the "how are you finding the market" question

[SueEllen]

I believe a good agent should withhold his number and the opening question should be "Is this a convenient time to talk?"
.

Anyone who withholds their number doesn't get through to me. They have to leave me a message or email me - this helps filter out time wasters including cold callers.

[clearedforlanding]

Anyone who withholds their number doesn't get through to me. They have to leave me a message or email me - this helps filter out time wasters including cold callers.

I agree entirely. I have mentioned before here that i had a prepay sim that was never switched on.

The emails "Dear CFL, I have tried to reach you by telephone to discuss...." were a positive sign.

*This is not intended to contradict my earlier post. I haven't needed to be 'available' on an agents schedule for a very long period of time. I appreciate some people do. Having "John - Computer People" flash up on your phone at the office is not good.

[seanraaron]

Anyone who withholds their number doesn't get through to me. They have to leave me a message or email me - this helps filter out time wasters including cold callers.

I will say since those jokers got done for the automated PPI calls I've had a lot less spam calls. Still my blocked caller list is unbelievably huge. I'm always grateful to the spammers who don't hide the source number!

[LondonManc]

If I'm on the bench, I'll answer No Caller ID calls. Otherwise, if it matters, they'll leave a voicemail.

[Eirikur]

If I'm on the bench, I'll answer No Caller ID calls. Otherwise, if it matters, they'll leave a voicemail.

Yes that's what I do when I'm on the bench. I generally ignore the no caller ID calls when I'm off the bench

[hgllgh]

Anyone who withholds their number doesn't get through to me. They have to leave me a message or email me - this helps filter out time wasters including cold callers.

I think this really is the best policy... if they are serious about your suitability for a specific role they are going to leave a message....you could even argue that if you are spreading your CV far and wide (as I am) then not answering the phone at all to initial calls might be good way of filtering out the "two references please" time wasters ... There is just far too much of it going on!

[LondonManc]

I think this really is the best policy... if they are serious about your suitability for a specific role they are going to leave a message....you could even argue that if you are spreading your CV far and wide (as I am) then not answering the phone at all to initial calls might be good way of filtering out the "two references please" time wasters ... There is just far too much of it going on!

To be fair, if I'm on the bench, I'll be wanting to speak to those people to get my name in the frame if they do land a role that I'm suitable for.

[jmo21]

I only answer withheld numbers when I am looking for a new role.

I don't mind the timewasters too much as you never know when one of those calls might end up being for a really good role.

2 contracts ago, I had just started looking, got a withheld call, and it turned into my highest paying contract ever (in fact, they asked what I'd be looking for and I said £x, and the reply was "hmmm, I think we can get you £x+£50)

[SueEllen]

To be fair, if I'm on the bench, I'll be wanting to speak to those people to get my name in the frame if they do land a role that I'm suitable for.

Those "wasters" are new to the job and have no control over who gets put forward for a role. They often end up leaving after a few months as they cannot hack the hours and the type of work.

While you do need to get your name in the frame talking to the youngsters rarely yields results. Having a conversation with someone more experienced even if the role is unsuitable will yield better results.

Sorry I've overheard "interesting" conversations on public transport by people in their early 20's in technology recruitment oles.

[clearedforlanding]

Those "wasters" are new to the job and have no control over who gets put forward for a role. They often end up leaving after a few months as they cannot hack the hours and the type of work.

While you do need to get your name in the frame talking to the youngsters rarely yields results. Having a conversation with someone more experienced even if the role is unsuitable will yield better results.

Sorry I've overheard "interesting" conversations on public transport by people in their early 20's in technology recruitment oles.

+1

They are harvesting CVs and on the client side they are given "burners". Leads that the senior staff consider a dead end are given to trainees to practice telephone & persuasion skills, and importantly how to deal with rejection. "They are rejecting your proposal, not you" - is a key part of sales training.