Sneaky fishing call from agent, I think

[Old Greg]

Had a call from agent this afternoon. Son't recognise (or remember) the agency's name.

He has a role in exactly the tiny niche I specialise in. It's very difficult to fill etc.Good.
Based 10 miles from home. Good.
Has seen my CV on jobserve and it's good fit. Good.
Am I available now? Yes I could start Monday.
He has interview slots on Monday, can he send my CV over? What's the rate?
He quotes a figure 15% under my last rate, but still an OK rate in this market, and it's just down the road. Yes, send my CV over.
Are there any times I can't do Monday? No, any time is fine.
Do I really mean any time? Yes, whenever suits the client. Before you send my CV over, I'd like to update it following our conversation.
He doesn't think there is any need to but he'll drop me an email straight away and I can send him back my CV. Is this my email address? Yes.
Just so he knows, do I have anything in the pipeline that might make me unavailable? No.
Bye. Bye.

And I here no more... The phone number it came from was 'Unknown', so I'd assumed switchboard.

Now, I'm assuming this is an elaborate exercise to get to whether or not I have anything in the pipeline. It's pretty cruel, but overall I'm going into the weekend very happy that I'm the one receiving that call, rather than the one making it.




Of course it's possible that there's been a mix up.

[Wanderer]

Now, I'm assuming this is an elaborate exercise to get to whether or not I have anything in the pipeline.

Sounds like they wanted to put you forward as a candidate for a job interview to me.

Why you you think they would spend so much time chatting you up just to find out if you have "anything in the pipeline"? I don't think there is any great conspiracy here, it's likely that the client is messing the agency around or perhaps they just said "No" and the agent is too busy to call you back.

Whatever happens, good luck!

[Muttley08]

Think you're right to be suspicious...

I tend to think the worst when it comes to agents and you're never disappointed

I've had 15 minute calls, followed by this sort of fishing and then no email before...

Had instances of old agents I've worked through spending ages chatting, bullcrap about seeing as I'm available they'll put me on priority list etc...then slipping something in at end...

As long as you never gave them anything you won is my opinion of these phone calls!

[Old Greg]

Thanks folks. And the resurrected thread on evil agents is helpful as well.

I'm certain that this was a scam to get me off my guard. The role description was too close a fit to my very very small niche for me not to get an interview. Ho hum. Carry on.

[SneakySimon]

Fishing Call

I often find that when you get calls like that, the role exists but the agent that call you don't hold the role. Process that happens is:

Agent gets your CV, goes to company and says "I have got person X who would be ideal for this role" and hope that the company then agrees to an interview.

Generally this will be a smaller agency and the company will have an exclusivity agreement with a differnt agency or the roll has already been filled.

I now always ask the agents name, company and then check them out and do a search for the same role.

[Ignis Fatuus]

I often find that when you get calls like that, the role exists but the agent that call you don't hold the role. Process that happens is:

Agent gets your CV, goes to company and says "I have got person X who would be ideal for this role" and hope that the company then agrees to an interview.

Generally this will be a smaller agency and the company will have an exclusivity agreement with a differnt agency or the roll has already been filled.

I now always ask the agents name, company and then check them out and do a search for the same role.

Right. The agency doesn't have the role, but if you are the best fit for it and they manage to take you off the market for it, they may be able to squeeze in. If not, they've lost nothing. Of course, you have lost something, the perfect contract, but that worries them less.