Reply to: How to justify a pay increase?

[Another Dodgy Agent]

Never ceases to amaze me when people become contractors that some still retain the 'permie' mindset. You know, the pay rise every 12 months, the 9 - 5 work regime, the 4 weeks or more 'bookrd' holidays etc, etc.

I can sympathise with the OP but surely it was posted tongue in cheek!? I mean a pay rise in the current climate (not impossible but very rare). And needing extra income because of family!? Hmmmmmmmmm!

Next thing you know they'll be 'opting in'!

[Rookie]

Isn't this obvious?

Surely the market dictates the rate (to a point). If your skills are in demand then that's great. If on the other hand there is oversupply then clients will have a larger pool to pick from and can force rates down. In this current climate I'd say that there will be an oversupply of most skills.

Good luck with the rate increase.

[ace00]

In my experience you have to get another higher paying contract offer, then tell agent to up your rate or F.O.
Any more subtle approach is usually doomed to failure depending on skills, market conditions of course.

[BolshieBastard]

Never ceases to amaze me when people become contractors that some still retain the 'permie' mindset. You know, the pay rise every 12 months, the 9 - 5 work regime, the 4 weeks or more 'bookrd' holidays etc, etc.

I can sympathise with the OP but surely it was posted tongue in cheek!? I mean a pay rise in the current climate (not impossible but very rare). And needing extra income because of family!? Hmmmmmmmmm!

[threaded]

Unless your client's decision-maker has a soft spot for babies. Businesses like to think they are cold and rational but few of them really are.

WHS

Cold and rational are not traits of any business I've ever experienced.

[thunderlizard]

Unless your client's decision-maker has a soft spot for babies. Businesses like to think they are cold and rational but few of them really are.

[realityhack]

So would you charge £25/day if that was your current spending needs, regardless of the going rate.

First, get real, look at your market rate and worth to the client and if more than current rate, AND you are prepared to walk, politely demand increase at renewal.

PS: Having Babies has got f-all to do with your rate.

Harsh, but spot on.

[Turion]

I could use a little extra as I generally base my rates on current needs. As my workload hasn't changed how do I ask for an increase to my hourly rate?

So would you charge £25/day if that was your current spending needs, regardless of the going rate.

First, get real, look at your market rate and worth to the client and if more than current rate, AND you are prepared to walk, politely demand increase at renewal.

PS: Having Babies has got f-all to do with your rate.

[Board Game Geek]

The problem is, as my wife gave birth a month ago, I could use a little extra as I generally base my rates on current needs

Surely you should base your rates on the Business Needs of the Client.

Not your own, personal family needs ?

What has that got to do with the Client ?

Unless of course, they were responsible for your wife's conception.

Other than that, you are seriously going to ask for a pay rise because you got your wife up the duff and need a bit extra for the baaaaybeee ?

[bobspud]

Yeah, well. It really annoys me that people start contracting, earn twice as much and immediately up their spending to the new income.

Why do they think it is that contractors get paid twice as much?

tim

I thought it was to feed my obsession for sports cars and nice toys...

[bogeyman]

Yeah, well. It really annoys me that people start contracting, earn twice as much and immediately up their spending to the new income.

Why do they think it is that contractors get paid twice as much?

tim

Yes I understand Tim. It annoys me too. I don't think it's a habit peculiar to contractors though.

[tim123]

Ahh! Nothing like a few words of encouragement and optimism, eh?

Yeah, well. It really annoys me that people start contracting, earn twice as much and immediately up their spending to the new income.

Why do they think it is that contractors get paid twice as much?

tim

[tim123]

In the current economic climate, I think you'd have a tough time convincing a client to raise the rate. Perhaps if you hunted around for an equivalent position being advertised elsewhere at a higher rate, that might be a justification.

I don't think "avertised" helps much.

Every week or so I'm seeing a (different) job advertised at 20% above the rate offered by all the others.

I replied to one, it was a bogus CV trawl.

tim

[bogeyman]

Boy, you're gonna be in sh*t street if the grim job chopper comes your way.

tim

Ahh! Nothing like a few words of encouragement and optimism, eh?

[tim123]

The problem is, as my wife gave birth a month ago, I could use a little extra as I generally base my rates on current needs.

Boy, you're gonna be in sh*t street if the grim job chopper comes your way.

tim