Mention other jobs you're applying fr whilst in an Interview?

[kryten22uk]

Just had an interview, and afterwards the agent asked me if I was looking into any other jobs; which i said of course I am. He then queried why I didnt state so in the interview.

Is this something that is the norm? I thought it sounds a bit aggressive if you mention all your other job opportunities in an interview; sort of like you're trying to hard ball them on their offer/rate already! Furthermore, I would have thought that clients naturally assume that contractors are looking at multiple opportunities at once.

[northernladuk]

Because if you are applying for jobs he will wonder why you are going for contracts and will be worried that you will give notice to your contract if you get offered a job..

HTH...

[kryten22uk]

A bit of confusion.

Currently on the bench. Been looking for/applying for new contracts in attempt to win one. After one particular interview for a prospective contract, agent seems to have wanted me to start mentioning all other opportunities. Presumably so that the client knows what they're up against, but I think it sounds too aggressive.

[northernladuk]

To be fair if you did drop a hint after the interview you had other opportunities in the pipeline it might make him pull his finger out and try get the gig sorted quicker so he gets you before you can be offered something else so could work in your favour.

I wouldn't be mentioning them before the interview just in case he doesn't put me forward because, for some unknown reason, he thinks you won't be around by the time he offers you the gig.

He is just trying to gauge how much time he has to get you in and protect his commission without the risk of having to go through it all again.

I wouldn't overly sweat about it.

[Wanderer]

Is this something that is the norm? I thought it sounds a bit aggressive if you mention all your other job opportunities in an interview; sort of like you're trying to hard ball them on their offer/rate already! Furthermore, I would have thought that clients naturally assume that contractors are looking at multiple opportunities at once.

The agent asks because they are fishing for leads from other jobs you've interviewed or been put forward for etc. If they find out then they will try and get their own candidates in there, possibly even in competition to you. Many of them have no ethics at all.

I just politely skirt around the question with a non committal answer about how you are very interested in this piece of turd job they are offering but of course there will be other options to consider. If they start hounding you for names of companies who are recruiting then politely change the subject. Decent agents will get the message that you are not going to play the game. I suppose there is no reason why you couldn't throw the agent a couple of leads if they actually land you the job though.

I would have thought that clients naturally assume that contractors are looking at multiple opportunities at once.

Yes indeed. When the agent asked, perhaps your answer should be "Why do you presume that I wouldn't be looking at other opportunities?". I doubt that they asked because the client wanted to know....

[rob s]

If asked, I'll answer truthfully and diplomatically. But I won't bring the subject up with the client unless asked by them.

[kryten22uk]

If asked, I'll answer truthfully and diplomatically. But I won't bring the subject up with the client unless asked by them.

This is my philosophy.

Thanks all.

[herman_g]

If the client asks, I tell them "yes but none of the other roles look as interesting as yours".

If the agent asks, I tell them "I don't mind you fishing. When you close the deal for me, I will be very happy to disclose all info I have - I always do".

Nothing like a little extra incentive for the pimps. Once deal is done, I usually give him information I think he already has ( like a contact at the place everybody's been in and out of once ),

[northernladuk]

I don't believe the fishing line for one moment. Knowing whether or not his candidate is gonna take another role before he gets him in is a reasonable(ish) question. Not everything comes down to agents fishing. If they aint on the PSL they don't get their candidate in and I am sure they are aware of that.

[BolshieBastard]

If asked, I'll answer truthfully and diplomatically. But I won't bring the subject up with the client unless asked by them.

I take the opposite opinion. Whenever I go for interviews, Im up front and dont play this something to hide from them routine. I always ask when is a decision likely to be made regarding an offer. I also tell them I have another interview on such and such a day (when this is the case).

The way I look at it, if they deffo want you, you'll get an offer quickly. If they are undecided, you wont and therefore you can concentrate fully on the other role. If they dont want you, you'll find out quickly too so again, can concentrate on the other role.