Is it worth calling agents after sending CV..?

[TykeMerc]

There are also more ads with fake names on them.

That's pretty much always been the case, certainly for the last 19 years I've been in the contracting game.

Quite a few agents use a fake name or a "recruiting team" to protect the actual agent doing the work from a deluge of calls.

Admittedly the call I made today appears to have actually put my CV in serious contention as the agent hadn't seen it in the 100 odd she claimed to have had.

As with all of these things sometimes a call is worthwhile, othertimes a total waste of effort.

[Not So Wise]

In normal market conditions it's always worth calling the agent to make sure they open your CV. If it's a job you are "perfect match" for call with in two hours to make sure they open your CV first before they other 3 other "perfect match" CV's they received and submit them to client

But never try more than twice, if they don't take the call either of those times likely they never will

If you are just carpet bombing role's then don't bother

But that's normal market conditions, in current market you have little chance of getting though, if they had to take a call from every one of the hundreds of contractors applying at the moment they would never have the time to get another client

[BlasterBates]

Normally I wouldn't bother, I always got a call back if the agent was genuinely interested. If you get no replies then worth trying from time to time. In my experience makes no difference one way or the other. However it won't put agents off if you do ring, and you might get some feedback on the general market.

[nomadd]

Normally I wouldn't bother, I always got a call back if the agent was genuinely interested.

+1

Save your phone bill for something more useful (i.e. phoning your mum, a pizza place, call girls, etc.)

[EddieNambulous]

I never chase agents *ever*.

I didn't get into contracting to spend my downtime looking for contracting work. If there's work out there that suits me, an agent will be in touch sooner or later.

And, yes, I am doing pretty well gig-wise even during this recession with this laid-back attitude.

Then again, I am a believer that one's mental attitude and one's results are connected.

[Amiga500]

Never. If an agent is interested in you they will go through hell and high water to get in contact with you.

[ratewhore]

Never. If an agent is interested in you they will go through hell and high water to get in contact with you.

Fair point. Although, when they have 120 CV's in their inbox and can only submit 3, what happens when you're the 10th CV which matches the skills and experience required?

And to EddieNambulous, there is an argument that, if one opportunity goes away, another will follow. Is this what you're referring to? What is your area btw?

[norrahe]

I used to chase gigs that I applied for.

These days if there's summat in my niche market I'll get a call from the usual suspects.

I've found lately that all you are going to get is the "away from their desk" or "in a meeting" spiel.

[gingerjedi]

I used to chase gigs that I applied for.

These days if there's summat in my niche market I'll get a call from the usual suspects.

I've found lately that all you are going to get is the "away from their desk" or "in a meeting" spiel.

Until you say he called earlier about an urgent role... all of a sudden they're spotted coming back into the office.

I wish they were more up front, I’d much rather be told I was unsuitable/too late than be left thinking I still maybe in with a shout when in reality my CV went straight in the recycle bin.

[George Parr]

Fair point. Although, when they have 120 CV's in their inbox and can only submit 3, what happens when you're the 10th CV which matches the skills and experience required?

They submit the first three and you're frukked.