How long until I can go direct after an interview via agency?

**kingcook** · 28 July 2011, 11:00

You've not signed a contract with the agency yet, so you can approach the client straight away.

The problem is though, that the agency probably have something in a contract between them and the client, stating that the client cannot "go direct" with an interviewees.

Maybe have a word with the client direct? At a guess though, the client has already decided to go via an agency and might not be interested in going direct with you.

**NotAllThere** · 28 July 2011, 12:12

Write to the client saying how much you wanted to take the contract. That you'd agreed on £500 an hour, then the agent turned round and said the rate was now 5p a day, which was not economically sustainable to you. So you had to turn it down.

You close with some words about how wonderful it would have been, and that you hope another opportunity arises with them in the future.

That way, if the agency has been mucking you about, they'll get a slap, and you might even get the contract. (It has happened). If not, at least you've been polite to the client.

**Wanderer** · 28 July 2011, 13:24

Originally posted by Kludo View Post

If I've been to an interview via an agency but don't accept (rate was suddenly much lower than agreed). How long do I legally need to wait before approaching the company directly?

If you didn't opt out of the agency regulations then it's 14 weeks before you could cut the agency out of the deal. If you did opt out then you are stuffed. It's probably irrelevant because most clients won't engage you directly anyway and the agency are pretty much there to stay.

However, some clients are happy to negotiate a rate with you directly and then negotiate with the agency to keep their margin realistic. However, it may also be that the client refuses to negotiate with you directly and insists that you negotiate with the agency but you won't know till you try.

How long until I can go direct after an interview via agency?