agency paranoia

[LondonManc]

I got a call this morning from Computer People about a job I applied for, I had the usual 5-10 minute conversation about the role and what I do etc. etc. We discussed rated etc.

Then, he did something which I've been experiencing a bit of lately, and wanted your thoughts on this - he wouldn't tell me who the company is. So, is this a new thing now, all potential work is with these top secret companies you don't get to know about until interview stage?

I get the impression they're paranoid you're going to go direct to the company rather than the supposed agreement they have in place with their "client"

Anyone else get annoyed by this and how do you go about dealing with them?

Easiest reply:
"Well, I'm not going to reveal this to anyone else am I? They'll just throw their own cvs at them and reduce my chances. Besides, I may not want to work for the company or my cv may already have been put forward."

Hopefully they read it as:
"Look, I know all pimps would sell their gran if they could, I'm not green enough to fall for giving up where my cv has gone. Just tell me who it is, send me a role-specific exclusivity email to reply to and get my cv over there."

[northernladuk]

This exactly.

Agents not trusting contractors, whatever next? Old pot calling the electric kettle black ass if you ask me.

Oddly enough from what I've been told it's agents not trusting agents. Some irony there huh...

[SpontaneousOrder]

I've only ever had that once. Most people tell me the client after the few minutes of "what's your rate?, are you string at this or that?".

I don't see how I could possibly apply for a role without knowing who the client is. You'd constantly be getting interviews and saying "ah... no thanks. I'm not interested in working with those guys".

Is that how lots of you guys do it then? Get interviews and then decide if you want to turn up or not? I've not had that before.

[tractor]

....

I simply state, without knowing the client I can't guarantee you exclusivity on the role in case I am approached by another agency.

This exactly.

Agents not trusting contractors, whatever next? Old pot calling the electric kettle black ass if you ask me.

[expat]

I got a call this morning from Computer People

Bzzzt! Next!

[SimonMac]

I simply state, without knowing the client I can't guarantee you exclusivity on the role in case I am approached by another agency.

[baronne]

no contractor paranoia here sir, for all I care they can all swivel.

[northernladuk]

I've had this on every gig I've applied for unless I've guessed the client. It's to stop other agents posing as contractors getting the info and the going in to undercut them. I don't think they will be too worried about contractors going direct due to the contract between them and their client. Pretty common and I can't really see the issue unless there are two agents that could put your forward.

Bit of contractor paranoia going on getting worried about it?

[jmo21]

Take your pick:

They don't want.....
- you to go direct
- to unwittingly reveal a client with an open contract to another agent

They want...
- to trick you into telling them who you are already interviewing with so they can go and try and steal those clients

[BrilloPad]

I tell them they can represent me for just that role at that company provided they do submit my details (to stop "CV blocking") and that I have not been previously submitted by another agent.

[baronne]

I got a call this morning from Computer People about a job I applied for, I had the usual 5-10 minute conversation about the role and what I do etc. etc. We discussed rated etc.

Then, he did something which I've been experiencing a bit of lately, and wanted your thoughts on this - he wouldn't tell me who the company is. So, is this a new thing now, all potential work is with these top secret companies you don't get to know about until interview stage?

I get the impression they're paranoid you're going to go direct to the company rather than the supposed agreement they have in place with their "client"

Anyone else get annoyed by this and how do you go about dealing with them?