I wonder if there's a blacklist out there

**pmeswani** · 25 June 2009, 09:37

Originally posted by rabiddog View Post

Am I cursed or what ?

I know the PM market is flat, I know rates are down, I know all about phishing, ghost and repeat jobs, I know the pimps can pick and choose, but ....

I phone 'em, they seem really keen, I apply and phone 'em again, suddenly not so keen.

I know there's nothing wrong with the CV, I know I've got the relevant experience and, obviously, I know I can do the job.

Not one nibble in over three months and I've tried everywhere (including strangely named countries in CIS and Africa).

Mmmmm, might just be paranoid or have I done something really bad in a previous contract that somehow has flagged my rather distinctive surname.

Any pointers appreciated before I take the ultimat step

There is a blacklist out there. The members of the CUK forum maintain it on behalf of the recruitment agencies. Let me check.... hmmm... it appears you are at the top of the list. Congratulations.... you have scored 100 blacklist points.... the highest score to date.

But to be honest... you have to ride the wave. The agencies are in "Collect CV" mode... so don't lose heart... jobs will come flying your way soon.

**HairyArsedBloke** · 25 June 2009, 10:00

I’m sure everyone gets to thing that at some point when job searching.

Agents are at each other’s throats for roles to fill more than contractors; there is no way that they could be organised to create and maintain a blacklist of contractors to be shared amongst them. In fact, it is to the advantage to an agency to not tell the competition who the bad one are.

**Fred Bloggs** · 25 June 2009, 10:58

Don't worry. I have gone from having agencies like chewing Piranhas round my CV 18 months ago to now feeling like I'm being ignored. It's the same CV apart from having one more gig added to it. It's the market, not the CV. HTH.

**Durbs** · 25 June 2009, 10:59

Have you included illustrations of your penile tattoos on the CV?

This is a common mistake i see on many contractor cv's and may be one of the first areas to look at.

**HeadOfTesting** · 25 June 2009, 11:11

One thing I've learned from this and the last recession is that sometimes the market just isn't in a position to grant you an opportunity and it doesn't matter how much you want it/need it/deserve it/can devlier on it. Basically there are things you can do to maximise your chances, but you can't force these things. Accept this and you'll feel liberated. I experienced very dark times in 2001/2 but this time I'm 101% relaxed about things even though I've only had 1 interview in the last 6 months having previously been able to have as many as I could physically schedule.

Good luck.

**SillyMilly** · 25 June 2009, 11:24

No. If there is one then I'm on it too!!

It's very easy to get depressed and paranoid when times are like this. I'm calmer now than I was a few weeks ago because I've just accepted that it's not me, it's the market. I worked straight through the last down turn so this hasn't happened to me since the early 90's and I'd forgotten how awful it is.

So try not to take it personally - or change your name!

How about 'Bill Gates' or 'Alan Sugar'?? Then you'd know for sure why you weren't getting interviews!

**CiderEagle** · 25 June 2009, 11:39

We've all been there mate, and its very easy to start thinking in these terms when the market is down and its hard to ge a sniff of your next contract.

These things go in cycles though. Immediately following on from my worst ever period out (four months) I went straight into an eighteen monther at my best rate ever.

Hang in there.

**rabiddog** · 25 June 2009, 12:41

Thanks for all the positives

Thanks to all.

On the subject of name change - tried changing it to my CUK login, but no joy there either.
On the subject of the penile tattoo's - should I show them or not ?

Anyway thanks again, happier now

**HeadOfTesting** · 25 June 2009, 12:46

You're welcome

I think forums like this are very important in these times.

I don't know about anyone else but I don't actually know anybody in my social or professional circle that is benched so the anecdotes on here are re-assuring.

I wonder if there's a blacklist out there