Is it better to approach companies directly

[Cirrus]

Selling is for Salesmen

I was working at Churchill a while back. I happened to sit next to Head of Development or some similar title. All day and every day pimps were ringing up fishing for jobs.

We all slag off pimps but you just try and do what they do without turning out as vacuous, hair-gelled and venal as them...

[No2politics]

I found current gig by networking at a conference and convincing the director to take me on. They decided to put me through an agency for payroll, but Im still on 100 a day more than another contractor who got a similar gig through an agency. Speaking at two conferences this year so hoping for a repeat!

[doconline]

Hello!

I have just finished my first contract which was through an agency and was wondering if it is good to contact (either the HR department or hiring manager on LinkedIn) the companies directly for my next contract rather than wait for an agency to introduce you or apply on the job boards.

Pretty much the same as everyone else has said. However, what has worked for me is having a good LinkedIn profile, with lots of experience and links to previous work / recommendations from clients / peers (I'm a front end dev, so this is easy for my skill set, not sure about yours?). I get contacted directly by end clients / design agencies as there aren't too many freelance FE devs in my area (Suffolk, the commute to London is long and expensive, plus it's Suffolk, not the most exciting place to live).

This will take a few years, though getting some good experience behind you. But also, keep in touch with the managers / HR people that you contract with. There will be a clause in your contract that states you can not work for a client for x months after your contract has been completed. After this, though you can contract directly if they are willing and don't want to use an agency.

[SlipTheJab]

+1 To past clients and networking, I've just secured my next role (which will see me through to December at least) by my old dev manager ringing me out of blue to see if I was available, it's back in London but I've negotiated 3 days from home when I start so I can enjoy the weather in sunny Birmingham for the next few months

[quackhandle]

Not easy in the slightest (believe me I've been trying for last three months). You need luck and lots of it, I've been direct a few times and it has been a case of man on the inside who helped and their HR didn't mind me coming in direct (and they used a number of pimps) and on last gig an agent who contacted me, but was moving on from that client so I was direct with them, as nluk said it can be a thankless task.

I was chatting to an end client HR lady this morning as they are having trouble finding someone for a specific role (which is contract) of which I could do around 70-80% so they asked for CV and see what happens. Maybe something maybe not.

Best Of British.

qh

[Old Greg]

In my experience going direct works when you have an established relationship with a client - you're in their mind when they need someone and when you're coming available you get in contact. And even then you will sometimes get pushed to an agency for invoicing purposes - however in these circumstances there is often an agreement for a low mark-up (5% last time I did this).

[northernladuk]

Thank you! Awesome response for a newbie like me. I wasn't referring going to the company if it had a vacancy and they were going through an agency. Interesting what you say about still being a risk to the company. I'll take that onboard :-)

I've never been direct to be honest but there are plenty on here that have. I believe, and be happy to stand corrected, but the most popular way of pulling this off is through it being a past client or through networking and being asked. I would be surprised if someone has multiple direct contracts from a scattergun tactic. Keep a mind on networking and grow it and I would imagine at sometime someone will give you a bell and offer you direct.

Don't forget with direct you could be on a 90 day payments as agents do factor payments, you are likely to have to offer a contract as clients may not have their own and you won't necessarily get more money. The client pays the agent to find him people the agent offers the contractor less and keeps some for himself. Any client worth their salt will realise by cutting the agent out they should be saving money. Just because the agent get's paid say £400 and the contractor £350 it isn't a given the contractor will get £400 direct.

Agents are a pain in the arse but if you can handle them right and get the margins down they can actually be useful at times.

[digitalnomad]

Just the answer I was looking for

Thank you! Awesome response for a newbie like me. I wasn't referring going to the company if it had a vacancy and they were going through an agency. Interesting what you say about still being a risk to the company. I'll take that onboard :-)

When you say 'the companies' are you talking about ones that have a gig open but you want to bypass the agency or are you talking about contacting them in the hope of finding one that needs you?

If a company has a gig and it's via an agency it's highly unlikely going direct will work. They will just push you to the agent. They used them to not have to deal with contractors.

If you are talking direct in case they need you you've got to
Find a company that doesn't use an agent.
Find the person in that company that has the requirement and authority to hire
Hopefully catch that person at the right time there is a gig open.
Be good enough to get the gig.

So it's going to be a very thankless task.

If you knew what you were doing it would improve your chances but if you have to ask this question it looks like you are working on a very low level scatter gun approach. If you've got the time then go for it but don't hold your breath. Going direct isn't always more advantageous than going through an agent either don't forget.

For a second gig I would just say play the game, get any gig you can via agents and grow your experience. You are still a risk to clients so keep plugging on and learn how the system works.

[northernladuk]

When you say 'the companies' are you talking about ones that have a gig open but you want to bypass the agency or are you talking about contacting them in the hope of finding one that needs you?

If a company has a gig and it's via an agency it's highly unlikely going direct will work. They will just push you to the agent. They used them to not have to deal with contractors.

If you are talking direct in case they need you you've got to
Find a company that doesn't use an agent.
Find the person in that company that has the requirement and authority to hire
Hopefully catch that person at the right time there is a gig open.
Be good enough to get the gig.

So it's going to be a very thankless task.

If you knew what you were doing it would improve your chances but if you have to ask this question it looks like you are working on a very low level scatter gun approach. If you've got the time then go for it but don't hold your breath. Going direct isn't always more advantageous than going through an agent either don't forget.

For a second gig I would just say play the game, get any gig you can via agents and grow your experience. You are still a risk to clients so keep plugging on and learn how the system works.

[digitalnomad]

Hello!

I have just finished my first contract which was through an agency and was wondering if it is good to contact (either the HR department or hiring manager on LinkedIn) the companies directly for my next contract rather than wait for an agency to introduce you or apply on the job boards.