"What rate are you looking for?"

[nomadd]

I recently applied to an advert that had a day rate of "market rate". The agent got in touch by e-mail to ask what rate I'm looking for. Usually there's a rate on an advert so I responded by asking him roughly what the rate would be and he said that he wasn't "given a rate to work with". Should I reply with an overestimation of the rate I'd work for? How do you usually respond when asked about rates? I don't really like to declare what rate I'm looking for in case there is actually a higher rate available and the agent then pockets the difference. Maybe I'm too cynical?!

Depends how genuine the agent seems.

If it's just one of the standard bullsh**ters "doing the rounds", then I don't give a figure - I just say "Way above market. Phone me back when you have a role and a rate."

If it's a genuine agent with a genuine role (yes, you can spot them sometimes), then I haggle until they produce a figure. Current gig. is a case in point: agent was very cagey, as the client had stupidly unrealistic expectations. He finally quoted a price, at which point I wished him "the best of luck finding anyone." He phoned back two weeks later - after the client HR had done some "market analysis" - and the rate had jumped up by 40%. At this point, I took the role.

[quackhandle]

When the agent says market, I just say what is the rate range. If they quote some absurdly low figure, I quickly thank them and move on. It's a great way to get Bob's off the phone without playing 50 questions.

If the rate range sounds good I'll pick the highest figure and run with that. If the rate is close, but within £50 or so of what I want then I will have a haggle.

Most times its at least £200 below the real market, that's why they don't put the rate on the advert.

+1. I tend to ask "what rate is on offer". I'd say 5 out of 10 it doesn't match the rate on the advert. (obviously not including "market rate" or "negotiable")

qh