Reply to: Underselling myself

[TheFaQQer]

Undersell yourself any more and you'll be paying them to employ you. Even milan earns more than that

DA - I thought you would be encouraging this kind of thing, and creaming even more off us poor, hard-working souls...

[DodgyAgent]

Hey guys,

I've just had a call from an agent about a contract with NU after I responded to an ad. The advert said £160 a day, but when asked what rate I was looking for I said £18/hr (its 8 hour days so the advertised rate is effectively 20)

Undersell yourself any more and you'll be paying them to employ you. Even milan earns more than that

[DesignPunk]

After a long time in the wilderness I have an interview for a migration role tomorrow. Trouble is, it's a migration to a Siebel environment (of which I know diddly-squat). Frustrating that all those jobs I could have done on my head, the agencies concerned never forwarded my cv on. Suspect I'm only in the running for this as they don't want to pay market Siebel rates. Still, if it transpires, up to me to take advantage from it.

Good plan mate, get the Siebel experience and see if ya like the work, why not.

[MrMark]

chance of a contract

After a long time in the wilderness I have an interview for a migration role tomorrow. Trouble is, it's a migration to a Siebel environment (of which I know diddly-squat). Frustrating that all those jobs I could have done on my head, the agencies concerned never forwarded my cv on. Suspect I'm only in the running for this as they don't want to pay market Siebel rates. Still, if it transpires, up to me to take advantage from it.

[Robwg]

Poser you don't say how old you are etc. but I think that you will be hard pushed to find someone who hires a contractor with no experience.

At the end of the day - a contractor is hired not because of his potential to grow in the firm - but to get the job done no questions asked. You are not an employee - you're a firm selling a service. If you have no evidence that you can do that (i.e. you haven't got any experience) then no-one is going to hire you - apart from the odd stupid/desperate person.

I suggest you do what 95% of other contractors have done - go into permie work - get 2 years experience - then do it.

[poser]

luke youre right, and now that youve mentioned it, it always seems i got beaten to it by a 'superstar' - b*stards!

[lukemg]

Be very careful how you interpret any feedback from the agent. You can almost always assume this is b*llocks. Often the client will say no, with no explanation. Agent knows you won't like this, so often they don't bother to phone you. If you chase long enough they will give you one of the stock answers that will diffuse the situation. It's been put on-hold, gone to internal applicant, someone with more experience got it. Basically anything that means you were actually good but just got edged out by a superstar.
Reality could be much harsher, they think you are dull, smell, annoying etc etc. No-one wants to hear that, agents know this so tell you what you do want to hear. Point is - the feedback is usually pointless, analyse yourself, ask for opinion from someone you trust at previous workplace etc they might tell you the truth and you have a chance to change approach.
HTH

[MrRobin]

Why does everyone want to work for the IBs? ... the work is tulipe.

Really? Hmm.. well I don't know this yet so am pleading ignorant. I'm looking to break in because I think that the roles will be more interesting and demanding, that my skills would be better put to use and appreciated, and my work would actually make a difference to others (aka job satisfaction).

Oh and yes the money is a main driver too

[ChimpMaster]

I'm getting this a fair bit at the mo... Been contracting for 3 years and now trying to get in with the big boys (IB's)... keep getting told that technically I'm strong enough but the business facing side is not quite there and there's another candidate that has got that little extra. Don't lose face, eventually there will be a winner.. (I keep telling myself )

Why does everyone want to work for the IBs? Is is just the money? I've been contracting in IBs for a number of years and yes the money is about 20% more than some other industries, but the work is tulipe.

[MrRobin]

Apparently i keep getting really close and get called back for more interviews and second rounds, but always the job goes to someone with 'slightly more experience'... 4 times in 2 weeks thats happened...

I'm getting this a fair bit at the mo... Been contracting for 3 years and now trying to get in with the big boys (IB's)... keep getting told that technically I'm strong enough but the business facing side is not quite there and there's another candidate that has got that little extra. Don't lose face, eventually there will be a winner.. (I keep telling myself )

[poser]

Doubling it would definately out price myself in comparison to the market rate, though I have raised it to market rate now and had alot more interest but still at least 5 phonecalls a week from agents trying to fish or mug me off, I try not to judge anyone but its getting easier to tell.

[VectraMan]

Remember that price can work both ways. If you're asking for a low price, it looks like you're not very good. If you ask for a higher price, but settle for a bit less, they think they're getting a bargain and that makes you look more attractive.

[NotAllThere]

Try this for a couple of weeks. Double your rate.

[poser]

Ive considered this just to get experience under my belt which will put me in good stead the next time im looking, but as tedious and deflating as it is stayin positivem as something will definately come up, i ve made the mistake previously of undervaluing my services and got rejected on that alot.

[RightLaugh]

or maybe go permie for 2-3 yrs to get the skills/training + experience and then go back to contracting.