Switching agencies post-offer from client

[DigitalUser]

Hi all,

Has anyone here switched agencies after an offer from the client has been made? If so, anything to watch out for?

Scenario: interviewed through agency A, and these guys have messed me around. Client is aware and happy for me to switch to agency B, and there is no sole exclusivity specified between my Ltd Co and agency A, nor has a contract been presented by agency A.

Just want to make sure there aren't any gotchas to avoid before proceeding.

[MasterP0]

Hi all,

Has anyone here switched agencies after an offer from the client has been made? If so, anything to watch out for?

Scenario: interviewed through agency A, and these guys have messed me around. Client is aware and happy for me to switch to agency B, and there is no sole exclusivity specified between my Ltd Co and agency A, nor has a contract been presented by agency A.

Just want to make sure there aren't any gotchas to avoid before proceeding.

My personal experience: A couple of weeks ago I received a call from Agency B to discuss a potential role. I immediately told them that I had discussed this role with Agency A and believe to have been put forward for the role. Agency B went to investigate only to find that Agency A had never submitted my CV, so Agency B submitted my CV and I was invited for interview, I've never heard back from agency A!

How would your Agency A know you've been made the offer and what recourse do they have?

Did you send an electronic "confirmation/declaration" stating that only Agency A can represent you for that role?

Sorry I can't be more helpful hopefully someone can give you advice.

[DigitalUser]

How would your Agency A know you've been made the offer and what recourse do they have?

Did you send an electronic "confirmation/declaration" stating that only Agency A can represent you for that role?

Agency A informed me of the offer made by the client - unclear what recourse (if any) they have as I've not been in this situation before, nor know of anyone who's encountered this scenario.

I also have not sent an electronic confirmation/declaration that only agency A can represent me for that role, so I should be ok in that sense.

[tractor]

...

Agency A informed me of the offer made by the client - unclear what recourse (if any) they have as I've not been in this situation before, nor know of anyone who's encountered this scenario.

I also have not sent an electronic confirmation/declaration that only agency A can represent me for that role, so I should be ok in that sense.

It's not clear from your post at what stage Agent A went quiet. Did you accept the offer subject to contract? Has a contract been sent to you for consideration? This may have a bearing.

[BolshieBastard]

Hi all,

Has anyone here switched agencies after an offer from the client has been made? If so, anything to watch out for?

Scenario: interviewed through agency A, and these guys have messed me around. Client is aware and happy for me to switch to agency B, and there is no sole exclusivity specified between my Ltd Co and agency A, nor has a contract been presented by agency A.

Just want to make sure there aren't any gotchas to avoid before proceeding.

Good luck with this. Im not saying it wont happen, just that you'll be very lucky. Of course the client wont have an issue. Until that is, they have a couple of agents squabbling in their ear. Then you may find you have no offer after all.

[northernladuk]

Good luck with this. Im not saying it wont happen, just that you'll be very lucky. Of course the client wont have an issue. Until that is, they have a couple of agents squabbling in their ear. Then you may find you have no offer after all.

Totally this and ive lost a gig due to agents arguing. Agent A has dibs as he put the work in. I am very surprised that the client is happy for you to change agents. That attitude is going to cause nothing but trouble. Are you sure the client manager doesn't care but the resourcing team will have a very different view?. I would also be surprised if there isn't an overarching contract between client and agent detailing the engagement process just to avoid this kind of bollocks.

[DigitalUser]

It's not clear from your post at what stage Agent A went quiet. Did you accept the offer subject to contract? Has a contract been sent to you for consideration? This may have a bearing.

Agency A haven't gone silent - they've merely been incompetent at every stage of the process, hence my frustration and desire to switch. The offer is not subject to contract, and a contract has not been sent for consideration, so I don't believe this should impact my position negatively.

[DigitalUser]

Totally this and ive lost a gig due to agents arguing. Agent A has dibs as he put the work in. I am very surprised that the client is happy for you to change agents. That attitude is going to cause nothing but trouble. Are you sure the client manager doesn't care but the resourcing team will have a very different view?. I would also be surprised if there isn't an overarching contract between client and agent detailing the engagement process just to avoid this kind of bollocks.

As far as I'm aware there isn't. The change has been ok'ed by the client (both head of sourcing and the person I will be reporting to), and I believe it is because I am not the only person who has been subjected to incompetence with agency A i.e. this isn't an isolated incident.

[northernladuk]

Very strange attitude IMO. They should be sorting that. All that's gonna happen is a bun fight. Surely they know that.

[BlasterBates]

You don't want to be put forward by two agencies. If agency A has put your CV on the desk, then normally that's it. If the client doesn't want you through agency A that would be fine, then you have no choice but to go through agency B:

The normal thing when this happens is that the client manager gets stick from one of the agencies and drops the whole thing as a hot potato.