Don’t Shy Away From Negotiating These Aspects With Your Staffing Agency

Obtaining representation from an IT staffing agency puts you one step closer to employment and takes much of the stress out of job hunting. Your chief priority is to draft up a top-notch resume and cover letter and then wait for your agency representative to forward some job postings to you. When you find one that you like, you can give the agency consent to submit your name as a candidate — but you shouldn't hesitate to first negotiate elements related to the job that you wish to fine tune. This is the time to do so; it's a poor practice to get the job and then ask for some changes. Here are three things that you may wish to negotiate.

Pay Rate

You shouldn't be intimidated by asking for a little more money. While you might feel uncomfortable around this topic, the reality is that many staffing agencies leave room to adjust the pay rates of those they represent. Try to be reasonable with your request — after all, the agency is quoting you a fair rate for the job description and your experience level. If you're able to negotiate a higher rate now, it's a victory for you. If you're not, just remember that you can always negotiate after the contract is up and before it is renewed.

Contract Length

Many people don't realize that it's also perfectly acceptable to negotiate the contract length. For example, if you're looking for a longer contract but the job description is offering just a three-month contract, tell your agency rep what you're looking for. He or she can then discuss your request with the company you'd be joining. If you're seen as a worthwhile candidate who would likely become a valued employee, the company and thus your staffing agency may have no trouble extending the contract length.

Work Setting

Another topic that you may have success negotiating in the setting in which you'll be working. If the commute to the company from your home seems long, you may wish to ask if it would be acceptable for you to work from home one or two days a week. In fact, some companies will happily allow contract workers to work from home daily, with the exception of having to visit the office on occasion for meetings and other special events. For example, even in the IT world, you may be able to help people remotely once you're set up at home with the right software.

To learn more about the above aspects of IT staffing, talk to an agency like Scion Technical Staffing.


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