Best approach with Agents re: applying for roles?

**cojak** · 9 November 2011, 15:13

Originally posted by SteelyDan View Post

Hi all, 1st post here, although I have spent quite a few hours over past weeks reading thru the very good information provided in these forums.

Been a contractor for several yrs now (BPR/Lean/Process/Change). I'm not a 'techie' (majority on here seem to be), but more on the business process side of things. I've previously got most of my work via companies who knew me, or I'd worked for previously, or I'd been recommended to them by previous clients. I've only ever had one assignment via an Agency in 6 yrs of operating as Ltd Co, and that happened pretty quickly, surprisingly. Things are drying up with previous clients, so have started using Agents via Jobserve etc.

Can anyone offer any advice on what is the best approach with the Agents?

Reason for the question; I'm applying for loads of relevant opportunities in multiple locations (UK) but don't even get a call from these people. Is the best plan to apply, and then phone the Agents to try and get them to bring your CV up to the top of their pile? Some of them don't even provide a phone number, which would suggest they don't want people phoning them, which I find strange when they are the one's advertising the 'alleged' roles! Or are they just collecting CVs? If you Google for a number, and make a call, then invariably they are on another call, or not available, and will phone back. Never happens.

Can some of you more 'Agent savvy' contractors offer some good advice please on how to get past this?

Many thanks in advance.

First action is to take a close look at your CV because it's obviously not selling you to agents.

No calls despite being a good match = look at your CV.
Call but no interviews = look at your telephone and influencing/selling skills.
Interviews but no contracts = look at your interviewing skills.

Start from here first is my advice.

(If you're happy with your CV then it could be that there are no jobs out there at the moment. Just hold tight until the New Year.)

**NervousRexx** · 9 November 2011, 15:21

Originally posted by SteelyDan View Post

Some of them don't even provide a phone number

Personally, as a general rule, I never call an agency re: a role; if they are interested in your CV they will contact you.

**Tufty** · 9 November 2011, 15:26

I found this as well when I started applying for contract roles via agencies. There were a lot of roles I thought I would be perfect for, but was obviously not getting past the CV review stage. I used the links on the right hand side for first timers to update my CV to reflect a contractor CV (very different to my permanent CV) and it had an immediate impact on agents contacting me and putting me forwards for positions.

Personally I preferred my previous permanent CV in terms of content and layout, but I think the key is to make it really easy for the person looking at it to know what you can offer and what you've achieved really quickly. Most of the agencies that phoned me back after I'd submitted the new CV called within about an hour of me submitting it, which was a nice change to me constantly chasing agents.

A lot of the roles advertised via the on-line agencies tend to have the contacts email address in there too - if they do, I've had more luck sending a direct email than applying via the on-line site ... but maybe that's just coincidence.

**malvolio** · 9 November 2011, 15:26

Ueual process...

Email them the CV updated to emphasise everything intheir original advert and a covering note explaining why you're perfect fo the role. They can't think for themselves, so be literal. For example, if they want a Project Manager and you're a Programme Manager, clearly you can't do project management as far as they're concerned, so align the job titles

Wait 10 minutes

Phone them up to check they've got it.

Three things happen, in descending order of probability:

1. They're not a their desk (70%). Leave a message and they won't call back so give up and go on to the next role.

2. You get some junior drone who isn't authorsied to go the toilet by themselves (25%). They may talk to you, but will be incapable of then explaining that conversation to someone with authority to do something about it, much less expalin why you're a good fit.

3. You get to talk to the agent (5% with a 50% chance they're incompetent or have already filled their quota). Make the most of it.

Don't repeat (1) more than once. If they think you're any good they'll call you.

To avoid (2) check the contact in LinkedIn. Don't even bother calling someone with three months experience who was previously selling sports goods. (i.e. about 90% of them)

If you get (3), make sure you've go the story straight.

If you haven't heard anything in 24 hours, give up an move on. The job will have gone.

Thing is, agencies are target-driven sales organsations. We are mere interruptions and talking to us means less time talking to people with money to spend. They fill roles by box-ticking, not by applying intelligence; more than a few use software to pick the CVs for review. It's carp, but we have to live with it. Just keep buggering on.

**SteelyDan** · 9 November 2011, 15:34

Thanks to you both for the replies.

I think the CV is fine, but wondering if Agents just sift thru until they have 3 or so, then bin the rest? I was thinking a call to them might lift my details to the top?

NervousRex, I wanted to be a bit more proactive than your approach, but owing to the above, was wondering if my CV was getting lost in a pile of 'many', or discarded without being viewed.

Ironically, I have had calls from Agents today for roles which I haven't applied for, and for which I know I am not suitable at all! Weird.

**NervousRexx** · 9 November 2011, 15:41

Originally posted by SteelyDan View Post

NervousRex, I wanted to be a bit more proactive than your approach

When I was new to contracting over 10 years ago, I quickly learned chasing agencies is a waste of time. Sorry to be blunt. Maybe revamp the CV and get some advice.
Good luck.

**cojak** · 9 November 2011, 15:55

Originally posted by NervousRexx View Post

When I was new to contracting over 10 years ago, I quickly learned chasing agencies is a waste of time. Sorry to be blunt. Maybe revamp the CV and get some advice.
Good luck.

I think this is reasonable if the agent hasn't put their phone number on the advert, but that does mean that your CV has to work even harder to make it to the top of the pile and has to be darn good.

**NervousRexx** · 9 November 2011, 16:03

Originally posted by cojak View Post

I think this is reasonable if the agent hasn't put their phone number on the advert, but that does mean that your CV has to work even harder to make it to the top of the pile and has to be darn good.

I see where you're coming from but always got the runaround from the agent when I used to chase and not sure if it made any difference in terms of getting to the top of the pile. If a role is of particular interest, I'll pop on a short covering letter.

**TheFaQQer** · 9 November 2011, 16:04

Not sure whether he's still interested, but at one stage DodgyAgent was offering to have a quick look over people's CVs from here and provide some pointers.

****er never got back to me, though

Best approach with Agents re: applying for roles?