Agencies

[pearlwhite67]

Hi Folks,

Just re-familarising myself with contracting after a decade or so in permie world.

I'm an IT project manager in the North West (PMP, MSP etc). Looking for contracts.

Are there a handful of agencies that cover the bulk of NW contracts and its worth my will making introductions, making myself known - in advance of applying for contracts.

Or are agencies only as good as the opportunities they have on their books at the time. So find a contract on Jobserve then phone the agent and register with them and apply all at the same time.

Thoughts?

Regards

Pedro

[malvolio]

"Register"? Nope, no point. Just go with the agency that's got the role. It's a purely commercial operation these days, they aren't interested in you other than as a source of income. Treat them the same way.

[LondonManc]

Agreed. Ask them if they are on the PSL for the organisation as if they aren't, your cv isn't getting to the hiring manager any time soon.

[pearlwhite67]

Thanks Folks!

[LondonManc]

Thanks Folks!

Oh and have a read of the "I just need two references" sticky - gives the latest tricks that agents try.

[billybiro]

Agreed. Ask them if they are on the PSL for the organisation as if they aren't, your cv isn't getting to the hiring manager any time soon.

To which the pimp says "Yes" whether they are on the PSL or not.

Remember the old joke, "How can you tell when an agent is lying?" "His lips are moving".

[LondonManc]

To which the pimp says "Yes" whether they are on the PSL or not.

Remember the old joke, "How can you tell when an agent is lying?" "His lips are moving".

I know but it's a start. If they ask for sole representation then you make sure that your email includes an opt-out if they turn out not to be on it. A quick call to ClientCo would allow you to check.

[tractor]

...

Also put a 24 hour time limit on them submitting your CV, with an e-mail confirmation that it has been submitted. This covers you when they say they will submit and you never hear anything again.

Basically there a many thousands more agents than the last time you contracted and 99% of them are utterly useless.

I had one today say I was perfect for an airline finance role because I had worked at Heathrow

Serious question to the agents here, do the clients really not know what morons are working on their behalf?

[Stevie Wonder Boy]

I had one today say I was perfect for an airline finance role because I had worked at Heathrow

Serious question to the agents here, do the clients really not know what morons are working on their behalf?

Where Im working now.. they talk daily how they cant find qualified candidates. lol

[tractor]

...

Where Im working now.. they talk daily how they cant find qualified candidates. lol

I suspect a lot of it is down to agents not being able to find qualified people to work on a 40-50% margin cos the clients are still paying good rates. A contract earlier this year, I found out the week that I left, the agent would have made 40% on his opening gambit had I not negotiated the rate up significantly at the start.