Stupid Low Rates :(

[SallyAnne]

I think my skills are starting to become less valuable.

For the last few years I've demanded (and got) very high daily rates, but over the last 6 months most of the jobs that I see are now £150/200ish a day less than they were last year.

Who can I blame for this?

[milanbenes]

yourself luv,

for not:

following the market
keeping skills uptodate
aquiring new skills which will be in demand

etc

Milan.

[BOBJ]

You can blame me. Does that feel better? What are you specialising in? I'm just starting a new role with my highest ever rate, yes the heady heights of £10/hour . I have noticed though, that there are a few more completely comedy rates coming in to my daily jobserve fix. So most are 'market rate' or maybe typically £400/day...then there will be a £12/hour or £250/day.

[Cowboy Bob]

I'm currently on the highest rate I've ever been on. But then I do make a point of trying to keep up with the latest technology in my spare time to make sure I don't lose my competetive edge. It's time consuming to do this - as Mrs Bob will attest - but worth it in the long run.

[Kyajae]

I think my skills are starting to become less valuable.

For the last few years I've demanded (and got) very high daily rates, but over the last 6 months most of the jobs that I see are now £150/200ish a day less than they were last year.

Who can I blame for this?

It's cuz your fat and ginger! (That's for putting my name in your poll )

[SallyAnne]

It's cuz your fat and ginger! (That's for putting my name in your poll )

I thought it'd been a while since you had any attention

[The Lone Gunman]

Where is the all of the above option?

[Kyajae]

I thought it'd been a while since you had any attention

I was trying to keep a low profile until you came back

[Captain Dispensable]

What you see isn't necessarily what you can get.

The cynic in me says the jobs advertised with rates that are very low are simply the scumbag agents trying to portray the market at that level, when in fact they'll be creaming off a bigger cut if they can convince contractors that poor rates is all they can expect.

All you have to do is keep in touch with other contractors you've worked on recent projects with and ask them what kind of rates their getting in their new roles. If it's substantially different from what's being advertised or told by agents, guess which one's most likely to be lying!

If others you know are on low rates then I guess you're right, you're screwed, and hopefully it's just a low ebb in the normal cycle of things. Otherwise time to get some different skills/specialities.

[milanbenes]

'I'm currently on the highest rate I've ever been on. But then I do make a point of trying to keep up with the latest technology in my spare time to make sure I don't lose my competetive edge. It's time consuming to do this - as Mrs Bob will attest - but worth it in the long run.',


well done Bob.

Good job everyone else is too lazy to do this otherwise we'd have a lot of competition

Milan.