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Should I use a broker or be independent?
Date: 6 June 96, 16:16 EDT From: Alan LazarusI use a broker. I've used the same guy for three years now, and I'm pretty happy with him. He's gotten me some cool jobs in that time, and I really haven't had to do any work to get them, other than to show up for the interviews. Sometimes I think about getting out of that whole arrangement, because he takes about $8/hr out of my rate. But I looked around and found out that that's pretty low. Some consultants I know pay $15/hr for their placements. I'm not complaining -- I make good money. For the last two years, I've been in the six-figure income bracket, so I'm real comfortable as far as that goes, but I do think sometimes of the $16,000/yr that's going to my broker simply for sending me to an interview. But I'm not a people person. I don't "network" well, and I think that that's going to keep me in the same situation as long as I live! If anyone knows of a good way to get out of this "trap", let me know!
Date: 19 June 96, 22:04 EDT From: cooper Email: cooper@proton.llumc.eduOf course, the easiest way to get out of the "trap" is to not ever get in it. I found myself "trapped" (locked in a long term commitment with an agency) only once. What I do now, if I go through an agency, is to have the CLIENT specify in the contract with the agency a short-term commitment, usually less then 3 months. Then after the specified time period I am free to negotiate my own rates and terms.
Date: 13 September 96, 7:33 EDT From: Roderick Prince Email: rprince@msn.comExcuse me Alan but I would like to borrow your broker? $8 per hour seems like a fantasy compared to the 25+% they try for in my neck of the woods. And he finds interesting projects - he must understand what you do for a living - a saint if I have ever heard of one. I am looking to get out from under the broker thumb - not because they get a hefty fee - but because many don't seem to understand what I am looking for...
Date: 7 October 96, 13:26 EDT From: Peter Dimov Email: pdimov@mci.comI've heard about consultants that are working without "midleman". Lord is my witness I don't like midleman, but I had been using "Consultant" companies for the last 4 years and I just can't complain. The way I work is simple: Negotiate my rate with the "Company" and than the company is taking care to identify positions for me and send me for interview. I am also in the six figures. The trick is that a company, especially large will pay more to a "Consultant" company than the consultant him/herself. Also, never get locked with a "Company" for more than the duration of the contract and only after they said "They want you". You are free to negotiate not only your rate but who represents you for the next one too. Personally I maintain connections with a bunch of comapanies and they all have the equal chance to find me a job. The first to find it wins and I keep the rate same for everybody. However, sometimes I get into lousy contracts. This is only because I did not estimated the offer on a first place. The good part is: It's not for long.
Date: 17 March 97, 19:58 EDT From: Anurag Dhingra Email: adhingra@hotmail.comHave you guys ever thought about starting up your own consulting company? I know, most software professionals would like to be concerned with just the technical stuff, but having your own company can help in getting just the right kind of projects - because you decide what you want to do. And, I guess it will be cheaper to employ 1-2 marketing guys for finding work/doing the deals, than paying a cut to other brokers - I mean if 4-5 of us come together and save all our "brokerage". I'm not sure, but it might help save some tax etc. also. What say?
Date: 9 May 97, 11:52 EDT From: Paul Folbrecht Email: pfolbrec@mail.execpc.comI've been going through an agency that takes 40% of the rate, and I could probably be doing better. I'm not in contact with any independent brokers, and I don't seem to hear much about them here in the Milwaukee area. Where's a good place to start looking?Also, I'm curious how some of you are making six-figure incomes. I have 3.5 years experience doing C++/Windows, with strong skills in OO and COM and some training experience, but standard rates around here are around $60-$75 for this type of work. Is it a matter of locale?
Date: 21 May 97, 15:24 EDT From: Mark Alexander Email: mark@imagersoft.comTo Anurag: I did start a company, and I can definitely say that expenses can be more than you ever bargained for. Our company costs 55k / month to keep running. We only have seven people.
Date: 6 July 97, 12:45 EDT From: Mark Richman Email: mrichman@li.netI am currently working as a programmer for a LARGE software company...maybe too large. I am constantly worried that I will get canned because they can replace me with someone who will work for less. I make $30,000/year with no extra pay for overtime. I've been working there for six months and I just graduated college. I'd prefer to work for myself and charge about $65/hour. Any input regarding my situation would be greatly appreciated by email. Thanks.
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