How to Get a Better Rate from Consulting Firms

[11iAppsDBA]

We've all experienced the "low ball" rates when being recruited by "job shop" firms. Their goal is to grab as much margin as possible and it has gotten out of hand. I have no problem with a firm taking a 15%, possibly 20%, cut, but I've personally seen much worse. In my aspect of the consulting area, you end up seeing their billing rate vs your rate.

I have had significant success saying "ok" to whatever rate is offered up. The goal is to speak to the client. Once they are hooked, the real negotiation can occur. If you're getting 100/hr and they are billing 160/hr, this is robbery !!

Typically, I'll just say "sorry, I have a much better rate offer elsewhere". They come up $10-$15/hr EVERY SINGLE TIME !!

[NHJoan]

It's like everything else. A game of poker. But you can only get more $$s if you're negotiating from strength i.e. in a seller's market niche - I guess you're finding doing Oracle Apps DBA work puts you there but I know people with that skill set who've been out for 6 mths or more. As always depends on who you know, how good you are and where you are

[buddydc1]

I'll take $100/hr for 11i Apps DBA work. I don't care how much the contracting company gets. Where do I sign up?

[rod_cal]

I agree! I set my rates at what's confortable for me to continue my lifestyle. If the recruiter charges more, fine. Everybody's happy.

[hoapres]

Won't work in the SF Bay Area. If you say that "you have a better offer" then most employers will tell you "O.K. We will get someone else". Don't want to give you the bad news but Oracle DBAs can be ordered up like Mcdonald cheeseburgers and are not getting $100 an hour.

[11iAppsDBA]

Doesn't bother me that they make money, but if they are marking you up 50-100%, it does affect your ability to lengthen the engagement. I've run into countless body shop firms that stumble upon an Oracle ERP/11i/R12 engagement and expect to bill at the same rates as the big boys (Accenture, Solution Beacon, Deloitte, Oracle), yet want to give you 50%. If they are trying to bill out at 160-175, your term at the engagement is limited as companies do not want to continue paying that rate for a long period of time.

As per other response, even in this economy, if you are an Apps DBA and have been out of work for 6 months, something is not right. It's slowed down, but there are still plenty of opportunities out there.

[11iAppsDBA]

Correct. Oracle "Core" DBA's are a dime a dozen, particularly those without extensive RAC experience. Oracle Apps DBA's (11i/R12) with solid architectural skills and vast experience are far and few between. 100/hr is cheap.

[hoapres]

Hardly

Oracle DBAs can be ordered up like Mcdonald cheeseburgers and companies are not paying agencies $160 an hour. I know of one agency that is getting paid $40 an hour with paying the Oracle DBAs $25 an hour. And as he says "Take it or leave it" and tells me "I received over 500 resumes with at least 100 qualifed Oracle DBAs in a day for a single job"

[hoapres]

The skills you mention in the prior post can be ordered up like a Mcdonald cheeseburger. Great if you can get a $100 an hour but in the SF Bay Area "Take it or leave it"

[11iAppsDBA]

Your comments refer to "Core" DBAs, not Apps DBA. BIG difference. Apps DBA with RAC, DMZ./SSL, etc, is the golden ticket. Oracle, itself, pays more than $100/hr when subcontracting.