Tempted off the bench but...

[MPwannadecentincome]

Had bad news that the role I thought I was going to get at a good rate has been put on hold.

My previous client approached me and wanted to make me an offer as they are struggling for Project Management help - a fixed monthly fee to cover UK working days for 6 months work. Compared to my last rate it is another 20% cut on top of the 15% cut I took about 14 months ago - a cumulative 40% cut.

Doesn't allow me to take holiday in that period and if I'm sick and can't make up the time then that doesn't fit either.

I'm sure I can negotiate something a little better but they are only a small company (not used to paying "big company money") - the directors have taken pay cuts themselves so they could hire junior developers to help out. It's a good company to work with and the work is in the industry I specialise in.

Yes I know something is better than nothing but I could not commit to working 6 months at that low a rate if something better turns up. The rate will not cover our living and debt repayments and if something better does come up I would have to take it for financial reasons.

I have a really good relationship with the client and their customers and do not want to mess that up - this industry sector is quite small and reputations are easily tarnished, on the other hand having commanded a good rate in the past I feel my skills should still be valued.

So far its been a slow start to the year in terms of opportunities, I don't think I can hold out for more than a few weeks of no income. Opportunities are limited enough as it is as I have too many years in this industry and in this economic environment moving to another industry seems impossible.

I'll have to sleep on this.....

[norrahe]

Hold on, we're barely into the first working week of the year and things will start to take up in the next couple of weeks.

[cojak]

Hold on, we're barely into the first working week of the year and things will start to take up in the next couple of weeks.

I really hope so.

I haven't received a single call from all the applications I've sent out over the past few weeks.

[Diver]

Originally Posted by norrahe View Post
Hold on, we're barely into the first working week of the year and things will start to take up in the next couple of weeks.

I really hope so.

I haven't received a single call from all the applications I've sent out over the past few weeks.

I hope so too ladies, may your next appointments be prestigious, well paid and pleasant.

[cojak]

[lje]

Perhaps you could negotiate a notice period? They have come to you with an offer but if you explain that it is below your normal rate but you'll do it if they give you a notice period of whatever then it could give you good experience and bring some money in whilst you continue to look for something better.

To be honest - even if they didn't go for that it sounds like you should take the role. It may not cover your living expenses but something is better than nothing...

[Tarquin Farquhar]

That's a gamble only you can make: will you get a better offer later or not. Maybe you can hold on, I couldn't so I took an offer at the lowest rate in all of contracting history, because I can (just) survive on that, whereas I can't survive any longer on zero. But I did get a short notice period written in

I would add that it is one thing for the directors to take a cut, it is their own company and their future that they are doing that for. That doesn't mean that you ought to take a cut for the sake of their company and their future.

[Tarquin Farquhar]

PS can we please stop all this posting with titles starting "Tempted .."?

I still can't get the song out of my head

[Diver]

PS can we please stop all this posting with titles starting "Tempted .."?

I still can't get the song out of my head

Tempted to agree with you there

[wantacontract]

Had bad news that the role I thought I was going to get at a good rate has been put on hold.

My previous client approached me and wanted to make me an offer as they are struggling for Project Management help - a fixed monthly fee to cover UK working days for 6 months work. Compared to my last rate it is another 20% cut on top of the 15% cut I took about 14 months ago - a cumulative 40% cut.

Doesn't allow me to take holiday in that period and if I'm sick and can't make up the time then that doesn't fit either.

I'm sure I can negotiate something a little better but they are only a small company (not used to paying "big company money") - the directors have taken pay cuts themselves so they could hire junior developers to help out. It's a good company to work with and the work is in the industry I specialise in.

Yes I know something is better than nothing but I could not commit to working 6 months at that low a rate if something better turns up. The rate will not cover our living and debt repayments and if something better does come up I would have to take it for financial reasons.

I have a really good relationship with the client and their customers and do not want to mess that up - this industry sector is quite small and reputations are easily tarnished, on the other hand having commanded a good rate in the past I feel my skills should still be valued.

So far its been a slow start to the year in terms of opportunities, I don't think I can hold out for more than a few weeks of no income. Opportunities are limited enough as it is as I have too many years in this industry and in this economic environment moving to another industry seems impossible.

I'll have to sleep on this.....

Can you wait until April, or negotiate for the length of contract to be until April. Thats a good three months...I'm convinced that post April things will pick up...