Hi,
My first post and I'm a newbie to the world of contracting, although I think I've got a reasonable grasp of the basics..
A bit of background - I was permie until about a year ago, made redundant and - to cut a long story short - have been looking for contracting roles ever since. I've set up an account with an umbrella firm, have been job hunting through agencies, consultancies and a bit of "direct to the firm". I recently applied for a permanent post directly to a firm, and off the back of an interview with said firm have been offered a contract role to start ASAP. But there's a few things I'm not 100% on.
1: As I understand it, the "client" pays their recruitment agency to do all the admin, I fill in timesheets with my umbrella company who invioices the agency. The agency will be taking a cut of the daily rate, and I pay my umbrella their fee.
The rate I've been quoted so far by the company is very low for what the role is - less than half what some comparable roles are paying. In the interests of getting a foot-in-the-door etc, I'm willing to take a lower initial rate in the hope of increasing later, but this is - to be honest - ridiculous. So far I've only been dealing with the recruiting managers and it's obvious they are not in a position to budge or seem to know much about the specifics of the process. They're all ex-colleagues, I'm on good terms with them all, and the role is otherwise a very good start.. so I've no argument with them.
2: As I understand things, I am now waiting on the recruiters from the "client" to pass me onto their agency who will get in touch to start the ball rolling. I am wondering whether this is a good time to try up-the-rate. Plead ignorance or go for the kill? I think this agency is part of the same group that recently offered me a contract at £200 a day that I know for a fact was paying nearer £300 - if this is the case, then I don't think they have too many scruples! I am happy to be "flexible" given some very good things with this contract, but don't want to be taken advantage of either.
3: The position being filled is for 1-2 years, but I have been dealing with 3/6 months contract offers upto now. As I understand it, you would accept an initial 3month term, and then either extend by a fixed term or go on rolling notice? To me, a years contract is exactly that, but someone mentioned "a 12month contract with an exit clause after 3 months". Well that's a 3month contract, surely? Indeed, if the rate doesn't increase then I'm reluctant to commit myself beyond 3months.
The other small thing, I noticed on another thread on here, that some of the agencies run through "Contractor Portal" for their timesheets and such - but I would expect to fill that in via my umbrella company. Indeed, from what I've heard of Contractor Portal, the less I have to do with them, the better.
Any advice is gratefully appreciated!
My first post and I'm a newbie to the world of contracting, although I think I've got a reasonable grasp of the basics..
A bit of background - I was permie until about a year ago, made redundant and - to cut a long story short - have been looking for contracting roles ever since. I've set up an account with an umbrella firm, have been job hunting through agencies, consultancies and a bit of "direct to the firm". I recently applied for a permanent post directly to a firm, and off the back of an interview with said firm have been offered a contract role to start ASAP. But there's a few things I'm not 100% on.
1: As I understand it, the "client" pays their recruitment agency to do all the admin, I fill in timesheets with my umbrella company who invioices the agency. The agency will be taking a cut of the daily rate, and I pay my umbrella their fee.
The rate I've been quoted so far by the company is very low for what the role is - less than half what some comparable roles are paying. In the interests of getting a foot-in-the-door etc, I'm willing to take a lower initial rate in the hope of increasing later, but this is - to be honest - ridiculous. So far I've only been dealing with the recruiting managers and it's obvious they are not in a position to budge or seem to know much about the specifics of the process. They're all ex-colleagues, I'm on good terms with them all, and the role is otherwise a very good start.. so I've no argument with them.
2: As I understand things, I am now waiting on the recruiters from the "client" to pass me onto their agency who will get in touch to start the ball rolling. I am wondering whether this is a good time to try up-the-rate. Plead ignorance or go for the kill? I think this agency is part of the same group that recently offered me a contract at £200 a day that I know for a fact was paying nearer £300 - if this is the case, then I don't think they have too many scruples! I am happy to be "flexible" given some very good things with this contract, but don't want to be taken advantage of either.
3: The position being filled is for 1-2 years, but I have been dealing with 3/6 months contract offers upto now. As I understand it, you would accept an initial 3month term, and then either extend by a fixed term or go on rolling notice? To me, a years contract is exactly that, but someone mentioned "a 12month contract with an exit clause after 3 months". Well that's a 3month contract, surely? Indeed, if the rate doesn't increase then I'm reluctant to commit myself beyond 3months.
The other small thing, I noticed on another thread on here, that some of the agencies run through "Contractor Portal" for their timesheets and such - but I would expect to fill that in via my umbrella company. Indeed, from what I've heard of Contractor Portal, the less I have to do with them, the better.
Any advice is gratefully appreciated!
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