Dumb agents and clients

[voron]

At the end of the discussion, the bombshell £12/hr was dropped.

A temp agency called me last summer. They asked me my expected rate, which I told them. Her immediate question was, "and that's per week?". To which I replied, "no, per day." Silence, as her brain struggled to comprehend that there was more to life than temping for £7.50 p/h.

[mcquiggd]

...

Had four phone calls so far this morning... the usual mix of 'would you consider permanent', 'I have several clients waiting for sign-off', 'do you offer French?', 'have you had any interviews lately?' and ill gaurantee even if I told them I wont work for less than 2k a day and want a private jet to take me to work Ill still be on the lists pleading for 'URGENT SEQUEL SERVER DEVELOPERS'....

[Durbs]

nope asking them what the rate is filters out all those that are going to pay way too low before they even get into their spiel.

Amen to that, thought i was onto a beauty today, big AD rollout and Exchange migration 25 mins away from my house, got the full job spec and spiel from the agent and was ready to sign up there and then, sounded a real nice number.

At the end of the discussion, the bombshell £12/hr was dropped. What! "they might be a bit more flexible than that for the right person though but to tell you the truth theres a lot of competition and not a lot of contacts out there at the moment so i dont think you're going to find much higher than that anywhere." Told him my expected rate and could hear my CV being permanently erased from their database as he said his goodbyes.

[zathras]

What is wrong with a permie job if it pays? £45K with the usual perks and a short commute is OK if you don't usually pull more than £30 an hour.

You haven't got to stay in it forever - in fact, many rabid contractors have been with the same client longer than your average permie. And not every permie job comes with unavoidable politics.

Well given that a job for life and a nice gold watch at 65 is off the cards these days. Take the Perm role. Consider it a nice long contract, put the company onn hold. When it goes stick it down as a contract, and carry on as normal.

[bassy]

nope asking them what the rate is filters out all those that are going to pay way too low before they even get into their spiel - I've never asked an agent what I should charge but I actually hate listening to an agent for about 5-10 minutes without getting a word in edgeways and then finding that the client will in no way go above about 50% of what I usually charge. I havent been in a permie job for nearly 10 years btw... everywhere I have my resumee posted I have written in capitals 'contract only' and still they ring me about permie roles. One agency sends me at least one to two emails per day - 50% of them permie roles and i have replied to each of those saying 'not interested in permanent roles' and still they do it.

[thunderlizard]

"what is the rate?"
Dude, if you're in the habit of asking your customers what price you should be charging, no wonder they think you're suited to permie life.

[Mailman]

Well personally I think it all depends on the type of role you will be taking on. If the permanent role is good enough then I dont see any reason not to take it just because its not a contract position.

Mailman

[Denny]

hah i had one of these the other week:
agent: 'we have a good job opportunity for you'
bassy: 'yes?'
agent: 'launches into spiel of what the job entails and what location - ie near me' - bassy cannot get word in edgeways for around 6 minutes.
bassy: ' what is the rate?'
agent: 'oh its permanent'
bassy: 'ah thanks not interested - i only do contract'
agent: 'but its a very good package'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'but its very close to you'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'its a very good package'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'its paying £45k'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'how much would they need to pay for you to change your mind'
bassy: 'what part of 'i only do contract' do you not understand.
agent: 'ah so you're only looking for contract work then'
bassy: 'YES'
agent: 'oh i only deal with the permanent side'
bassy: 'goodbye then'

i spent a good 15-20 minutes on the phone with this idiot and he just couldnt understand that i only do contract

No you're permanent - permanently on their blacklist for being an awkward, uncooperative bugger.

[Reccon]

Ah, yes, I've had a few of those. And that attitude isn't limited to permie roles. Try telling an agent that you aren't interested in a contract role - their mind simply can't comprehend that possibility.

I dont understand........your not interested in contract????

[wendigo100]

What is wrong with a permie job if it pays? £45K with the usual perks and a short commute is OK if you don't usually pull more than £30 an hour.

You haven't got to stay in it forever - in fact, many rabid contractors have been with the same client longer than your average permie. And not every permie job comes with unavoidable politics.

[voron]

Ah, yes, I've had a few of those. And that attitude isn't limited to permie roles. Try telling an agent that you aren't interested in a contract role - their mind simply can't comprehend that possibility.

agent: 'its paying £45k'

Yup, and they honestly think £45k is good. Normally I tell them I want £70k plus bonuses. Never hear back from them

[bassy]

hah i had one of these the other week:
agent: 'we have a good job opportunity for you'
bassy: 'yes?'
agent: 'launches into spiel of what the job entails and what location - ie near me' - bassy cannot get word in edgeways for around 6 minutes.
bassy: ' what is the rate?'
agent: 'oh its permanent'
bassy: 'ah thanks not interested - i only do contract'
agent: 'but its a very good package'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'but its very close to you'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'its a very good package'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'its paying £45k'
bassy: 'no thanks i only do contract'
agent: 'how much would they need to pay for you to change your mind'
bassy: 'what part of 'i only do contract' do you not understand.
agent: 'ah so you're only looking for contract work then'
bassy: 'YES'
agent: 'oh i only deal with the permanent side'
bassy: 'goodbye then'

i spent a good 15-20 minutes on the phone with this idiot and he just couldnt understand that i only do contract

[Not So Wise]

I have noted a certain desperation by agents to fill permie positions of late...

[Rebecca Loos]

maybe they wanted to offer you a permanent contract

[voron]

"I want to speak to Voron. I represent X and have been told you are looking only for contract work. Is that correct?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"I have a permanent role."

"I'm not interested."

Which part of 'contract only' do these people fail to grasp? Yes, I'd love to work as a BA for £21k at your 20 FTE sized company no one has ever heard of.