Registering with agencies

**Not So Wise** · 11 October 2005, 19:19

Sometimes i get auto generated emails asking me to register from as you say "botom end "/"never heard of before but they are trying to look big"/"temping" agencys if i applyed for a contract they advertised. If i get one i just ignore it and forget about the position (unless i see some other agency posting it) and don't even both bother with a follow up call for the position.

After bad experiences with Hays and another now defunct temping one a few years ago, the only thing i do is add them to my "ignore any ad's from this agency on jobserve" list (wish jobserve had a function to have this as a real filter).

From my experiece these guys waste your time with interviews with them (before they even know if client is interested), demand references up front (and abuse the hell out of them) , have the most god aweful contract terms, crap rates, have even less clue about I.T than your average normal idiot agent and then spend months hassleing you with calls for either permie positions or totally unsuitable contract postions.

And honestly would not expect much better from their clients, like you have to be pretty clueless to go to a temping agency for a I.T contractor, kinda like going to a football agent to get baseball players.

**ratewhore** · 11 October 2005, 19:23

register? what? bollocks!! If you apply for roles you can fulfil you'll end up in their database anyway. Then when idiot pimp presses the 'search database' button (you know - the big round one) you'll get the standard email (your CV appeared by magic when I pressed the button. If you don't have the skills, please drop your friends on my lap for free).

At the end of the day, pick contracts you're well matched for, chase it up to get your cv to the top of the list and if the pimp feels they can make cash from you then they'll be calling you sharpish.

I've never had to prove my identity to a pimp, even for my govt cleared contracts. It's the client who needs to confirm this, not the pimp! And if the pimp asked, well, you'd know the answer...

**boredsenseless** · 12 October 2005, 06:52

You don't need to register to apply, although if thats their process you may have to to get through the door. So long as it costs nothing they are perfectly entitled to require you to do this.

However, unless they already have the necessary paperwork on file before employing you they have to see proof of residency/entitlement to work in the UK.

- Driving licence
- Passport
- NI number etc

(Not all of the above, but they all have their different ways)

They can pass this requirement down to your employer i.e. brolly or ltd, but most of their clients restrict this practice so they need to see it.

If they ask you should send a covering letter from the company saying that the company has seen the originals of the requested documents, and you are now enclosing photcopies of the (brolly or ltd co) employee documents. Don't be tempted to take your ltd out of this equation do this as yourself, since the contract isn't with you.

If the agent (and end-client) don't do this either or both can be stung with a 10K fine if it later transpires you are not eligible for work. So arduous and big brother as it may seem, you had better get used to it.

This is a relativley new requirement from this year.

**Reccon** · 12 October 2005, 07:31

Originally posted by voron

So what is the story these days with agency registration? Is it a requirement that every candidate registers with the agency before placement (i.e. has to provide proof of identity, etc.)?
I have only ever been asked to do this by the agencies towards the bottom of the market, offering the lowest rates and looking the most like glorified temp agencies. I have never been asked to register by one of the more 'serious' agencies.

... the agencies that are asking for your identification maybe or maybe not at the bottom end of the market but they are the more serious ones...The more SERIOUS ones as you call them run the risk of being fined if they are not getting proof of your eligibility to work in the UK

**voron** · 12 October 2005, 07:57

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.

**malvolio** · 12 October 2005, 08:17

Increasingly contractors are being forced into pseudo permies.

Absolutely. In fact there is a basis for a campaign that people are being required to act as permies with none of the permie benefits and protections - sick pay, pension, paid leave, employment protection, maternity leave, you name it. And this by a government whose roots are in the prevention of exploitation o the workforce.

F***ing joke, really, if it weren't so serious.

**MarillionFan** · 12 October 2005, 09:29

Registration

Is a waste of time. Can you imagine sending your CV to agent after agent. Nah stupid idea.

What you need to do is upload your latest CV to Jobserve and sit back.

**voron** · 12 October 2005, 11:58

Originally posted by MarillionFan

What you need to do is upload your latest CV to Jobserve and sit back.

That's exactly what I have done. The buggers then download my CV, call me and tell me to register.
Then when I tell them I don't 'register' with agencies (I'm not a temp!) they so reluctantly agree, discuss a position, and then hit me with a registration request via e-mail.

**Arun V** · 18 October 2005, 21:27

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 ?

Registering with agencies