Reply to: Recruiter says "maximum daily rate is... "

[northernladuk]

It probably depends on what you do, but I've managed a 100% increase on advertised rates over the last two years, but it's came with 3 months on the bench for each year.

Basically, I just set my price and wait for the client to fail trying to place candidates, or go with less qualified candidates and fail to deliver. Market rates for roles are apparently set by someone checking jobserve and seeing what the ads are offering.

Thing is, it's the roles that aren't getting placed that last the longest, so the ads don't necessarily reflect reality.

It most certainly does. Your standard roles like PM, BA etc will have people lining up equally skilled and someone will take it at market rate. If you are niche then yes, could work.

[fool]

Note to add to that. Clients never increase their prices. Keep that mantra in your head and you a) won't be far wrong and b) don't have to worry about it. You sign at a price you are happy with so just be happy with it.

It probably depends on what you do, but I've managed a 100% increase on advertised rates over the last two years, but it's came with 3 months on the bench for each year.

Basically, I just set my price and wait for the client to fail trying to place candidates, or go with less qualified candidates and fail to deliver. Market rates for roles are apparently set by someone checking jobserve and seeing what the ads are offering.

Thing is, it's the roles that aren't getting placed that last the longest, so the ads don't necessarily reflect reality.

[Old Greg]

£1200 sounds quite good

That's more than PC's family claims in a month!

[SussexSeagull]

I personally have a daily rate I won't go under (unless the wolf really is at the door) and even then I take into account expenses.

[BlasterBates]

The way I see it is as follows. If you have other leads on a higher rate, then simply leave it, they might come back, and continue following up the other leads. If you have no other leads and the offer is on the table take it. No harm in trying for a small increase, but don't push.

If you are below market rates you will have other offers, if not it's the best you can get in the current market.

For a 3 or 6 month contract it isn't worth holding out several weeks for a better one at a higher rate. The market will go up and down depending on supply and demand.

[northernladuk]

The number of recruiters that will start sharing their client's contractual terms with some random contractor is close to zero, and those that do are likely idiots.

Well that's certainly not true for nearly every gig I've ever done and I know from posts on here many others have managed to find out if an agency is on fixed commission. There is nothing in it to keep this information secret, in fact quite the opposite, by (truthfully) confirming they are on fixed commission kills any negotiations pretty much dead so they can get on with the process.

Clients never increase their prices? lol You must have worked with some terrible recruiters. Decent recruiters are constantly aware of the market rates and aim to increase charge rates to clients.

This maybe the case when the agent engages but on the whole, if the gig is out there then the rate card is fixed. Very rarely will the agent go back to the client and get them to raise their rates just because a contractor is negotiation. It's much more likely to come out of their commission then them going back to the client. If they've done their job as you say the money on the table will be the right rate for that role at the time.

There are exceptions to this rule but the only way you'd know is to be on the ground at the client and do your homework. Being a bum on seat contractor expecting 50 quid a day from a client just because they have been there 6 months is not the way.

[Agent]

I've just bloody told you in my last post..... Note to add to that. Clients never increase their prices. Keep that mantra in your head and you a) won't be far wrong and b) don't have to worry about it. You sign at a price you are happy with so just be happy with it.

Clients never increase their prices? lol You must have worked with some terrible recruiters. Decent recruiters are constantly aware of the market rates and aim to increase charge rates to clients.

[Agent]

What you can get and what the client is offering is to totally different things.

I'm always amazed when posts like this (and there are a lot of them) pop and the OP has failed to ask if the agent is on fixed commission (and got him to confirm it in writing).
.

The number of recruiters that will start sharing their client's contractual terms with some random contractor is close to zero, and those that do are likely idiots.

[pr1]

Same issue. I am leaving Big4 after 13 years of Risk Consulting experiences and the market had been overwhelming with offers - from £400 to £1200. I don’t want to be a contractor in the long run, want to build a business around that but the question is what is a good rate? This market is very dominated by Big4 and I have seen myself going from £1600 to £3500 per day with Big4 brands. Now I am going in my own, how to decide the rate?


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£1200 sounds quite good

[TechRiskPartners]

Same issue. I am leaving Big4 after 13 years of Risk Consulting experiences and the market had been overwhelming with offers - from £400 to £1200. I don’t want to be a contractor in the long run, want to build a business around that but the question is what is a good rate? This market is very dominated by Big4 and I have seen myself going from £1600 to £3500 per day with Big4 brands. Now I am going in my own, how to decide the rate?


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[Old Greg]

Do you know of any good negotiation techniques when a recruiter says (the £500 is an example)

In regards to rate, we will have to agree a figure as I am not able to submit a range unfortunately. The top end would be £500 – please let me know what you would like to go over at.

500 may be a good price but I know that I can get 550 or 600 for my skillset. If the recruiter insists that 500 is max how would you play it?

Tell them you can get 550 to 600 and hold out for that. Emphasise your expertise and experience.

[simes]

Dopey as stated ...

Chaps, there really isn't an easy and 'one size fits all' type of answer to this.

Contractually, the handshake is between contractor and agent. But at the end of the day, it will come down to relationships and with whom one has the better one. Agent or Client.

For my part, I have negotiated via both.

The contractor will just have to consider the environment, assess what s/he is trying to achieve and decided on which avenue lies the better chance of success.

Obviously, this is in relation to a renewal and rate increase, not for a new contract where all relations are likely new.

[Stevie Wonder Boy]

Why would you talk to the client? Your contract is with the agency.

Dopey as stated ...

[MyUserName]

Why are you talking to the agent? You might as well just shout out the window. Talk to the client, if the client won't talk to you that is your real problem. People on here are really quite dopey.

Why would you talk to the client? Your contract is with the agency.

[Stevie Wonder Boy]

Hey NLUK, I just saw your last post, I must have posted at the same time as you did! Geez!

Also to your point, how successful have you (or anyone else) been when asked a recruiter, "are you on a fixed commission?" and didn't get back an answer such as "this is irrelevant", "this is confidential", "I can't tell you this", or anyway they were adamant that you ain't getting an answer? I know, you don't ask you don't get but is it really worth it?

Ans why would they tell you anyway?

Why are you talking to the agent? You might as well just shout out the window. Talk to the client, if the client won't talk to you that is your real problem. People on here are really quite dopey.