Agency Interviews

[Jeebo72]

I've never had a problem getting a job, so why on earth would I take advice from an agent who's just reading off a script:

CV must be 2 pages long, wear a blue suit, not grey, don't wear bold colour ties, shave, yadda yadda yawn ... all B*lltulip!

If you're good enough, can sell yourself, and most importantly the interviewer (at client) likes you, you'll get a job.

Agents will promote whoever they think will get the job, whether they've met you or not. They do not give a tulip about you, but about how much money they can make from placing people. Not saying that's a bad thing btw ...

[Cloud9Umbrella]

I've never had a problem getting a job, so why on earth would I take advice from an agent who's just reading off a script:

CV must be 2 pages long, wear a blue suit, not grey, don't wear bold colour ties, shave, yadda yadda yawn ... all B*lltulip!

If you're good enough, can sell yourself, and most importantly the interviewer (at client) likes you, you'll get a job.

Agents will promote whoever they think will get the job, whether they've met you or not. They do not give a tulip about you, but about how much money they can make from placing people. Not saying that's a bad thing btw ...

Easier said than done...many have a great CV but fall flat on their face during interviews hence the reason for meeting people to give feedback.

A lot of people lack the common sense needed or even the confidence to sell themselves properly.

[Menelaus]

I've done a couple of agency interviews and there's one agency (name escapes me - they were that good) who wouldn't put me forward without meeting me first.

My reaction was simple: put me forward, get me an interview slot, and I'll meet you before the interview. Sorted.

[Jeebo72]

A lot of people lack the common sense needed or even the confidence to sell themselves properly.

And a meeting with an agent isn't going to change that...

[Cloud9Umbrella]

And a meeting with an agent isn't going to change that...

I beg to differ. A good agency will give feedback and coaching although I do understand that many couldn't care less and disregard those that need extra help.

[Not So Wise]

Easier said than done...many have a great CV but fall flat on their face during interviews hence the reason for meeting people to give feedback.

A lot of people lack the common sense needed or even the confidence to sell themselves properly.

CV will give you the first indication that they are like this, basically have they been contracting for a while under multiple different clients? If answer is yes then most likely they can sell themselves (otherwise how did they get the previous contracts? They can get lucky once but not multiple times)

Then a telephone chat should catch the rest.

Face to face should only be needed for first time contractors or permie placements as these might not know how to sell themselves, "established contractors" would not be such if they did not already know how to do this, thus insisting on face to face interview is wasting not only yours/their time but also actually rather insulting

[Menelaus]

I beg to differ. A good agency should give feedback and coaching although I do understand that many couldn't care less and disregard those that need extra help.

I fear that too many agents fall into the not particularly good and not particularly interested in candidates. It's one of the few industries in which the sales people (e.g., agents) are almost contemptuous of the product (e.g., us).

[MrC]

This has been asked recently I believe and I think the general consensus you will get is that the agent is fishing.

Apologies, I did search the site for "Agency Interviews" without finding anything relevant- could you post a link?

Now the questions as to do you go or not? Where most would say don't he is fishing I would ask how much of a ball ache is it for you?

On this occasion it's not a huge time or cost I suppose really. Central London which means about 50mins each way and £7. Only day 1 on the bench and i'm away on holiday in 10 days time for a week so am hesitant about re-entering the mindset that comes with seeking gigs before my holiday. Spent 4 months on the bench towards the end of last year so its quite a concern especially after reading various posts on here about the lack of contracts out there. On the flipside i made the mistake last year of not seeking contracts for the first 5 weeks (seemed like a good idea at the time) which needlessly elongated my time out of work. Any thoughts?

[MrC]

Update

Spoke to agent today, said i couldn't make it but asked if the conversation was something we could do over the phone. He said no, it was all part of their "Virtual Bench" which he says is their preffered shortlist of contractors that they consider first when a role come in.

Anyone had any experience/sucess of said virtual bench?

[MrC]

Bump