Why do agents ask previous salary?

[downsouth]

I replied to a job ad yesterday - rate was posted as £275 p/d - and shortly after the agent called. Discussed the role and divulged the fact I am a permie wishing to move to a contract Agent then told me that my notice period could be problem and asked what my permanent salary is - 27k. His response was to tell me that if I went in at 200 p/d this would make my application much more appealing to the client. During this I could hear him tapping away on his keyboard apparently doing some sums scaling my rate with a permanent salary

stick to your guns on the full rate, the only appealing bit of this is for the agent to skim off the difference

At that rate its probably quite a junior bum on seat type role so in that case £275 is the min you should ask for regardless of previous permie status, factor in IR35 and aim for the best rate you can get.

[BlasterBates]

Although it´s tempting don´t lie about your previous rate. It´s common for banks for example to have this information. If you tell porkies and you´re found out it´s automatic dismissal and never work there again, because you´ll be classified as a security risk. If you refise to give it they´ll automatically assume a low rate, and you won´t come across very well. The best strategy is to be honest, and if you want a higher rate just request it. If they really want you and you really are worth it then they´ll pay. But be honest, if you are on a low rate, chances are, that you´re not really up to it, so you need to work at it, getting more challenging contracts that pay better. I don´t see anyway round it. On the whole people are paid what they´re worth, if not you´ll find yourself with several offers and then you can stick your rate up. It´s not a question of miles under your belt with Java C# it´s about being in the right industry with the right business knowledge. You´ll know when you can demand high rates, you won´t need to play poker to get it.

[perplexed]

Although it´s tempting don´t lie about your previous rate. It´s common for banks for example to have this information. If you tell porkies and you´re found out it´s automatic dismissal and never work there again, because you´ll be classified as a security risk. If you refise to give it they´ll automatically assume a low rate, and you won´t come across very well. The best strategy is to be honest, and if you want a higher rate just request it. If they really want you and you really are worth it then they´ll pay. But be honest, if you are on a low rate, chances are, that you´re not really up to it, so you need to work at it, getting more challenging contracts that pay better. I don´t see anyway round it. On the whole people are paid what they´re worth, if not you´ll find yourself with several offers and then you can stick your rate up. It´s not a question of miles under your belt with Java C# it´s about being in the right industry with the right business knowledge. You´ll know when you can demand high rates, you won´t need to play poker to get it.

Well, if the incredibly corrupt financial sector want to play that game, in the incredibly low chance I ever go for work in the financial sector, the Bank can then give me the details of the rates they pay all contractors.

After all, if they expect me to provide commercially sensitive information, "honesty" works both ways.