I despair...

[MaryPoppins]

Conversation with agent today:

Agent: Got your CV re: role, would you like us to fwd to client?
Me: Yes please
Agent: Slightly concerned you're too senior for the role....
Me: I'm not. I would certainly be able to do the job standing on my head, and will add lots of value for them, but its a good match for me. I dont apply for things I don't intend to stick with, too much hassle.
Agent: Hmm..Ok. What rate?
Me: (Quotes the highest rate advertised)
Agent: Hhmm, well I will put you in at (quotes rate 30 per day lower)
Me: Given that you have admitted I am a superior match for the role, surely putting me in at the highest rate makes sense?
Agent: I think it makes sense to put you in at that rate.

Does this highest rate actually not exist (i.e. rate = £400-£450 per day)? Or would putting me in at the offered rate put the client off? Why don't they just make us GUESS at the rate then, jeez.

[Zippy]

Conversation with agent today:

Agent: Got your CV re: role, would you like us to fwd to client?
Me: Yes please
Agent: Slightly concerned you're too senior for the role....
Me: I'm not. I would certainly be able to do the job standing on my head, and will add lots of value for them, but its a good match for me. I dont apply for things I don't intend to stick with, too much hassle.
Agent: Hmm..Ok. What rate?
Me: (Quotes the highest rate advertised)
Agent: Hhmm, well I will put you in at (quotes rate 30 per day lower)
Me: Given that you have admitted I am a superior match for the role, surely putting me in at the highest rate makes sense?
Agent: I think it makes sense to put you in at that rate.

Does this highest rate actually not exist (i.e. rate = £400-£450 per day)? Or would putting me in at the offered rate put the client off? Why don't they just make us GUESS at the rate then, jeez.

It's just a game, and one we all have to play these days. Agent=jerk off.
He can put you in at whatever rate he likes whatever you say (let's face it - you won't know what he told the client), and then you can discuss if you get it.
I'd go with it - and good luck

[northernladuk]

In my experience if there is any hint of you being over qualified your dead in the water even if the rate is more than the going rate for your level. I would have offered to do a new CV dumbing experience down to be honest

The top rate question. I find that in the past even though I have been perfect for the role down to the last dot on the job spec they never put you in for top rate. My suspicion is they have slightly inflated to get the best people and interest or undercut slightly to make it more attractive to the client if they are not the only ones submitting CV's. Just 20-30 quid like you say but it puts them cheapest with the same candidate but not dropping to low as really affect their margin.

Oh and once I was in a bidding war where someone else said they would do it for 20 quid less so agent asked if I would do for 25 quid less. I said yes but no more, if they want to pay peanuts to monkeys then leave me alone. I was actually surprised the agent mentioned it to me but there you go.

In my time I found this undercutting the top rate is just what happens. I thought it was the norm to be honest. Hoping to be proven wrong TBH

[northernladuk]

surely putting me in at the highest rate makes sense?

And I don't agree. If your over qualified it doesn't naturally mean your worth the top rate. If anything being overqualified makes you a risk and why should they pay top dollar AND run the risk of you leaving. If the person they are after is quite capable of fulfilling the role and no more and a reduced rate then thats what they will be happy with.

[northernladuk]

And zippy, why quote the entire (and long) post right underneath the original post so making us scroll to read the next reply????

[MaryPoppins]

In my experience if there is any hint of you being over qualified your dead in the water even if the rate is more than the going rate for your level. I would have offered to do a new CV dumbing experience down to be honest

The top rate question. I find that in the past even though I have been perfect for the role down to the last dot on the job spec they never put you in for top rate. My suspicion is they have slightly inflated to get the best people and interest or undercut slightly to make it more attractive to the client if they are not the only ones submitting CV's. Just 20-30 quid like you say but it puts them cheapest with the same candidate but not dropping to low as really affect their margin.

Oh and once I was in a bidding war where someone else said they would do it for 20 quid less so agent asked if I would do for 25 quid less. I said yes but no more, if they want to pay peanuts to monkeys then leave me alone. I was actually surprised the agent mentioned it to me but there you go.

In my time I found this undercutting the top rate is just what happens. I thought it was the norm to be honest. Hoping to be proven wrong TBH

I have grudgingly tweaked my CV but not dishonestly so I feel Ok about that. And like Zippy says, if it's offered I can barter then. It just frustrates me that they quote these rates and never expect you to want it! Winkers.

[MaryPoppins]

And I don't agree. If your over qualified it doesn't naturally mean your worth the top rate. If anything being overqualified makes you a risk and why should they pay top dollar AND run the risk of you leaving. If the person they are after is quite capable of fulfilling the role and no more and a reduced rate then thats what they will be happy with.

The point is - I'm not overqualified, in my opinion. I'm a good match but the agent didn't understand as much. I needed to include the usualy key words in order to pass the HR filtering process or some such balls. I agree that if I were overqualified then why should they take the risk. But if I am an almost perfect match then why shouldn't I ask for the top rate?

[MaryPoppins]

And zippy, why quote the entire (and long) post right underneath the original post so making us scroll to read the next reply????

I do that all the time...!

[northernladuk]

I have grudgingly tweaked my CV but not dishonestly so I feel Ok about that. And like Zippy says, if it's offered I can barter then. It just frustrates me that they quote these rates and never expect you to want it! Winkers.

LOL tell me about it. I bet a everyone reading this is nodding at this point!!

The point is - I'm not overqualified, in my opinion. I'm a good match but the agent didn't understand as much. I needed to include the usualy key words in order to pass the HR filtering process or some such balls. I agree that if I were overqualified then why should they take the risk. But if I am an almost perfect match then why shouldn't I ask for the top rate?

Agreed again and frustrates me because of some of the more unscrupulous of our profession make such that being over qualified is a risk. If you pay that I am happy, no risk with me but thats their call.

I do that all the time...!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[MaryPoppins]

LOL tell me about it. I bet a everyone reading this is nodding at this point!!



Agreed again and frustrates me because of some of the more unscrupulous of our profession make such that being over qualified is a risk. If you pay that I am happy, no risk with me but thats their call.



Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

She was an annoying so and so basically. Knows eff all about my role and yet can decide my worth obviously.

PS - some 12 yr olds spell quite well so don't feel bad. I am typing one handed as have a baby sleeping on me so that's my excuse.