Is this guy serious?

[whoolio]

This recruiter calls me up said he specialises in the Java contract market. I felt it was a one sided conversation with me telling him my past employment history, places interviewed, other agencies representing me etc. He said he has a role but didn't give any more information than that. Then he sends me this email:-

Many thanks for your time.

Please click here to enter your references from your most recent employers. It would be good, where possible, to show them to companies that are interested in you. This will really help you get the position you want as it creates credibility with your application.

Ideally the references you give will be/have been, your direct line manager at the company. Include your current/most recent employer; however they will not be approached without your prior written permiss ion.

In addition, in reply to this email, it is important that you keep me updated with any details of where you have sent your CV and where you have been/are going for interview. This includes company applied for, location, role applied for and manager's name if possible.

This is so that any applications I make on your behalf will not damage any pre-existing applications, this will save wasting your time and help me work faster.

Finally, please keep me up to date with your employment situation i.e. interviews or job offers as it would be unfair to put you forward to anyone should your situation change.

Speak to you soon,

The cheeky sod!

[BrilloPad]

It is his job to try it on. And your job to tell him where to go.

Maybe you gave too much away in the phone call? He now thinks you are a soft touch.

[Notascooby]

To ensure you fully inform him of the interviews you have soon go through all your Bart Simpson type made-up names Joke names, phonetic puns & prank names and give some switchboard a laugh.

Mr Lion with the number for the Zoo is always a good one.

[northernladuk]

He is just doing his job and it is pretty common. We have a 45 page stickied thread as evidence!

[quackhandle]

I felt it was a one sided conversation with me telling him my past employment history, places interviewed, other agencies representing me etc.

Your first mistake. Loose lips sink ships.

Or better still : Loose lips loved by snide pimps.

qh

[CheeseSlice]

"I've got a number of roles I'm working on that I think you'd be good for."

"Where have you interviewed recently?"

"How are you finding the market lately?"

Sound familiar? There are many more, and basically the call will result in nothing.
I find its often the very junior agents that get put up to this kind of thing.

You'll get better at spotting these common approaches to fishing for leads.
I'm not ashamed to admit I actually enjoy calling their bluff. Let them think they're winning by telling them how many interviews you've had. Maybe tell him the name of one company but nothing more, get him drooling about the prospect of that lead. Then you can start asking specific questions about the role he has.

Its quite satisfying to get the agent thinking 'Abort, Abort'. Just picture the sweat running down their forehead They will almost always try to save face with an orderly end to the call, promising to send you details of a role. I've only once known an agent to hang up on me when he knew he was busted with nowhere to go.

When I cant be bothered to play, I just derail the conversation and ask what the role is and the rate. That usually brings the call to an abrupt end.

[tractor]

...

"I've got a number of roles I'm working on that I think you'd be good for."

"Where have you interviewed recently?"

"How are you finding the market lately?"

Sound familiar? There are many more, and basically the call will result in nothing.
I find its often the very junior agents that get put up to this kind of thing.

You'll get better at spotting these common approaches to fishing for leads.
I'm not ashamed to admit I actually enjoy calling their bluff. Let them think they're winning by telling them how many interviews you've had. Maybe tell him the name of one company but nothing more, get him drooling about the prospect of that lead. Then you can start asking specific questions about the role he has.

Its quite satisfying to get the agent thinking 'Abort, Abort'. Just picture the sweat running down their forehead They will almost always try to save face with an orderly end to the call, promising to send you details of a role. I've only once known an agent to hang up on me when he knew he was busted with nowhere to go.

When I cant be bothered to play, I just derail the conversation and ask what the role is and the rate. That usually brings the call to an abrupt end.

This. Exactly! If that doesn't shut them up, ask for the location and the client and a role reference number.

[nomadd]

Is this guy serious?

Well, he sounded pretty serious to me.

Hope that helps.

[beaker]

Got asked by a random recruiter who I reported to the other day, I said I'm a contractor I don't report to anyone

Haven't used recruiters for years and I have found most of them just remove value from the process...