CV sent to client with 2 agents

[northernladuk]

I have never dealt with either agent, but agent 1 (the one who claims he has sent my CV) is with one of the big-name agencies. So I'm hoping that amounts to a certain level of professionalism (naive me).

I emailed agent 1 stating the case and I'll see what he says.

I don't think that is naieve (2nd time. I've said that today. I'm getting soft). I think a lot of the agent hate round here doesn't help at all. Occasionally the odd person will play dirty games but then so do some contractors. This is their job and reputation of their agency so I think it's pretty safe to think they are above board. Be forewarned and aware of their tricks but don't cut your own nose off through some misplaced hate of all agents.

I do also think the way you deal with them makes a big difference. I think some people that appear to get screwed over regularly are part of the problem.

[heyya99]

I don't think that is naieve (2nd time. I've said that today. I'm getting soft). I think a lot of the agent hate round here doesn't help at all. Occasionally the odd person will play dirty games but then so do some contractors. This is their job and reputation of their agency so I think it's pretty safe to think they are above board. Be forewarned and aware of their tricks but don't cut your own nose off through some misplaced hate of all agents.

I do also think the way you deal with them makes a big difference. I think some people that appear to get screwed over regularly are part of the problem.

Agreed. I learned this the hard way in past over-zealous rate increase hard-balled negotiations. The agent was being honest and his hands were tied and my tactics made me look ridiculous. But I've been beaten by agent tactics before (dare I say I was... naive) and therefore it's hard to not tar all with the same brush.

[Bee]

If you didn't reply, the agent 2 should not forward your CV without your permition! Insisting in a test is even stranger. I don't have much experience in contracting but this sounds very strange to me.

The only thing you can is to fix this. Tell the agent 2 that you already applied thru another agency and it's already in progress.

I had my CV sent to a client via an agency. The agent says the manager has seen the CV, likes it, but won't move until the budget is approved in around 2 weeks. In the meantime, an another agent has called for the same role. I haven't re-applied with the second agent as I'm unsure of how it will affect my application with agent 1.

Is it ok to apply with many agents? I'm guessing no, but how do I trust agent 1 to have sent my CV at all.. He might just have said that to stop another agent usurping the candidates he has sent over.

Oddly, agent 2 is requiring a coding test be done as part of CV submittal whereas agent 1 hasn't (not yet anyway. It might be required when budgets are approved yada yada).

[LondonManc]

If you didn't reply, the agent 2 should not forward your CV without your permition! Insisting in a test is even stranger. I don't have much experience in contracting but this sounds very strange to me.

The only thing you can is to fix this. Tell the agent 2 that you already applied thru another agency and it's already in progress.

There you go. You don't have much experience. Tests are rare but not unheard of. Completely meaningless if you're leaving the candidate unattended at home though; they can have someone take it for them.

I've had small tests in interviews - anything from drawing a dimensional model on a whiteboard to hand-writing some SQL - but I'm generally doing more than just coding so it only forms a small part of the interview.

[MrMarkyMark]

I don't think that is naieve (2nd time. I've said that today. I'm getting soft). I think a lot of the agent hate round here doesn't help at all. Occasionally the odd person will play dirty games but then so do some contractors. This is their job and reputation of their agency so I think it's pretty safe to think they are above board. Be forewarned and aware of their tricks but don't cut your own nose off through some misplaced hate of all agents.

I do also think the way you deal with them makes a big difference. I think some people that appear to get screwed over regularly are part of the problem.

Totally agree.

I have only usually faced issues, actually only ever on a couple of occasions, when there were multiple agency / consultancy tiers involved.

[northernladuk]

If you didn't reply, the agent 2 should not forward your CV without your permition! Insisting in a test is even stranger. I don't have much experience in contracting but this sounds very strange to me.

Lets hope you don't encounter any written English tests.

[Bee]

There you go. You don't have much experience. Tests are rare but not unheard of. Completely meaningless if you're leaving the candidate unattended at home though; they can have someone take it for them.

I've had small tests in interviews - anything from drawing a dimensional model on a whiteboard to hand-writing some SQL - but I'm generally doing more than just coding so it only forms a small part of the interview.

I know that the agencies can ask for a test, what is strange for me is asking for a test if he didn't applied.

[northernladuk]

I know that the agencies can ask for a test, what is strange for me is asking for a test if he didn't applied.

It says it would be party of submittal. The agency should be making sure the candidates are suitable which is kind of a large part of the service they offer. They could just be trying a little too hard in this case. But we don't know.

[Bee]

It says it would be party of submittal. The agency should be making sure the candidates are suitable which is kind of a large part of the service they offer. They could just be trying a little too hard in this case. But we don't know.

Could be, but like I said, with a polite phone call shall stop with this nonsense.

[LondonManc]

I know that the agencies can ask for a test, what is strange for me is asking for a test if he didn't applied.

It was a condition of submission. Agencies are trying to figure out if the cvs are falsified or not. While it's a reasonable tactic, it's also fundamentally flawed, as I explained.