Offered role but Agent Wants me to take a Pay Cut...I smell tulip!

[strawberrysmoothie]

Hi guy

After sitting on the fence for ages I was offered a contract as of 5 mins ago. When I had initially discussed the contract with the agent I agreed to go in at £400 per day

However, the agent said that the client 'liked me' but they were unsure of my skills and as I would be picking up news skills on the role would I consider taking a 17% cut. My reaction was and I was silent while she rambled on with her spiel...and then I told I would do some calculations and call her back.

Well, I just tried calling her back....and she's busy.

It all sounds like utter tulip and I'm going to call her out on it.

Helpful and constructive suggestions appreciated.

[stek]

Offered role but Agent Wants me to take a Pay Cut...I smell tulip!

Definite try on!

[kal]

Definite try on!

+1

[MyUserName]

I would decline and then listen to her 'go back to the client' before she calls you back having 'talked them into it but they were not happy'.

[cojak]

I would decline and then listen to her 'go back to the client' before she calls you back having 'talked them into it but they were not happy'.

Absolutely. Just tell them not to proceed because you're no longer interested and then see what happens.

[rurffy]

It depends on few things... Did you take an interview with the client? If yes, how was your performance...did you do well?

I have been in a similar situation long ago. was for a role of £250 , went for an interview- did exceptionally well and the client liked me - the agent came back to me and said - Sorry the client wants to pay £200 - but they really like you and dont have budget for £250.

I just smiled and said. "im sorry my fixed rate is £250 i will not be interested in the role anymore ". - Then she said hmm give me till 2moro i will confirm from the client. Few mins later she called and said "You are one lucky man - the client has approved." in my mind... im like Wa T f!!! ??

[northernladuk]

Absolutely. Just tell them not to proceed because you're no longer interested and then see what happens.

+1

At the end of the day the client wants contractors that can do the job and the agents will know full well they will not get guys on site that are not a perfect fit so this is just a try it on. If he genuinely thinks you are not up to scratch he wouldn't put you forward at all.

[kevpuk]

My first gig was advertised @ £350.....went to interview, all went well......Agency all excited saying that client loved me and wanted me asap....but they could only get to £340.
Well, I took it - it was close enough, and the client was prepared to wait 4 weeks for me to leave permie~dom
In hindsight, I suspect I could've held out for the extra £10 but.....all things considered, was a good introduction to what Agents will say/do to bump their margins and experience for me and could've been a lot worse

[strawberrysmoothie]

thanks guys for your comments.

I just spoke to her and and told her that 'the drop of 17% was far away from what was initially agreed'. I was very firm with her about it and she asked if there was room to which I said 'no' as I had already been flexible in our initial disucssion.

She's gone away...to have a 'chat'.

[northernladuk]

thanks guys for your comments.

I just spoke to her and and told her that 'the drop of 17% was far away from what was initially agreed'. I was very firm with her about it and she asked if there was room to which I said 'no' as I had already been flexible in our initial disucssion.

She's gone away...to have a 'chat'.

Setting a very dangerous precedent if all agents started auctioning off gigs to the lowest taker. Is this one of the big agencies?

If I got turned down for this for whatever reason I would be willing to send a stern letter to the top brass at the agency. Pointing out a) they should be finding people that are an exact match and not be wasting other peoples times or b) if they are a match stop the auctioning process as it is pretty unprofessional and their clients won't be too impressed getting 20% worse contractors than what they are paying for. Love to get the gig and point this out to the client as well.

Saying that, I guess it has been going on for as long as agents exist and will never stop but still, rolling over and ignoring it isn't the way forward.