Please confirm that you are happy to be represented by XYZ for the role...

[strawberrysmoothie]

Hi guys

quick question.

How do you deal with the request from the agent that wants you to write an email stating they will be representing you for a contract?

I've done it, but I've always felt uneasy about doing it.

I am wondering how others deal with when it arises? Do you just do it? Or do you do something else instead?

thanks

[SueEllen]

There was a thread about this recently which you can find through searching this site via Google.

The short version is do the email but give the agent exclusivity for 48 hours and make sure you put the exact role information in the email.

There were also some posters who did the email and found they hadn't been put forward. Some agents can check with the end client that you have been forward so ask the next agents who contact you to check.

[BillHicksRIP]

And they confirm they are eligible to supply to the client (e.g PSL).

[northernladuk]

Plenty of threads on this that should cover it including the one that was started very recently...

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ag...6RBYalUdGukLgG

[clearedforlanding]

And they confirm they are eligible to supply to the client (e.g PSL).

But if they bulltulip saying yes when they are not, what recourse do you have? Nice to have but no tangible advantage in real terms.

[strawberrysmoothie]

Guys thank you so much.

I really appreciate this.

I am curious, is this something might be a forum sticky topic?

Once again. Cheers chaps

[m0n1k3r]

Compulsory question

Hi guys
How do you deal with the request from the agent that wants you to write an email stating they will be representing you for a contract?

I've done it, but I've always felt uneasy about doing it.

I am wondering how others deal with when it arises? Do you just do it? Or do you do something else instead?

They have to ask for, and receive permission from you under the agency regulations before they are allowed to introduce you. However if you read the regulations, clause 2 state that it is only for employment agencies (they find staff to be employed by the client) and employment businesses (they find staff to be employed by them and hired out to the client and be under the control of the client).

Agencies always take the braces and belt approach to everything in order to cover their own *ss, but I would argue that it doesn't apply for the vast majority of senior professional services contractors (and that includes IT).

1. 'Employed' is nowadays defined in law. If you run your own limited company, you are employed by it, not by them and not by the client, or else you would be able to claim employment or temp worker benefits from them, which you can't. In the vast majority of cases, you are simply under a B2B contract for services to provide certain specialist services and outcomes to them.

2. Most senior professional services contractors are not under the 'control' of the client.

In fact, setting themselves out to be operating as an employment business when they are not is misrepresentation.

But good luck trying to argue this with them.

[SueEllen]

But if they bulltulip saying yes when they are not, what recourse do you have? Nice to have but no tangible advantage in real terms.

And to be fair the 48 hours are meaningless....

[jmo21]

But if they bulltulip saying yes when they are not, what recourse do you have? Nice to have but no tangible advantage in real terms.

And to be fair the 48 hours are meaningless....

While it give you nothing firm, what I think it does put across is that you are well versed in agencies tricks and they aren't keeping you off the market for the role should they be using their "keep this bloke we don't think is quite good* enough to be put forward off the market just in case he is good and gets the role" trick.

(*where "good" means a combination of your skills, and rate being advantageous to both the agent and the client)

[MrMarkyMark]

should they be using their "keep this bloke we don't think is quite good* enough to be put forward off the market just in case he is good and gets the role" trick.

(*where "good" means a combination of your skills, and rate being advantageous to both the agent and the client)

Good point.

However, it can be enough for good just to relate to your skills.
I have had a few roles where I have negotiated a higher rate than advertised.
The clients have agreed as they realise they are getting someone very experienced.

Obviously, there is always the other side of the coin, where there is no chance of getting any extra budget and you will have to walk away.