The Next Agent That Asks Me .......

[dack]

Not long ended a contract with client I was with for over 8 years so haven't had to deal with agents for some time. The standard lines may have changed over the years but the goal is still the same, extract client contacts out of you.

I'm averaging 6+ calls per day and at the end of each and every call, the agent asks me if my CV has been put forward anywhere else. Some say it's to stop my CV going forward to the same client twice, which I obviously respond with "don't send my CV to anyone without asking me first".

I sometimes play a little cat & mouse with them by offering vauge anwsers to see how persistent they'll be in trying to extract said information. One agent I was particuarly vague with just kept going till I finally had to cease his efforts with "you know I can't reveal any company names".

Gotta say, I haven't missed this part of the game at all, but, it is part of the game so have to live with it.

[swamp]

It's not that hard to deal with when you get the hang of it.

I'm always polite but firm, and I've learnt to deflect difficult or awkward questions without confrontation. Most agents soon get the picture, though one or two need to be put in their place.

[thunderlizard]

I would agree with Swamp. With a few stubborn exceptions, agents know it's part of the game and will drop it easily enough if you let them know you're wise to that one. Try not to beat them up for basically doing their job.

[dack]

Yeh, 95% knowing they're trying it on and take no offence when you're straight and to the point, it's just the odd 5% that are persistent.

Feels funny taking so many calls after 8 year absence, all these agents sounds so young to me now .

[The Agents View]

Yeh, 95% knowing they're trying it on and take no offence when you're straight and to the point, it's just the odd 5% that are persistent.

Feels funny taking so many calls after 8 year absence, all these agents sounds so young to me now .

To be fair, you're probably a bit out of touch with the contracting world generally. Alot of old, dead wood fell off of the wagon during the recession, and you'll generally find those of us which are left, are scrapping for every last bit of business. 8 years, is essentially a perm job, so I'd advise looking through here and getting an idea of some of the practices which go on - take some of it with a pinch of salt (some of the contractors on here are delluded) but it's good to know where you should "give a little" to "gain more".

[dack]

To be fair, you're probably a bit out of touch with the contracting world generally. Alot of old, dead wood fell off of the wagon during the recession, and you'll generally find those of us which are left, are scrapping for every last bit of business. 8 years, is essentially a perm job, so I'd advise looking through here and getting an idea of some of the practices which go on - take some of it with a pinch of salt (some of the contractors on here are delluded) but it's good to know where you should "give a little" to "gain more".

I have to disagree about being out of touch, despite an 8 year 1 client stint, I have kept my foot firmly in the contracting world (including perusing this site daily )) .

When it comes to dealing with agencies, yes, fair comment, it's been a while and I do need to get back upto speed on the latest trends.

[darrenb]

. Try not to beat them up for basically doing their job.

If a ferret bites me, I will happily beat it up for being a ferret. I know it's not its fault for being born a ferret, poor thing, but it's not my fault either.

[SueEllen]

At some point you will hit upon the agents who honesty ask you for leads instead of "references" or who your CV has been put forward to.

[PinkPoshRat]

another classic line.... I have just come across your CV online and you're a perfect match for a role that I have (blah blah) I'll send you the job description if you can reply and attach the latest copy of your CV.

The job description author will be the agent (very easy mistake to spot!) and this call will be 10 minutes or so after I've reposted my current CV online....

[CheeseSlice]

If a ferret bites me, I will happily beat it up for being a ferret. I know it's not its fault for being born a ferret, poor thing, but it's not my fault either.