Registering with agencies

[gpmh79]

I think some agents have started contact farming again...I had one fella phone me up yesterday (I have started looking this week) - asked me if I'd had any interviews yet, when I said no he put the phone down!

I would never bother my arse interviewing with an agency first. I wake up to the possibility of an opportunity when I get a job spec and don't even think of taking anything seriously until I've interviewed. I've only ever been asked for ID once a contract is in place. Mind you, I had a bad experience with the IT contract arm of Pertemps a few years ago so tend to avoid the high street body shops.

[boredsenseless]

Thanks for the replies. There does seem to be some confusion over this. Increasingly contractors are being forced into pseudo permies. IR35, having to register, having to prove identity.

In the case of identity proof it's got nothing to do with our (and I include myself in this) upset over agents and government bodies desire to get us all to fall on our swords and go permie.

Every employer in the UK has a legal obligation to obtain this proof, and every contracting organisation (i.e. the client or agent) has an obligation to check that the employer (i.e. your limited company) has obtained this proof, in order to meet this obligation they have a right to request copies of the informatioon provided to your limited.

In this instance they are only doing what and even worse body of people is forcing them to do, strangely enough I doubt agents really want to waste their time looking at photocopies of your passport when they could be using it to buy more shiny suits and naff chav fizzy wine that they like to pretend is champagne

[jonhoops]

A huge company like Hays have SLA agreements that state when placing someone. They will be obliged to meet you, get a copy of your passport etc. However, if they are not placing you its a bit odd.
Sounds like the person you spoke to was a researcher. They are often given quotas of people to call, people to meet etc as its a good way of getting experience. When they are very new they will often bring their consultant to the meeting as well.

Unless they've got a live job for you its a waste of time.

I applied for a contract with Hays today. I spoke to the agent and she told me that I may not be suited for the role.

She then asks me to come into the office for an interview 'as part of our registration process with myself and my manager'. Two people to do a registration ? I can imagine that for say a headhunting firm but not for a common agency like Hays.

Why would two people waste time on a pleb like me ? Hidden agenda somewhere ?

[Not So Wise]

I applied for a contract with Hays today. I spoke to the agent and she told me that I may not be suited for the role.
....
Why would two people waste time on a pleb like me ? Hidden agenda somewhere ?

Thats been Hays way of doing things for years, they pulled same crap on me nearly 8 years ago. Basiclly it's a carry over from their normal buisness of general temping. Things like this and unfriendly (and inflexable) contracts are reason many advoid them

[expat]

That's exactly what I have done. The buggers then download my CV, call me and tell me to register.

You're bloody lucky they could be arsed to download your CV first.
[/grumpy old man]

[gpmh79]

Funny enough, our friends at Hays allegedly have me in the frame for a contract, but they reckon that they conduct a "technical test" on behalf of the client first. I have seen a job spec for the role and it looks kosher.

Has anyone else experienced technical testing by Hays (I imagine they would adminster the test on behalf of the client as I don't think they'd have much of a clue themselves). Fortunately, it isn't too much bother for me to do it, but if I get there and there is no test or it is obviously not one set by the client there's going to be fireworks.

?

[gpmh79]

Aforementioned technical test by Hays turned out to be genuine after all (I sat it this morning). Having asked round it seems that Hays, while having some strange practices, generally seem to be OK in most people's experience.

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