Reply to: PM Contractor Rates

[Torran]

I'm down 30% on this time last year and 45% on 2006 rates. I am still working though which is


Cava not Champagne for a while though

[Hawkeye]

Thanks! All interesting.

[bombaycat]

You would think with 5 years I could secure the rate I want but I always go with what the agency offers and feel I am underselling myself a lot of the time. Past managers have advised to take a lower rate until I have proved myself as a contractor and then in time a higher rate would come.

I think my negotiating skills definitely need improving.

Now I am looking around again I will probably take an average and go in at that point. Although I do think it is better to ask what they are offering and see what they say first before I commit myself to the rate I have in mind thanks Macromanage. 600 applicants that is slightly worrying but in this market I guess it is to be expected that the competition will be tough!!

Market is crazy - 5yrs experience isn't that much, I've got nearly 20 and was still being beaten down to around 2/3 of what I was on 10 yrs ago - albeit that was a lot at the time. Started new one today - got eye strain from staring at a screen all day.....

Good luck, currently I would say contacts are king - try to find out of anyone you ever worked with is hiring or knows anyone that is - some firms are not using agencies at the moment but just going direct to save money so this might be the only way you hear of roles.

Tread boldly.

[mailric]

You go in at £750 and stick to it. With your experience you should take nothing less. Your worth it.






Then I go in for 500 I've more of a shot at an interview

[Hawkeye]

You would think with 5 years I could secure the rate I want but I always go with what the agency offers and feel I am underselling myself a lot of the time. Past managers have advised to take a lower rate until I have proved myself as a contractor and then in time a higher rate would come.

I think my negotiating skills definitely need improving.

Now I am looking around again I will probably take an average and go in at that point. Although I do think it is better to ask what they are offering and see what they say first before I commit myself to the rate I have in mind thanks Macromanage. 600 applicants that is slightly worrying but in this market I guess it is to be expected that the competition will be tough!!

[Ravello]

I already live in London unfortunately.

Sorry yes experience. 5 years of contracting with 2 years of real PM experience. Prince2 practitioner which a lot of PM's are. Currently managing 3 multi-million pound projects and specialise in OJEU tenders.

Thanks for the info. All helpful.

Surely with 5 years contracting experience you've had some chance to think about how to set your daily rate?

As others have said though, at the moment rates are all over the shop, so best to judge by what is available and see if you're happy to get out of bed for that amount.

[Pickle2]

Experience.

Were the previous 82 as good?

[Svalbaard]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and am looking for some advice. I would like to find out how I can check contract rates in London. When I speak to agencies they do not seem to be very helpful.

How can I find out the correct rate for my experience?

Thanks

Errr... £5. How does that sound.

[Svalbaard]

You could start by telling us what your experince is?

Experience.

[Macromanage]

I already live in London unfortunately.

Sorry yes experience. 5 years of contracting with 2 years of real PM experience. Prince2 practitioner which a lot of PM's are. Currently managing 3 multi-million pound projects and specialise in OJEU tenders.

Thanks for the info. All helpful.

You lot cant look outside London - means I start getting competition!! LOL!!

Seriously, rates are all over the place at the moment. Ignore the ads, once they get you on the phone or show interest the real numbers start coming out... Responded to a role on friday advertising 550/day - agents on the phone this morning and tries to secure me at £300 (as thats what the client wants to pay now)...

You need to work out what you can afford to come down to... All of them will ask what your day rate is, I answer the question with a question... "How much are you paying...?".

Talking to a number of contacts this morning, and they're getting around 600 applicants per post. Inevitably this means they dont look at the cv's coming in, they're contacting people they know...

[pmeswani]

I already live in London unfortunately.

Sorry yes experience. 5 years of contracting with 2 years of real PM experience. Prince2 practitioner which a lot of PM's are. Currently managing 3 multi-million pound projects and specialise in OJEU tenders.

Thanks for the info. All helpful.

Prepare to start looking beyond the boundary for your next role.

[Hawkeye]

I already live in London unfortunately.

Sorry yes experience. 5 years of contracting with 2 years of real PM experience. Prince2 practitioner which a lot of PM's are. Currently managing 3 multi-million pound projects and specialise in OJEU tenders.

Thanks for the info. All helpful.

[pmeswani]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and am looking for some advice. I would like to find out how I can check contract rates in London. When I speak to agencies they do not seem to be very helpful.

How can I find out the correct rate for my experience?

Thanks

I can only echo what people have said. But, also have a look at the job boards and compare the rates on there and then judge what you are going to market yourself at. Don't judge your rate on what everyone is earning, you will only price yourself out of the market. I would seriously avoid London at the moment. If you are able to find a role in London, don't expect a golden handshake type rate. Even I am being pushed out of London in order to get a role.... that goes to show how bad things are in London.

[thelace]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and am looking for some advice. I would like to find out how I can check contract rates in London. When I speak to agencies they do not seem to be very helpful.

How can I find out the correct rate for my experience?

Thanks

You're basically worth whatever the best offer on the table is for you.

There's no hard fast rules anymore!

[Pickle2]

Hello,

How can I find out the correct rate for my experience?

Thanks

You could start by telling us what your experince is?