SQ Computer Personnel

[WageSlave]

Has anyone had dealings with this particular agency?

I don't know what their game is, but they frequently contact me with positions at BP (always BP). Coming from mainly a public sector background, I find it odd that they are so interested in forwarding me to their valued client, especially as my experience isn't an ideal match with the roles.

Either they have an extremely poor candidate base, get paid for submitting any old CV or have a strong candidate and are looking to pad the submission with a weaker candidate in order to make the other stand out.

[malvolio]

Or they are on the BP PSL (with one other agency - Hays) and are constantly looking for high qualilty staff to fill the various roles coming out of BP's 900-odd ongoing IT projects worldwide. They also use Lawspeed IR35-proof contracts and Bernie the Boss has long been a supporter of the freelance agaisnt the government. Of course, if you don't think you're good enough...

Guess where I work at the moment...

[WageSlave]

Thanks Malvolio. It's not so much a case of not thinking I'm good enough, more that the JDs ask for x years experience and I'm normally a few years under. Plus, knowing that contractors are usually pigeon-holed by sector experience, with my central government background it's odd that they keep ringing me.

[malvolio]

Still worth a go though - their technical managers are usually pretty good and understand people's real world abilities pretty well.

A good client to have, for all sorts of reasons (like free lunches ).

[Not So Wise]

Or they are on the BP PSL (with one other agency - Hays) and are constantly looking for high qualilty staff to fill the various roles coming out of BP's 900-odd ongoing IT projects worldwide. They also use Lawspeed IR35-proof contracts and Bernie the Boss has long been a supporter of the freelance agaisnt the government. Of course, if you don't think you're good enough...

Guess where I work at the moment...

A contractor who sounds more than happy with his agency?!?!?!
*falls off chair*

Hmm will note them in case ever see a position suitable for me offered.

[malvolio]

To put it in context, I got this gig myself via a direct contact, but BP will only deal through PSL agencies (they're well used to dealing with contractors of all sorts, as you may imagine). SQ were recommended and are running on 4% markup - in essence they do the invoice factoring for me and hold the contract.

So yes, I'm happy, and they're a very good agency to deal with, but in my case the real relationship is much more supplier-like than most