THE MONSTER TALENT MARKET NEWSLETTER

Escape From that Cubicle While You Still Can!

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IN THIS ISSUE: Week of March 13, 2000

-- CH-CH-CH-CHANGES: Monster Talent Market update
-- FREE AGENT POLL: A Free Agent By Any Other Name?
-- TAX SEASON COUNTDOWN: Tip #2: The Liberalized Home Office Deduction
-- HEARD ON THE BOARD: Jaded Journalist Seeks a New Channel for his
   Passion
-- MONSTER TALENT MARKET: Spinning Ideas for the E-marketplace

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TO YOU, FROM THE MONSTER TALENT MARKET TEAM

Since we launched last summer, more than 160,000 Free Agents have
joined Monster Talent Market(sm). We've been listening to your
suggestions and, in response, launched a new look and feel for the
site last week.

So, what did we change?
We brought you more content, merging Monster Talent Market with the
Monster.com Independent Professional zone. We now have more than 75
articles in our Free Agent and Employer Guides.
-- The Free Agent Guide contains articles for getting started or advice
   on how to market yourself.
   http://content.talentmarket.monster.com/contractor/freeagentguide/ 
-- The Employer Guide offers suggestions and advice for hiring this new
   workforce.
   http://content.talentmarket.monster.com/employer/employerguide/
-- We know many of our users act as both Free Agent and Employer. The 
   Resources Page allows you to see articles for both sides of the 
   equation.
   http://content.talentmarket.monster.com/
-- Questions about the auction process? For everything you need to know 
   go to http://talentmarket.monster.com/employer/login.asp for 
   employers and http://talentmarket.monster.com/contractor/login.asp 
   for Free Agents.

Most important, we made the site easier to use and navigate. If you
haven't seen the new look, check it out at
http://talentmarket.monster.com/

We're excited about the improvements you'll see in the weeks and
months ahead. To keep you informed about what we're doing and the Free
Agent market space itself, we'll regularly contribute to this
newsletter. We welcome any feedback or suggestions you have. You can
email us at mailto:talentmarket@monster.com.

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FREE AGENT POLL: Is a Free Agent a Free Agent By Any Other Name?

Last week we asked:

What do you call yourself? 
38%  Consultant 
20%  Freelancer 
19%  Free agent 
13%  Contractor 
7%   Mercenary 
Total: 168 votes 

This week's question: Do you obtain contract work through an agency?

Cast your vote here:
http://talentmarket.monster.com/

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TAX SEASON COUNTDOWN: Tip #2: The Liberalized Home Office Deduction

A significant change in the tax code for 1999 is a liberalization of
IRS requirements for taking the home-office deduction. Now
professionals who spend more time in the field than at their home-
based offices may qualify for the deduction. If you qualify, you may
be able to deduct a portion of all sorts of household expenses, from
electric bills to home repairs. Read up on the details at the IRS Web
site:
http://www.irs.gov/prod/tax_edu/teletax/tc509.html
Then consult your tax advisor.

Come back next week for Tip #3.

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HEARD ON THE BOARD: Jaded Journalist Seeks a New Channel for His
Passion

Monster member Gary recently asked: "Over the past 15 years, I have
worked as a journalist, press flak, public-sector consultant, and
advocate for Big Business; I've covered boring hearings and bloody
murders; instructed politicians on how to get elected; built public
support for corporate agendas; pushed buttons, propped egos; persuaded
the many to side with the few… Can you point me in the direction of
someone who needs a hard-working, creative writer brimming with
passion but jaded by the world?"

The Free Agent Advisor answers: "Gary, it may not always be apparent,
but the world needs talented and passionate folks like you. Have you
thought about finding work as a political speechwriter? What about
producing content for Public Broadcasting?…"

Read the rest here:
http://forums.monster.com/viewmessage.asp?messageid=835007

Post your own question on one of these Monster Talent Market message
boards:

Ask the Free Agent Advisor
http://boards.talentmarket.monster.com/forum.asp?forum=800

Ask the Work-from-Home Coach
http://boards.talentmarket.monster.com/forum.asp?forum=801

Or chat live with the Free Agent Advisor Fridays at 2 p.m. EST or
with the Work-from-Home Coach Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST. For either
chat, log in to http://my.monster.com/mchat.asp and join us in the
#Events room.


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MONSTER TALENT MARKET:  Spinning Ideas for the E-marketplace

Here are three of the thousands of auctions on the Monster Talent
Market this week:

** E-MARKETER **
The talent: "Internet Marketing Pro"
The target project: "Let me put some life into your Internet marketing
program, integrate your online and offline advertising/PR programs,
jazz up your ads and collateral materials, solidify your media
planning and placement."
The desired rate: $85 per hour

** GOT AN IDEA? **
The talent: "Patent Agent"
The target project: "Patent agent, electrical area, preparing and/or
prosecuting patent applications before the U.S. Patent Office."
The desired rate: $30 per hour

** SPIN DOCTOR **
The talent: "Hytech Dewatering Consultant"
The target project: "Centrifuge consultant in the areas of operation,
installation, trouble-shooting and personnel training."
The desired rate: $45 per hour

Check out the Monster Talent Market and build your own profile or
project:
http://talentmarket.monster.com/

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http://my.monster.com/subs.asp

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Comments? Suggestions? Let us know what you think about Monster Talent
Market and Monster.com. Email your ideas and opinions to:
mailto:talentmarket@monster.com

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