Newbie with Agency problem. Help please.

**Not So Wise** · 4 August 2005, 18:10

Tell first agency, "ok you will not sign up with 2nd agency" and then go and do it anyway. Then whoever actually gets you in a contract first wins and you can tell the other "bye bye". They have not paid/earned you a cent yet so you owe them nothing.

You seem to have somewhere along the line the wrong end of the stick about contracting agents and think are like football agents, who work for the footballer going around trying to get the best deal for their client. It's not like that at all.

In most case's they are nothing more than a matchmaking service, with a definate bias towards the end client not the contractor. Client comes to them (or they get the client) with a position then they find a contractor not get a contractor and then find them a contract (there are very rare exceptions to this, in very highly specialised fields)

You should be signed up with any and all agencys that get contracts in your field and be checking jobserve for any positions and don't stop for any reason appyling for other postions or going though the motions to secure offered postions till you actually have a signed contract in your hand

But overall about this first agency, they are talking total crap, if this position even exists you could be waiting years (if ever) for the client to actually start up with no garantee that you would get the job and there are no legal reasons i have ever heard of that would mean they have to "thrown out" your application

I would recommed you read though the CUK main site, if you were this confused about agents you are probably confused or wrong about a lot of other things as well.

**ScOrPiOn** · 4 August 2005, 22:21

OK the reason the first agency told you nothing was happening with your application is because your were either unsuccessful and the client wished not to shortlist your CV OR the agency told you they were going to submit your CV and didn't actually send it. Hence no feedback.

So do you know whether the client you have applied for through the other agency is through HR or direct? There are different rules with different clients...
1) Which ever agency sends your CV the "client A" for job role "a" has the ownership of sending your CV to "Client A" for any other positions within 2 weeks.

2) Which ever agency speaks to you about "client A" about ANY position FIRST gets to represent you.

BUT the ultimate decision is YOURS!
I would call the client direct...

Good luck

**BlasterBates** · 5 August 2005, 08:15

If you're in touch with an Agency, they must ask you whether they want to put your CV forward. It is customary to wait a few days for an answer (usually 2 or 3) with that particular Project Manager, and during that time don't resubmit to the same PM, but that doesn't stop you applying for other contracts also in the same company.

If the Agency haven't explicitly asked you whether you wish to be submitted, then they've no right to do so. You should always have the name of the company and dept they're submitting to to avoid embarassing duplicate submits.

**Mindomoo** · 5 August 2005, 09:00

I can count.....

On one hand the number of times I have gotten a company, department and manager out of an agency before interview.

I can usually get the company but only by being stroppy about it.

**rootsnall** · 5 August 2005, 09:46

A constant problem this one and I think you've just got to judge each situation as it comes. I try to set short deadlines with the initial agent and if they don't come back with a phone interview then let the others loose but make it clear that the initial agent is your first choice. I'd say I've missed out on more work by being loyal to one agent than I have by having a CV clash at a client. One funny one I had was were an agent put me forward for a job with a big multi national client on a very good rate, I had given another agent my CV a few weeks earlier on a slightly lower rate and assumed it was long dead. However the client worked this out and said they wanted me but through the cheaper agent, it was still a good rate so I went with it and took a good ear bashing from the agent who lost out. I have since worked for that agent again ie. they understood the situation and handled it.

**CatDog** · 5 August 2005, 11:41

Newbie with Agency problem. Help please.

Hi, thanks for your all your replies as they helped confirm I had done the right thing! It sounds like this is a common problem.

I also read through this site for further info. My CV is already uploaded to jobserve and monster. Also with a few agencies. I haven't put my CV out to other agencies at the moment as I am holding out for this one particular job.

I emailed the new agency yesterday and explained the situation. They went to the client for advice and I am now going through them. The first agency must have held my CV and I think I was very patient to wait almost a month before changing agencies!

The new agency is actually offering a better rate and I have already found out more about the job through them. They also seem more friendly rather than sales type.

The agency is going direct to the hiring manager.

I already knew the company name, the department, and the name of the hiring manager, and exactly where the office is located. :-) It is a definate job, more than one position too.

So I doubt I'll ever apply through agency 1 again! They were talking crap and they had no right to give me a hard time about changing agencies.
CatDog

**ancient** · 5 August 2005, 12:18

Often Pimps can only make one submission for a job, so their first task is to see who is available and then whittle down who they want to put forward based on suitability and rate and of course mark-up.

Often pimps are competing with each other.

Often you will be contacted about a potential opportunity and not here any more, because they are just sizing the field. They may however keep your CV in their back pocket.

It can be frustrating if you build your hopes up for a role, think you have been put forward and have not.

We pro's are just a pawn in their game and the pimps loyalty is to his/her sale/commision not to you as an individual.

**vetran** · 6 August 2005, 00:49

Seems simple to me.

You mail the first agent (copying the second agent) asking them to reply to the second agent and client that they submitted you first and they will be after a fee. After all its only professional to clear up such misunderstandings.

If that doesn't happen second agent & you obviously has a clear shot at the client.

Newbie with Agency problem. Help please.