The squealing pig (reruitment agent)

[NadJ]

Here's something from around a month ago. A very well known agent calls me up regarding a support role and tries the old '2 referees before hand' con trick. In the initial call he also tries the 'oh was so and so your IT manager then?'. The fictional character he makes up is "Daniel Leonhard". No such person exists in my old company. I was responsible for the AD and AD rights delegation after all

I call him a "fisher" and hang up due to another incoming call. He then leaves this voicemail. In the voicemail he accuses me of applying for a permanent position and wasting his time when I was clearly only interested in contract based on the initial conversation (why even continue it then???).

Luckily, since then I've found something far better! Anyway, here's 'The squealing recruitment agent', enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJSK0nKP6Q

Here's the job in question. Clearly not a perm role!

Reference: ************
Company: [Agency Name] - Permanent

Position: Support Analyst

Skills: My client is a global outsourcing company looking for a 3rd Line Support Network Engineer. The ideal candidate will be a MCSE or CCNA, any equivalent certifications would be beneficial. Key responsibilities include installing, configuring, and maintaining all manner of Servers and client hardware and associated network equipment. Advanced knowledge of MS Windows Server 2003, MS Windows XP, Active Directory, VMWare Server/ESX. Familiarity with TCP/IP and VOIP network protocols, Firewall management, and operating system configuration. Good written and oral communication skills. Due to a vast number of applicants to roles at present please send your CV in, and kindly await my call rather than phone me.

Location: City Of London
Job Type: Contract/Temporary
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 6 months
Contact: *********
Telephone: *********
Fax: ********
Email: *******

Rate: £25-£30/Hour

[EddieNambulous]

"I'm doing you a favour"

[pzz76077]

Give him a call next month and see if he is still in his job. Maybe you can offer to give him a reference.

The tone is one of desperation me thinks.

PZZ

[NotAllThere]

[kaiser78]

why don't you just name him ? You have evidence of not lying and may make him / others think twice before making such an idiot of himself next time.

[moorfield]

Brilliant, inspired getting it on youtube, we should have more of those.

[HeadOfTesting]

Excellent; I'd love to see more such clips uploaded.

I definitely think you shsould name and shame the individual concerned.

It really is pathetic isn't it? In all the years I've been hiring I've never asked for even one reference at such an early stage and I know of no other hiring manager who would either.

And needless to say he would "use you" again if there was a fee at stake.

I have no background in sales but I've always assumed that poeple like that are trained to make sure they have the last word as part of maintaining some sort of pshychological edge over the people they deal with, hence the stuff about "I won't use you again and don't call me back".

I don't know if it's coincidence but I've not experienced this kind of reference fishing for years - or rather - not since I've become a hiring manager and perhaps been seen as a potential client. Certainly in my experience the more senior you become the better treatment you get from agents - but perhaps I've just been lucky in that respect.

[jmo21]

and the best part is, he'll never be able to trace it back to you, as he probably says the same thing 100 times a day!

[Beefy198]

I'm amazed that he chose to record his voice like that! As someone in sales I can't believe he would take every rejection so personally.

Name and shame - he's the one that has chosen to leave a voicemail.

[d000hg]

Contact the company and lodge a formal complaint, give them the recording...