BAD Agency! Most blatent fishing yet, What are your experiences??

[Angus]

TykeMerc, can you explain how the agents get in the payment chain if they haven't gotten you the job?

[TykeMerc]

TykeMerc, can you explain how the agents get in the payment chain if they haven't gotten you the job?

Simple really, quite a few client companies won't deal with Contractors directly as they have approved suppliers for labour, it simplifies their accounts rather than getting invoiced by dozens/hundreds of tin pot LTD companies.

IBM and CSC both approached me directly through old contacts, rates were negotiated and then Agencies inserted for the payment supply chain and actual contracts. My last contract with a large defence company was similar.

It's actually slightly advantageous to me as the Agent is the one with the cash flow and invoice chasing headache not me. Yes it costs the client more, but that's their choice and they have fixed margin or fixed price agreements with their Agents.

[NotAllThere]

It happens that the client insists that you go through an agency. The alledged benefits to them are that they only have one (or a few) supplier(s). Purchasing departments often want this because they have less work to do - they say this way they can negotiate better deals. Which might be the case for photocopy paper, but usually increasesl costs for contractors.

Clients sometimes feel also, that they are somehow protected against employment claims if a third party is in the way. Again, this is usually a misconception, as going through an agency increases the chance of an employment type contract.

My client insists, because their lawyers told them that after two years I could switch to being an employee, rather than an employee of my company. Under Swiss law, this is true. But if I were to do that, I'd be taking a massive cut in salary. One result, though, is I get paid earlier than I did when direct.

[scorchio]

I got one today as well.

A youngster from Huxley Assoc. Obviously a new tactic for him.

I got one from Huxley the other day as well, was he called Craig by any chance? Was for a contract I applied for over a week ago so is really on the ball..

No foreplay, asked straight for references and told me nowt about the job.

Might have problems tracking down the people I gave him, shame...

[P1mpAndPr0ud]

No foreplay, asked straight for references and told me nowt about the job.

Jeez... this kind of nonsense makes me so angry!

As an agent, I should probably defend the business, but when people are sinking this low, it's pretty hard.

I always ask people where their CV has already been submitted, from a genuine desire to avoid a conflict of interest on anyone's part. Yes, it's also a useful lead generation exercise, but as often as not I leave off calling companies unless I have something specific to offer them, rather than following some half-baked lead from a contractor.

I try to work very closely with a small number of contractors, and although I have to dig into the "database" at times to find new people, the majority of my contractors have worked for me on multiple projects and client sites and couldn't be happier.

Rant over. It's not you guys, it's the monkeys who think recruitment is easy that make my blood boil...

[mailric]

I once mentioned the name of my referee to the Agent but gave no contact details and told him not to contact anyone until I had spoken to them to tell them to expect a call and at the very least until I had been interviewed and actually offered a contract (this was the first call about the job ffs!!)

A day later... get a call from my referee telling me the agent had called him... whilst he was in a bar on holiday in Spain.

Agent must have researched his name and found a mobile number from somewhere. I was not amused.

[Manic]

Interesting stuff and opens my eyes to my naivety. I get calls from agencies all the time as I recruit and also have a skill which is sought after. I've not taken the plunge myself yet (watch this space) so try and keep these people on side as best as possible.

I'm starting to understand when no role exists but they are blatantly fishing, but it's not easy.

[miffy]

I got one from Huxley the other day as well, was he called Craig by any chance? Was for a contract I applied for over a week ago so is really on the ball...

The gimp who phoned me was someone called Shaun. Could well have been the same guy though with their dodgy tactics. They (or rather "he") called me about 14 days after I'd applied for something and same as you, no foreplay, just straight in there.

The guy was a total moron, no other polite way to describe him.

No foreplay, asked straight for references and told me nowt about the job.

Jeez... this kind of nonsense makes me so angry!

<snip>

Rant over. It's not you guys, it's the monkeys who think recruitment is easy that make my blood boil...

Tell me about it. I have no time at all for fishing pimps. I'm gonna start hanging up on them I think.

[miffy]

I once mentioned the name of my referee to the Agent but gave no contact details and told him not to contact anyone until I had spoken to them to tell them to expect a call and at the very least until I had been interviewed and actually offered a contract (this was the first call about the job ffs!!)

A day later... get a call from my referee telling me the agent had called him... whilst he was in a bar on holiday in Spain.

I had the same about a month ago. Not impressed one bit. No longer will I give pimps anything until we get to an offer stage. If you don't like it, fine. Next.

Got some carp through this morning from an agency for a role I'd applied for. I've been put forward for an interview (so they claim) but wondered if I could fill out their "registration forms", an agreement for a CRB and credit check, plus my referees and a "certified" copy of my passport. Apparently this will speed things up!

We're not at an offer stage yet and I'm not sure I want the gig, so I have two words and the second one is off.

[smiff]

Just give the switchboard number of your last two pimps. Pimp wars!