Reply to Agents asking for your past interview / Client Details

[acontractor]

Hi,

I had an interview a week ago (unsuccessful). I have sevral agents calling me and asking for if I had any interview recently and I say yes. And then they dwell into who the client is and whats the contact name etc. I know they are fishing for any prospective clients. But I dont feel very confortable discussing my past interview details in my working hours !. Can anyone shed some lights about how to divert the conversation with agents without losing any prospective contract he/she has?

I am new to the contracting hence the question.

Thanks

[SuPaStA]

Two popular questions....

Agent:"How have you been finding the market?"
You:"No idea, this is the first role I applied for"

Agent: "Have you had any interviews recently?"
You: "No"

[craig1]

If you're completely sure it's a fishing exercise and you're a bit bored then it's often worth going down these lines:

Agent: "So... have you had any interviews lately or do you have any planned?"
You: "Yes, I had one yesterday and have another tomorrow"
(agent gets chubby-on on the far side of the line)
Agent: "Can you let me know who it is with and who the line manager is? I need to ensure I don't send you for the same roles, our portfolio is huge after all"
You: "Sorry, the client details are confidential"
Agent: "But how will we know not to send your details to an already conflicted client"
You: "Surely you'd ask permission and tell me the client before you send out my CV?"

and so on...

They know there's the juicy worm of two potential clients there, you can keep them on the phone for ages letting them tie themselves in knots trying to get that worm off the hook.

[Wanderer]

I had an interview a week ago (unsuccessful). I have sevral agents calling me and asking for if I had any interview recently and I say yes. And then they dwell into who the client is and whats the contact name etc.

Hmm, as much as I hate the way agents do business, if you didn't get the job then there isn't such a problem giving the details out really. It's just if you have an interview or prospective interview lined up that you have to stay quiet.

[acontractor]

Thanks for your replies. I guess as a part of process I need thick skin and fluency in lying (when necessary)