Pimp claiming client requirement for maximum commute

[SussexSeagull]

Had it a few times. Current contract didn't even ask!

[BHicks]

It's an excuse - agents will say anything to get people they don't want to shortlist off the phone.

This was my first thought tbh, since pimps have such a stellar reputation when it comes to these things.

The joke was this "gentleman" had called me back. Part of me wonders "why bother" if only to trot out something that reeked of BS. Hey ho, perhaps he was having a slow day.

[ruasonid]

I've personally never had this directly, and I deliberately don't put my address on my CV, but I can definitely imagine it.

Neither do I. But my cv demonstrates that I've worked around the world. So when they ask where I live they make it sound like an hour away is a problem. Had a direct interview recently and the client asked where I lived. When I answered their response was an expletive (they didn't like the idea of a one hour express train ride). At another interview 1.5 hours distance, they asked if I would be relocating. Just had another interview. They said the distance (1 hour) is no problem. I heard nothing after. Job is re-advertised. No doubt some beard tugger thought it is a problem. Or maybe they thought I couldn't do the job. All these interviews and distance seems to be a factor.

[psychocandy]

I agree with NLUK - its obvious. If contractor lives 200 miles away they're more likely to find a closer one and bail. Its obvious....

And come on - we all know contractors who we've worked with who after a week say things like "Oh didnt think it'd take me this long every morning to drive here". FFS Google maps is your friend.

Helped out with permie interviews at current client. The offered to this guy who lived 90 mins or so drive away. He'd just been made redundant and he lived Swindon area (so Thames valley pretty close etc).

It was OBVIOUS what was going to happen. This guy was flapping because he'd been given the boot, applied for this job. Yep didnt turn up on start day. Turns out he'd started another job closer to home a week before. If he'd started, he'd have possibly done it for a month then got something closer.

Point being - can you blame clients for thinking the same with contractors?

[billybiro]

However in this case we're talking about a 16 mile trip from SE London to SW London.

A commute which, ironically, would probably take well over an hour, especially by car at rush hour.