How do you find the market? Have you got any other interviews scheduled?

[MisterLysenkiy]

Almost 99% of agents ask this type of questions. As on my understanding, the only reason for that is to understand if someone else can take you off the market.

In this case they will not put you forward but will put someone who hasn't anything scheduled, as they do not want to bet on contractor who may disappear elsewhere and they'll loose commission at all.

So does that mean the only one correct answer is "NO", the same as with planned vacations question? Does is only filtering questions aiming to disqualify the candidate and have nothing more except that?

As for myself I answer "NO" in any case, doesn't matter how many other interviews I have so far.

And if the answer is yes to both of questions above, why do they still ask them if vast majority of contractors might know that trick and claim they have no other interviews? Does it become a "ritual" then?

[amcdonald]

When times were good it seemed they wanted you to say yes so they know that you're in demand and worth putting forward

Now their logic seems to have jumped the shark, and they just want you to lie to them and pretend you haven't considered any other contracts bar the one they've randomly phoned you up about

And the best way to qualify is to say that by conincidence you only started looking for contracts today so they think you're fresh meat on the contract market

[tranceporter]

When times were good it seemed they wanted you to say yes so they know that you're in demand and worth putting forward

Now their logic seems to have jumped the shark, and they just want you to lie to them and pretend you haven't considered any other contracts bar the one they've randomly phoned you up about

And the best way to qualify is to say that by conincidence you only started looking for contracts today so they think you're fresh meat on the contract market

WHS. I always pretend and say that he is the first one to call me, since I started looking since yesterday, and uploaded my CV to Jobswerve.

[Bunk]

If you say yes, he'll immediately want to know where so he can get someone in, so always say no. I usually make it sound like I've not really started looking yet and they might just be lucky enough to get me early

[MisterLysenkiy]

Replying that you've recently started is not a case when you are 3 for months on a bench.

Plus I expect agents to have a CRM-like systems to store candidates information and leave couple notes as brief summarise after each call. So when next time they decide to call you - they will have quick history of calls, you positions and your claimed desired rates, all that straight under their eyes.

[amcdonald]

Replying that you've recently started is not a case when you are 3 for months on a bench.

Plus I expect agents to have a CRM-like systems to store candidates information and leave couple notes as brief summarise after each call. So when next time they decide to call you - they will have quick history of calls, you positions and your claimed desired rates, all that straight under their eyes.

Not a problem unless they ask then, you've been on holiday, been building a yacht for a round the world trip, been on training courses....make up anything apart from saying you were out of work

If theres a sniff of getting a commission, they won't care about your past beyond trying to get two references from you to make more sales calls

[CoolCat]

Replying that you've recently started is not a case when you are 3 for months on a bench.

Plus I expect agents to have a CRM-like systems to store candidates information and leave couple notes as brief summarise after each call. So when next time they decide to call you - they will have quick history of calls, you positions and your claimed desired rates, all that straight under their eyes.

Not really half the point of contracting for me is an ability to take long breaks. Just because I aint accepted any offers doesnt mean I aint had any. Just tell em I am on extended holiday, which is usually correct.

[flipFlop]

half the point of contracting for me is an ability to take long breaks.

I told an agent this recently and it stopped him in his tracks.

[flipFlop]

Almost 99% of agents ask this type of questions.

The answer is prosaic. The agents have little to do each day in the office because the market is dead: so they try to look busy to their boss by 'phoning their prospects, yet have little to talk about - least of all any real contract.

It's rather like the questions your hairdresser asks you as she gives you a blow-dry.

[Ticktock]

The answer is prosaic. The agents have little to do each day in the office because the market is dead: so they try to look busy to their boss by 'phoning their prospects, yet have little to talk about - least of all any real contract.

It's rather like the questions your hairdresser asks you as she gives you a blow-dry.

From this and the other thread you posted in with similar sentiments, it sounds as if you aren't having much luck finding work.
I generally haven't started looking for a new contract until I've finished the previous one, to give myself a couple / few weeks break, but I've got a consultancy and an (trusted is the wrong word, but I have a decent relationship with) agent who keep coming to me with work each time - in fact the agent brought me to the consultancy. Apart from a previous client who asked me to come back to them for a while, these 2 have found me my past 3 or 4 pieces of work.

EDIT: Just saw flipFlops's current forum level: "Bench? What Bench?". How ironic.