Are You Getting That Extra 1%?

Today's newsletter is brought to you by Metaview!

Recruiters, if you spend hours after every meeting trying to write up notes, there's a better way.

Let's face it:

šŸ“ Manually scribbling down key points during a meeting? It's stressful.

šŸ–„ļø Trying to organise all that into your CRM later? Time-consuming.

šŸ’” Remembering every vital detail when following up? Almost impossible.

What if there was a tool that could handle all of this for youā€”better and faster than you ever could?

Metaview is the #1 AI scribe purpose-built for recruiting. 

It completely transforms how recruiters manage their meetings.

You can try it for FREE for an entire month.

To get started, sign up and enter "Hishem" in the "How did you hear about us" section.

Stop wasting time on tasks that AI can handle better.

Your future self will thank you šŸ™ŒšŸ»

Are You Getting That Extra 1%?

Terms of business. Negotiating rates.

Itā€™s arguably one of the toughest parts of being a 360 recruiter. And when the market gets tough, and companies tighten their budgets, these conversations can feel even harder.

At Limitless Learning, weā€™re all about developing the habits that set recruiters apartā€”whether itā€™s crafting a solid business development strategy or mastering the art of the follow-up.

Today, weā€™re diving into the power of 1% when negotiating rates.

This small shift can mean the difference between just meeting targets and smashing them out of the park.

Why Does 1% Matter?

Recruiters love numbers, so letā€™s break it down:

  • 18% fee on Ā£65,000 salary = Ā£11,700

  • 19% fee on Ā£65,000 salary = Ā£12,350

Thatā€™s a Ā£650 difference on one placement.

Now multiply that by 12 placements in a year, and youā€™ve left Ā£7,800 on the table.

What about commission?

Letā€™s say you earn 15% on monthly billings under Ā£15,000:

  • Ā£11,700 = Ā£1,755 commission

  • Ā£12,350 = Ā£1,912 commission

Thatā€™s an extra Ā£157.50 per placement, or nearly Ā£1,890 per year if youā€™re consistently leaving that 1% behind.

Now imagine this across five clients. Thatā€™s Ā£9,450 in lost commission annuallyā€”just for not asking for an extra 1%.

The numbers speak for themselves: Small changes add up to big wins.

Steps to Negotiate That Extra 1%

Step 1: Set a Non-Negotiable Rate and Stick to It

Know the lowest rate youā€™re willing to accept, and donā€™t budge. Dropping below your threshold even once can cost you thousands over time.

Step 2: Always Ask for That Extra 1%

If a client pushes back, donā€™t settle too quickly. Counter with an extra 1% or even 0.5%.

For example:

  • If they offer 20%, start with 23% and negotiate down to 21%.

  • Reframe the conversation: ā€œWe pride ourselves on delivering quality, and our fees reflect the time and expertise we dedicate to finding the perfect candidates for your team.ā€

Have trust in your negotiation skills and ensure that you re-explain your value and effort.

What are you bringing to the table (and what problem are you trying to solve)?

What is your track record and what skills do you bring to the table?

Remind your client how you consult and guide, and how this will benefit their talent strategy long-term

Step 3: Regular Rate Reviews

Evaluate your client roster every 6ā€“12 months. Ask yourself:

  • Who will I be working with in 2025?

  • Can I increase rates incrementally?

External factors like inflation and market changes are valid reasons for rate reviews.

A 1% increase for the client might not feel significant, but it could have a big impact on your earnings.

3 Golden Rules of Negotiation

  1. Understand the Clientā€™s Needs
    Present yourself as a partner, aligning the candidateā€™s expectations with the clientā€™s goals for a win-win outcome.

  2. Be Transparent and Build Trust
    Honest communication about timelines, expectations, and fees fosters long-term relationships.

  3. Know Your Value and Limits
    Clearly articulate your worth and the impact you bring to the clientā€™s business. Never compromise beyond whatā€™s sustainable for you.

The Power of Incremental Gains

Remember, that 1% extra isnā€™t just about moneyā€”itā€™s about confidence.

Itā€™s about knowing your value and building trust with clients who see you as a partner, not just a service provider.

So the next time youā€™re negotiating, ask yourself: Am I getting that extra 1%?

P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

#1: Do you listen to my podcast? I release a weekly episode with either a top-performing recruiter or recruitment entrepreneur to find out how they achieved their success so you can learn directly from their journey Check out my latest episode and subscribe to the show.

#2: Promote your brand to over 5,055 recruitment professionals by sponsoring this newsletter (bookings available from Jan 2025).

#3: Want to learn how you can leverage our all-in-one training platform to take on the heavy lifting of upskilling your team whilst you spend more time working on the business? >>>> Book A Meeting With Me Here

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.