Agency prank calls?

[stek]

It's nothing like that. They also know my email address, as at the same time they can send me fake roles to collect my updated CV, just to update their database.
I've had a chat with a honest recruiter the other day, he told me that I should start the naturalisation process asap to become a British citizen. Having lived in the UK for 10+ years, working in the top tech industry, suddenly this started to matter more than my experience. Of course this may well just be a speculation. He didn't go into details why, but he definitely thought that this would be a good idea. Unfortunately that process takes months even if I started now, and I can't afford being unemployed for that long.

Why does applying for citizenship mean you'd be unemployed?

[wogewwabbit]

You don't see the relationship between these two?
Agent Joe is a Cognos recruiter. You're a Cognos contractor.
On your cv is a list of companies who could be looking for Cognos people
Agent Joe goes through your cv to see which are the most likely to recruit; scrubs off Client Y when you say that you were binned off because they were migrating to SSRS/SSAS; passes Client Z to his drinking buddy Perm Agent Chris when he finds out that they binned you off because they were culling contractors in favour of perm.

Ok, that's the first most sensible idea. So they just want to know what technologies the companies in my CV are using, and whether they are after contractors or permies. Does make some sense.
The question it raises: am I working against my chances if I help them out with these details? I would guess this is less dangerous than giving out the name of the manager.

[wogewwabbit]

Why does applying for citizenship mean you'd be unemployed?

I agree, it shouldn't. But taking into account what I experienced in my past two contracts, and also that for 4 months I can't even get an interview invitation for roles that I am 150% suitable for (I have a lot more experience than required), this was a reasonable conclusion that I have to take into account. Now that 4 months passed, even the phone calls and emails are getting more and more rare, even though I keep on refreshing my CV every week, on at least 6-7 job boards.

[LondonManc]

Ok, that's the first most sensible idea. So they just want to know what technologies the companies in my CV are using, and whether they are after contractors or permies. Does make some sense.
The question it raises: am I working against my chances if I help them out with these details? I would guess this is less dangerous than giving out the name of the manager.

If you have no intention of working for those companies again, then tell them whatever you want. The main point of the conversation is to get it focused on what they can do for you - currently all I'm hearing is what you've done for them.

[psychocandy]

I don't answer hidden numbers.

Happened to me several times from a identified number. They show interest in my CV and profile, before hang up they say. "I will send you the job description by email" but they don't send, why this?

So thats 90% of agents then....

[psychocandy]

Black list.

I don't answer the phone calls and I don't apply to theire jobs invitations sent by email.

For me, all of this it’s a lack of respect and I don’t want to work with these kind of people.

Good luck with contracting then....

[wogewwabbit]

If you have no intention of working for those companies again, then tell them whatever you want. The main point of the conversation is to get it focused on what they can do for you - currently all I'm hearing is what you've done for them.

I know that this is what matters - however I do feel that I am left with no choices. If I ask them if they have a role in mind all they say is 'yes, but first I need to see what experience you have'. And what can I do against this? Should I hang up the phone? Should I be rude with them? I know what my interests are, but at the same time I have to rely on agents - so I can't afford being rude.

One thing I decided: I will not answer hidden numbers ever again. If they really have a job at hand that might be suitable, they will call me from their mobile anyway.

[SueEllen]

So thats 90% of agents then....

Agents have mobiles - if they are interested in you they will make sure they get through.

Incidentally every agent I've got a contract from doesn't have a hidden number. Plus those Indian outfits are now showing up as random UK numbers.

[wogewwabbit]

Good luck with contracting then....

I have to second that. If you don't play by their rules you'll just be left out of the game. I know it's frustrating, and every time I hear that my contract will end my first thought is "s...t, I'll have to deal with these ...ers again". But there is no other way.
You can build a nice network after many years, and get contracts through ex-colleagues, but without such a network this is what you are left with. And it's just going to get worse.

[wogewwabbit]

Agents have mobiles - if they are interested in you they will make sure they get through.

Incidentally every agent I've got a contract from doesn't have a hidden number. Plus those Indian outfits are now showing up as random UK numbers.

I keep on blocking the indian ones, now I have at least 20 numbers starting with 020, that are actually indian companies. I even started getting marketing calls from web developers in India, the same way. "Sir we make you a very nice website sir."