Reply to: Any way to work out if your CV has gone to client?

[PerfectStorm]

I have no idea what a homing pixel is. I was using a transparent 1px gif and I would 'grep' the apache logs to check the IP addresses for that pic. I should do this again, however I am not sure if the latest versions of Word would block them altogether.

I believe most/all touts these days simply transpose your info into their own templates (or online CV forms) or PDF it which would probably stop all of this from working. Nice idea though!

[petergriffin]

Is that one of those Homing Pixels?

I have no idea what a homing pixel is. I was using a transparent 1px gif and I would 'grep' the apache logs to check the IP addresses for that pic. I should do this again, however I am not sure if the latest versions of Word would block them altogether.

[dragonkid]

Is that one of those Homing Pixels?

Yes, if the image is host on your server, you can seen it's activity.

[stek]

Circa 2002-2005 I used to put a 1x1px gif in my CV's and then I would check the server for the IP address, in case they opened my CV and were connected to the Internet. Then I got bored and stopped doing it.

Mind you, those were times when agencies used to have Intranet-only access, so it didn't work all the time.

Is that one of those Homing Pixels?

[petergriffin]

Circa 2002-2005 I used to put a 1x1px gif in my CV's and then I would check the server for the IP address, in case they opened my CV and were connected to the Internet. Then I got bored and stopped doing it.

Mind you, those were times when agencies used to have Intranet-only access, so it didn't work all the time.

[SueEllen]

That's a good one, the amount of times I've been sitting next to a manager type on the phone to a pimp: "But what's written on his CV isn't the same idiot that turned up for the interview, what are you prats playing at?"

qh

Which is why you should either:
1. Take a copy of your CV to the interview with you, OR
2. Ask the pimp what they sent over.

I've done both and pimps have got caught out.

[TheFaQQer]

If a second agency calls with the same contract I usually ask them to check with the client whether my cv was submitted or not. Most of the times they are happy to check it, if it wasn't they come back very quickly to say so.

+1 If the first agency has put you forward, the second one (in my experience) walks away; if they haven't then the second agent come back sharpish and let you know that they can get you in there.

[LondonManc]

I believe all are on the PSL (the JD/ad is almost identical, so they have all had the same text from the client).

I've got no problem not being good enough, but if Agent A says they will put me forward, say today, and I tell Agent B to bugger off and I am then not put forward, I have 0% chance of getting the job. If Agent A called me tomorrow and said "we have a better chance with three others so I am not putting you forward afterall" I could at least go back to Agent B and say they can put me forward. I then have a chance of the client seeing my CV.

I'm well aware this isn't new practice, but just interested in how people handle it.

If they're both on the PSL and one doesn't put you forward, get the other one to do it. You can't be represented by someone who hasn't put you forward

[youngguy]

Clients also expect agents not to lie to them about the calibre of candidate they are putting forward i.e. if they say to the client that's the best applicants we have then it should be true.

Absolutely, and the client then gets what the agent considers the best candidates, but potentially there are people out there who think their CV has gone when it hasn't.

If we have to confirm in writing to an agent that they will be the sole representer for us for that role, should the agent not confirm in writing that they will definitely represent you? How it is enforced of course is the question!

As always (NLUK said it recently I believe) the power difference between agent and contractor doesn't mean dealings are always equal. Agents hold the power up until job offer, then the power shifts to the contractor.

[quackhandle]

I'm well aware this isn't new practice, but just interested in how people handle it.

Apply for lots of gigs, don't put your faith in any of them until you've been paid from first invoice.

Good luck.

qh

[youngguy]

I'd ring up the company's HR and ask who's on their PSL as you've had two or three agencies contract you about the same role and at least want to know which would be worth going with. If you're then not in that agency's best three, tough tulip.

I believe all are on the PSL (the JD/ad is almost identical, so they have all had the same text from the client).

I've got no problem not being good enough, but if Agent A says they will put me forward, say today, and I tell Agent B to bugger off and I am then not put forward, I have 0% chance of getting the job. If Agent A called me tomorrow and said "we have a better chance with three others so I am not putting you forward afterall" I could at least go back to Agent B and say they can put me forward. I then have a chance of the client seeing my CV.

I'm well aware this isn't new practice, but just interested in how people handle it.

[quackhandle]

Clients also expect agents not to lie to them about the calibre of candidate they are putting forward i.e. if they say to the client that's the best applicants we have then it should be true.

That's a good one, the amount of times I've been sitting next to a manager type on the phone to a pimp: "But what's written on his CV isn't the same idiot that turned up for the interview, what are you prats playing at?"

qh

[Avalonia]

Send it to all agencies, never trust a word they say.

[Eirikur]

If a second agency calls with the same contract I usually ask them to check with the client whether my cv was submitted or not. Most of the times they are happy to check it, if it wasn't they come back very quickly to say so.

[SpontaneousOrder]

Interesting. Just wondering how this may look to the client - I'm assuming many use agents so they don't have to deal directly with people directly and may not take too kindly to someone calling them about a CV?

Still, it clearly worked for you

To be fair - i forgot to mention - I only phoned up when the agent didn't get back to me and when i checked with him he said he hadn't heard anything.