How would you handle this?

[ross]

Attended an interview A recently, did really well but no feedback yet. Agent A told me it is only two people but when I had a casual chat with the interviewer he said he got more people booked. Next day I had another interview B and they are ready to offer me a contract and agent B is pushing me to sign the contract. I prefer A as it is a top client but no feedback yet (waiting for two days, most of my previous contracts I got the result in two days).I rang agent A and explained the situation, he just said just let me know more about the role B then we can disucuss.He asked me to tell about Client B, hiring manager, role, location etc. refused to do so. Should I explain him more about role B hoping that he will try to push client A? Or I can accept offer B and turn it down if I get offer A in few days? (To be honest don’t want to do this!) .Above all I got mobile number of hiring manager A , I can bypass agent A and talk to him directly.

Any suggestions?

[v8gaz]

Repeat after me - bird. in. hand.

Agent A is clearly sniffing after client B. You probably don't have the gig, in which case calling hiring manager A for feedback on your interview can do little harm. I wouldn't, butits up to you.

Personally, I think you havent got it - if you really had a chance, Agenmt A would be insisting you stall B and chasing an asnwer for you asap.

[craig1]

Attended an interview A recently, did really well but no feedback yet. Agent A told me it is only two people but when I had a casual chat with the interviewer he said he got more people booked. Next day I had another interview B and they are ready to offer me a contract and agent B is pushing me to sign the contract. I prefer A as it is a top client but no feedback yet (waiting for two days, most of my previous contracts I got the result in two days).I rang agent A and explained the situation, he just said just let me know more about the role B then we can disucuss.He asked me to tell about Client B, hiring manager, role, location etc. refused to do so. Should I explain him more about role B hoping that he will try to push client A? Or I can accept offer B and turn it down if I get offer A in few days? (To be honest don’t want to do this!) .Above all I got mobile number of hiring manager A , I can bypass agent A and talk to him directly.

Any suggestions?

You could accept B subject to contract. Tell them it'll take 3-4 days for your contract to get reviewed by your external reviewers. That'll give you time to push A to give you an answer.

That said, a firm offer is 1000s of time better than nothing at all.

[Pondlife]

Don't tell Agent A ANYTHING about Client B, other that that you have an alternative offer.

[Graham]

Every time I've had to wait more than 24hrs for feedback its been something like 'They liked you and were impressed, but another candidate was considered more suitable for the role' or 'They have decided to go with another candidate who had a million years experience'.

[SteelyDan]

There was thread on here the other day re; Bird in the Hand, and also re; delaying tactics. Might be worth you taking a quick look, it was only recently.

He asked me to tell about Client B, hiring manager, role, location etc. refused to do so. Right thing to do imho. He's spied an opportunity

Should I explain him more about role B hoping that he will try to push client A? I wouldn't trust the snake

Get contract documentation for role B, advise agent you are having it reviewed (IR35 etc) and will not accept it/sign it until this review has been satisfactorily completed.
Then hope contract role A make a decision within this 'review' period.

Not sure contacting client A direct is a good option; you could alienate agent A; I personally wouldn't give a tulip, but you might wish to be more prudent.

[SteelyDan]

Here you go...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...way-stall.html

[BolshieBastard]

Dont burn your bridges and as others have said, a bird in the hand etc.

If you want to delay, tell the agent you have to get your contract reviewed so if they'd send an electronic draft over, you get this looked at. Then you need to get onto te other agent and say you need to know if they have an offer. Course, they'll ask why the hurry and that's where you have to be careful what you say.

Good luck.

[TheFaQQer]

Repeat after me - bird. in. hand.

Agent A is clearly sniffing after client B. You probably don't have the gig, in which case calling hiring manager A for feedback on your interview can do little harm. I wouldn't, butits up to you.

Personally, I think you havent got it - if you really had a chance, Agenmt A would be insisting you stall B and chasing an asnwer for you asap.

WHS (but with better spelling and punctuation)

[ross]

Thanks a lot for your replies!

Just accepted the contract 'B' (subject to paper work) and waiting for 'A'.