Not sure what to do....I need of your wise advice

[strawberrysmoothie]

basically I had an interview tuesday regarding a pretty good role...the interview went well. And the feedback was I scored 8/10 but the problem was my daily rate I went in at (this was also mentioned by the bloke interviewing me as well). Now I had a conversation with the agent yesterday and he mentioned about client being 'worried' about my rate because although I had 99.9% of the skills necessary to do the role he though I was too expensive.

I basically said to the agent I had been more than flexible regarding the rate, what I was asking was the market average and would look at a 'win-win' situation if they were willing to do so. The agent I normally speak to was on a course and had to have this discussion collegue (sic). The agent who put me forward back for this role is back today and I've heard....nothing.

Now the thing is while this was happening I had another interview this week for a different role and they are also keen to see me again on monday.

I am wondering how to use the interest from 2nd interview to get a definitive answer from the 1st interview?

god I hope this makes sense!

[AngelOfTheNorth]

aka ....... play one off against another.

This is all going to end in tears.

Why not just see how the 2nd interview goes then if that ends in tears, go back to persuing the first one. As it is, even if you get what you want, they'll only keep you on for the minimum time possible because they cant afford you and probably work you to the bone and moan at you that you arent delivering a premium service given your premium rate.

[northernladuk]

I don't understand your problem. You gave a rate, they said it is too much. What isn't normal about that. Why not ask them what rate they are willing to pay and then negotiate from there. Isn't that just kinda the standard way this all works. I am confused?

I would not mention the second interview at all to be honest. That could just get the agents back up because it looks like you are blackmailing him. He may call the client to get a quicker answer but I think he would do that if you just rung him and showed some annoyance and just mentioned you have other roles lined up. If he thinks you are making this up to push him you could enounter more resistance than you have alread.

Just go to the second one, get the role offered at a rate you are happy with and THEN you can ring agent number 1. Tell him you have a dead cert role. You will stay with him for x per day and you have 2 days to make a decision. That is what I would call win win.

[lukemg]

WHS, don’t try any games until you have all the cards sorted, then you can make a decision about what is best for you. Even then if I had the other one in the bag and all things being equal, I would just state what rate I want. Any big company might play hard ball but for a few quid a day is it worth it ? Probably not, interviewing is time consuming and dull, they will probably cough. That is of course of the client knows anything about this and it isn’t just the agent trying to up his cut !!! Are they on a PSL, fixed percent ?

[SofaKingdom]

Sounds to me like the agency and the client have "an understanding" i.e. the agent has been asked to get you but at a reduced price and there is no chance that the reduction is coming from his margin. I would probably stand firm on the rate that you originally quoted as otherwise you could come across as having been a chancer with your first quote. If they really want you and rate you, they'll pay. Good luck.

[strawberrysmoothie]

Sounds to me like the agency and the client have "an understanding" i.e. the agent has been asked to get you but at a reduced price and there is no chance that the reduction is coming from his margin. I would probably stand firm on the rate that you originally quoted as otherwise you could come across as having been a chancer with your first quote. If they really want you and rate you, they'll pay. Good luck.

The client knows exactly I charged per day they even mentioned it in the interview.

[nomadd]

Sounds to me like the agency and the client have "an understanding" i.e. the agent has been asked to get you but at a reduced price and there is no chance that the reduction is coming from his margin. I would probably stand firm on the rate that you originally quoted as otherwise you could come across as having been a chancer with your first quote. If they really want you and rate you, they'll pay. Good luck.

WHS.

If I'd taken the agents "advice" on my latest gig. I'd have been on 20% less than I finally got.

OP: You seem like you've done your homework and know what the market rate is; therefore stick with it. But be prepared to walk. As regards any additional interviews in the pipeline, I always mention them to both the agency and the client to put pressure on them; and it's always worked in my favour - never once lost a contract over it. Once again, your mileage may vary, but's it all down to how tough you want to be.

[escapeUK]

Now I had a conversation with the agent yesterday and he mentioned about client being 'worried' about my rate because although I had 99.9% of the skills necessary to do the role he though I was too expensive

So you are the perfect candidate. Id just tell the agent that your rate is your rate and that "you get what you pay for."

[Wanderer]

although I had 99.9% of the skills necessary to do the role he though I was too expensive.

I think "reassuringly expensive" is the phrase you are looking for.

[NotAllThere]

Alternatively, take the lower rate, and spend one hour of every day on CUK instead of working.