Reply to: Caught out recruiter

[SueEllen]

If GDPR allows that type of enforcement - will rather they fall foul of it and get some compensation for my time wasting - then warn ahead of time. They have a 0845 number on their website - which makes me wonder - hoping it isn't costing candidates to call that number. Any simplez instructions on making the DPA request and can it be done with a couple of lines by email?

Emails you can pretend not to receive.

Thames Water did that to me then had to pay me compensation when they got caught doing that to a load of customers.

[pauly]

Ask them for a copy of your personal data under the DPA.
Ask them what measures they are implementing to ensure that they follow GDPR when that becomes law - and warn them that every time they breach your data (and they will, because they are an agency) you'll be chasing for at least the average €2800 compensation for each breach.

If GDPR allows that type of enforcement - will rather they fall foul of it and get some compensation for my time wasting - then warn ahead of time. They have a 0845 number on their website - which makes me wonder - hoping it isn't costing candidates to call that number. Any simplez instructions on making the DPA request and can it be done with a couple of lines by email?

[TheFaQQer]

How could I get the agency to delete my data, waste their time as well, or ensure the Clientco takes some action?

Ask them for a copy of your personal data under the DPA.

Ask them what measures they are implementing to ensure that they follow GDPR when that becomes law - and warn them that every time they breach your data (and they will, because they are an agency) you'll be chasing for at least the average €2800 compensation for each breach.

[pauly]

Had plenty of instances of recruiters pretending to be on a PSL or representing an Clientco when they are not. Its hard on the contractor as you sometimes wonder if its legit and thus you'll miss out.

Recently had a recruiter waste my freaking time by getting "references" and "rates" from me, and then finding out the Clientco does not have them on the PSL. Called them out and they arrogantly tried to deny it, then ignored emails, even after writing to the MD of the agency.

The Clientco was pissed with it - but not sure if they are going to do anything.

How could I get the agency to delete my data, waste their time as well, or ensure the Clientco takes some action?

[SueEllen]

Put in a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act. Make a complaint to the Information Commissioner.

That if you do it properly gives someone at the company a lot of work.

[northernladyuk]

I copied the entire email and my reply to their main mailbox. Couldn't find any other email address for them on their website.

The agency was Hydrogen Group.

Put in a Subject Access Request under the Data Protection Act. Make a complaint to the Information Commissioner.

[billybiro]

Personally I can't say I'd be that bothered but my skills are ten a penny and as such, the CV would be unlikely to be traceable to me.

I'm just a PM with defence and logistics experience. Oh to be identified even from an amateurishly anonymised CV

Your skills may be ten a penny, but I'll bet your client history with relevant client names and dates is pretty unique. Meaning that, if I could find a matching client history or partial history - think LinkedIn, a snippet of a blog or forum post or the loose lips of an agent - I could relatively easily match it back to you.

Never underestimate the power of such "big data" analysis. In fact, with such analysis virtually everybody's CV could be traced back to them.

[billybiro]

One bad egg or a whole rotten agency?

Are you kidding? It's a whole entirely rotten industry!

[mdhd]

When I was a permie, my CV was sent to my own manager. This guy, local, good matching skills....lol.

[fatJock]

Personally I can't say I'd be that bothered but my skills are ten a penny and as such, the CV would be unlikely to be traceable to me.

I'm just a PM with defence and logistics experience. Oh to be identified even from an amateurishly anonymised CV

[SeanT]

Re submit your CV with a bullet point in page two that says 'Hydrogen are tulip, don't use them'
The agent won't read it as usual but the client will

You clearly have more observant clients than I have encountered

[SueEllen]

I really don't see an issue here? He is trying to sell you to a client? His job?

He's not trying to sell the OP the agent is saying to potential clients 'I have candidates like this".

The problem is when your CV is unique you can be identified from it whether it is anyomous or not, so the agent should have asked the OP does he give permission for his CV to be sent out to potential clients.

I've been asked before and my response is "No".

[tarbera]

I really don't see an issue here? He is trying to sell you to a client? His job?

[cojak]

Yep, don't be too worried by it. It's not the end of the world - I suspect that emails from this agent are junked anyway without anyone reading your CV.

Just don't let this agent off the hook if he tries to speak to you again.

[Whorty]

If I was asked first, I would probably have bee ok with it. And maybe I'd be happier if it was an actual role rather than a fishing expedition. But he's spamming people with my CV it looks like.

Yes it's a bad thing. Its a small world, I'm easily identifiable from my CV and the fact that this twonk mentioned other things that one LinkedIn search is all it would take. They're *my* details, and I keep track what positions I have applied for. I dont want to apply for the same position multiple times, making me look daft.

I have quite a large network, and I don't want my contacts thinking they can't come to me direct, because this guy thinks he's introduced me to them, when he doesn't have my permission to do so.

And giving them a day rate off the bat, without asking me, very wrong. Saying I'm available on a specific date without checking, also wrong.

I do agree with the bold above ... but that is OK as he hasn't introduced you with your permission and therefore you could still go direct and he would have no comeback.

But, like I say, it could also open doors you didn't know were even there.

It's a fine one and you have one view (which I respect and understand) but for me personally I don't think it's such a big deal. If you don't expect to ever need to use this agency again then get shirty with them .... if you think you might need them then it may not be worth cutting off your nose.