Rates of contracts with different agents.

[Joe Black]

Cheers for that JB - I have no experience of the Brussels job market so I applied my 'UK' mindset to it - after 10 days you just write it off...

Perhaps AJP can comment better on such things since he's been here longer, but that seems my impression.

Certainly talking to a couple managers here on my last job one of the comments they made was that they felt the UK recruitment agencies were very "aggressive" (their words) compared to what they were used to, i.e. always pushing for a decision, for a response etc.

Likewise, as I commented before, I wouldn't be surprised if a typical UK contractor CV such as mine doesn't also come over a bit like that, i.e. as being much more of a (pushy?) sales pitch, compared to what I've seen here.

Then again, maybe for us [ex]UK contractors thats an advantage...

PS: Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Brussels?....you're certainly keeping the options open mcquiggd!

[AlfredJPruffock]

Perhaps AJP can comment better on such things since he's been here longer, but that seems my impression.

Certainly talking to a couple managers here on my last job one of the comments they made was that they felt the UK recruitment agencies were very "aggressive" (their words) compared to what they were used to, i.e. always pushing for a decision, for a response etc.

Likewise, as I commented before, I wouldn't be surprised if a typical UK contractor CV such as mine doesn't also come over a bit like that, i.e. as being much more of a (pushy?) sales pitch, compared to what I've seen here.

Then again, maybe for us [ex]UK contractors thats an advantage...

My impression is that Belgium is similar to the Netherlands in the respect that companies prefer to take their time when it comes to hiring.

Ive seen contract poisitions remain unfilled for weeks, months even.

Just as youve seen people taking thier time to relish a beer here in Brussels, its the same story when it comes to hiring staff, they like to ponder over things,

And as you habe observed JB the managment here resent being pushed or cajooled into making decisions.

So dont be surprised if it takes a while before you hear about an interview,I recall one contract offer in Holland took over three months twixt my initial application and final contract offer.

The key is patience.

Perhaps Fleetie can comment as he had been in Brussels for aeons, well I think at least seven years on a continious contract ?

[mcquiggd]

Cheers chaps....

Its been two weeks since I had a chat with the technical lead; the interview was supposed to be a brief chat but we ended up discussing the project in depth, and I gave some recommendations which he seemed pleased with; in fact afterwards he told me I had approached the problems in exactly the same way that his analysts had...

Still, I have an offer now so unless something amazing comes up by thursday Im going to take it...