Pitching the rate

[JimBobTwoTeeth]

First Ask...

1) What is the their budget for this role?
2) What would you recommend me going in at to get the job?

Then..

3) If (1) is acceptable say yes to (2).

Then...

4) Do Interview.
5) Ask Interviewer what their budget is.

If offered....

6) "Based on the job description from the interviewer I want £X" where x is within the budget.

At this point the agent is limited in his options to screw you & you should be within the client's tolerance. It can still go wrong but is less likely to as he wants to please the client.

It's a bit Sun Tzu.....don't choose to fight on the original ground but move to a position of strength.

[TheFaQQer]

Sorry OC would love to do that, but in this case he wants me

Ah, so it's an inside IR35 role, then?

I'd add even more on, since if you can't have a right of substitution, then you will need to pay NI and PAYE as well.

[BolshieBastard]

The agent called, and I wasn't really interested in this contract and fobbed him off. He had mentioned no specific rate. I Jobserve'd the role and several agencies were offerring the contract at £350/400 a day.

Agent calls back, so to put him off, I quote rate of £650. I still don't want the contract.

He goes to client, and 5 days later I think application is dead: good, just what I wanted.

Agent calls back today, he just won't stop trying to call me. I still don't want the contract, but am now in a hole that I have dug for myself. And I don't want to speak to him.

Something doesnt stack up here. You quoted £250 - £300 a day over the stated rate and you reckon the agent is pestering you go to interview? And you dont want the role?

Nah.

[gingerjedi]

Scroll straight past it to the next job.

Yes you obviously have 733t 5k1775 compared to me, no need to rub it in. I was 32 before I'd done much more than switch on a computer.

[ChimpMaster]

I'll bloody do it then...subcontract it me and take 100 for yourself kind sir

Sorry OC would love to do that, but in this case he wants me

[Olly]

I quote rate of £650. I still don't want the contract.

hole that I have dug for myself. And I don't want to speak to him.

I'll bloody do it then...subcontract it me and take 100 for yourself kind sir

[Jeebo72]

When you see an ad that says say £200 - £250 .

Scroll straight past it to the next job.

[ChimpMaster]

The agent called, and I wasn't really interested in this contract and fobbed him off. He had mentioned no specific rate. I Jobserve'd the role and several agencies were offerring the contract at £350/400 a day.

Agent calls back, so to put him off, I quote rate of £650. I still don't want the contract.

He goes to client, and 5 days later I think application is dead: good, just what I wanted.

Agent calls back today, he just won't stop trying to call me. I still don't want the contract, but am now in a hole that I have dug for myself. And I don't want to speak to him.

[BolshieBastard]

When you see an ad that says say £200 - £250 a day and the agent asks what rate you want to be put forward at? What does he really mean?

I'd like to think it would mean you would stand a better chance of being selected if you pitch at the lower end as it would give the end client better value but... I suspect all candidates will be put forward at the same rate and what he's really after is a bigger margin.

Another 'win win' for the agent and another reason why transparency would benefit both client and candidate.

It means he wants you to take the lowest rate you can. Pisses me off that I have to stipulate a rate before I get in front of the client. How does that work (not why)?

If I ask a builder or electrian round to my gaff about a job, I want to know what and how they are going to do the job before I ask 'how much.' Once you've got all that info, you can start to make a decision.

In contracting, its 'how much' first then how are you going to do it? Weird!

[Scary]

Would it be too much of a jump to suggest 350?

[doodab]

What does he really mean?

I haven't any lube. Is that OK?

[Sockpuppet]

I suspect all candidates will be put forward at the same rate and what he's really after is a bigger margin.

Another 'win win' for the agent and another reason why transparency would benefit both client and candidate.

Its taken you 5000+ posts to work this out?

[gingerjedi]

When you see an ad that says say £200 - £250 a day and the agent asks what rate you want to be put forward at? What does he really mean?

I'd like to think it would mean you would stand a better chance of being selected if you pitch at the lower end as it would give the end client better value but... I suspect all candidates will be put forward at the same rate and what he's really after is a bigger margin.

Another 'win win' for the agent and another reason why transparency would benefit both client and candidate.