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DisHonest Practice

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    DisHonest Practice

    Dear All,

    I have since discovered over the last few months that agents are adopting a very unprofessional practice and I will try my best to explain it, I have been a consultant for 17 years and this is the first time I have come across this.

    I have applied for jobs that I see as being a very good fit for my skill set and for the references that I have.

    I have had agents inform me that either I am over qualified, talk me up as though the job was to good for me etc etc, I have since discovered that what they actually mean is that they put forward a best fit candidate where the agent can make more margin. If this is rife then it doesn't surprise me that we have so many projects fail and clients have a bad image of the contractor market.

    The reason I have come to this conclusion is that when I have challenged the agents they either talk me up or they change there mind and suddenly put me forward only to discover that its all lip service.

    I have contacted employers direct and done my own due diligence concerning 5 positions and here lies the awful truth.

    1) Employee told me they would employ me but the agent informed them that they couldn't agree a suitable rate, no discussion took place regarding rates.

    2) Agent informed employee that I had accepted another role

    3) Agent negotiated better rates in favour of themselves, this came to light when I discovered that the interviewer actually was another contractor working for the agent and they price fixed it with individuals willing to take a cut.

    4) I was informed that I was over qualified only to find out I was not even put forward

    5) I found out my resume was rewritten or it was accidentally merged with some one else's therefore losing the possibility of a decent chance.

    I have never before experienced this level of behaviour in the industry and felt I should post hear to warn of agents that ask for rates upfront, asking for references before an interview is confirmed, asking your bottom line rate before they confirm an interview, last minute negotiating with your rate in the hope to increase there margin.

    I would love to hear from anyone else that has experienced this, I found most of this out due to knowing the people in the companies or I had worked for them previously. If we have a lot of people experiencing this then maybe starting a prime ministers petition to regulate these people into good practice might be the best we can do.

    Take care all and let me know what you think in a professional and constructive way.

    #2
    Yeah, noticed this and it comes in cycles. Normally just before the market collapses. I'm pretty sure it is actually one of the triggers.
    Insanity: repeating the same actions, but expecting different results.
    threadeds website, and here's my blog.

    Comment


      #3
      I don't see anything new here. This has happended to me on a number of occassions over the last 15 years both as a permie and contractor.
      Illegitimus non carborundum est!

      Comment


        #4


        What is your specialist subject? Statin' the bleedin' obvious.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Frus88ed
          I found most of this out due to knowing the people in the companies or I had worked for them previously.
          Which begs te question why didn't you go direct. To be honest you sound very naive. Best to sell yourself to the client before discussing rates.
          The court heard Darren Upton had written a letter to Judge Sally Cahill QC saying he wasn’t “a typical inmate of prison”.

          But the judge said: “That simply demonstrates your arrogance continues. You are typical. Inmates of prison are people who are dishonest. You are a thoroughly dishonestly man motivated by your own selfish greed.”

          Comment


            #6
            I've seen all sorts of dodgy antics from agencies, but I try not to let it bother me. I've applied for jobs before that I should be able to walk into, but nothing happens and I've often wondered why, maybe there was a better candidate? Who knows. But at the end of the day there isn't too much you can do about it. If you have a good CV & yr skillset is in demand you will find work. Water off a ducks back my friend.

            Comment


              #7
              Fru88ed,

              Name and shame. It is your duty to the contractor community, so that we can all avoid these charlatans.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by wendigo100
                Fru88ed,

                Name and shame. It is your duty to the contractor community, so that we can all avoid these charlatans.
                Well, anyone who's been in the industry more than 5 minutes know which company we're talking about here....
                Insanity: repeating the same actions, but expecting different results.
                threadeds website, and here's my blog.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by threaded
                  Well, anyone who's been in the industry more than 5 minutes know which company we're talking about here....
                  Name & Shame.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by threaded
                    Well, anyone who's been in the industry more than 5 minutes know which company we're talking about here....
                    Let me guess - if the Agency was a well known 20th Century Author, would his first name be Aldous?

                    Comment

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