Inundated with interviews

[XperTest]

Hi guys,

I've been reading this forum for a while and have decided to register to ask your advice on a somewhat strange situation. My current contract expires at the end of next week, so I've started looking around for my next contract last week by sending my CV in on a couple of adverts that seemed to fit my profile. The agencies concerned obviously had other unfilled positions, and so it came that I have been offered well over 30 contracts, out of which I have only given them permission to put me forward for a good dozen. All are good roles with attractive customers and decent rates: not much between them so I decided to play the percentage game, where normally maybe one or two out of ten opportunities lead to a firm offer.

However, it seems I have been too lucky, with the counter standing on only one out of the dozen has fallen through and five interviews arranged, with some more potentially coming up.

This puts me in an akward position where I am going to find it very difficult to get the best possible gig for me (which I won't really necessarily know until I go to the interview in some cases as agents tend to make things rosies than they actually are) with timing of interviews being a huge problem, especially when interviewers want an immediate or swift decision.

I have been honest about the situation with the agents, but obviously this only makes them more jumpy and wanting to reschedule the interview for it to be the first in line.

I understand this is really a luxury problem and others might not be so fortunate in their respective markets (I am a test manager in Holland at the moment), but how do I go about serving my own interest without putting of agencies and potential future customers..? What would you do? Tell the customers you will make a decision at the end of next week and risk losing future business? Cancel interviews and if so being honest about the reasons (more attractive options now available) or use some sort of other excuse? I know I should be happy but I can't help feeling a bit worried, so I hope you excellent folk can give me some advice on how to go forward..

[Spacecadet]

I sometimes try and arrange a phone interview first, this means I'm not wasting half or a whole day just for an interview. You might want to take that route.

[errorista]

Increase your rate.

[snaw]

Be up front with the agents (They get this all the time) and tell them what's what and go to all the interviews - if they can't wait a few days for you to go to them all then the job probably isn't worth it anyway.

And increase your rate.

[XperTest]

That makes two of you suggesting a rate increase. I am happy with the rates offered otherwise I wouldn't have given permission to put forward. Don't I risk getting blacklisted if I renegotiate an already agreed rate?

The telephone interview strategy might be an option.. I'll look into it!

[DaveB]

Nope, pick one of the jobs you would be happy to take as your banker then use the fact that you, hopefully, have multiple offers on the table to negotiate your position. If they are all through the same agent then get them on board cos a rate hike benefits them as well. If they are from differant agents then play them off against eachother. Worst case scenario you take the job you picked as your banker at the original rate. best case you get a better rate on one of the gigs.

[MarillionFan]

I only tend to have one interview before being offered a role.
Drop the ones you dont want.

[Mordac]

How did yours go this morning? Only just got your voicemail, my battery died this morning.

[XperTest]

I understand that, but unfortunately none of the interviews so far is with the same agency, and considering the fact that there aren't as many agencies over here I might risk the fact that the agents concerned don't want to work with me anymore..

Coincidentally, one of the agents called me yesterday saying they had some bad news and the rate needed to be lowered by 5%. I told them I was no longer interested and they promptly offered to take the 5% from their commission.. This agency as it happens is also the most annoying one wanting me to give their client a firm answer as to my availability and willingness to take on the work immediatly after the interview, forcing me to make up my mind and possibly drop the three interviews planned later next week..

[DaveB]

I understand that, but unfortunately none of the interviews so far is with the same agency, and considering the fact that there aren't as many agencies over here I might risk the fact that the agents concerned don't want to work with me anymore..

Coincidentally, one of the agents called me yesterday saying they had some bad news and the rate needed to be lowered by 5%. I told them I was no longer interested and they promptly offered to take the 5% from their commission.. This agency as it happens is also the most annoying one wanting me to give their client a firm answer as to my availability and willingness to take on the work immediatly after the interview, forcing me to make up my mind and possibly drop the three interviews planned later next week..

You wont get blacklisted. The worst that will happen is that the agent will get shirty with you on the phone. The next time it looks like he can make some money out of you he will back on the phone again. They have very short memories when the $ signs start ringing up.

If they are pushing you push back. You are the one in the position of strength here, not them. Thats why they are trying to get you to commit.