What is it with Agencies and...

[pmeswani]

... their lack of wanting to communicate with prospective contractors? Had an interview last Friday. Was sent to the wrong location, which peeved myself and the client off (as the agency knew that they were sending me to the wrong location for at least 4 days prior). Tried to contact the agent 4 times on Friday so that I can provide some feedback and go no callback, only for me to phone them up on Monday to find out that they had received a response from the client to advise that I didn't get the offer.

The same agency has got me a phone interview tomorrow and told me that the timing had changed from 9am to 4:30pm and that they would contact me once confirmed (This was on Monday when I was told about the change), only for me to chase them today to find out if it had been confirmed with the client.

Why do agencies dislike communicating with their prospective candidates? Don't they want us to get / take the roles they have put us forward for?

[Turion]

You were lucky to have got feedback about that first failed interview. Agents only bother if there is a positive result and a chance of money in it for them. Never waste time chasing agents about interviews, or feedback etc. They will call you when there is a sniff of commision beckoning.

[thelace]

You didn't wake them up did you?

The'll only be bothered to communicate if there's good news (for them that is - commission!!!).

Having said that, mine's ok. She takes me out to lunch every couple of months, sent me wine at Xmas.

[pleomax]

You didn't wake them up did you?

The'll only be bothered to communicate if there's good news (for them that is - commission!!!).

Having said that, mine's ok. She takes me out to lunch every couple of months, sent me wine at Xmas.

And that money to pay for those "freebies" comes from the fat wedge they make out of you!

Stick your wine and lunch show me the money!

[pmeswani]

You were lucky to have got feedback about that first failed interview. Agents only bother if there is a positive result and a chance of money in it for them. Never waste time chasing agents about interviews, or feedback etc. They will call you when there is a sniff of commision beckoning.

The problem is that the majority of agencies that arrange an interview for me tend to bite my hand off when it comes to me providing them with feedback. On this particular occasion, I could not get hold of the agent.

I resorted to sending them an email with feedback as I could not be bothered having the issue hanging over me for the whole weekend. If I hadn't chased the agency on Monday, they wouldn't have bothered calling me. I know what you are saying about wasting time, but the principle of problem is that the agency doesn't like to communicate properly. I am actually surprised that they are still in business to be honest.

[norrahe]

The problem is that the majority of agencies that arrange an interview for me tend to bite my hand off when it comes to me providing them with feedback. On this particular occasion, I could not get hold of the agent.

I resorted to sending them an email with feedback as I could not be bothered having the issue hanging over me for the whole weekend. If I hadn't chased the agency on Monday, they wouldn't have bothered calling me. I know what you are saying about wasting time, but the principle of problem is that the agency doesn't like to communicate properly. I am actually surprised that they are still in business to be honest.

I had one agency sort me out with a phone interview, it was supposed to be the next day (wednesday), asking for for suitable times on that day, which I gave them.
I just happened to check my e-mail to find an e-mail sent about 20 mins prior, saying my interview was today (tuesday) at 12pm. It was 11.55 when I checked my e-mail.
So I had 5 mins to prep for a phone interview and I never had one of those before.

[thelace]

And that money to pay for those "freebies" comes from the fat wedge they make out of you!

Stick your wine and lunch show me the money!

I'm getting the rate I negotiated for the job, they're getting whatever they negotiated. That's life.

Any extras that they choose to pass on to me is a bonus

[pmeswani]

You didn't wake them up did you?

The'll only be bothered to communicate if there's good news (for them that is - commission!!!).

Having said that, mine's ok. She takes me out to lunch every couple of months, sent me wine at Xmas.

The only good news I managed to squeeze out of them is that the client may consider taking me on next month when the other analyst leaves. So even though the current opportunity is dead, the fact that there is another opportunity that exists is possibly important. The chances are that I won't bother taking on the role as I can forsee working on behalf of the agency would be a nightmare, especially if I need to contact them for whatever reason.

[pmeswani]

I had one agency sort me out with a phone interview, it was supposed to be the next day (wednesday), asking for for suitable times on that day, which I gave them.
I just happened to check my e-mail to find an e-mail sent about 20 mins prior, saying my interview was today (tuesday) at 12pm. It was 11.55 when I checked my e-mail.
So I had 5 mins to prep for a phone interview and I never had one of those before.

I have one of those tomorrow. The agency was suppose to email me to confirm that the interview has been set up. But I had to chase them for an update. It goes to show that communication isn't an important thing for that agency.

[TheBigD]

I had one agency sort me out with a phone interview, it was supposed to be the next day (wednesday), asking for for suitable times on that day, which I gave them.
I just happened to check my e-mail to find an e-mail sent about 20 mins prior, saying my interview was today (tuesday) at 12pm. It was 11.55 when I checked my e-mail.
So I had 5 mins to prep for a phone interview and I never had one of those before.

Someone once told me never to sit down whilst doing a telephone interview, always stand. I can't remember why this is, although he did elaborate.

It has worked for me though although it may well be just coincidence though...