Unusual Job Description ?

[tdhgeek007]

Hi,

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, so I guess it will be moved accordingly if required.
I am used to seeing diabolical spelling/grammar mistakes on job adverts, but this one, as you'll see, is a little bit different.
I am not entirely sure what to think about it, but what do you people think about the following excerpt from a job description:

"We don't like contractors who keep jumping about - we want professional contractors who get extended and act in a cheery, sympathetic and diplomatic sense with end users looking for technical support and play a genuine part in providing sublime support...."

It has been posted by a recruitment agency, and I'm going to assume that their client asked them to put this in the advert?

Now, if you're thinking, 'fair enough, nothing wrong with that', then fine, ok, I'll accept that. However, isn't that supposed to be generally what a contractor does? Sounds a bit on the insulting side to me?

Opinions?

[Eirikur]

googled that to see the agency. people source consulting?

[northernladuk]

They've obviously been burnt by the mercenary types for one reason or another.

Means nothing and can't be tested at interview unless they ask you directly about your history of leaving gig's. Ignore it and carry on as normal IMO.

[tdhgeek007]

googled that to see the agency. people source consulting?

LOL, yep. Didn't expect such a fast response.

[LondonManc]

"We don't like contractors who keep jumping about - we want professional contractors who get extended and act in a cheery, sympathetic and diplomatic sense with end users looking for technical support and play a genuine part in providing sublime support...."

Ran it through TulipFish and it comes back with:
"Cheer up and be grateful you're in a job, no matter how low our rate is. Besides, if you think your rate is low, you should see the depressingly low salaries that non-management are on. You're as much a consellor as a technician here."

[billybiro]

They've obviously been burnt by the mercenary types for one reason or another.

Means nothing and can't be tested at interview unless they ask you directly about your history of leaving gig's. Ignore it and carry on as normal IMO.

I'm not convinced being burned by "mercenary" contractors is the problem here.

Sounds far more like yet another client who consider contractors to be "temporary" permanent staff.

[northernladuk]

I'm not convinced being burned by "mercenary" contractors is the problem here.

Sounds far more like yet another client who consider contractors to be "temporary" permanent staff.

Possibly. That statement kinda covers both angles.. Either that or it's simply a pile of crap to be ignored

[jmo21]

Means nothing and can't be tested at interview unless they ask you directly about your history of leaving gig's. Ignore it and carry on as normal IMO.

You might not even get to interview if that is their attitude. Simply looking for "evidence" of long gigs on the CV might be enough to satisfy them. I'm not saying that's right of course!

Sounds far more like yet another client who consider contractors to be "temporary" permanent staff.

If that's what they want it would be difficult to persuade them otherwise.

[CloudWalker]

Salary not specified?
What's the going rate for 2nd Line Slave?

[northernladuk]

Actually we've missed the most obvious situation. Numpty agent has put this in and the client has nothing to do with it. They probably submitted a form with all the relevant details and requirements. The agent translates it, writes the advert and Hey presto, total crap.