Agency Percentage. Does it matter or not?

[nomadd]

I've been in the job for about 8 years... so I'm young and inexperienced. I also need to wind my neck in.

There, fixed that for you, boy.

[Growernotashower]

There, fixed that for you, boy.

Why did you do that?

[downsouth]

but the average career in recruitment lasts about 4 years. So yes, I am at the more experienced end - and especially within my vertical.

So why only 4 years??

[The Agents View]

So why only 4 years??

A variety of reasons in my experience.

Some see it as a stop gap, so only do it a few years whilst they work out what to do with their lives.

For most, it's one of the highest stressed jobs going - it's ruthless, fast paced, and demoralising when it doesn't go right.

As well as being high stress, it's long hours - and you never really go off duty.

Coupled with the fact that this is the only sales job where you sell a different product every day, and that product can change its mind at the drop of a hat, I can understand why some don't get on with it. I personally enjoy the psychology of it all - trying to read peoples intentions as well as their desires, so that my clients get the people they need.

[meridian]

A variety of reasons in my experience.

Some see it as a stop gap, so only do it a few years whilst they work out what to do with their lives.

For most, it's one of the highest stressed jobs going - it's ruthless, fast paced, and demoralising when it doesn't go right.

As well as being high stress, it's long hours - and you never really go off duty.

Coupled with the fact that this is the only sales job where you sell a different product every day, and that product can change its mind at the drop of a hat, I can understand why some don't get on with it. I personally enjoy the psychology of it all - trying to read peoples intentions as well as their desires, so that my clients get the people they need.

I find your language a bit confusing and contradictory at times. What is the product you are selling, exactly? It's certainly not the contractor, I can't recall a time when an agent went cold into a client and tried to "sell" me. If anything, you are selling yourselves to the client as the agent who can fill their needs - in order to do this, you are buying our services, not selling them. Which, of course, fits into your view that we are taking a percentage of your fee (i.e. a cost to you), and not the other way around.

Or do you mean that you are selling the client's role to us, and often it is the client that changes their mind at the drop of a hat? It seems to be a frequent complaint from agents, that the client is changing their minds about who, when, how much, the budget hasn't come through, the job spec provided by the client doesn't match the actual requirements, etc.

I can understand though that being a recruitment agent is a difficult career choice, with the constant pressure to find clients with roles, the constant schmoozing to ensure you secure the client's business, and the pressure of fighting off other agents who would stab their own granny to win the client off you.

[Lolas Cat]

Haha...

The parasites are still trying to justify their existence..

Boy, they must be desperate.

[d000hg]

Kandr?

[Lolas Cat]

Kandr?

No.

Just stating the fact.

[d000hg]

No.

Just stating the fact.

You're either trolling, or being unprofessional and rude to long-term members in a serious forum. Calling agents parasites is inflammatory, go do so in General if you must.

[MarillionFan]

My contract at client A finishes next week. I am also in at client B, splitting my time 3 / 2 days until next week when I go 5 days with client B.

After reviewing the work at client B there isn't enough for five days until Feb. Client A wants another 20 days of my time.

Having told client A I am on more money at Client B. I told them they will have to pay a premium on top of Client B. Client A wanted to negotiate a new rate at which point I stated that they would have to
go through the agent who introduced us.

He then phoned me at which point we started to cut a deal between us. He was open and honest about his margin, and as I was asking an extra £70 per day he reduced his margin to ensure we both didn't balk the client. As client A only wanted me, it's a win win situation.