Agents asking for sole representation

[Project Monkey]

Hi,

I am wondering how other contractors are handling the request from an agent that in order to be put forward for a role, the contractor must to send an email stating that their agency will be 'solely representing the contractor' for this specific position.

It's happen to me a few times now, and I wonder how other contractors deal with this.

Thanks in advance for your constructive comments.

Since I have no contact with the end client at the submission stage, how would I know it's the same role if it came from a different agency with different ref. number and descriptions etc.?


As far as I'm aware, I've never been put forward for the same role by different agencies. Let the client decide.

[Eirikur]

"For the next 14 calendar days, I agree to ScummyScum Agency representing My Company Ltd for the role of Widget Wangler at Acme Widgets Ltd"

Add to this that proof of submission must be provided within 72 hours otherwise the agreement will be void.

[Ticktock]

Since I have no contact with the end client at the submission stage, how would I know it's the same role if it came from a different agency with different ref. number and descriptions etc.?

Really? I always make sure I have at very least the details of the client before I'm put forward, if not a job description (they aren't always ready). I wouldn't be signing a sole rep agreement (and I do) without knowing who it was for.

[northernladuk]

Really? I always make sure I have at very least the details of the client before I'm put forward, if not a job description (they aren't always ready). I wouldn't be signing a sole rep agreement (and I do) without knowing who it was for.

And this works? I can't say I've always know the client.. and to be totally honest as long as I'm happy with process I've been happy not to know. If I've guessed it or had previous contact with the client the agent drops the shroud of secrecy we can talk company names but not always.. and not a deal breaker for me really.

[jmo21]

And this works? I can't say I've always know the client.. and to be totally honest as long as I'm happy with process I've been happy not to know. If I've guessed it or had previous contact with the client the agent drops the shroud of secrecy we can talk company names but not always.. and not a deal breaker for me really.

I wouldn't let an agent put me forward without knowing the company.

There have been a few times where I've known something about the company that makes me not want to work for them, so would prefer to nip it in the bud early.

[Ticktock]

My CV is never submitted unless I know the client it's being submitted to.

I did some work for a consultancy a while back - I was happy for the CV to go to the consultancy, I was happy to interview with the consultancy, but the consultancy told me who the client was before I agreed that I'd help them with the project and they put my details through to the client.

[dty]

My CV is never submitted unless I know the client it's being submitted to.

Ditto.

1) How can you agree to exclusivity without knowing the client? What do you say to the agent who rings the next day with a great role? "I've been submitted for something that sounds similar, but I don't really know..." ?
2) For the "you must run your business like a real business" nazis... How can you be running a real business when you're pitching for work without knowing who the client is?

[SlipTheJab]

Any agent who wants to submit me for a role and won't disclose who it's with is given short shrift.

[dty]

I had a situation back in my permie days when a guy said "trust me, I only work with all the top companies" and promptly fired my CV off to loads of companies without asking permission, discussing specific roles, etc. Even when I asked him who he'd sent it to, he refused to tell me (which probably meant he'd actually sent it nowhere). In the mean time, I've got loads of other agents calling about roles, and I'm having to tell them "I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know if I'm being represented for this role by another agent because of Mr Jerkwad Spam Machine."

Nobody walked away from that looking very professional.

[northernladuk]

I had a situation back in my permie days when a guy said "trust me, I only work with all the top companies" and promptly fired my CV off to loads of companies without asking permission, discussing specific roles, etc. Even when I asked him who he'd sent it to, he refused to tell me (which probably meant he'd actually sent it nowhere). In the mean time, I've got loads of other agents calling about roles, and I'm having to tell them "I'm sorry, but I honestly don't know if I'm being represented for this role by another agent because of Mr Jerkwad Spam Machine."

Nobody walked away from that looking very professional.

Yuk. What a horrible situation. This is mentioned every so often and there is nothing much you can do except nip in the bud and not get stuck like this. Here is an example..

http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...ermission.html