Agency 'Cut'

[DodgyAgent]

You're showing a fair bit of ad hominem here. Whether my anti-agent rant has any truth in it is not at all affected by your having a big house and a sportscar. Really.

You are right that there are many more contractors than there used to be. I am not one of the new monkey contractors out there, I have been contracting for decades and have seen it go downhill all the way. I blame agencies for this.

The question of whether an IT person adds value by going contract is a good one, the only good one so far. I think so. In fact I would claim the support of the market here, in that a client can always find permanent employees if they want. If they look for contractors, that is their choice.

Personally I am looking at permanent work now. Like some other contractors here, I maintain that I contracted not for the money, or at least not just for the money, but because I liked that way of working. It has now changed out of all recognition, and I don't think that I do like it any more. And yes, I do blame the agencies.

At least you are now engaging a brain instead of spouting off like a redneck hillbilly.

[Julius Caesar]

Are you really that stupid to think that a hiring manager is going to spend his time trawling through Google to find a CV of someone that may fit his requirement?

If he has to do a time-consuming "trawl" he's too stupid for me to want to work for him. If your requirement is for a contractor with my skills, you can find me on Google faster than you can get sense out of an agent on the phone.

[Julius Caesar]

At least you are now engaging a brain instead of spouting off like a redneck hillbilly.

Dang me, wrong sockpuppet!

[DodgyAgent]

If he has to do a time-consuming "trawl" he's too stupid for me to want to work for him. If your requirement is for a contractor with my skills, you can find me on Google faster than you can get sense out of an agent on the phone.

How is he going to find you without finding thousands of other contractors and related websites at the same time? Then how does he know whether you are any good? available? or interested in his work.

[The Agents View]

You're showing a fair bit of ad hominem here. Whether my anti-agent rant has any truth in it is not at all affected by your having a big house and a sportscar. Really.

Your anti-agency rant, has as much truth in it, as my saying that i live in a big house, and drive a sportscar.

I have a very small house, and have been lucky enough to have a sportscar, but quite frankly, it's cost me so much money, that it's up for sale.

[Julius Caesar]

Your anti-agency rant, has as much truth in it, as my saying that i live in a big house, and drive a sportscar.

I have a very small house, and have been lucky enough to have a sportscar, but quite frankly, it's cost me so much money, that it's up for sale.

I'm disappointed

[The Agents View]

I'm disappointed

You're disappointed? that car is like my child - I'm a complete petrolhead you see - I'd rather have a cardboard box, and a fun car, than a big house and a boring vehicle - I love it - but when she who must be obeyed speaks, then you know you're going to end up taking notice eventually....

[Julius Caesar]

You're disappointed? that car is like my child - I'm a complete petrolhead you see - I'd rather have a cardboard box, and a fun car, than a big house and a boring vehicle - I love it - but when she who must be obeyed speaks, then you know you're going to end up taking notice eventually....

When I bought my 67 Mustang, the guy's wife stayed in the day-to-day car while he handed over the keys with tears in his eyes. I had the strong feeling that his wife had said it goes or I go. I am not sure that he made the right decision.

I don't have it any more BTW. Far from making me get rid of it, my wife took it with her when she left

[The Agents View]

When I bought my 67 Mustang, the guy's wife stayed in the day-to-day car while he handed over the keys with tears in his eyes. I had the strong feeling that his wife had said it goes or I go. I am not sure that he made the right decision.

I don't have it any more BTW. Far from making me get rid of it, my wife took it with her when she left

She's not having it I tell you......never. I wouldn't mind, but the wife drives it harder than I do, and I think she's just burnt the clutch out..... I think I would have preferred she divorced me

[Stan.goodvibes]

I know you agents go on and on and on about how much work it is to get clients and positions etc etc etc, but quite frankly any more than that 15% is a giant rip-off.

On my rate that equates to around 300-400 quid every week for up to a year (at which point I approach the client and get them to pay off the agency so I can go direct). So sorry but don't even try to tell me that the bit of smoozing/bulltulipping you did to get me to interview stage is worth 10-20k per annum, let alone any more.