Agencies' Questions

[Ashwin2007]

I am on the hunt for my next contract. Many Agents who call me ask the following questions:

(1) How long you have been looking? Which positions / companies you have so far applied?
(2) Have any interviews been lined up?
(3) How do you find the market?

To one Agent, I replied, "I have been looking for a week, and no interviews lined up so far", for which the Agent replied, "My client is looking for candidates actively looking and who are in demand" and closed the conversation.

If I had answered (truly) that two interviews have been lined up (which will prove that I am in demand), the Agent would certainly have asked what those companies are. Why would an Agent consider a candidate ("in demand") who is already interviewing for other companies?

Instead of straight away discussing the job description, suitability, availability etc., why do the agents ask these questions, and what possible answers one can give for the above questions, and what do they really expect?

Any thoughts?

[TykeMerc]

Simple really, the majority of the time they don't have a real role and they're fishing for leads, there are quite a few variations on the tactics you described.

What the agent wanted was for you to tell him that you're looking at role A at client B and role C at client D etc so he can punt at client B and D.

I always tell agents "sorry I don't discuss roles that another agency are discussing with me as I'm sure that he/she would prefer me not to discuss the role they've called about with another agent" it tends to shut them up unless they've got something real.

At a guess at least 50% of the calls I've had in the last 2 months have been agents fishing for leads, I get rid of those calls very quickly as I've got better things to do with my time.

[HairyArsedBloke]

... Agent replied, "My client is looking for candidates actively looking and who are in demand" and closed the conversation.

.....

Any thoughts?

I am so glad I don't have to play this game anymore.

[BrilloPad]

I am on the hunt for my next contract. Many Agents who call me ask the following questions:

(1) How long you have been looking? Which positions / companies you have so far applied?
(2) Have any interviews been lined up?
(3) How do you find the market?

To one Agent, I replied, "I have been looking for a week, and no interviews lined up so far", for which the Agent replied, "My client is looking for candidates actively looking and who are in demand" and closed the conversation.

If I had answered (truly) that two interviews have been lined up (which will prove that I am in demand), the Agent would certainly have asked what those companies are. Why would an Agent consider a candidate ("in demand") who is already interviewing for other companies?

Instead of straight away discussing the job description, suitability, availability etc., why do the agents ask these questions, and what possible answers one can give for the above questions, and what do they really expect?

Any thoughts?

I usually say "would you like me telling other agents about your role?"

[tim123]

I am on the hunt for my next contract. Many Agents who call me ask the following questions:

(1) How long you have been looking? Which positions / companies you have so far applied?
(2) Have any interviews been lined up?
(3) How do you find the market?

To one Agent, I replied, "I have been looking for a week, and no interviews lined up so far", for which the Agent replied, "My client is looking for candidates actively looking and who are in demand" and closed the conversation.

And why would a client have any interest in whether the candidate was "actively looking".

It's bolloks,

tim

[Diver]

Had one today:

Picked up your CV and just need a few more details to place you.

• Are you currently working?
• How long have you been looking & Why?

I have a few positions that you would be Ideal for, all I need is a reference that I can call to put you forward

• Have you got a previous client or employer & Tel No that I can contact?

I gave him a company that went out of business 5 years ago.

He said he'd email his details and the job details straight to me Nothing

[ft101]

You can usually tell within about 2 seconds whether they are genuine or not, simply by the amount of time they are willing to spend discussing anything BUT the role in question.

I find the ones with a actual live role get straight to the point, as they are usually pretty busy. And for that, I get straight to the point too. For the timewasters, I either hang up or if i've nothing better to do spin them along.