Agent - can you explain his actions?

[HugeWhale]

Tl;dr:
Agent blatantly lied when he said he had submitted me for a role when he hadn't.

A role was advertised and three separate agents called me about it. I am an exceptional fit for the role as I know the hiring manager, he wants me, and the role was written to fit my skillset. The role was only advertised because the company's procurement rules insist on it.

Having spoken with all three agents I agreed that one would submit me exclusively. This is not an agency I'd used before, however I wished to move to a new agency for other reasons and the agent seemed keen to work with me on the application and was enthusiastic. All pretty standard so far.

This afternoon I got a call from the hiring manager asking why I hadn't applied for the role. I called the agent who said that he could only submit two people and I wasn't one of them: the others had come in last minute and were a better fit in his opinion (despite the role description being written for me). If the hiring manager hadn't have called me, I'd be none the wiser. It's all turned out semi-OK as the hiring manager has extended the deadline by a day and I've got hooked up with another agent. I do feel that my relationship with the hiring manager has been damaged somewhat though.

So the question is about the agent who said he would submit me then didn't. Why would he do this? There was a guaranteed commission there that he's just lost.

Can anyone explain his motives so I can avoid similar pitfalls in the future?

Thank you,

HW.

[malvolio]

Lower rate quoted by the other contractors so more margin for him. Simples...

We're well used to agents not doing us any favours. As often as not they don't do their clients any either.

[cojak]

The agent already had already filled his quota of applicants (who were probably cheaper, as Mal said) and so he lied to you so that you wouldn’t go to another agent to spoil his candidate’s chances.

[SueEllen]

Can anyone explain his motives so I can avoid similar pitfalls in the future?

Next time if you know the hiring manager get them to give you a preferred agent, then submit your application and ask them if they received it.

It isn't rare that either agents and even a company's HR refused to pass applications on to the people doing the hiring.

Now make sure the hiring manager knows the exact name of the agent who fecked up so he can tell the director of the agency that they have lost that company's business.

[HugeWhale]

Thanks for the responses. It's obvious now it's been pointed out, though I found it unfathomable at the time.

It seems that no matter how older I get, the more naive I still am.

HW.

[uk contractor]

Thanks for the responses. It's obvious now it's been pointed out, though I found it unfathomable at the time.

It seems that no matter how older I get, the more naive I still am.

HW.

Its not just you...similar thing happened to me few months ago I have a very good personal friend who offered his recommendation to the hiring manager...hiring manager came back & said the agent never uploaded my cv to their cv portal! (agent insisted he did to me though). Role had gone by then as well lost out on a good role (£85K PA rolling for 24 months) due to the agent submitting the cheapest candidates. So they lost out altogether to another agency who played the game more professionally & submitted candidates with slightly lower rates and lower margins to secure the business as it was 24 months minimum with potential to convert to perm at the end as well. Agents are more often than not uploading cv to client portals which generate the best profit margin which is obviously not usually the best option for the end client!

[SlipTheJab]

Mistake you made was to bring an agent into the picture too early. The role is direct to all intents and purposes and the agency is only needed for the payroll. Get the role and THEN ask client HR to put you through their preferred agency. Get the contract reviewed and handcuff clauses removed as well as the usual IR35 stuff they sneak in.

[northernladuk]

Its not just you...similar thing happened to me few months ago I have a very good personal friend who offered his recommendation to the hiring manager...hiring manager came back & said the agent never uploaded my cv to their cv portal! (agent insisted he did to me though). Role had gone by then as well lost out on a good role (£85K PA rolling for 24 months) due to the agent submitting the cheapest candidates. So they lost out altogether to another agency who played the game more professionally & submitted candidates with slightly lower rates and lower margins to secure the business as it was 24 months minimum with potential to convert to perm at the end as well. Agents are more often than not uploading cv to client portals which generate the best profit margin which is obviously not usually the best option for the end client!

Sounds like you've had a lucky escape. No expenses and inside IR35. Not exactly a dream gig.

[jmo21]

Did you tell the agent your mate had guaranteed you were getting the role?

[washed up contractor]

Tl;dr:
Agent blatantly lied when he said he had submitted me for a role when he hadn't.

A role was advertised and three separate agents called me about it. I am an exceptional fit for the role as I know the hiring manager, he wants me, and the role was written to fit my skillset. The role was only advertised because the company's procurement rules insist on it.

Having spoken with all three agents I agreed that one would submit me exclusively. This is not an agency I'd used before, however I wished to move to a new agency for other reasons and the agent seemed keen to work with me on the application and was enthusiastic. All pretty standard so far.

This afternoon I got a call from the hiring manager asking why I hadn't applied for the role. I called the agent who said that he could only submit two people and I wasn't one of them: the others had come in last minute and were a better fit in his opinion (despite the role description being written for me). If the hiring manager hadn't have called me, I'd be none the wiser. It's all turned out semi-OK as the hiring manager has extended the deadline by a day and I've got hooked up with another agent. I do feel that my relationship with the hiring manager has been damaged somewhat though.

So the question is about the agent who said he would submit me then didn't. Why would he do this? There was a guaranteed commission there that he's just lost.

Can anyone explain his motives so I can avoid similar pitfalls in the future?

Thank you,

HW.

The agencies dont know the job description was written 'for you.' Your cv while having the necessary skills isn tthe only thing that gets you to interview. Other candidates likely undercut you or were talked into accepting a rate the agent wanted to pay.

But, you should always only give agents a 24 - 36 hour exclusivity to represent you to try and prevent you missing out. Although this isnt a guarantee the account manager will submit you, if you havent heard back, you can approach other agents.