Re:Why talent agents for engineers don’t exist
by WhitneyLand on Friday October 31, 2014 @03:22PM
(#8540597)
>>with incentive to maximize since they're paid a percentage
No, in this case dealmakers will often want to just make more deals and may even negotiate less aggressively for you.
For example a realtor would rather sell your house for less immediately rather than risk a transaction falling through.
The commission upside of pushing for a 20k higher salary is often just not worth the time compared to getting the next deal done.
It's a little different from consulting shops that might want to maximize the rate the customer pays, but often pockets any 'extra', with your rate staying the same.
Talent agents also know the market infinitely better than the talent does, since it's their day to day job to deal with the going rates.
Add in the benefit of them getting to play the 'bad guy' in negotiations if need be, so you can keep good personal relations with the client. Hell, a good agent is practically expected to be pushy.
For top talent doing short term freelance work, it would definitely have some benefits.