Agency request I 'sole permission' before sending my CV

[strawberrysmoothie]

Hi,


I'm in pay negotiations with an agency about a role for a company I worked for previously (though not through this agency). We haven't reached an agreement because the money the are quote is way below market average - and I basically told them they are having a laugh.

However, the agent is keen to send my CV to the client but he wants me to write an email stating they are more or less exclusively representing me. This absolutely confuses me becasue why would I do that when haven't even agreed the daily rate.


Frankly I am not comfortable about offering exclusivity to anyone if we haven't even reached a financial agreement.

How should I play this?

oh....they also want the bog standard 2 references....that are not getting without a job offer on the table!

[ratewhore]

well, in my experience, they ask for this all the time. it get's the old CV in front of the client and any subsequent offer is subject to agreement of t's and c's anyway, which includes rate.

Worst case scenario is a waste of your time if you go to interview, but view that as the cost of sale...

[northernladuk]

This is just standard process. Say yes you choose them, matters not either way at the end of the day, just an attempt to stop you applying to all agents representing the same role. I got you first type thing.

Two refs just give the names and number of the last two agents you worked for to prove you did the work you say you did.

Simples.

[Not So Wise]

Two schools of thought on this:

One is agent covering their ass to stop contractor going though multiple agencies for the same role and then either looking stupid to the client (overblown worry tbh, client will not care) or more importantly having the client get the contractor though the agency that puts in the cheapest quote (aka one who is most likely taking the least margin or negotiated contractor down the most). A fairly reasonable worry

Other thinking on this subject is that agency has no intention of submitting the contractors cv for some reason or another, but are trying to stop them applying via another agency

My general response is, sure no problem signing exclusivity agreement as long as it has penalty clauses for agent not submitting my CV at the agreed rate. If they don’t just drop their request as to much hassle (quite a lot do) or agree to my stipulations (none ever have) I just assume they have no intention of submitting my cv and it’s a con to stop me submitting my cv via another agency

[northernladuk]

Two schools of thought on this:

One is agent covering their ass to stop contractor going though multiple agencies for the same role and then either looking stupid to the client (overblown worry tbh, client will not care) or more importantly having the client get the contractor though the agency that puts in the cheapest quote (aka one who is most likely taking the least margin or negotiated contractor down the most). A fairly reasonable worry

Other thinking on this subject is that agency has no intention of submitting the contractors cv for some reason or another, but are trying to stop them applying via another agency

My general response is, sure no problem signing exclusivity agreement as long as it has penalty clauses for agent not submitting my CV at the agreed rate. If they don’t just drop their request as to much hassle (quite a lot do) or agree to my stipulations (none ever have) I just assume they have no intention of submitting my cv and it’s a con to stop me submitting my cv via another agency

I have to say that second school of though is a bit, dunno how to put it, over the top??? You can't put a penalty clause in to an agent like this surely. Which dumb ass agent is going to accept that? But then it is so hypothetical I will leave it at that.

Every agent I have been through has done this and it has always been for no other reason that he has evidence he first dibs on me. End of.

[blacjac]

I have to say that second school of though is a bit, dunno how to put it, over the top??? You can't put a penalty clause in to an agent like this surely. Which dumb ass agent is going to accept that? But then it is so hypothetical I will leave it at that.

Every agent I have been through has done this and it has always been for no other reason that he has evidence he first dibs on me. End of.

I have only ever had this asked of me once (Hayes), and they did exactly that!

After a week I got an email back from him (after I chased) saying that the project had been canned. I was suspicous so I contacted another agency that had advertised it.
They submitted my CV and at interview the client confirmed that Hayes had not sent them any CV's at all.

[Menelaus]

Interestingly, these requests might be considered to be unlawful or at very least able to be challenged in court as they are - in effect - restrictive covenants which exist in restraint of trade.

Very interesting, in a geeky sort of way.

[Wanderer]

I'm in pay negotiations with an agency about a role for a company I worked for previously (though not through this agency).

Don't mess about. Either tap your contacts at the company or approach them direct and find out what they are offering and who is on their preferred suppliers list. It will save you a load of grief.

Frankly I am not comfortable about offering exclusivity to anyone if we haven't even reached a financial agreement.

So here's one scenario of what might happen:

Company says to to it's preferred supplier agency A, "Get me a contractor". Agency A advertise the job and then agency B gets wind of the job vacancy and advertises it too. You apply to agency B which demands that you go exclusive with them.

One of several things now happens between Agency A and Agency B

Agency B try to "sell" you to agency A. Some sort of deal is struck and when you get the job you are told that you are dealing though another agency
Agency B send your CV to the company and it gets binned for not being a preferred supplier
Agency B send your CV to the company and they like you so they tell agency A to talk to agency B to do some deal.
Agency A can't reach a deal with agency B so they tell the client you are unavailable (even if you are not).
You send your CV to agency A and they now tell agency B to sod off.

Some people I know just sign up to the exclusivity deals on behalf of their limited company (not personally) all over the place and then let the agencies slug it out.

[escapeUK]

Hi,


I'm in pay negotiations with an agency about a role for a company I worked for previously (though not through this agency). We haven't reached an agreement because the money the are quote is way below market average - and I basically told them they are having a laugh.

So you have no agreement saying you will not work direct for the client? Why dont you try and cut the middle man out, send your cv in direct? You no doubt know who will make the decision?

[Hex]

Tell them you will be exclusive with them from the time at which they can confirm they have sent your CV to the client. Ask them to confirm in writing when the CV has been sent to the client (e-mail will do).

If later you find out they didn't send the CV then the agreement will be null and void.