telephone Interview

[teabag]

"Efficient market" in economics is pretty much the same as "absolute zero temp" in physics - a condition that never happens, but it is often used to compare how far things from it.

True, an efficient market is essentially a subjective / qualitative as like most of economics...

[AtW]

True, an efficient market is essentially a subjective / qualitative as like most of economics...

It is very much like communism.

[Flubster]

Why should it be a big secret who takes what cut? When a Financial Advisor sells you some form of policy, it is made very clear how much commission they will get paid as a result of the sale. Okay, so that business is regulated through the FSA and I'm not sure there's much mileage in regulating the recruitment business, but isn't it just being open and honest (adult?) about everyone knowing:
a) What the client is paying
b) What the agent's cut is
c) What your rate is
At the moment, the only party who is certain to know the answer to all 3 is the agent.

Or am I missing something here...?

[teabag]

Why should it be a big secret who takes what cut? When a Financial Advisor sells you some form of policy, it is made very clear how much commission they will get paid as a result of the sale. Okay, so that business is regulated through the FSA and I'm not sure there's much mileage in regulating the recruitment business, but isn't it just being open and honest (adult?) about everyone knowing:
a) What the client is paying
b) What the agent's cut is
c) What your rate is
At the moment, the only party who is certain to know the answer to all 3 is the agent.

Or am I missing something here...?

Exactly, the client is paying and the contractor is doing the ahem...work. SO why ever should the agent be only one in know.

[AtW]

Why should it be a big secret who takes what cut?

Those who get a lot more than they are clearly worth would not want such an amount to be published because it would endanger their earnings.

They also don't want it to be known because they operate on a non-fixed price basis - basically rip off the inexperienced and have smaller margins with those who experienced, if they start publishing it then prices will average out and this would change their model dramatically.

[Flubster]

Those who get a lot more than they are clearly worth would not want such an amount to be published because it would endanger their earnings.

They also don't want it to be known because they operate on a non-fixed price basis - basically rip off the inexperienced and have smaller margins with those who experienced, if they start publishing it then prices will average out and this would change their model dramatically.

A factual statement, but it is not clear whether or not you would support this. I for one do not see an issue with this. Again, it enforces the fact that newbies get 'ripped off' (and fairly due to risk management) and that old hats will negotiate in an informed manner.

Come on @gents, let's have a bit of transparency here. We all know what's going on...we know you're here...so let's dance.