Leon Smith Jobserve

[PropertyCrashUK]

I have just seen a job on jobserve that interested me so I thought I would ring the agent - when did Jobserve stop posting telephone numbers of agents - to ask for more info.

The name of the agent is Leon Smith. His agency is down as IDDP. So I called the two UK offices and the Brussels' one and all said they have never heard of any Leon Smith.

There are several jobs advertised online by this Leon Smith. When I told the agency about this they did not seem at all interested.

I assume this is some fake name that they used and will now only ver CVs via email? It leaves a nasty taste in your mouth I have to say.

[threaded]

One of my girlfriends always drinks Coca Cola afterwards, another likes a G&T.

HTH

[DodgyAgent]

It leaves a nasty taste in your mouth I have to say.

May I suggest that you take a look at the two vaginas thread then?

[Jabberwocky]

Agencies often do this - it stops all those peeps who sign up agents to somewhat dubious email lists. Why people do this to these ethical, hardworking professionals is anyone's guess.

[DodgyAgent]

Agency tricks

Agencies often do this - it stops all those peeps who sign up agents to somewhat dubious email lists. Why people do this to these ethical, hardworking professionals is anyone's guess.

I have not heard of this one. I know another trick that agencies pull:
When a job comes through the IT system immediatly identifies the key words and sends emails to all contractors with the right words.
As part of the email (which includes some basic information) they are asked to not allow themselves to be put forward by another agent, even though no one has actually read the CV. Often in todays market agencies are restricted to the numbers of CVs that they can send per job (1 to three). What this system does is that it "locks" all potential candidates into that agency, before any other agency (who may have done something unusual such as actually reading and matching the CV prior to calling the contractor) has a chance to move.

Not only does this approach "trap" the likely candidates but it also locks out other eminently suitable candidates who may end up not being considered at all.

Now who is that supplies the software....????

[WageSlave]

Now who is that supplies the software....????

Some dodgy consultancy? Bastards

[privateeye]

I have not heard of this one. I know another trick that agencies pull:
When a job comes through the IT system immediatly identifies the key words and sends emails to all contractors with the right words.
As part of the email (which includes some basic information) they are asked to not allow themselves to be put forward by another agent, even though no one has actually read the CV. Often in todays market agencies are restricted to the numbers of CVs that they can send per job (1 to three). What this system does is that it "locks" all potential candidates into that agency, before any other agency (who may have done something unusual such as actually reading and matching the CV prior to calling the contractor) has a chance to move.

Not only does this approach "trap" the likely candidates but it also locks out other eminently suitable candidates who may end up not being considered at all.

Now who is that supplies the software....????

They may think they trap the respondents of their email but just because you send someone an email does not mean that they are contractually obliged to that agent. I would quite happily take on any agency that tried pulling this trick on me Those who can't back up what they say soon run and hide.

This type of action normally succeeds against those new to contracting and/or new to this country - it is the same agencies time and time again pulling this stunt.

[thunderlizard]

This isn't particularly tricksy. I've known of a few HR depts that get applicants to apply to fake names, for various reasons - tracking advertising, protecting the real people from agency calls, not to mention bunny-boilers with completely unsuitable CVs who might start stalking them when turned down. As such, firms who use this technique are generally happy to admit it if you ask.

Can be funny when candidates swear blind that they've spoken to/met/been interviewed by the fake named people.

But it's more often done with low-skill areas - I've not experienced it in IT, or done by external recruiters. Still I don't see why not, and I shouldn't worry too much.


Dodgy - that trick sounds particularly naughty. So do they include the client name in the email? I can't see how it works otherwise.

[DodgyAgent]

They may think they trap the respondents of their email but just because you send someone an email does not mean that they are contractually obliged to that agent. .

That is true, but it buys the agent time by "locking in" many contractors, who will tell other agencies that they have already been approached.

[DodgyAgent]

Saint Dodgy

Dodgy - that trick sounds particularly naughty. So do they include the client name in the email? I can't see how it works otherwise.

For the trick to work they have to give the clients name. Usually this is a trick adopted by an agency that is part of a PSL, where it is either impossible for a contractor to go direct, or for a new agency to break in.

I can promise you that there is no limit to the tactics that agencies will use. This "blocking" thing has always happened but only on a small scale by agents for example saying that they will put a contractor forward without actually doing so. What now happens is that it has become part of a fully mechanised process.

I had one example of this when a competitor gave the client 6 names off a small "public domain" database without consulting the contractors effectively "locking them out". I happened to call one of them who wanted to be put forward, but when I rang and registered his name (registering a name was enough as long as the CVs arrived within 48 hours) I was told that he had already been registered. I then rang the contractor back and he swore that he had neither spoken to the agent nor sent his CV.

I then rang the client who said that there was nothing that they could do and whilst I was at it I asked about the other five and sure enough all their names had also been registered. I immediatly rang the other 5 contractors none of who knew anything about the jobs and had never heard of the agency. I then explained the jobs to them and asked if I could represent them to which they agreed and I told them to not submit their CVs to this other agency to which they agreed.

Sure enough the other agency eventually rang them. They were severely embarrassed when told of my intervention. So without being able to produce CVs the other agency had to withdraw their names, leaving DA a free run. I placed three out of the six

I know all this seems highly unprofessional, and at first I got very "high and mighty" about it. The client was not interested, so whinging was not an option (the client took the view that all agencies tell lies, so they did not want to know). But from my point of view this is what makes the whole game so much fun.

The other point is that this example showed two different approaches to this business; one scattergun and unprofessional the other (me ) diligent measured and professional. I am afraid that both work and sometimes the two cross over because the ends in this business justify the means. It is however great when agencies get egg on their faces.