What's in the head of an agent?

**speling bee** · 3 June 2014, 09:35

Originally posted by DodgyAgent View Post

He has no friends then?

Change your avatar back please, you filthy little spiv.

**DodgyAgent** · 3 June 2014, 09:38

Originally posted by darmstadt View Post

A phone call from an agent is an exercise in having a pointless futile conversation and 9 times out of 10 a waste of time. They call up and tell you they have the 'possibility' of a contract doing xyz which is where it all falls down. The majority of the time they don't know what the hell xyz is and how it relates to your skillset, mostly never. I spent about 10 minutes explaining to an agent that although product line abc includes xyz, what he actually wanted was mno and maybe instead of just saying abc, if he had said mno then we would have both saved a bit of time (oh, and product line abc also includes a couple of hundred applications so he ought to learn sometting about it!) Most of the agents here surprisingly enough actually know that and will first send me an e-mail with detailed specs and then either call me or I'll call them (it only tends to be hair gelled UK agents that call with no knowledge.) Maybe recruitment agents should take a leaf out of other salesman's books and actually learn something about what they're trying to sell, even car salesmen and estate agents have to show some savvy.

(* I don't know how it is in the UK but over here, depending upon which area you work in sales, you'll be expected to know what you're talking about which is why even the lowest sales assistant will get training on the product they are selling. The PFY in the large white goods store is expected to be able to answer questions on the goods otherwise the customer will go elsewhere which I think is a good idea.)

The IT contractor placement business has now become a process rather than a personal professional service. This is because it is now easy to find contractors and all that is needed is a bit of legwork and usually the right contractor can be found for the right job.

There is a fortress (it is called £the "PSL") that has been built to prevent agencies from hustling for business and engaging with the hiring managers. It seems to work pretty well as it is and resourcers really do not need to understand the skills that are being sold.

As far as S3 group agents go I am intrigued as to how they seem to do so well without knowing their stuff and by employing the tactics that are generally disapproved off. It goes to show that technical knowledge , professional behaviour play second fiddle to sheer will and determination. As far as contractors are concerned as long as you guys are getting your gigs it ultimately does not matter.

**DodgyAgent** · 3 June 2014, 09:39

Originally posted by speling bee View Post

Change your avatar back please, you filthy little spiv.

will do

**speling bee** · 3 June 2014, 09:40