Reply to: Meeting Agents

[LondonManc]

Also, it goes further than that, if you are trying to get good people in a friendly agent is very useful.
Lets put it this way, in house outsourced HR can make things difficult, as they are on commission too.

That's a specific model that can and can't work (as you know!)

Good point about getting a team built though.

[MrMarkyMark]

If I've got a free lunch and the agent gets a whiff of new contracts coming up elsewhere in the team, we're both happy. It's cost him £20-30 (not that it's his money anyway!) to gain an advantage.

Also, it goes further than that, if you are trying to get good people in a friendly agent is very useful.
Lets put it this way, in house outsourced HR can make things difficult, as they are on commission too.

[LondonManc]

I'll bet you said something that you wouldn't ordinarily have done, so he got some information out of you.

Remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch!

If I've got a free lunch and the agent gets a whiff of new contracts coming up elsewhere in the team, we're both happy. It's cost him £20-30 (not that it's his money anyway!) to gain an advantage.

[billybiro]

The only time I've ever met an agent is when he took me to Lunch after he placed me in a role, never turn down a free lunch .

I'll bet you said something that you wouldn't ordinarily have done, so he got some information out of you.

Remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch!

[sal]

People seriously meet their agent mid contract? For a pint or lunch? Jesus me. Why? Just for a free £10 lunch? I can't think of anything worse tbh.

When I contracted at BP, the agent responsible for one set of contractors would come in once a month just for a coffee and a chat with the contractors. She'd send an email about it and each time she came in, she'd have loads of meetings lined up with contractors. Why? What the hell were they talking about??

Bunch of bedwetters if you ask me. Just crack on with the project, carry on invoicing, and no need to meet with the agent once a month. Deary me.

1to1 / appraisals

[meridian]

I've met a few for lunch. They range from "just a pint to see how you're enjoying the client" (and that's all it was) to "just a pint, and would you mind asking the PM if there are any other roles going there that we can fill?"

I like the aspect of putting a face to the name and voice, but most meet ups have ultimately proved to be pointless in the wider scheme of things. I get more value out of meeting up with former clients for a pint instead.

[FrontEnder]

People seriously meet their agent mid contract? For a pint or lunch? Jesus me. Why? Just for a free £10 lunch? I can't think of anything worse tbh.

I've never met an agent for lunch, but I wouldn't rule it out. While not necessary, it's a way of networking and building a professional relationship and can be an effective way of doing that.

Like it or not, the agent does have an influence on the client and ultimately if you get the gig or not. It can't hurt to get to know them a bit more.

[garethevans1986]

I've met a few now, it does help "put a face to the name/voice" at the end of the phone. The "lets go over your CV" type ones are a waste of time IMHO.

But saying that these recruiters are your "sales team" so make your own mind up.

GE

[billridley]

I have met up with a few Agents for a beer. To be honest I found them all to be very personable and it was good to see the face behind the voice. On the odd occasion I dealt with an agent with whom I could not build any sort of repore, I just turned down the request and said unfortunately it was not convenient.
I would not go out of my way, or incur any cost, but no problem meeting up. Not even a problem for me to offer them a beer too - I can just about afford it.

[GillsMan]

I was young and naive and needed the money... the last 5 years I've been direct in various gigs so have had to buy my own lunch

Hahaha, one of my direct clients asked me to take them out to dinner. £450. He ordered a gin which cost more than any bottle of wine I'd ever bought. Funny thing is, he was head of compliance and we were building an anti-bribery elearning course for him...

[SlipTheJab]

People seriously meet their agent mid contract? For a pint or lunch? Jesus me. Why? Just for a free £10 lunch? I can't think of anything worse tbh.

When I contracted at BP, the agent responsible for one set of contractors would come in once a month just for a coffee and a chat with the contractors. She'd send an email about it and each time she came in, she'd have loads of meetings lined up with contractors. Why? What the hell were they talking about??

Bunch of bedwetters if you ask me. Just crack on with the project, carry on invoicing, and no need to meet with the agent once a month. Deary me.

I was young and naive and needed the money... the last 5 years I've been direct in various gigs so have had to buy my own lunch

[GillsMan]

People seriously meet their agent mid contract? For a pint or lunch? Jesus me. Why? Just for a free £10 lunch? I can't think of anything worse tbh.

When I contracted at BP, the agent responsible for one set of contractors would come in once a month just for a coffee and a chat with the contractors. She'd send an email about it and each time she came in, she'd have loads of meetings lined up with contractors. Why? What the hell were they talking about??

Bunch of bedwetters if you ask me. Just crack on with the project, carry on invoicing, and no need to meet with the agent once a month. Deary me.

[SlipTheJab]

He was probably taking a massive margin, so needed to celebrate. You should have negotiated a higher rate, but I'm sure the free lunch made up for that.

It was my first ever contract and I got the rate I wanted, plus a free lunch, what's not to like!

[FrontEnder]

The only time I've ever met an agent is when he took me to Lunch after he placed me in a role, never turn down a free lunch .

He was probably taking a massive margin, so needed to celebrate. You should have negotiated a higher rate, but I'm sure the free lunch made up for that.

[stek]

I just look a meeting with the agent as a free meal, got scampi and chips out of the last one....