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If the CV is different, ask to see it

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    #11
    I'm shocked that some agents would do such a thing. Can you sue them for defamation if they made unauthorised changes to your CV to misrepresent you to the client and make you look like an idiot at the interview thus damaging your reputation? Yeah, I know that these sort of lawsuits are a money pit but it would be satisfying to get a lawyer to send a threatening letter to the scum bag agent who did such a thing.

    I don't mind tailoring my CV to highlight how I would fit the needs of a particular client but I will do that with a bit of advice from the agency - I wouldn't want the agent making their own changes without telling me.
    Free advice and opinions - refunds are available if you are not 100% satisfied.

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      #12
      Reality Check

      Agents always "refine" your CV (a.k.a. emphasise the key elements) against the client's needs. Nothing wrong with this if it gets you an interview, plenty wrong with it when some imbecile destroys the perfection of your layout, uses the English skills of a 5yr old (sorry 5yr olds!), and basically lies.

      Always always take copies of your CV with you because it gives you the chance to give your contact details to the client. Couple this with getting a direct contact number from the Hiring Mgr and when/if the Agent starts to mess you around (e.g. Agent says "the client can only afford £50 per day less.." ) you can discuss matters directly with the client (e.g. I'm sorry that I'll have to turn down your kind offer, the Agency says you cannot afford to pay the advertised rate...)

      Business is business, knowledge is power, and Agents hold all the cards as they see the entire contract daisy chain. Don't get angry, get equal.

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        #13
        Originally posted by Gordon Ice View Post
        Agents always "refine" your CV against the client's needs.
        This wasn't one of those, nor a case of it being Fred Bloggs' CV with my name on.

        It was a total rewrite that I had never seen. There were no dates or durations, fewer roles than I have actually done and some achievements bullet points that never came from anything I wrote.

        It was an intentionally deceptive CV designed to guarantee an interview but which did not stand up to scrutiny in a face-to-face situation.

        Had I been sent a copy in advance, and had I been a liar, I may have got the gig.

        Still, maybe that's the way all the Indian recruitment agencies work (this was a Bob Recruitment Co). If so, it would explain a lot. Edit: it is not fair of me to single out Indian agencies, since I hate ours too.

        Originally posted by Gordon Ice View Post
        Always always take copies of your CV with you because it gives you the chance to give your contact details to the client.
        Common enough advice; the point I was making was that in this exceptional case, don't just give them your CV but demand to see the CV they are working from so you can undo the damage the agent has already caused.
        My all-time favourite Dilbert cartoon, this is: BTW, a Dumpster is a brand of skip, I think.

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