What is the process ?

**The Agents View** · 10 January 2011, 16:21

Originally posted by absolute View Post

Hi everyone,

I received some calls from agencies after applying for several contract

the first one sent me the specification and asked me to reply (I think it's logic)
the others just told me they was going to sent me cv

but after 1 week, no interview.

What the process, how many time is taken between the agent's call & the interview in average ?
I am about to call them back. Is it a good idea ?

No hard and fast rules really.

I placed a guy this morning, who has been waiting 6 weeks to get an interview. equally, it looks like I will place someone who I spoke to on Friday, later today.

It's always worth asking, but be aware that they will call you if you're successful. They probably wont call you if they're not (they're trying to find someone who will be successful!).

May I suggest a quick email saying that you are just checking on outstanding opportunities, and would appreciate an update as to whether this role is dead or not.

HTH

TAV

**malvolio** · 10 January 2011, 17:14

Yep, agree with that. Worth one (and only one) call just to be certain, but if you haven't heard something positive after a week or so, it's time to move on.

**Wanderer** · 11 January 2011, 01:23

Originally posted by absolute View Post

What the process, how many time is taken between the agent's call & the interview in average ? I am about to call them back. Is it a good idea ?

Absolutely, follow up with the agency in a business like manner and see how they are getting on. I've had a few leads where the job came to nothing but another job dropped on their desk and I was straight in there.

Some jobs progress very quickly, others go cold for a while (change of plans, budget not approved, project cancelled, internal resource recruited, etc) there is no hard rule for this. Keep notes of jobs you apply for and the details of the agents so you don't look like an idiot when they call you back in a week and you can't remember the details of the job. Don't hold your breath waiting for them to call you, if it's not progressing after a follow-up then leave it with them and move on with a polite signoff:

"OK, it doesn't sound like there's much happening on that job for the moment. No worries, you've got my details so if anything comes up on that one or a similar job then I'm definitely still interested and available for immediate start so drop me a line. Thanks for your time."

You get better at it after a few dozen calls.

**The Agents View** · 11 January 2011, 10:12

Originally posted by Wanderer View Post

Some jobs progress very quickly, others go cold for a while (change of plans, budget not approved, project cancelled, internal resource recruited, etc) there is no hard rule for this. Keep notes of jobs you apply for and the details of the agents so you don't look like an idiot when they call you back in a week and you can't remember the details of the job. Don't hold your breath waiting for them to call you, if it's not progressing after a follow-up then leave it with them and move on with a polite signoff:

We suffer from the above as well, so when you call up, it's worth explaining which role it was, and if you know, who it was with. It just helps jog the agents memory, and stops them looking like a t1t, which is a good thing, because it puts them in a positive frame of mind (rather than "scrabble scrabble, I can't remember, so I'll make up a load of hot air!")

What is the process ?