Agency tricks again

**Zippy** · 20 August 2010, 19:00

She was probably after your rate (did you tell her?) for a bit of market research. I doubt she was interested in your driving licence.
You can't avoid spam calls but you can shorten them by asking whether they have a specific position they are recruiting for and if so, who. what, when, where.

**The Agents View** · 20 August 2010, 20:38

Originally posted by Zippy View Post

She was probably after your rate (did you tell her?) for a bit of market research. I doubt she was interested in your driving licence.
You can't avoid spam calls but you can shorten them by asking whether they have a specific position they are recruiting for and if so, who. what, when, where.

Jeezus you lot - stop being so touchy! She probably got busy, and it slipped her mind. Whether or not you have a driving licence is completely irrelevant for most things - unless its a job with alot of travelling involved. Market research? You really think we've got time to do that? This is what marketing departments are for!

**Zippy** · 20 August 2010, 21:18

Originally posted by The Agents View View Post

Jeezus you lot - stop being so touchy! She probably got busy, and it slipped her mind. Whether or not you have a driving licence is completely irrelevant for most things - unless its a job with alot of travelling involved. Market research? You really think we've got time to do that? This is what marketing departments are for!

I don't think I was being touchy. Bearing in mind you guys earn your money on matching contractors to clients, you are hardly going to forget to contact a good match for a position are you? He who cares sins and all that?

As for my 'market research' comment - I couldn't think of a better explaination (or term) for agents asking me for my rate without giving any details of a role. Surely this is the 'how low will you go' game? You may feel differently and it would be interesting to get your take on it.

**kaiser78** · 21 August 2010, 09:14

Originally posted by The Agents View View Post

Jeezus you lot - stop being so touchy! She probably got busy, and it slipped her mind. Whether or not you have a driving licence is completely irrelevant for most things - unless its a job with alot of travelling involved. Market research? You really think we've got time to do that? This is what marketing departments are for!

, yes of course it did...

**d000hg** · 21 August 2010, 09:35

Originally posted by The Agents View View Post

Jeezus you lot - stop being so touchy! She probably got busy, and it slipped her mind. Whether or not you have a driving licence is completely irrelevant for most things - unless its a job with alot of travelling involved. Market research? You really think we've got time to do that? This is what marketing departments are for!

If the market hits a low point, same number of agents have less roles to fill. It's just maths that they have time on their hands and grow desperate

**nomadd** · 21 August 2010, 12:00

Originally posted by Ashwin2007 View Post

...asked if I had a driving licence, and if I own a car, saying that the position is based in the outskirts of the city.

Actually, it could be genuine.

I worked with a Banking client a couple of contracts back who's IT centre was miles from the nearest train station. And taxis were very difficult to organise around those parts. Without a car and license, you'd be pretty much screwed. We added that to our list of requirements on the job specs., as we'd had too many people mess us around once they'd realised the transport options were pretty poor if you didn't drive.

And remember, she did say the job was on the "outskirts" of the city, which to an agent means a radius of approximately 150 miles.

**jmo21** · 21 August 2010, 13:14

Originally posted by nomadd View Post

Actually, it could be genuine.

I worked with a Banking client a couple of contracts back who's IT centre was miles from the nearest train station. And taxis were very difficult to organise around those parts. Without a car and license, you'd be pretty much screwed. We added that to our list of requirements on the job specs., as we'd had too many people mess us around once they'd realised the transport options were pretty poor if you didn't drive.

And remember, she did say the job was on the "outskirts" of the city, which to an agent means a radius of approximately 150 miles.

yeah, I've had this too.

**SueEllen** · 21 August 2010, 17:57

Originally posted by Ashwin2007 View Post

An agent today called from a withheld number, quoting a position I had applied for, asked if I had a driving licence, and if I own a car, saying that the position is based in the outskirts of the city. I said yes for both questions.

She then asked about my expected rates. After praising my resume, and after confirming that I am most suited for the position, she said she would send the job desc by email. Of course, I didn't receive any job desc.

Why are the Agents interested in driving licence information?

Because if you haven't got a car you can get one if you have a full license.

There are plenty of business sites, business and industrial parks that are in the middle of no-where and if you can't drive there you are stuck.

And a few times agents don't have job specs they just have a list of words. So all they can do is either remove client name from the email and send you what they have received, or give you the list of words.

**Drewster** · 22 August 2010, 08:44

I know there must be some people who are in the Contracting Market who can't drive..... but not many Shirley??

A few numpties just out of school/Uni.... a few "by choice"... a few because of Plod removing their ability....

In my social network if I ignore the "kids" (who are almost all taking lessons as soon as they are old enough) I think its got to be 99%+....

But WRT the original post - Its just a Pimp trawling and no you can't avoid them... but you can hang up!

Agency tricks again