Treating candidates like s%!t

[suityou01]

The problem is suity is that the people looking at your cv in the first (and probably second) instance have no understanding of what you do . They would not appreciate that the type of work you do can be completed or conducted over a short period of time. Pre conceptions I am afraid prevail. I always like to see some continuity in a job even if it is the first permanent position in a contractors career. Then for me it depends upon the type of work.

Having said that I don't really place many contractors these days - most of what we do is permanent. Contractor/agency margins are too low to put "experts" onto and volume is supplied by the RPOs and inhouse people. Whether this is the same situation in Europe I do not know as I have little to do with EU skills markets for IT people.

I get that. I really do. I just don't see what I can do about it.
I feel like I'm sipping daiquiris on the top deck of the titanic.

[Ramrod]

Mon 3:00 am get up. Breakfast, tulip, shower, shave.
Mon 3:45 am kiss SY02 goodbye. Climb in taxi.
Mon 4:09 am board train at Luton airport parkway.
Mon 5:50 am alight train at Gatwick airport.
Mon 7:05 am board aeroplane to Cologne.
Mon 8:45 am taxi to the office.
Mon 9:15 am arrive office.
Mon 9:30 am start work.
Mon 18:30 finish work.
Mon 19:00 check in at hotel.
Mon 19:30 gym.
Mon 20:30 collapse into bed.

That's just Monday's. Rinse and repeat for 4 months.

It takes some mettle.

You spend less than an hour at the gym?

Wuss.

[suityou01]

You spend less than an hour at the gym?

Wuss.

I'm getting there

Did 1 hour on Tuesday.

[TheFaQQer]

Apart from one, all the contracts were short because that is what was required. We need a business process created and rolled out in 3 months. That is perfectly reasonable.

You need to sell these roles better on your CV - make it really, really clear to everyone that you were brought in as a specialist who could do the job on time, to budget and then leave. Make it clear that there was never going to be an extension because that's all you had to do, so you did it and then left. Make it clear that these are the perfect consultancy roles - you didn't drag things out, you did your role well and then left.

Good luck with looking for a new role.

[psychocandy]

Agreed but you tell the 2nd choice(s) they are 2nd choice(s). Do they think the candidate would be daft enough to stop looking in the meantime? Keeping them in the dark acheives the sq rt of jack s&*t.

One recruiter once told me the main reason this takes place is that some candidates may take offence at being labelled as a second choice. In the event the primary doesn't work out then an "offended" infomed 2nd choice might reject the offer.

What a load of old b%^&$&s!



See my earlier reply. They have more to loose than gain so why not just do the right thing?

Nah. Not so sure. OK so you go for a gig that is spot on/great rate etc. then hear nothing.

Then you get offered another one. Crap rate etc. You're thinking, hmm, I'll phone the agent about 1st one. They tell you - its looking good but the decision is imminent when they know full well you're second choice only.

Slight chance you might can the 2nd offer and hes got you hanging on.

[Batcher]

I am afraid that there is no money in engaging with contractors in a professional manner

It goes the other way too.

I got a call this morning from an agenct, the number was withheld so was sent straight to voicemail. He left a message about contracts coming up and referenced skills that I don't have, and should have known that I didn't have them if he had read my CV that he supposedly had in front of him.

Out of courtesy I used to call them back to let them know I wasn't interested/not available but I know he wouldn't call me if it was the other way around so I didn't bother.

Anyway, I was boomed for another 6 months this week so

[suityou01]

And another thing. Of late, these pond scum spivs are winding up calls with "let me email you the job spec" and then not bothering. Why lie to get off the phone? What is to be gained?

A simple, ok well not this time I'll keep you on file and if something more suitable comes up, would be far better and far less despicable.

[DodgyAgent]

It goes the other way too.

It most certainly does

[suityou01]

I most certainly do

Ftfy.

[DodgyAgent]

Ftfy.