Them tricky old agents

**northernladuk** · 12 January 2010, 10:36

Am I reading this wrong or just not understanding? Why would you write it off?

Nearly every role i applied for the agent stuck this one on me just to get exclusivity for himself to protect his income. Seems pretty standard practice.

Whether or not you go for it is another matter. There was an interesting thread about whether people honour this or not. I didn't once and applied for a role with no less than 4 agencies who all said the same. They didn't tell me the name of the client so how was I to know

Anyway, I got offered and interview by 3 out of 4 and all hell broke loose. So they got a bit upset. First agent to reply got me and in and got his income, others smarted a bit and moved on.

It's up to you and your morals I think.

**conned tractor** · 12 January 2010, 10:52

This has happened to me in the past also, and all hell broke loose too. I didn't get the role that time. Although there was a period of about a month when I applied via the second agent as I hadn't heard from the first agent after apparantly submitting cv. First agent threw teddy bear out of the pram.

Sorry it doesn't make sense to you.

The question is, do you confirm, by email, that you will not let yourself be put forward by another agency to any agent or do you ignore their request.

Bearing in mind he was quite persistant, will they back down?

Thinking about it again he has it in the bag anyhow, as if another agent rings with the same job spec then I would just tell the agent I have applied via someone else, therefore rendering the confirmation email pretty useless.

**northernladuk** · 12 January 2010, 11:12

Thinking about it again he has it in the bag anyhow, as if another agent rings with the same job spec then I would just tell the agent I have applied via someone else, therefore rendering the confirmation email pretty useless

Well is there anything to say the first agent actually put you forward? Also is the first agent the preferred supplier. If not you could be on the backfoot straightaway and the second agent may still get you in.

The fact they will rarely tell you who the client is works in your favour. 'Sorry I didn't realise it was the same client' would stand up everytime.

I guess it is a matter of morals. Do you do the right thing and honour your email or do you play the game just like they are willing to play you I guess. Sometimes it may pan out will in your favour to apply for everything, in other it may go Pete Tong.

**SuperZ** · 12 January 2010, 11:14

I think if the client has been named it is less likely a blocking excercise. When they don't name the client but just say "if you see a similar position advertised in Surrey don't apply for it", itis very likely to be blocking attempt - give them hell.

**conned tractor** · 12 January 2010, 11:27

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Well is there anything to say the first agent actually put you forward?

Only his word.

Also is the first agent the preferred supplier.

Yes. According to him, but I have to take his word.

If not you could be on the backfoot straightaway and the second agent may still get you in.

The fact they will rarely tell you who the client is works in your favour. 'Sorry I didn't realise it was the same client' would stand up everytime.

I guess it is a matter of morals. Do you do the right thing and honour your email or do you play the game just like they are willing to play you I guess. Sometimes it may pan out will in your favour to apply for everything, in other it may go Pete Tong.

I just wish they would play fair. I like to think my morals are pretty good and would not do something underhanded unless absolutely necessary, like if I was getting shafted. Why do we have to play these games. Thats a whinge not a question.

**Tarquin Farquhar** · 12 January 2010, 11:29

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

The fact they will rarely tell you who the client is works in your favour. 'Sorry I didn't realise it was the same client' would stand up everytime.

Not for me it hasn't. I had one agent supposedly put me forward for a contract in Cologne. Then another agent came along with a contract in Leverkusen. I said go for it.

They were the same contract. The first agent came back condemning me for breaking my word and underhandedly going for the same contract via a different agency. He didn't pay a blind bit of attention to my protestations that he had said Cologne when it was Leverkusen, and that he had refused to tell me who it was so I couldn't know it was the same.

I had another case where two contracts (or one, who knows?) were in the same city. The first agent wouldn't tell me who the client was. The second agent wouldn't tell me either, but asked me who the first agent's client was, "to make sure we don't submit your CV twice to the same client".

I hate them.

**darmstadt** · 12 January 2010, 12:02

Over here most agencies and consultancies get you to sign a legally binding document commonly called something like a 'Kundenschutzvereinbarung.' This states such things that you won't go through another company and nor will you contact the company directly and your CV won't get passed until you agree to it. What is good though is that the agency will tell you who the company is, normally up front, so that you can say that you've already been put forward.

**BolshieBastard** · 12 January 2010, 12:18

Originally posted by conned tractor View Post

Just had a conversation with an agent who has agreed to submit my cv for a role on the basis that I reply to his email stating that I would not apply for the role via any other agency. Role is a good-ish fit, suspiciously decent rate for the sector (bad sector at the mo - can you guess what it is) and within commuting distance (midlands).

Is it the old chesnut of cv blocking or is he being genuine - he had a good speil ready to as why it was not in his interest to block anyones cv.

Anyway, I replied:

I am happy for you to represent me for the role as below by submission of my application to the client (xxxxxxx) and will not persue this role via another agency at this time if my application is submitted to the client.

Good enough or should I just write this one off staight away.

Nah, I mean how are you really going to know you were submitted?

In these circumstances I add 'During a competitive market, my co always tries never to make multiple applications for the same role. However, with the trend for agencies to not disclose full information at an early stage of recruitment, this may not always be possible.

Therefore, my co agrees to allow the first agency to secure my attendance for interview, to represent my co with the client.'

**Tarquin Farquhar** · 12 January 2010, 12:18

Originally posted by darmstadt View Post

Over here most agencies and consultancies get you to sign a legally binding document commonly called something like a 'Kundenschutzvereinbarung.' This states such things that you won't go through another company and nor will you contact the company directly and your CV won't get passed until you agree to it. What is good though is that the agency will tell you who the company is, normally up front, so that you can say that you've already been put forward.

Better, but still not right. Imagine this: you're out shopping for Sunday lunch in the supermarket. You go to the butcher's counter, and tell him you're looking for a joint to roast. I've got an excellent one, he replies, but first I want you to sign this undertaking that you will only buy it from me.

Why is a contract and an agent any different?

And as for those agencies that want you to say in advance that you will accept the contract if it is offered, how would that play at the butcher's? He'll show you a joint but only if you first agree to take it if he offers it to you? Getcha!

Them tricky old agents