Rates for Contractors

Yesterday was a busy day. Another full day meeting with contacts in the city, networking, looking for my next gig, etc. I tell you, this job search is just as busy as a full time job!
Then again, I'd be doing myself and my family a disservice if I did not treat this like a full time job.

Anyway, apparently the rates for contractors are sinking in the city. I'm told it's a supply and demand 'thing' - there are now more good people out there than contractor jobs. I find this frustrating, as I remember hiring a project manager contractor at $90-100 an hour 3 years ago. I'm told the realistic rate is now much lower than that....closer to the $70 range.

I can't blame the companies for lowering the rate. What I don't like, though, is when they put a cap on the rate. This doesn't make sense. Sure there is more supply than demand, but if there is someone who is a genius and superb contractor (not necessarily me....but, maybe - ha ha) who deserves something in excess of $70 and the company's policy is firm at $70, that doesn't make sense. Hopefully I'll find a hiring manager that has some latitude in paying market value for my skills - which, I hope, are in excess of $70/hour.

The good news, I hope, is that I've been on the other side - I've hired ~10 contractors in my time. Hopefully this experience will allow me to be able to negotiate a fair rate - not some randomly chosen, capped rate. Wish me luck!


Days Twitter-free: 3


Cool site of the day: www.kyte.com