Recruitment consultants....

**The Spartan** · 10 January 2012, 15:35

I used to get a lot of calls from recruiters until I took my CV down after I landed a role, I agree with what you're saying about the first couple of weeks. Have you tried tweaking your CV or adapting it to the role you're applying for? I also find connecting on LinkedIn with recruiters seems to help when you're looking for a role.

**Zippy** · 10 January 2012, 15:37

I think there might be a couple of things going on here

- they want to chat to you in the hope that you'll reveal who you've been working/interviewed with

- they have to pay to see your full cv. Some of them buy, say, 200 downloads (and they may not be able to see previous clients without paying)

I tend to ignore the ones who want me to fill in the gaps on my cv.

**jmo21** · 10 January 2012, 16:12

Originally posted by Zippy View Post

I think there might be a couple of things going on here

- they want to chat to you in the hope that you'll reveal who you've been working/interviewed with

- they have to pay to see your full cv. Some of them buy, say, 200 downloads (and they may not be able to see previous clients without paying)

I tend to ignore the ones who want me to fill in the gaps on my cv.

If I did that, I'd never speak to an agent ever again!

To be fair, while many are like that, some of them still ask you about your CV as, believe it or not, there are plenty of shyster contractor's out there who lie their bollocks off on their CV.

Speaking confidently about your CV to an agent is a step towards them submitting you for a role IMHO.

**northernladuk** · 10 January 2012, 16:24

Originally posted by bikeman View Post

Maybe I'm a bit slow but why do I get lots of calls from recruitment consultants who seem to have already got my cv from a job board and just want to know my position but wont discuss the roles they purport to have? I am guessing that they don't have any roles but just want an active candidate to spam prospective employers with in the hope of getting an in to the co? Please enlighten me.

Job hunting seems to be like selling a car/house etc if you're on the market for more than a few weeks they think there is something wrong with you and calls dry up. Had a recruitment guy yesterday who wanted me to put explantion on my cv for inactive periods between contracts! <mod snip: not for pro forums, thanks>

Read

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...eferences.html

Explains it all. You need to get up to speed with agents quickly.

Don't get sucked in to agent bashing either. Some take the piss yes but just shrug it off. Others want to throw money at yout. As you get more experienced you will get agents genuinely ringing you up for roles. I have had 3 in two days, granted for the same role that I am aware of but they were genuine calls. It is how they make their money.

**northernladuk** · 10 January 2012, 16:34

Originally posted by bikeman View Post

Job hunting seems to be like selling a car/house etc if you're on the market for more than a few weeks they think there is something wrong with you and calls dry up. Had a recruitment guy yesterday who wanted me to put explantion on my cv for inactive periods between contracts! <mod snip: not for pro forums, thanks>

A) You are NOT job hunting. You are a contractor now not a permie.

B) Why would he not want an explaination? Financial contracts will require you go to through a risk assesment and that will require you to evidence what you were doing in gaps. If you were being entertained at Her Majesties Pleasure you will fail the assesment. Nothign wrong with the agent checking so not to waste his time putting you forward. Putting on CV is a tad excessive maybe but not totally unreasonable.

As I say don't get big on agent bashing, learn to deal with them.

**kaiser78** · 10 January 2012, 20:36

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

A) You are NOT job hunting. You are a contractor now not a permie.

B) Why would he not want an explaination? Financial contracts will require you go to through a risk assesment and that will require you to evidence what you were doing in gaps. If you were being entertained at Her Majesties Pleasure you will fail the assesment. Nothign wrong with the agent checking so not to waste his time putting you forward. Putting on CV is a tad excessive maybe but not totally unreasonable.

As I say don't get big on agent bashing, learn to deal with them.

Really you are, if not in the true accounting sense of the word. Dress it up how you want, as a next contract or role through a ltd company etc, essential we are all looking for a job.

**GillsMan** · 13 January 2012, 09:00

Originally posted by kaiser78 View Post

Really you are, if not in the true accounting sense of the word. Dress it up how you want, as a next contract or role through a ltd company etc, essential we are all looking for a job.

Undoubtedly true, but I think NLUK'spoint is a good one: it's good to get out of the permie mindset and approach these things like the business deals we want them to be.

**Joeman** · 13 January 2012, 10:13

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

Financial contracts will require you go to through a risk assesment and that will require you to evidence what you were doing in gaps

yep, been credit checked in the past too when clients regard the info they deal with too greater temptation for people with huge debts.

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

As I say don't get big on agent bashing, learn to deal with them.

Have fun with them, let them take you out for free beers!! build a good relationship with the good ones, and you get to hear about roles before they hit the job boards, mug the bad ones for as much free beer as you can get.

**northernladuk** · 13 January 2012, 10:31

Originally posted by Joeman View Post

Have fun with them, let them take you out for free beers!! build a good relationship with the good ones, and you get to hear about roles before they hit the job boards, mug the bad ones for as much free beer as you can get.

Hee hee WHS +1

Recruitment consultants....