Advice appreciated

**Cowboy Bob** · 27 February 2007, 20:01

Originally posted by PJM

Hi there

Can anyone advise me on the most appropriate agencies to use to secure my next contract role? My experience spans project mgt, programme mgt, pmo work, stakeholder mgt & communications within both public and private sectors.

I am currently leveraging existing contacts etc, but things seem to be quite slow at the moment - any advice much appreciated..

Thanks

PJM

The one that offers you the best rate. (Though the general consensus here is to avoid the S3 group if you can - a quick search should reveal who the agencies are that are S3).

**oraclesmith** · 27 February 2007, 22:18

Originally posted by PJM

Can anyone advise me on the most appropriate agencies to use to secure my next contract role?

In my experience it doesn't quite work like that. The trouble is there's hundreds of the blighters, all getting business from potential clients. For some roles there is only one agency which has the role, so if you want it you have to use them.

Some of the big ones seem to treat everyone like a permie candidate for an admin job, which can be a real pain. The little ones are in constant danger of going under, leaving you high and dry.

The best agencies have a fixed percentage cut. The worSSSt sort operate like market-traders, buying your skills cheap and selling them on for a kings ransom to inexperienced clients.

In my opinion.

**PJM** · 27 February 2007, 22:32

Thanks - can anyone recommend names of agencies to approach for someone with my background?

**oraclesmith** · 27 February 2007, 22:51

Originally posted by PJM

Thanks - can anyone recommend names of agencies to approach for someone with my background?

Don't bother. They don't work for YOU, they work for the CLIENTS - and you'd better remember it. If they take in your CV, it will only be so they can match it to what roles they've got on the books today.

They might file it in their 'database' but they never call you back cos there's no guarantee you'll be available when they want you be. They're inherently lazy so they usually just bung their new role in Jobserve, CWJobs or Jobsite and wait for the response. Also, if you give out your CV to say, 10 carefully selected EB's, you will have to update each of them with new versions, so it's easier for both of you to use Jobserve etc.

Your best bet is to put your CV on Jobserve and Jobsite and CWJobs and see what you get. You can only pick and choose between the EB's when there is more than one of them advertising a role.

With a few exceptions (eg. EB's in niche markets like rail engineering), EB's take on what roles they can get their hands on, so your type of role may come up under any EB. Also, your relationship with the EB is fairly low key (sometimes almost non-existent) once you get a contract. Of more concern is that you get the right role with the right client.

And another thing - most of them don't know F all about the skills or the clients business so there's no point expecting an in depth conversation about suitable work. The only criteria I would use are (a) they are not taking an excessive cut and (b) the bu99ers are going to pay - neither of which are easy to figure out.

In my opinion.

**lukemg** · 28 February 2007, 09:59

The right agent is the one with the job, if you can pick and choose - great. If not - chase the job, get it in the bag and you have some leverage - until then the agent is in charge - it's a b1tch but it's the truth.

Advice appreciated