Theoretical exercise... agents trying to prove their morals

[d000hg]

We've had a few agents/recruiters join here and try to get off on the right foot by saying things like:
- "I agree there is a lot of unethical behaviour by agents, but we're different"
- "When we ask for references, it's only when the client demands it"
- "I built up a reputation through being honest"

Such people typically get a good thrashing from CUK based around a core argument "that's what they all say". I was wondering if there is any way an honest agent could demonstrate that, other than opening up their company books on CUK?

[Menelaus]

Menelaus isn't an agency (thank ****) but we do operate an open books policy. Any member of the team who wants access to the non-restricted stuff we're doing can have it, they can know what we're doing, our billings, revenues, costs etc. Makes people think too.

[MrMark]

Where did all the good agents go?

[Not So Wise]

Where did all the good agents go?

Same place unicorns went

[RichardCranium]

Where did all the good agents go?

Plexus went bust. I knew a good bloke there.

[The Agents View]

And herein lies the problem. Ultimately the only way an agent can prove his salt to you, is to prove his salt to you......and I guess that probably means placing you, looking after you, delivering for you - it's the only language interims understand.

Unfortunately, a large proportion of the blame for poor agencies, is poor candidates. As much as sometimes agents scan over good skill sets, I sometimes think that interims literally read a job title, and apply without even looking at the job spec. It should be fairly easy to work out whether you are the "silver bullet" candidate for a role before you apply. If you're a contractor, and you're not the silver bullet, someone will be. If you have less than 80% of the skills that are discussed in the job ad, then why would you even bother applying? You're just promoting your ignorance.

To my mind, Interims/Contractors should be charged a huge fee for every application they make if they can't justify exactly why they have sent their application to you. This is not the permanent market for gods sake - Clients won't wait for you to learn the ropes before delivering.

Imagine it like a flat pack furniture exercise - you buy two chests of drawers - the first one you break screws, lose bits, get royally p'ed off with the instructions, shout at the wife, kill the cat and it takes you hours. The second one, goes together in 20 minutes, looks fantastic, and serves for years to come. On the interim market, THAT is what we're looking for - the person that has already built their bedroom furniture, and knows exactly what to do to get a positive result. Ultimately, our reputation DEPENDS on what you do on site - why would we trust someone that hasn't delivered it before??

In terms of the overall question though (before I went into rant mode) - it's impossible to prove your salt with so much carp around - which is why I build relationships with interims, and clients, in equal measure -I need someone I can trust to deliver, and that will take them when I can supply them - and when they're not in my network - I need to prove that they've done what I need them to.

Find yourself an intelligent, honest, and plugged in recruiter, and stick with them (trust me - they are out there) - build the relationship with them - it'll pay off in the end, I'm sure.

Good luck
TAV

[BrilloPad]

Unfortunately, a large proportion of the blame for poor agencies, is poor candidates.

And that was as far as I read from your post. What a load of bollux.

IMO 50% of contractors are sh1t : but so are 50% of agents.

[Pogle]

And herein lies the problem. Ultimately the only way an agent can prove his salt to you, is to prove his salt to you......and I guess that probably means placing you, looking after you, delivering for you - it's the only language interims understand.
YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA YARDA

gged in recruiter, and stick with them (trust me - they are out there) - build the relationship with them - it'll pay off in the end, I'm sure.

Good luck
TAV

I'm quite a nice piggy, I eat my carrots and nibble the odd bit of furniture and I'm not given to much rage or anger,
but seriously, no REALLY - just FOAD.

[MrMark]

It should be fairly easy to work out whether you are the "silver bullet" candidate for a role before you apply. If you're a contractor, and you're not the silver bullet, someone will be. If you have less than 80% of the skills that are discussed in the job ad, then why would you even bother applying?

It's one thing being the ideal candidate for a role; it's quite another when the agent has enough nous to realise this and "allows" your cv to go to the client. I'm genuinely scared I will have a coronary if I ever speak again to an agent who fully understands what the job needs and which candidates are really appropriate to that role.

[RichardCranium]

To my mind, Interims/Contractors should be charged a huge fee for every application they make if they can't justify exactly why they have sent their application to you.

Isn't that included in the 20%-40% you charge the successful one of their rate?