Ask the Agent

[psychocandy]

Honestly, chase the agent. If they are as poorly organised as me they'll appreciate someone chasing them. I once had a guy that was so persistent I blocked a day out to sell him in around his local town just to get him under contract so he didn't phone me every day!

Develop relationships with the guys who work the desks that cover your skills. Don't get upset if they don't have anything for you, at some point they will - and you need to be first in their mind, reliable and stable!

The best contractor I ever worked with was one I never placed. Got several interviews for him but never anything that landed for him. He did however teach me about the industry I specialised in (3G telecoms). He introduced me to his managers and peers and I kept him updated with the market and helped him with his CV. Still swap the odd e-mail now.

Agents often get accused of being short term, contractors should also ask themselves are they themselves thinking long term?

Interesting. It would be nice if it was more like this. Apart from a few agents where you do have a relationship most others are not like this.

If you've sent your CV, theres no point in phoning because you won't be able to get hold of them anyway if they're not interested in you.

Also, no agent is going to miss a candidate that they can place - no way in a million years. I find that most agents will call me back within minutes of recieving a CV which they think will fit a role!

And I reckon most agents would walk 10 miles over hot coals to your house if they couldnt get hold of you and they thought you'd be a fit!

[GB9]

Interesting. It would be nice if it was more like this. Apart from a few agents where you do have a relationship most others are not like this.

If you've sent your CV, theres no point in phoning because you won't be able to get hold of them anyway if they're not interested in you.

Also, no agent is going to miss a candidate that they can place - no way in a million years. I find that most agents will call me back within minutes of recieving a CV which they think will fit a role!

And I reckon most agents would walk 10 miles over hot coals to your house if they couldnt get hold of you and they thought you'd be a fit!

Have to agree with all the above. If someone wants you then they will make you aware. If you don't then you will hear nothing. Pursuit is both frustrating and futile.

[AnonAgent]

Interesting. It would be nice if it was more like this. Apart from a few agents where you do have a relationship most others are not like this.

If you've sent your CV, theres no point in phoning because you won't be able to get hold of them anyway if they're not interested in you.

Also, no agent is going to miss a candidate that they can place - no way in a million years. I find that most agents will call me back within minutes of recieving a CV which they think will fit a role!

And I reckon most agents would walk 10 miles over hot coals to your house if they couldnt get hold of you and they thought you'd be a fit!

I like being chased, makes me feel wanted. But if its a real job, and you are actually suitable, it usually is actually a help. Some agents block every incoming call if they dont know who it is, some take most of them. I am in the latter because I find that more often than not, I come off the call glad I took it.

[psychocandy]

I like being chased, makes me feel wanted. But if its a real job, and you are actually suitable, it usually is actually a help. Some agents block every incoming call if they dont know who it is, some take most of them. I am in the latter because I find that more often than not, I come off the call glad I took it.

But then everyone is going to think they're suitable otherwise they wouldnt have sent off their CV would they?

In my experience, its pointless trying to chase because they;re always 'on the other line' anyway. Might do it once but they only phone back if they want to in reality.

[LKK]

Honestly, chase the agent. If they are as poorly organised as me they'll appreciate someone chasing them. I once had a guy that was so persistent I blocked a day out to sell him in around his local town just to get him under contract so he didn't phone me every day!

Develop relationships with the guys who work the desks that cover your skills. Don't get upset if they don't have anything for you, at some point they will - and you need to be first in their mind, reliable and stable!

The best contractor I ever worked with was one I never placed. Got several interviews for him but never anything that landed for him. He did however teach me about the industry I specialised in (3G telecoms). He introduced me to his managers and peers and I kept him updated with the market and helped him with his CV. Still swap the odd e-mail now.

Agents often get accused of being short term, contractors should also ask themselves are they themselves thinking long term?

OK, thanks! Looks like calling does still help

[AnonAgent]

But then everyone is going to think they're suitable otherwise they wouldnt have sent off their CV would they?

In my experience, its pointless trying to chase because they;re always 'on the other line' anyway. Might do it once but they only phone back if they want to in reality.

Like I said, some agents are like that, some arent. If you think the role is spot on then a call wont hurt.

And no, a lot of contractors just spam us with their CV for every role if it contains one relevant key word.

[robin]

I have a question -

Do agents bother other agents to get 'leads' by using all the same tulip that contractors get when we can see right through what they are actualy asking most of the time. Do you ring other agents up and pretend to be someone interested in jobs other agents have advertised trying to get info so you can work out who it might be and get your CV's over?

I don't know why but it makes me feel a tiny bit better to know agents are getting it back from other agents in trying to get leads given they try it from us!

[GB9]

Like I said, some agents are like that, some arent. If you think the role is spot on then a call wont hurt.

And no, a lot of contractors just spam us with their CV for every role if it contains one relevant key word.

I'm guessing the market is awash with candidates and eventually you will find one who hits the mark exactly? I note an earlier post I put up saying I was spot on for 9 out of 10 requirements but got pulled up on the 10th! (a minor one at that).

[AnonAgent]

I have a question -

Do agents bother other agents to get 'leads' by using all the same tulip that contractors get when we can see right through what they are actualy asking most of the time. Do you ring other agents up and pretend to be someone interested in jobs other agents have advertised trying to get info so you can work out who it might be and get your CV's over?

I don't know why but it makes me feel a tiny bit better to know agents are getting it back from other agents in trying to get leads given they try it from us!

It happens. I dont do it, but I've seen it be done and know it has been done to me.

If you can see right through us asking the question, then just tell us blindly that you know what we are doing. A part of the reason agents do it is for genuine reasons though even if the main reason is to get that all important lead.

[AnonAgent]

I'm guessing the market is awash with candidates and eventually you will find one who hits the mark exactly? I note an earlier post I put up saying I was spot on for 9 out of 10 requirements but got pulled up on the 10th! (a minor one at that).

In my market - s/w dev - there are many more candidates than jobs. And often deciding who makes the cut to be sent is something we cant quite explain, but as there might be 5 or 6 candidates with the 10 requirements then we have to cut someone.

Usually in those circumstances, its the candidates who treat us like dirt under their shoe, has no willingness to give us any market information and give us one line answers because they view our job at worthless