Agencies that say they will forward you for a role and then don't

[riffpie]

I've had similar things happen with 3 agents this week, and after reading the thousands of posts here saying "Agencies are liars" I just dont think much of it and move on.

Yep. All very standard as far as I'm concerned. I don't even think any less of the agent, I just assume they filled it, or the client didn't like my CV, or any number of other things. No biggie.

[Wanderer]

So apart from obviously not using this agency any more, anyone got any advice on how to verify the agents are forwarding me for roles and not, I assume, trying to prevent me from applying via another agency?

Who was the agency? It may just be that the client refuses to deal with them and they binned your CV. If you can, it's always best to apply direct anyway....

[SGD]

If you simply "move on" then you accept that a position for which you want to apply will be filled without your ever having your application submitted.

I admit that if you roast your agent over the coals then they are not going to call you in the near future but a firm but polite explanation that you knew they did not submit you despite having promised to over the phone can work wonders. If anything, it culls those shyster agencies and focusses you on the ones who value you, if only a little bit.

[SeekingIT]

The Gig

Did you get the gig?

[MyUserName]

Think of it from their point of view. They are not doing you a favour, they are not really trying to get you a gig. They are trying to get their commission. If they can do that by getting you a gig then they will, if they can do it buy swallowing your cv and sending someone else then they will.

Don't take it personally.

[evilagent]

Clientco wants 3 CVs.
Agent gets "dibs" on you by suggesting your CV is worth putting forward.
At the end of the day, agent has about 5 CVs, all with ok from candidate to put forward.
He has therefore to bin anything over the 3.

Problem here is the issue of who represents the candidate.
If agent says you might be suitable, but wait till this evening, another agent might snap you up before then.
(there is another thread about someone who went through one agent, got an interview through a second, and now the hassle of who represents the candidate and thus gets the commission)

Sorry, but the business is too fast-paced to worry about the ones who slip the net.

One approach would be the agent has XX hours to represent you and generate an interview, or you become free to be approached by others.

[SteelyDan]

Think of it a bit like horse-racing - although I know nothing about horse racing, but it seems a suitable analogy:

Five horses take your fancy from looking at their details/form - CV initial filter & review.
You can only select 3 to spread your money across so you need to narrow it down - 2nd filter of CVs.
You pick the best 3 horses which, (in your opinion) are likely to get past the post ahead of the other runners. - fwd preferred/more experienced candidate CVs to client
You delete the other 2 horses off your original list - bin other CVs, candidate forgotten.
You wait for the race to run its course. - candidate invited for interview & interviews take place
The race concludes; your horse wins - your candidate gets an offer
You collect your money from bookies. - candidate accepts & starts role. Kerching on both counts.

[SGD]

I appreciate the "put forward your best 3 horses" etc. but this is where picking the right agents comes in. I've done nurturing a small stable and going ultra mass market and now I deal with a few core ones where I have successfully been placed or interviewed before and a few others who come and go.

Better to try to get "in" with an agent who can put you forward as one of his choices than hoping to be selected from bcc emails going out to hundreds, all for the same job.

[Brian Potter]

Better to try to get "in" with an agent who can put you forward as one of his choices

+1000

Half the battle is selling yourself to the agent. When there is a 'real job' up for grabs the agent will be eager to talk and eager to put forward someone who will make him/her some dosh!

[SpontaneousOrder]

Bare in mind that this is pretty standard - so if you were to have a world where it wasn't, the agent's services would likely be more expensive.