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Put fwd at £x, now at face-to-face stage, want £x+50

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    Put fwd at £x, now at face-to-face stage, want £x+50

    I like the client, proposed work, location, contract length - everything is a yes. Except I think the rate I have been put forward at is about £50/day under the market rate. Ten days ago I had just started looking for new projects and at that point was keen to get things moving and agreed to £x/day with the agent. In the one week since I have been flooded with interest (BI dev/architect seems a good market at the moment), all £50-100 more than this one.

    The agent so far has been extremely professional and knowledgeable and has this client on exclusive, and the client from what I understand is keen on my application and not interviewing any other applicants apart from myself.

    What is the protocol and the best way to approach this? Thanks.

    #2
    Find out if the agent is on a fixed rate or not. Get him to confirm in writing as they should be less likely to lie with written evidence. If they are there is very little you can do. The raise would have to come from the client so you'll have to gamble they aren't on a set rate card if you want more.

    If agent is on commission then you have to work out how much that 50 quid is worth to you compared not getting the gig. Understand your limits and then go in to the agent and tell him you want £Xxx or it's a no go. He may fold it he may play hardball. At this point it's down to how how much you want the gig....
    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

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      #3
      Also who says what market rate is nowadays? I see gigs advertised from 275 to 600 for my skillet and location doesn't seem to make much difference. I've taken a gig at nearly 75 quid a day less than the previous one because it was where I wanted and good experience. Turned out to be one of the nicest gigs I've been on and well worth the rate drop. Not everything is about the money.
      'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

      Comment


        #4
        You agreed a rate. You have interest but no firm offers on other contracts, nothing certain. If you mess around, you could be on the bench and maybe for a long time.

        If it was a satisfactory rate a week ago, you probably won't starve with it, but you might get hungry if you annoy them with requests for more and they tell you to get lost.

        No problem with trying to cut into the agent's margin a little bit, as NLUK suggested, but I wouldn't mess around with trying to reopen rate discussions with the client if you don't have another firm offer. Depends on your risk tolerance, though.

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          #5
          Originally posted by theroyale View Post
          I like the client, proposed work, location, contract length - everything is a yes. Except I think the rate I have been put forward at is about £50/day under the market rate. Ten days ago I had just started looking for new projects and at that point was keen to get things moving and agreed to £x/day with the agent. In the one week since I have been flooded with interest (BI dev/architect seems a good market at the moment), all £50-100 more than this one.

          The agent so far has been extremely professional and knowledgeable and has this client on exclusive, and the client from what I understand is keen on my application and not interviewing any other applicants apart from myself.

          What is the protocol and the best way to approach this? Thanks.
          Whichever way you frame it, this is a risky thing to do now that you have been put forward at a given rate.

          Be honest with the agent:
          "I'm sorry, but I can no longer go forward at the agreed rate. I believe I have undersold myself in the current market, and I would like to continue at X + £50."

          Do not be surprised if that ends your candidacy for that role.

          But, if your market is as buoyant as you think, what do you care?

          Only you can really judge your position in the market.

          Comment


            #6
            A valid reason to negotiate might be that the interview exposed that the client required more than the job spec mentioned. I think you have a better chance of negotiating based on what the client has mentioned during the interview rather than the "market rate" argument.

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              #7
              Let's flip this - how many times have I seen someone saying they went to an interview for a role with agreed rate £X, only to be offered £X-50 and be annoyed they wasted a day going for an interview

              Ask if you want but unless you're literally the only person capable of doing this job I'd tell you to FO

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
                Also who says what market rate is nowadays? I see gigs advertised from 275 to 600 for my skillet and location doesn't seem to make much difference. I've taken a gig at nearly 75 quid a day less than the previous one because it was where I wanted and good experience. Turned out to be one of the nicest gigs I've been on and well worth the rate drop. Not everything is about the money.
                This ^
                My rate has went up and down like Andyw's mum's knickers but I try to fit with what the client can afford. If it's a small place or public sector I am more sympathetic as long as the agent isn't at it. I actually enjoy going and making the client's IT systems better as long as I get above a minimum Im happy.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
                  I see gigs advertised from 275 to 600 for my skillet...

                  Your culinary equipment is overpriced!
                  …Maybe we ain’t that young anymore

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by WTFH View Post
                    Your culinary equipment is overpriced!
                    , maybe he's got one of those fancy Tom Daley 5 section frying pans!

                    Comment

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