Renegotiate rate after verbal agreement and start

[Ticktock]

Thanks.

When it comes to renewal, how does one know how high to go?

I know the client is paying them £280 now but if say I asked for £250, would the client pay them more?

What I try to do is work out how much money I want, and how much I think I'm worth, and then ask for that.

If I can I try to find out what the going rate is for my role and then judge myself against others doing the job. If I think I am better than them then I ask for more.

When I started out, however, I was royally ripped off as I didn't realise that the going rate on Jobserve was about 40-50% of what I could actually get. At renewal don't expect a big increase, but know better for when you go to your next placement.

[DirtyDog]

When it comes to renewal, how does one know how high to go?

As high as you think you can get. Do your research about how easy it is for the client to replace you, how easy it is for you to get a better role (or similar), what the market generally is paying for your skill set etc.

I know the client is paying them £280 now but if say I asked for £250, would the client pay them more?

If you want the client to pay more, then justify to the client what you have done to exceed expectations that means they should pay more for you.

If you want the agency to pay more without passing it onto the client, then be prepared to negotiate. You'll need to understand what kind of fixed costs they have so that you can know what flexibility there is in their margin to increase your take without passing it onto the client.

I'd be VERY surprised if you manage to get the agency margin down to £30 a day, though.

[northernladuk]

Thanks.

When it comes to renewal, how does one know how high to go?

I know the client is paying them £280 now but if say I asked for £250, would the client pay them more?

No, you will be getting a bit back off the agency margin. It's unlikely the agent will push the client for more. You are not going to get the lions share unless you are indispensable to the client. £30 a day probably just isn't worth it for the ageny so don't think you are going to get that. Worth trying though and negotiate down from that but be prepared to be happy with a tenner or less.

One thing to remember is you are new, agents do this for a living. You are going to have to prepare to walk to get it. He isn't going to give you any of his commission just because you are asking for it, particularly when it isn't a lot either. He will also be able to spot a bit of bluff and bluster as well. He will get asked for a rate rise a couple of times a day and will be good at batting them off. If he knows you won't walk you won't get a bean I am afraid.

[a27]

No, you will be getting a bit back off the agency margin. It's unlikely the agent will push the client for more. You are not going to get the lions share unless you are indispensable to the client. £30 a day probably just isn't worth it for the ageny so don't think you are going to get that. Worth trying though and negotiate down from that but be prepared to be happy with a tenner or less.

One thing to remember is you are new, agents do this for a living. You are going to have to prepare to walk to get it. He isn't going to give you any of his commission just because you are asking for it, particularly when it isn't a lot either. He will also be able to spot a bit of bluff and bluster as well. He will get asked for a rate rise a couple of times a day and will be good at batting them off. If he knows you won't walk you won't get a bean I am afraid.

Being prepared to walk is standard negotiation so I'm okay to take this stance.

I accepted the rate because even though I've earned more in the past, agencies tend to overlook me for roles outside the public sector and this is a good private sector organisation.

Is it bad for my CV if I leave the contract (with the required notice) after two months rather than six?

[DirtyDog]

Is it bad for my CV if I leave the contract (with the required notice) after two months rather than six?

Be prepared to explain why the role was so short.

There are people who do regular short-term roles (I've done some one-month and two-moth stuff in the past to fix specific problems), but if it stands out on the CV, then people will ask why you were only there for two months. The answer "I kept looking to jump to a better paid role" doesn't go down well as an explanation, though.

[northernladuk]

Is it bad for my CV if I leave the contract (with the required notice) after two months rather than six?

Yes it is if you do it regularly and that is your attitude towards contracting. Being a rate mercenary will catch up to you. Not all contracts have a notice period as well so this tactic may not always work.

You will also struggle to get new work as two months isn't really long enough to apply and gain solid experience. A guy with 6 months + in the same role will easily beat you to the spot. Remember, agents don't know what they are doing and will just make a snap decision on your CV.

Ditching gigs time and time again is pretty unprofessional.

Being prepared to walk is standard negotiation so I'm okay to take this stance.

Will you walk if you don't get your tenner rise?

[a27]

Be prepared to explain why the role was so short.

There are people who do regular short-term roles (I've done some one-month and two-moth stuff in the past to fix specific problems), but if it stands out on the CV, then people will ask why you were only there for two months. The answer "I kept looking to jump to a better paid role" doesn't go down well as an explanation, though.

I don't intend to make a habit of leaving after a short period.

And if I did, I wouldn't say it was because I wanted more money.

[a27]

Yes it is if you do it regularly and that is your attitude towards contracting. Being a rate mercenary will catch up to you. Not all contracts have a notice period as well so this tactic may not always work.

You will also struggle to get new work as two months isn't really long enough to apply and gain solid experience. A guy with 6 months + in the same role will easily beat you to the spot. Remember, agents don't know what they are doing and will just make a snap decision on your CV.

Ditching gigs time and time again is pretty unprofessional.

I wouldn't do it regularly.

Will you walk if you don't get your tenner rise?

I wouldn't stay in the role for £220 knowing that I could earn more legitimately.

[a27]

What I try to do is work out how much money I want, and how much I think I'm worth, and then ask for that.

If I can I try to find out what the going rate is for my role and then judge myself against others doing the job. If I think I am better than them then I ask for more.

When I started out, however, I was royally ripped off as I didn't realise that the going rate on Jobserve was about 40-50% of what I could actually get. At renewal don't expect a big increase, but know better for when you go to your next placement.

Please, tell me more.

[northernladuk]

Is £220 market rate for what you do or is it well below... realistically?