Re: perspective on rates

Subject: Re: perspective on rates
From: pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com
To: Kevin McGowan <thatguy_80 -at- hotmail -dot- com>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:04:16 -0700

On Oct 17, 2008 10:48am, Kevin McGowan <thatguy_80 -at- hotmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
> I got a cold-call about a contract opportunity from an agency. They are
looking for someone with many years of experience, someone who can lead a
team......<snip> However, when I gave them my rate, they balked and said
that they could only pay about a third of that.

>

I see this every so often, and from companies that I *think* should know
better. I used to point recruiters to the STC Salary Survey, but since that
no longer exists, well, can't do that. But I will still tell the recruiter,
nicely, that rate would be better suited to a new graduate or someone with
a year or two of experience in technical writing. And I leave it at that.

There are always people who will give a low-ball offer and see if they can
get it. If you have tried to sell a house lately, you know what I mean.

My experience tells me that a company that offers a really low rate for
technical writers (1) does not value the skill, and (2) equates technical
writers with "administrative" and "secretarial" help. Usually, that's how
HR has the job classified, not as a professional position. Those companies
are better avoided, unless a person is so desparate for a job that any rate
at all will do. Then, by all means, take it, if it's that, or losing your
house.

PT
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