Reply to: "I can't tell you who the client is at the moment"

[edison]

I'll play along while getting details about the role, location, day rate etc without knowing the client, but I'd never let them submit my CV without knowing.

I've had more than once that a role was under an NDA at a very early point in the hiring cycle and it's been more of an initial chat with an agent. Once the agent wants to send your CV, they disclose the client.

On the opposite side of the coin, I've asked an agent to sign an NDA for a very sensitive hire where I wanted them to find some potential candidates but hadn't got final approval to go ahead.

It does happen occasionally but as others have said, never proceed to send your CV if the client isn't disclosed.

[Brussels Slumdog]

The other problem is that the agent tells me that it's Deloitte for example but they won't disclose who the end client is.
My CV could have been sent to their end client.
Agents have no idea of geography.
It's near Brussels. The problem it isn't.
The site is near a cowshed, nowhere near a bus stop .



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[Bluenose]

What is the point of agents holding back client names? I seem to get two types of calls - one where it's known and you might eek it out of them by the end of the call, and one where they just flat out tell you in the first sentence. What difference does it make to me to know who's hiring?

Had one agent call me up today wanting to know the full ins and outs of my last role, what I was getting paid there, why I left etc etc but when it comes to their new lead they wouldn't tell me. Based on the location and industry sector I worked it out and told them anyway, and the phone call continued as normal. But why the secrecy?

Also had the balls to email a list of questions including my last 'line manager' reference and also a list of any opportunities I'm currently pursuing and at what stage oh, Agents...

Time wasters, it’s august.

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

I reckon 90% of the recruiters life is spent chasing after clients with no success, whilst always having to convince contractors that there is a juicy gig even when they haven't been able to contact the client at all. Just for that 1 in 100 times the client says 'okay, give me a dev then' and they need to be ready to hit the client with quality CVs at a moment's notice.

One way of explaining being a shoe in for so many roles and hearing **** all back.

The others are all stuff like taking me off the market while pretending.

[PerfectStorm]

Been applying but starts off promising they tell me the client I insist on it then I don't hear from them again they dont call back or anything - makes me think feck em and go direct.

How does the strategy of going direct work?

I might add I am hard of hearing and use text relay system - can speak well but hella can't hear on the phone. recruiters I think just bloody lazy like talking all day on the phone and no work done.

Some times I feel the end client didn't even get my CV.... the market looks bad though...is it?

As for going direct, I only know a few contractors that do it and they all say the same thing, "I'm still chasing an invoice from February..."

[majestic579]

Been applying but starts off promising they tell me the client I insist on it then I don't hear from them again they dont call back or anything - makes me think feck em and go direct.

How does the strategy of going direct work?

I might add I am hard of hearing and use text relay system - can speak well but hella can't hear on the phone. recruiters I think just bloody lazy like talking all day on the phone and no work done.

Some times I feel the end client didn't even get my CV.... the market looks bad though...is it?

[billybiro]

Been going on for 20+ years. I just tell them that if I don't know who the client is, they can't put me forward.

Or flip it round: "Thanks for contacting [Your Ltd]. Of course we can supply one of our many highly skilled and experienced consultants to your client, but we can't tell you which one yet!"

[SussexSeagull]

No problem with them not letting me know who the client is from the get go but would want the name before they put my CV forward.

[MasterBait]

But if they tell me at the end of the phone call I can still apply directly so... what's the point?

In many cases an end client won't take direct applications and only work through agencies. I had direct contact with Dell, they wanted to recruit me permanently, but when I said I only do contract work they handed over to an agency.
Also if the role has gone to several agencies how would you know you have already been forwarded for that role?

And if they have exclusive right to the contract they would also be safe to say the name (but it's often a lie when they say that)

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

But if they tell me at the end of the phone call I can still apply directly so... what's the point?

Indeed, you can say oh, I've already been put forward for them or make some other excuse

[PerfectStorm]

But if they tell me at the end of the phone call I can still apply directly so... what's the point?

[ladymuck]

It is nonsense. Have had it a few times.

I've said similar to NAT - how do I know I want to work with the client if I don't know who they are, and have refused to be represented without the details.

[PCTNN]

Same here, I would never give my consent to be put forward without knowing who the client is.

Although, I don't remember this ever happening to me; agents might not tell me the name of the client via email but it's something that they've always shared over the phone.

If they're vague about the client, there is no client in the first place.

[pr1]

Surely if they just tell you the client then you might hang up and contact them directly?

Having done this, it's probably this

[Paralytic]

If they don't reveal the name of the end client I'm not giving my consent to submit my CV. If there is a real client they will reveal the name at that point.

This. I'll play along while getting details about the role, location, day rate etc without knowing the client, but I'd never let them submit my CV without knowing.