"I can't tell you who the client is at the moment"

[PerfectStorm]

Been applying but starts off promising they tell me the client I insist on it then I don't hear from them again they dont call back or anything - makes me think feck em and go direct.

How does the strategy of going direct work?

I might add I am hard of hearing and use text relay system - can speak well but hella can't hear on the phone. recruiters I think just bloody lazy like talking all day on the phone and no work done.

Some times I feel the end client didn't even get my CV.... the market looks bad though...is it?

As for going direct, I only know a few contractors that do it and they all say the same thing, "I'm still chasing an invoice from February..."

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

I reckon 90% of the recruiters life is spent chasing after clients with no success, whilst always having to convince contractors that there is a juicy gig even when they haven't been able to contact the client at all. Just for that 1 in 100 times the client says 'okay, give me a dev then' and they need to be ready to hit the client with quality CVs at a moment's notice.

One way of explaining being a shoe in for so many roles and hearing **** all back.

The others are all stuff like taking me off the market while pretending.

[Bluenose]

What is the point of agents holding back client names? I seem to get two types of calls - one where it's known and you might eek it out of them by the end of the call, and one where they just flat out tell you in the first sentence. What difference does it make to me to know who's hiring?

Had one agent call me up today wanting to know the full ins and outs of my last role, what I was getting paid there, why I left etc etc but when it comes to their new lead they wouldn't tell me. Based on the location and industry sector I worked it out and told them anyway, and the phone call continued as normal. But why the secrecy?

Also had the balls to email a list of questions including my last 'line manager' reference and also a list of any opportunities I'm currently pursuing and at what stage oh, Agents...

Time wasters, it’s august.

[Brussels Slumdog]

The other problem is that the agent tells me that it's Deloitte for example but they won't disclose who the end client is.
My CV could have been sent to their end client.
Agents have no idea of geography.
It's near Brussels. The problem it isn't.
The site is near a cowshed, nowhere near a bus stop .



Sent from my SM-A320FL using Contractor UK Forum mobile app

[edison]

I'll play along while getting details about the role, location, day rate etc without knowing the client, but I'd never let them submit my CV without knowing.

I've had more than once that a role was under an NDA at a very early point in the hiring cycle and it's been more of an initial chat with an agent. Once the agent wants to send your CV, they disclose the client.

On the opposite side of the coin, I've asked an agent to sign an NDA for a very sensitive hire where I wanted them to find some potential candidates but hadn't got final approval to go ahead.

It does happen occasionally but as others have said, never proceed to send your CV if the client isn't disclosed.