The client who thought my day rate was my annual salary

#1 · June 7, 2026, 1:31 pm

True story. Three rounds of interviews, technical tests, the lot. Offer comes through and it's my day rate divided by 12. They'd budgeted for an employee not a contractor.

Wasted three weeks of my life. Always confirm they understand the difference between a day rate and a salary before you get past the first conversation.

Anyone else had this one?

#2 · June 8, 2026, 5:29 pm

Classic. I now ask directly in the first conversation — "just to confirm, you're aware this is a day rate?" Saves everyone's time. Had a recruiter once who genuinely didn't know the difference either which was a new one.