Do contractors keep building on their knowledge or not?

[mendhak]

I had to interview a contractor last week and it did not go well (for him). He didn't know a lot of things like Linq, session management and ASMX/WCF. After the interview, I expressed surprise at this, saying something like "I didn't think a contractor would get stumped at those basic questions." My coworkers said, "Of course, it makes sense." Then we had a debate (catfight).

My coworkers said that contractors aren't really supposed to think for themselves. All they have to do is what they're told, so they don't have an incentive for building up their knowledge. They can pick it up as they go along.

I said that contractors need to keep up and build up their knowledge because they're working for so many different people, so their knowledge has to go from (example) Win32 APIs to WCF to ParallelFx. Anything and everything - that's the only way they can work for different organizations.

So my question to you is - based on your experience with talking and meeting other contractors, who is right? Me or my coworkers? I have more interviews with contractors coming up - should I seek out methods to relieve my blood pressure?

Before you answer, please keep in mind that my coworkers like to kick puppies and push old ladies down the stairs.

[RobDog888]

As long as your co-workers treat cats well then its all good

Yes its true kinda. I work with a good portion of contractors from various countries and they basically are here to do the job you ask of them. I believe its because most places dont or wont let them move up. I have only a couple of contractors that do want to move up and learn new technologies.

Now also take into consideration that there are contractors and contractors. Some are happy just working and working with steady employment while others are not. From my experience, there are more that are contempt to just be working (probably bad economy at home country). Also, if there are newer to the host country then they dont want to rock the boat and end up losing their sponsorship. Ones with no immigation issues will be more of the ones wanting to move up and learn more.

Oh and lets now forget Independant Contractors. These are more of what I feel you are thinking about. They need to stay very competitive and edge out the companies placing temp contractors.

[Siddharth Rout]

As long as your co-workers treat cats well then its all good

Meow to that!!!

Contractors aren't really supposed to think for themselves. All they have to do is what they're told...

This statement can be interpreted in many ways...

One interpretation is that contractors just need to follow instructions... without applying their brain... Just like in the Army. Let the thinking be left to people who have been hired for that purpose... If this is what you co-workers mean, then I agree with them. (I have my Manager's Hat on when I say that)

The other interpretation is that contractors are like slaves. They have no right to think about themselves...If this is what you co-workers mean, which I doubt, then I don't agree with them...

But at the same time I agree to Rob's last statement as well. This is a competitive world. You have to go that one extra mile to get what you want... (I DONT have my Manager's Hat on when I say that)

As far as basics are concerned, yes, contractor or no contractor, you need to know them. You are not asking them to build castles based on their judgment. I am sure they are aware that once they are hired then they do need to follow a particular set of instructions...

As far as the title of this thread goes...

Do contractors keep building on their knowledge or not?

The answer is "Yes" no matter what hat I wear... but then it is a personal choice of each contractor...