Broken promises...

[chris79]

Here's a good one..

Got a call last week about a contract they wanted to put me forward for, but required a certain certificate as part of the clients short-listing criteria.

After checking what their deadline was (Monday today) I promptly booked the exam, self-studied it over the weekend, and passed the exam today.

Rang up to confirm I was now certified and they could submit my CV to client only to be told they had now exceeded their quota on submissions for this role... (wtf? cheers)..

...

Not really that bothered as I've got 2 things coming up next week equal/better plus I'll use the cert in the future no doubt, but all the same is there no agency with morals in this business? The agency in question got me my last major gig too, but the contact I was on friendly terms with has left so I'm now with a new contact. Further to this I got a lot of digging from them asking stuff about current leads/previous ones, names of people interviewing, etc..

[expat]

...
all the same is there no agency with morals in this business? The agency in question got me my last major gig too, but the contact I was on friendly terms with has left so I'm now with a new contact. Further to this I got a lot of digging from them asking stuff about current leads/previous ones, names of people interviewing, etc..

No, there isn't. There are agents with morals. Keep in touch with them. If one leaves his agency, he himself is still on your list of good guys. His (now former) agency is back on probation.

BTW if they have to dig so much, presumably he took his contact list with him and they don't know you from Adam any more. The agency now means nothing to you (possibly less than nothing, depending on his reason for leaving it).

[Green Mango]

Here's a good one..

Got a call last week about a contract they wanted to put me forward for, but required a certain certificate as part of the clients short-listing criteria.

After checking what their deadline was (Monday today) I promptly booked the exam, self-studied it over the weekend, and passed the exam today.

Rang up to confirm I was now certified and they could submit my CV to client only to be told they had now exceeded their quota on submissions for this role... (wtf? cheers)..

...

Not really that bothered as I've got 2 things coming up next week equal/better plus I'll use the cert in the future no doubt, but all the same is there no agency with morals in this business? The agency in question got me my last major gig too, but the contact I was on friendly terms with has left so I'm now with a new contact. Further to this I got a lot of digging from them asking stuff about current leads/previous ones, names of people interviewing, etc..

Once went to an interview that turned out just to be a 2.5 hour exam.

They said we can't trust contractors (ok they didn't, but thats what they meant). Personally I felt like leaving, but having driven there I took the exam and passed. I took the job, but regretted it...

[MonzaMike]

Can I ask what the certificate was?

[nomadd]

Here's a good one..

Got a call last week about a contract they wanted to put me forward for, but required a certain certificate as part of the clients short-listing criteria.

After checking what their deadline was (Monday today) I promptly booked the exam, self-studied it over the weekend, and passed the exam today.

Rang up to confirm I was now certified and they could submit my CV to client only to be told they had now exceeded their quota on submissions for this role... (wtf? cheers)..

...

Not really that bothered as I've got 2 things coming up next week equal/better plus I'll use the cert in the future no doubt, but all the same is there no agency with morals in this business? The agency in question got me my last major gig too, but the contact I was on friendly terms with has left so I'm now with a new contact. Further to this I got a lot of digging from them asking stuff about current leads/previous ones, names of people interviewing, etc..

Quite simply, you were had. But now you've learnt your lesson. Sorry, but that's the way things are these days.

I had a phone call from an agency today: "Love your cv, perfect match. I'll get it sent over to the client straight away. ...Once you've sent me a reply to the email I'll send you asking us to represent you."

Email turns up, says nothing of the sort. However, does ask me to "rewrite my cv" (WTF?) and "Send the details of two references". I replied stating the cv matched the job spec. he listed - and we'd agreed this on the phone! - and that I only give out referees after an offer has been made. Never heard from him again; and you can bet your ass the cv has gone in his bin.

It's the 50th (at least) time I've gone through this type of nonsense in the last 4 months. Kinda getting used to it now. So, to answer your question: no, agents have no morals.

Nomadd

[NotAllThere]

Can I ask what the certificate was?

Bronze Swimming?

[Lewis]

Once went to an interview that turned out just to be a 2.5 hour exam.

I get that all the time but mostly manage to get the job so it must help me that some people can't do the test.

I once went for an interview in my lunch hour - told agent I had max 1 hour. Client had arranged an afternoon of interviews and tests. I told them I didn't have the time for that and left - no surprise I didn't get the work

[mace]

I get that all the time but mostly manage to get the job so it must help me that some people can't do the test.

I once went for an interview in my lunch hour - told agent I had max 1 hour. Client had arranged an afternoon of interviews and tests. I told them I didn't have the time for that and left - no surprise I didn't get the work

Unlucky, you sound ideal as a PM. Have you thought about it?

[chris79]

Bronze Swimming?

Silver actually, I did bronze before Xmas.. jumping through hoops for the client in the current market.

[ratewhore]

What you described is BAU in the contracting world. Get used to it...