Seen a role but want to avoid the agent

[virtualm]

I've seen a role with company X, agency Y are offering ridiculously low rates. I believe I deserve a chance at this for an interview but the agent wont budge on their rates. The role is based down South and I live in the Midlands and therefore I will need to take into consideration hotels as part of my day rate.

So my question is, I know who Company X is, who should I contact direct at Company X, would it be the IT Director, Finance Director or HR Director? And should I phone them first or email my CV to them direct.

I obviously need to ask the question if they will deal with freelancers direct and I am 100% sure my true day rates will be cheaper than the pimps.

Feedback guys please!

[TheBigYinJames]

Feedback guys please!

If you haven't signed anything, it's their lookout. You have nothing to lose (except future business with that agency if they find out)

[virtualm]

Let the games commence!

I have never been contracted through an agent twice so what have I got to lose.

[Ivor Bigun]

I've seen a role with company X, agency Y are offering ridiculously low rates. I believe I deserve a chance at this for an interview but the agent wont budge on their rates. The role is based down South and I live in the Midlands and therefore I will need to take into consideration hotels as part of my day rate.

So my question is, I know who Company X is, who should I contact direct at Company X, would it be the IT Director, Finance Director or HR Director? And should I phone them first or email my CV to them direct.

I obviously need to ask the question if they will deal with freelancers direct and I am 100% sure my true day rates will be cheaper than the pimps.

Feedback guys please!

Do it - best thing I ever did was going direct.
Hmmmmmm extra 15% on turnover.....nice....

In my case, I talked to the IT director - he just linked me through to purchasing so:
1) I could be setup as a vendor
2) Purchasing sent the contract to me.

In truth, it was less bother than going through an agent and I always got paid. (30 days)

Agent didn't need to know and had no right to know (client wanted me back after 12 months on another gig)

[Grinder]

It sounds to me like you haven't even approached the agency - if you know which company it is, go direct.

[virtualm]

CV sent to HR & IT Director, let 's see if they bother replying or just like wasting money on pimps.......

Tried phoning but didn't get past PA's.......

[ABSTRAX]

Call until you get through!

As pro-active as we wish HR departments and IT Directors are at times, they're typically not... agents seem to get through these roadblocks and don't let them off the phone until they've got what they want... unless you're doing the same (within reason) you're running the risk that HR will go the route of the 'pimp'...

[JoJoGabor]

Some companies insist on you going through an agency. I knew one of the recruiters at BP who was recruiting IT contractors and she told me I had to go through an agency who was on their Preferred Suppliers List. Crazy really seeing as that would probably add 20% onto the contract

[ABSTRAX]

Some companies insist on you going through an agency. I knew one of the recruiters at BP who was recruiting IT contractors and she told me I had to go through an agency who was on their Preferred Suppliers List. Crazy really seeing as that would probably add 20% onto the contract

If a company puts you through an agency on their PSL then they’re 99% acting as a payroll solution… on most occasions the agency will take a nominal fee which covers the cost of factoring money and paying the contractor, which is around 4%... the max you’re looking at them taking would be 10% for a simply payroll job which is what it would be…

In that situation it won’t ever affect you personally… margins are fixed, there’s no closing you low and pushing it up on the client side

You get stung for 20% - 25% when the agency does the whole job… the more specialist the agency and higher in demand staff they provide, the more money they’ll typically take on top... if any agency gets a ‘freebie’ from the client because you’ve done the leg work yourself, then they’re not going to be charging too much beyond the cost of covering factoring money

[expat]

Some companies insist on you going through an agency. I knew one of the recruiters at BP who was recruiting IT contractors and she told me I had to go through an agency who was on their Preferred Suppliers List. Crazy really seeing as that would probably add 20% onto the contract

take 20% off your rate