How to work with the current climatehttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/24022009-It’s-not-all-roses…-How-to-work-with-the-current-climateLooking over the recent posts here and on other similar sites there seems to be an air of discontent about the discussion topic not being current or valid. Is it worth getting certified?http://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/05022009-Is-it-worth-getting-certifiedThere are a myriad of qualifications available to IT workers. The certifications on offer exploded during the 90s. Are they worth pursuing? The perfect contracthttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/02022009-The-perfect-contractLike many contractors, I’ve often given time to working out what the prefect contract would be. Here are some factors that would take a contract high up in my estimation. Surviving the management carrothttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/27012009-Surviving-the-management-carrotMany people seem to think that the path to management is attrition, attention and attitude. Colleagues that suckhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/13012009-Colleagues-that-suckFrom the 'standards guy' to the 'mobile phone left on the desk person', you're sure to see some familiar faces here. Three ways to increase your contract incomehttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/09122008-Three-ways-to-increase-your-contract-incomeThere are three main ways to increase your income if you are a contractor. Advice to agencies - ten ways to keep IT contractors happy http://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/26112008-Advice-to-agencies---ten-ways-to-keep-IT-contractors-happy-So what keeps contractors happy then? What makes them think of their agent as the perfect agent? The lowdown on LAFHAhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/09112008-The-lowdown-on-LAFHARelocating interstate or from overseas for a job can cause a few headaches and a decent sized hole in your pocket. Job interviews that suckhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/20102008-Job-interviews-that-suckNow you understand how those before the Salem witch hunts and the Spanish Inquisition felt. Why I would take on some contractors and not othershttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/17092008-Why-I-would-take-on-some-contractors-and-not-othersOK, so the contractor has now sat down to be interviewed. I have already made up my mind whether I like this person or not and whether he or she could fit in at our company in terms of personality. Are recruitment consultants really the devil’s spawn?http://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/28072008-Are-recruitment-consultants-really-the-devil’s-spawnLet me first explain that I am writing this as someone that currently works as a Recruitment Consultant outside of the IT Contracting market. In defence of agencieshttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/17072008-In-defence-of-agenciesI've put much thought into why recruitment agents are generally considered in such a poor light by those they represent. Is workplace bullying a growing problem? http://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/15072008-Is-workplace-bullying-a-growing-problem-There's an interesting column in the SMH today on the growing incidence of workplace bullying. The contractors at interviews I don't wanthttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/14072008-The-contractors-at-interviews-I-dont-wantI have interviewed dozens of contractors. Some I will hire before others. The following are the type of contractors I don’t want. More than half of people lie on their resumes, says SHRMhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/09072008-More-than-half-of-people-lie-on-their-resumes-says-SHRMAccording to the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM), more than half of people lie on their resumes. Britain about to sink into recessionhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/08072008-Britain-about-to-sink-into-recessionIf there's one thing every Aussie IT worker knows, it's that they can make better and easier money in Britain. IT job ads falling rapidly, says Olivierhttp://www.brainbox.com.au/brainbox/home.nsf/link/07072008-IT-job-ads-falling-rapidly-says-OlivierAccording to the latest Olivier Internet Job Index, the number of IT jobs being advertised is plummeting.