New agency started up

[curtis]

I've had an interview yesterday I had never heard of the Agency before and looked them up they have only been running since July this year.

The company sound keen but what worries me is the fact the agency is that new. I know everyone has to start somewhere but its a factor in deciding whether to take the job but i want the job if offered.

Of course my main concern is that they pay monthly as that adds extra risk.

Has anyone got a job with a new agency should there be something I should be making sure I ask in regards to covering me for payments if anything was to happen.

[Support Monkey]

I've had an interview yesterday I had never heard of the Agency before and looked them up they have only been running since July this year.

The company sound keen but what worries me is the fact the agency is that new. I know everyone has to start somewhere but its a factor in deciding whether to take the job but i want the job if offered.

Of course my main concern is that they pay monthly as that adds extra risk.

Has anyone got a job with a new agency should there be something I should be making sure I ask in regards to covering me for payments if anything was to happen.

We all have to start somewhere, if your concerned i would ask for weekly pay and the minute they don't pay on time walk away

[PAH]

Plenty of new agencies are started by disillusioned staff of other agencies.

Others are started by directors that have come unstuck somewhere else and will have a bad rep by anyone that knows them.

So start by doing some internet searches on the individuals/directors to see if you uncover anything to worry about.

I'd certainly be wary of long payment terms (e.g. 1 month) for a new startup, as cashflow is the main problem in the early days while they build up their client base. Unfortunately that also leads them to prefer longer payment terms.

Maybe try getting fortnightly terms saying you're wary of exposing yourself to longer for such a new company with no trading history. If they insist on monthly payments try to get a compo clause put to cover late payments so you'll know after the first month whether they're bad payers as they'll have an incentive to pay on time.

Depends how rare or in demand your skills are as to whether you'd get any compromise in the terms. They may just decide to look elsewhere for someone less worried about getting paid.

Also worth investigating insurance against agency failure to see if it also covers non-payment and other eventualities. The PCG offer this type of insurance with their premium membership but I've not looked into it properly yet.

[Mister Clark]

1. Invoice weekley with a 7 day payment period.
2. Don't opt out.
3. Join PCG Plus (Agency default cover, I have this)
4. Carry out a credit check on the company.
5. Get a directors report for each director of the comapny.

Other than that I can't see what you can do.

Points 1,2 and 3 would be a must for me.

[tractor]

..

1. Invoice weekley with a 7 day payment period.
2. Don't opt out.
3. Join PCG Plus (Agency default cover, I have this)
4. Carry out a credit check on the company.
5. Get a directors report for each director of the comapny.

Other than that I can't see what you can do.

Points 1,2 and 3 would be a must for me.

This. Exactly.

Also, tell them you just need two references, bank statements and ID

[nomadd]

This. Exactly.

Also, tell them you just need two references, bank statements and ID

...And that you'll be cutting their rate by 10% within a week of starting.