Reply to: How Rude!

[Mich the Tester]

Oh, and when agents say 'I just need two references' before they've arranged the interview what they're really asking for is sales leads. If their clientco needs a reference, you can give that AFTER interview.


I had to make this one stand out.

[Arturo Bassick]

What you are on now is irrelevant. Market says what your skills are worth. When they ask just say the market rate and ask them how much is on offer. Whatever they answer suck air through your teeth and tell em that is a bit low, but you might consider it if the rest of the package stands up.

[GeorgeB]

Standard operating procedure for agents. He was only interested in the salary of the job you've just left (or are about to leave) at the last company on your CV, so he could call them offering to place someone for a similar amount.

I'm starting to pick up on this lol. Some agents who are very nice to talk to, but lots of questions about size of team, name of manager etc etc.

[PAH]

Agent: I've seen your CV on CWJobs, whats your current salary?

BANG - Phone Down

What a complete

Standard operating procedure for agents. He was only interested in the salary of the job you've just left (or are about to leave) at the last company on your CV, so he could call them offering to place someone for a similar amount.

The rest of the conversation was just his way of finding an excuse to end the call.

When you get more familiar with their fishing tactics you'll devise a few answers to at least send them on a fool's errand.

[Bunk]

Gotcha,

1. Declare my hourly
2. Dont mention new to contracting
3. Dont mention current salary

And aim a bit higher too. £300 seems low even for first time contractor, try more like £400. They get suspicious if you're too cheap.

[Troll]

Gotcha,

1. Declare my hourly
2. Dont mention new to contracting
3. Dont mention current salary

Best if you're a bit blasé about it as well

[GeorgeB]

Gotcha,

1. Declare my hourly
2. Dont mention new to contracting
3. Dont mention current salary

[Mich the Tester]

Noooooooooooooo no no no
noob error - the agents will eat you alive if they sense that

Yep, and don't tell them you're new to contracting.

[Troll]

Sure...

My skill set is c#, vb.net, sql, asp.net etc etc
Rate, 300/pd

To be honest, I would probably accept a lot lower just because this is my first contract and I just want to get the contract ball rolling.

Probably worth noting, I dont have finance experience and also not applying for finance jobs. (Although working in finance would be a dream)

Noooooooooooooo no no no
noob error - the agents will eat you alive if they sense that

[Mich the Tester]

Anyway, twice your salary isn't unreasonable seeing as you'll have to pick up the costs an employer would usually pay. Don't worry about one agent putting the phone down; some of them, correction most of them are complete anyway. Not all are, thankfully. I don't know which UK agents are any good, I do know that I wouldn't touch Progressive with a bargepole.

[Mich the Tester]

Really? - Just say something like - prefer not to say?

Yeah, or just add quite a lot to it before you say it.

[Mich the Tester]

Sure...

My skill set is c#, vb.net, sql, asp.net etc etc
Rate, 300/pd

To be honest, I would probably accept a lot lower just because this is my first contract and I just want to get the contract ball rolling.

Probably worth noting, I dont have finance experience and also not applying for finance jobs. (Although working in finance would be a dream)

Ask for an hourly rate, not a daily rate; if you do a daily rate they'll screw so-called 'professional days' out of you which means you'll be working umpteen hours a day.

[GeorgeB]

Don't tell them your current salary or rate.

Really? - Just say something like - prefer not to say?

[GeorgeB]

Sure...

My skill set is c#, vb.net, sql, asp.net etc etc
Rate, 300/pd

To be honest, I would probably accept a lot lower just because this is my first contract and I just want to get the contract ball rolling.

Probably worth noting, I dont have finance experience and also not applying for finance jobs. (Although working in finance would be a dream)

[Mich the Tester]

I know this is probably just part of the Contracting fun but this agent calls me up and says...

Agent: I've seen your CV on CWJobs, whats your current salary?
Me: xxxxxx I'm currently permanent but moving to contracting
Agent: How much are you looking for?
Me: xxx
Agent: WHAT! Thats over double your salary. Way too much for your experience.

BANG - Phone Down

What a complete


By the way, I have over ten years in my field and my asking rate is very average.

Don't tell them your current salary or rate.