Permie Agency Problems (post on behalf of wife)

[chineseJohn]

hello all,

I wonder if you can advise - I know it's a permie query it's more how would you deal with this situation

other half is looking for a role.
Agency 1 offered a role and asked whether she was interested - she yes
Agency 2 offered a role in same company but sounded a different role - she said yes

Agency 2 secured interview with company
Agency 1 then tried to arrange interview, which my other half then finds out it's the same role

Her CV was forwarded from both agencies to same manager ......

My other half decided that it's first come first served, so Agency 2 arranged interview first.

obviously a lot of money is riding on this
- so agency 1 is harrassing my OH calling every 30 minutes etc... saying that they got in first because they spoke to client etc....
- she doesn't like agency 2

she has a few choices:

- withdraw from both agencies (i said no, as I wouldn't miss out on the opportunity)
- stick with agency 2
- tell the agency to ask the manager to decide who received the CV first (don't trust agencies)
- tell the agencies 50/50 split (my preferred option but is this possible?)

Thanks for listening.

[EDIT] My wife is not in IT but in finance - finance agencies tend to be a lot more professional that the lot we have to deal with ...

[JamJarST]

hello all,

I wonder if you can advise - I know it's a permie query it's more how would you deal with this situation

other half is looking for a role.
Agency 1 offered a role and asked whether she was interested - she yes
Agency 2 offered a role in same company but sounded a different role - she said yes

Agency 2 secured interview with company
Agency 1 then tried to arrange interview, which my other half then finds out it's the same role

Her CV was forwarded from both agencies to same manager ......

My other half decided that it's first come first served, so Agency 2 arranged interview first.

obviously a lot of money is riding on this
- so agency 1 is harrassing my OH calling every 30 minutes etc... saying that they got in first because they spoke to client etc....
- she doesn't like agency 2

she has a few choices:

- withdraw from both agencies (i said no, as I wouldn't miss out on the opportunity)
- stick with agency 2
- tell the agency to ask the manager to decide who received the CV first (don't trust agencies)
- tell the agencies 50/50 split (my preferred option but is this possible?)

Thanks for listening.

It isn't up to her is it? With permie roles there is no contract between the candidate and the agency, the only contract is between the employer and the agency. If Agency 1 think they should get paid they need to argue that with the new employer abd not with your wife.

[pmeswani]

hello all,

I wonder if you can advise - I know it's a permie query it's more how would you deal with this situation

other half is looking for a role.
Agency 1 offered a role and asked whether she was interested - she yes
Agency 2 offered a role in same company but sounded a different role - she said yes

Agency 2 secured interview with company
Agency 1 then tried to arrange interview, which my other half then finds out it's the same role

Her CV was forwarded from both agencies to same manager ......

My other half decided that it's first come first served, so Agency 2 arranged interview first.

obviously a lot of money is riding on this
- so agency 1 is harrassing my OH calling every 30 minutes etc... saying that they got in first because they spoke to client etc....
- she doesn't like agency 2

she has a few choices:

- withdraw from both agencies (i said no, as I wouldn't miss out on the opportunity)
- stick with agency 2
- tell the agency to ask the manager to decide who received the CV first (don't trust agencies)
- tell the agencies 50/50 split (my preferred option but is this possible?)

Thanks for listening.

Did the first agent ask for exclusivity? Did agency 1 present the CV to the client first?

The mere fact that the first agent wasn't able to secure the interview in good time doesn't mean that they have ownership. Unethical, yes. Your wife should have asked for a job description from both agencies and reviewed it before applying.

I suspect that your wife has lost the opportunity and would be best to attend the interview (if it is still on) and hope for the best. Just remember, your wife doesn't have to like either agents in order to secure the role, as she won't be dealing with either of them if she secures the role.

Edit: Another thing to consider. Has Agent 1 really sent your wife's CV to the hiring manager?

[NotAllThere]

At the moment agency 1 has lost out - too slow in arranging interview. Your wife should tell them "Sorry, but it's agency 2. These things happen, get over it.". If they continue to harass, then their are various legal routes. But not answering the phone would be a good one.

In a similar situation, when I was a hiring manager, I sacked the agency that harrassed the potential candidate, telling them I wouldn't use them again.

Ultimately, it'll be up to the client as they are the ones with the contract with the agency.

It is absolutely NOT your wife's responsibility to sort out.

[northernladuk]

Unfortuantely when this happened to me it didn't end well. The agents are likely to take the bunfight to the client who may not want any part of it and drop your wife from the running.

Maybe permies don't realise how agents work but it is a little naive to not spot the fact there are two agencies in to the same client. The minute she sniffed something she should have taken it back to the agents to inquire further. The same could be said for 'first come first served' as it isn't as simple as that as you can see. As I say we may be aware of this as we deal with agents a lot more so permies could be forgiven for not realising what a pain in the ass agents are.

What does 50/50 split mean? They both get a slice of the cake? Again you need to think more carefully about the situation. They will never go for this.

You are in for the ride now I would say, stop answering the phone and go for the interview. You now need a huge dose of luck that agent 1 isn't going to ruin it as they did for me.

[TheFaQQer]

- withdraw from both agencies (i said no, as I wouldn't miss out on the opportunity)

This is the simplest option, but it means walking away from the role completely. If she isn't that fussed about it, then she could do that - it's not something that I would do, though. The mix-up has happened, but it's not really down to her to sort it out, so why should she be put out.

- stick with agency 2
- tell the agency to ask the manager to decide who received the CV first (don't trust agencies)

These are the most sensible, particularly the second one. There is no relationship between your wife and either agency, really - it's the contract between the employer and the agency which counts. The employer will know which one deserves the commission, and know what they legally have to do.

- tell the agencies 50/50 split (my preferred option but is this possible?)

Not going to happen. The one that has done nothing may be grateful for getting paid to do nothing, the one which has got the interview will be aggrieved that they are paying out for something when they shouldn't have to.

One of the agencies should get 100% of the commission, assuming your wife gets the role and accepts. However, it's for the employer to determine who that agency is, not your wife.

[up4it]

If the client just used one Agency in the first place then the situation would not have arisen!

Also, agents do not always tell you the client name which can also cause the problem.

If you do know the clients name, then you can always go to their own vacancies website and see if it is advertised there and apply direct! ;-)