submitting application - how long before starting to chase up?

**BolshieBastard** · 17 July 2010, 08:58

Originally posted by xisystems View Post

Hello,

Thought i would finally post something here after lurking for a while!

Basically I have applied for a couple of roles lately and I am not sure if it's the market/economy or "that time of year" but it seems that it is taking an eternity for clients to get back with feedback on initial applications.

For instance agent 1 with whom I applied for the role on a good advertised rate. I chased with a phoned call 5 days later and i was met with a reply along the lines with
" ah yes they couldn't get that rate approved internally so they are only accepting rates of £20 pph less"

This left me a bit baffled to say the least, assuming that he would of contacted me with that news a bit sooner. To be honest I don't think much will come of this!

The second role is a great opportunity I really want to land. After the normal discussions with the agent along the lines of "you are a great match for the role, blah blah blah". I have waited 5 days and have not heard anything. Now normally I would chase within 5 days, however I am keen on trying to ensure I get as much support through the agent as possible (unlikely I know!)

So the question is:
How long normally do you leave before chasing up opportunities after you have submitted CV's?

In anticipation thanks for your thoughts,

Simon

When you submit your cv, contact the agent within 15 minutes to discuss suitability etc.

Agents wont get back to you if;

the agent account manager doesnt submit you for the role,
the client doesnt want to interview you
the client has interviewed you but doesnt offer you the role.

**oversteer** · 17 July 2010, 09:27

I do this
- ring agent before sending CV, get their direct email
- email agent
- ring them same day / following morning to check they've received it

If you're really keen, ring them a few days later. But an agent will be all over you like a rash if there's any interest from the client. If not, forget about it and move on.

**Wanderer** · 17 July 2010, 11:25

If you really liked the look of the gig then grease up the agent a bit to let them know you are still available. Even if you are not the first choice of the client, you may get a second crack at the job if the first choice doesn't work out and if the agent remembers that you are still keen then you might be in.

If you find a good agent, keep it touch with them to let them know you are still on the hunt. A lot of jobs I've got (and recruited for) haven't been advertised on the job boards (at least, not in a form I recognise). There are also a lot of jobs which aren't advertised because agents are a fiercely competitive bunch and will try and muscle in.

Originally posted by oversteer View Post

an agent will be all over you like a rash if there's any interest from the client. If not, forget about it and move on.

In most cases though, oversteer is right. You win some, you lose some. Deep breath, chin up and move on.

Good luck!

**nomadd** · 17 July 2010, 14:04

Originally posted by xisystems View Post

I am not sure if it's the market/economy or "that time of year" but it seems that it is taking an eternity for clients to get back with feedback on initial applications.

Welcome to the wonderful world of contracting. May your stay, however long, be a pleasant one.

As suggested, if you really, really want the role, fire off a cv and phone the agent right away. I never do, because I'm too damned lazy. I figure if they want to speak to me they will pick the phone up. And, in all honesty, for roles I've have wanted and have been a good fit for, the agent has always phoned back pretty pronto. No point debating this approach, as people work/feel differently.

Still, once you've made the initial application and contact, don't bother wasting your time phoning agents. Do something more productive, like applying for other roles and improving your skillset. If the client is interested, the agent will be all over you like a bad rash. If the client is not interested in you, then neither will the agent be, so calling them endlessly is just wasting your time and phone bill. Remember, as many of the threads on here will inform you, there are literally hundreds of cv's put forward for every role advertised, so don't get too upset if the agent or client aren't interested in you. Just move on to the next one. Rinse. Repeat.

**xisystems** · 18 July 2010, 07:26

Many Thanks for all the replies,

I submitted my CV to the agent after seeing the advert (at 07:15 in the morning) I had a call back from the agent within 2-3 minutes explaining that my CV would be out forward, so I will probably give a call Monday and see what happens.

In the mean time the hunt goes on,

Thanks for the suggestions,

simon

**centurian** · 18 July 2010, 08:58

Originally posted by BolshieBastard View Post

the client has interviewed you but doesnt offer you the role.

I've had a few telephone interviews and face-to-face this year. If I don't hear anything for a week, I'll chase it up with the agent.

On every single occasion without fail, the agent has responded by saying "I've just heard back and was about to call you, sorry but the answer is no." By some bizarre co-incidence, my chasing call always seems to be perfectly timed with the client informing the agent.

They usually polish it off by saying "I've got some other roles coming up that I will bear you in mind for" - never once have I heard back from the agent ever again.

I can understand why they don't get back to us after sending in CV's - they must get hundreds. But when you get rejected following an interview, all it takes is 15 seconds to fire off an e-mail to let us know.

**SueEllen** · 18 July 2010, 09:52

Originally posted by centurian View Post

I can understand why they don't get back to us after sending in CV's - they must get hundreds. But when you get rejected following an interview, all it takes is 15 seconds to fire off an e-mail to let us know.

Your not going to earn them any money so as far as they are concerned why bother?

BTW not all agents are like this though the vast majority are.

**centurian** · 18 July 2010, 14:39

Originally posted by SueEllen View Post

Your not going to earn them any money so as far as they are concerned why bother?

Well they end up having to expend the time when we chase them anyway, so why not just head it off with a quick e-mail a few days earlier.

Which leads me to wonder if their motivation is more out of sheer vindictiveness - that they go out of their way not to let you know and deliberately leave you hanging.

**nomadd** · 18 July 2010, 16:55

Originally posted by centurian View Post

Which leads me to wonder if their motivation is more out of sheer vindictiveness - that they go out of their way not to let you know and deliberately leave you hanging.

Nope, generally I don't think they do. It's simply that they are one of many agencies working on a role, and if their candidate wasn't chosen, well, that's life.

Seems to me (from the posts you've made on this thread) that you are getting yourself into a pickle over this. Don't. Just simply learn to let go. It's the nature of the game. It's nothing personal that the agency has against you. As I said earlier in the thread, it's simply that the client has chosen not to take it further with you. Nothing the agent can do about that. As I say, focus you energies elsewhere, on finding another role.

submitting application - how long before starting to chase up?