Advantages of using an Agency.

[northernladuk]

That' what I thought. Pushy sods through aren't they?

I (regrettably) published my CV on a job web site several months ago and have been fending off agency phishing calls ever since!

My advice is not to go off on one about agents as so many people seem to here. They are a valuable source of work and in a large majority of cases you will have to deal with them so instead of going negative on them just learn to use them and deal with it as a necessary part of the process. So what if they call you fishing for info. Takes about 10 secs to say no thanks good bye. I would much rather get fished 100 times by an agent and get a call for a gig out of the blue. Yes they are pushy but they are out to make $$$'s and ultimately they do it by putting us in roles.

Use your nouse and spin the conversation around, give him the mimimum you can to get your CV on his books and then he is (in a very small part) working on your behalf to get a role. Yes I have had an agent search their own database and ring me about a role so very occasionally it works but you only need it to work once and your are off the bench.

Don't get dragged down in to all the agent bashing that goes on from time to time on here. They are playing you so play them back.

[JamJarST]

My advice is not to go off on one about agents as so many people seem to here. They are a valuable source of work and in a large majority of cases you will have to deal with them so instead of going negative on them just learn to use them and deal with it as a necessary part of the process. So what if they call you fishing for info. Takes about 10 secs to say no thanks good bye. I would much rather get fished 100 times by an agent and get a call for a gig out of the blue. Yes they are pushy but they are out to make $$$'s and ultimately they do it by putting us in roles.

Use your nouse and spin the conversation around, give him the mimimum you can to get your CV on his books and then he is (in a very small part) working on your behalf to get a role. Yes I have had an agent search their own database and ring me about a role so very occasionally it works but you only need it to work once and your are off the bench.

Don't get dragged down in to all the agent bashing that goes on from time to time on here. They are playing you so play them back.

Great advice, and agents do actually find work for us too.

[Cr1spy]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Have been lurking around this site for quite some time and have read all the getting started info. Not to mention several other sites, guides, advice from friends who have gone before and even spent some time on the HMRS site [shudder].

In fact I've been obsessing over this decision for quite some time but found very little about the benefits of using an agency, hence the question.

Anyway, big client meeting tomorrow. Fingers cross that this first contract is close at hand.

[Wanderer]

That' what I thought. Pushy sods through aren't they?
I (regrettably) published my CV on a job web site several months ago and have been fending off agency phishing calls ever since!

I always get a prepay burner SIM for the phone and a throw away email address to use when job hunting otherwise the agents will hassle you forever more....

[lukemg]

Good advice here.
Don't underestimate the importance of getting paid promptly. Got a mate who is self-employed and he has a nightmare getting money off lots of companies and has had to write off plenty.
That's worth a few bob and factoring isnt that easy, it costs and the company involved will have to be approved beforehand.
I would be tempted to chuck it at a couple of agencies to see what % they would do it for, also provides some separation from client. Tell them it might give them an in for the future which might mean they will use you as a loss-leader. Might be worth 2% !
Also - good B2B contracts on PCG site I believe, for members of course.