First serious incoming call in approximately 8 months, ( I do lack recent experience)

[Aman]

I had a call from an agent today, followed by a job description and the client's URL. He didn't ask for two references or how I was finding the market.

It's role I have done before, on a smaller scale but ages ago.
Since I have been out of the game for a while doing plan B work for a few years I wouldn't be that confident undertaking the role particularly as it is a team leader.

What's the best approach to telling the agent I don't have enough experience, so that he doesn't bin my CV altogether and I'm considered by the agency for future roles at slightly lower team member level?

I was just going to telephone back and say it's a role I would like to work up to.

[Ravello]

Personally I don't think I'd declare myself out of the running. Brush up/revise whatever you think you need to and make sure you get a day rate that reflects the level of the role

[RichardCranium]

I had a call from an agent today, followed by a job description and the client's URL. He didn't ask for two references or how I was finding the market.

It's role I have done before, on a smaller scale but ages ago.
Since I have been out of the game for a while doing plan B work for a few years I wouldn't be that confident undertaking the role particularly as it is a team leader.

As the team leader, your job is to tell if the staff are doing the job right and to time. You don't necessarily have to be the expert.

Do you have staff management experience? If so, you'll be fine and should go for it.

What's the best approach to telling the agent I don't have enough experience

Don't.

I was just going to telephone back and say it's a role I would like to work up to.

Noooo!

Spend 20 minutes in Google & Wikipedia to make sure you're up to date with the news & jargon around the techie bits of the role and go for it!

[Fred Bloggs]

You're contractor! Go for it! Don't be a wimp.

[nomadd]

You're contractor! Go for it! Don't be a wimp.

WHS.

You wouldn't believe some of the contracts I've pulled off over the years. Always a nervous first few days, but after that, you wonder what on earth you were worrying about...

[BolshieBastard]

I had a call from an agent today, followed by a job description and the client's URL. He didn't ask for two references or how I was finding the market.

It's role I have done before, on a smaller scale but ages ago.
Since I have been out of the game for a while doing plan B work for a few years I wouldn't be that confident undertaking the role particularly as it is a team leader.

What's the best approach to telling the agent I don't have enough experience, so that he doesn't bin my CV altogether and I'm considered by the agency for future roles at slightly lower team member level?

I was just going to telephone back and say it's a role I would like to work up to.

You've got to be in it to win it. What's the worst that can happen? You get the job and after 4 weeks they bin you off? That's 4 weeks money you're not currently getting.

[MarillionFan]

I had a call from an agent today, followed by a job description and the client's URL. He didn't ask for two references or how I was finding the market.

It's role I have done before, on a smaller scale but ages ago.
Since I have been out of the game for a while doing plan B work for a few years I wouldn't be that confident undertaking the role particularly as it is a team leader.

What's the best approach to telling the agent I don't have enough experience, so that he doesn't bin my CV altogether and I'm considered by the agency for future roles at slightly lower team member level?

I was just going to telephone back and say it's a role I would like to work up to.

Never, ever, ever do that. You've got the call, now is the time to shine. If through discussion he realises that you are not experienced then that is up to him to find out, not for you to offer.

I recently got a gig where I did not have experience of the core methodology that they wanted to use. I had a copy of the book on my shelf and so thumbed through it before the interview making notes. It was a phone interview and lo and behold the interviewer had read the same book because they mentioned it. I said I had a copy and used it all the time.

I got a 2nd interview and got the gig.

[Wanderer]

What's the best approach to telling the agent I don't have enough experience, so that he doesn't bin my CV altogether and I'm considered by the agency for future roles at slightly lower team member level? I was just going to telephone back and say it's a role I would like to work up to.

Nooooo! What are you contractor (man) or mouse? Jump right in there and sink or swim. It's not like it's a bloody permie job. If it doesn't work out then you get the boot after a few weeks. If it does work then you are away and laughing, big ticket item on the CV, Aman LTD is open for business! Make a pitch based on your soft skills, leadership, project management etc.

As the team leader, your job is to tell if the staff are doing the job right and to time. You don't necessarily have to be the expert. Do you have staff management experience? If so, you'll be fine and should go for it.

WHS, absolutely right.

I've had a LOT of team leaders who don't have a deep understanding the technical side of things. Indeed, as a team leader it's often best if you keep out of the deep technical stuff and let the team get on with what they are good at. (presuming you are competent enough as a leader and your team have the skills they need).

Jump in, it might be a bit scary but being a contractor is about jumping in the deep end isn't it!

[lukemg]

WTAS - Chucked a CV at a job in an area I had no experience in (DNA forensics) it wasn't even an IT job. Ended up on best rate ever by 100/day managing 50+ staff which will hopefully open doors later.
Best job I have had too.
Go for it - the hardest part of any job I have had has been getting it, only problem has been that they are too easy after that.