Trying to read an agent...

[Redcar]

Hi Guys,

I gave a CV to an agent Friday evening regarding a role I was a good match for and he was keen enough to call me on Saturday, to sign a DP waiver and a NDC doc for the client consultancy should I get the job (regarding documents written on the job, not the job advert - so I'm happy to ask about this here). There was no reference to sole agency status.

I called him again today about the contract and he said that CVs are going to be reviewed on Friday - then he asked me if any agents had called about this role. I said "no", but all he replied was 'Good, good.." - no pushing for sole agency again! . He then asked me if I had any other applications on the go and I said yes, in the 'North' (this is true, but I didn't want him to think that I would wait for him).

This has raised my suspicions but I was careful not to sound it over the phone. Do you think he's stalling me with another contractor?

I'm not sure if I should try another agent or not...

[The Agents View]

Hi Guys,

I gave a CV to an agent Friday evening regarding a role I was a good match for and he was keen enough to call me on Saturday, to sign a DP waiver and a NDC doc for the client consultancy should I get the job (regarding documents written on the job, not the job advert - so I'm happy to ask about this here). There was no reference to sole agency status.

I called him again today about the contract and he said that CVs are going to be reviewed on Friday - then he asked me if any agents had called about this role. I said "no", but all he replied was 'Good, good.." - no pushing for sole agency again! . He then asked me if I had any other applications on the go and I said yes, in the 'North' (this is true, but I didn't want him to think that I would wait for him).

This has raised my suspicions but I was careful not to sound it over the phone. Do you think he's stalling me with another contractor?

I'm not sure if I should try another agent or not...

Hmmmm I personally never ask for sole status on a candidate (ie across their job hunt). I simply let them know what the job is, where it is, and who it's with (unless specified by the client - at which point I just drop massive hints). You shouldn't need to ask for sole status unless you have 400 jobs that the candidate could be suitable for.

[northernladuk]

This has raised my suspicions but I was careful not to sound it over the phone. Do you think he's stalling me with another contractor?

I'm not sure if I should try another agent or not...

He is doing one of three things IMHO

Depends on what you call stalling you. If he is waiting for better matches or to speak to other people with similar roles then it is very likely he is. He has the option to put 2 maybe 3 CV's forward as do other agents. he is in a competition to win the gig with the best contractors and if that means waiting a little then yes he is. Key here to remember is they put multiple CV's forward. Never thing the agent thinks you are god's gift to the role and relies on your application alone!

He might have already submitted and waiting for feedback, he might have binned you. Either way whatever the situation is you have done all you can and have to get on applying for other roles as if this one has failed. If you wait for every agent to get back to you you will never get a gig.

Wether or not to go through a diff agent for same role is a moot point. Some say yes, cut throat industry, your existing agent might not have put you forward. If your CV comes in from multiple sources it could land you in hot water and make you decidedly unpopular with agents and client alike.

[northernladuk]

Hmmmm I personally never ask for sole status on a candidate (ie across their job hunt). I simply let them know what the job is, where it is, and who it's with (unless specified by the client - at which point I just drop massive hints). You shouldn't need to ask for sole status unless you have 400 jobs that the candidate could be suitable for.

Which I am sure is true but in nearly 100% of my experiences they did ask me to mail them with sole status and would not tell me the client until interview time. I very very rarely get to find out who the client is in the early stages of applying for a gig...

As much as your methods are refreshingly open I have to suggest they are very rare.

[Redcar]

Thanks for the advice - I'll probably not bother with a second agent, just let this one go and keep looking.

It still might come off, you never know.

[The Agents View]

Which I am sure is true but in nearly 100% of my experiences they did ask me to mail them with sole status and would not tell me the client until interview time. I very very rarely get to find out who the client is in the early stages of applying for a gig...

As much as your methods are refreshingly open I have to suggest they are very rare.

Sadly, It occassionally bites me in the butt as well
It is a cut throat industry - contractors and agents alike, however, I always feel more comfortable running the company past the contractor. It's a seed planting exercise really - I know most clients aren't revealed until the last minute, which means that I can confirm that nobody has spoken to them about my client (which is what the guidelines say should happen), which in turn builds a little trust. That trust can then give you an advantage when the age old "candidate submitted by another agency" argument comes through - I simply call them, let them know how it should be done (according to the guidelines) and ask if they'd rather use someone who was doing things above board, or someone who was being underhand. It's a fairly obvious choice IMO.

The annoying thing for me, is that the way I look after my contractors and clients SHOULDN'T be the exception. Frustratingly, it often is.

Enough trumpet blowing though Good luck with it - let us know how you end up getting on.

TAV