Top 5 Ways to Tell a Contractor Apart From a Govie
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So you are working at a government agency and wondering who is a fed and who is a contractor.
Here’s my top 5 strategies:
1) Badge – Yes, it’s okay to stare at someone’s chest…to look at their badge that is. Most agencies have different colors for contractors vs feds. Blue vs Red. Purple and blue.
2) Overdressed – Wondering why someone is wearing a suit when everyone knows it is business casual. And who is that weirdo overdressed with cufflinks. And a Rolex watch……Contractor for sure. Every time….
3) Good-looking – This will get me in trouble. But it’s true. Ever been in the office and wonder, who is the cute new guy/girl? Contractor 90% of the time.
4) Trying too hard – See someone in the hall who is walking too fast. Acting with a chip on their shoulder. On a Bluetooth barking orders. Yeah, they are trying too hard to look cool. Contractor every time.
5) Young – This would kill me when I was in my mid-20s at a gov’t agency. I’d get excited and wonder…wow, who is the new person actually under 30 in our office? Contractor. 90% of time.
You? How do you tell the difference?
Check out some other Top 5's below
Also here are some other top 5's of mine:
- Top 5: Best Places to Have a Government Job
- Top 5: Worst Places to Have a Government Job
- Top 5: Tips on Teleworking
- Top 5: Gov't Shows That Should Exist
- Top 5: Worst Things To Say in A Meeting
- Top 5: Ways To Handle A Broing Meeting
- Top 5: Signs You Need A New Job
Comment
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Comment by Hans Hinners on March 16, 2011 at 4:09pm -
No wonder I have been mistaken for a contractor but I think it is wearing off. I was 28 and a kid when I showed up. I don't remember having all this white in my goatie. We've got GS-11,12 & 13s wearing jeans and T-shirt - What the Frak!
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Comment by Eileen Kent on September 9, 2010 at 7:12pm -
This is one of the best q/a posts - with honest feedback I've seen. Your thoughts on both sides of the spectrum are hilarious! I've worked on both sides of the counter and I've had to wear a suit on both sides and I've never had an expensive watch or an expensive car for that matter. But, I've found highly enthusiastic people and I've found slow moving people who don't care about their job or their quality of work - on both sides of the spectrum. Anyone who speaks loudly their bluetooth Is rude no matter where you work......in corporations or in government. While this is a lot of fun, the reality is, people are people - and you connect with people who are most like you - in dress, in product/service knowledge, in background and in ambition. Contractors who want to make you look good with solid information and experience are the ones you want to work with for years to come. Contractors who work late and weekends to get the project completed are worth keeping. Contractors who ignore you - and your situation - should be booted. Isn't that the case whenever you're the customer?
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Comment by GovLoop on August 11, 2010 at 7:52pm -
Yes...I did. I also started wearing cuff links more...
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Comment by Sara Estes Cohen on August 11, 2010 at 5:13pm -
ha.
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Comment by Steve Radick on August 10, 2010 at 10:11am -
So when you left government and started working at GovLoop full-time, did you automatically become better looking?
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Comment by Faye Newsham on August 9, 2010 at 11:11am -
As a contractor, I dress sharp because I've been told I'll get fired if I don't look at least as good as the best-dressed customer. I arrive later in the day because I've already put 3 hours in at the corporate office and am just here for a meeting (with important fed folks which is why I am hurrying and wearing a suit), if you call me "young" I'll certainly appreciate it, but at over 40, this doesn't really apply... Good looking? um sure, whatever. I think you may be responding to "new" to the office and "young" more than general appearance. As for "trying too hard" - I don't know about you, but when I'm on the line for loosing my job or even worse, the contract for my company, at the drop of a hat (or even a whim), I mind my P's and Qs - wouldn't you? With that said, I don't have a phone in my ear, couldn't afford a Rolex if I wanted one, but if I was on the phone barking orders? It's because I'm making sure my team is doing what you need and pronto!
As your contractor, I'm worried about where my Tax dollars are going and how I can best get the job done you need me to do. My contract was once downchecked in a customer satisfaction survey because our team "isn't very social. They are always too busy to chat". We puzzled over that one... with 3 more projects than we can accomplish at one time, we figured you'd get that we are busy, busy, busy trying to do our best for you!
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Comment by Nichole Henley on August 9, 2010 at 10:13am -
@ Andrew-- last place I worked at, contractors actually had the double-wide desks and NICE chairs while us interns and new govies shared desk space. I guess it all depends on the organization.
One more point! A place I worked at entrusted ALL the cool projects with the contractors. They went on travel EVERYWHERE---even to Hawaii, several times! Never asked a govie if they'd like the experience of the work or the travel.
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Comment by Nichole Henley on August 9, 2010 at 10:10am
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haha!! I love this post! Def agree on the dressing REAL sharp part, arriving to work later than the govies (which is why most of them know when the cleaning crew shows up--- I can tell you what guards work the overnight posts as I get in the office at times at 0530 or earlier), and for some I have met it is true that they don't want anything to do with you unless you're in a position of power.
However, I do have a few good more points to add:
-social life! No matter how old, we can always chat about our night escapades or weekend events
-they get my energy. We are both trying to get the work done efficiently
-technically savvy. I'm always learning how to use a new gadget (i phone) or work tool.
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Comment by Sterling Whitehead on August 9, 2010 at 10:00am
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Comment by GovLoop on August 9, 2010 at 1:24am
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@Terry - Air of superiority...Yep...
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