Reply to: re: Continue To Apply For Other Roles When Having Already Accepted A Role Verbally

[Eirikur]

Never stop looking until you actually on customer's site even with a signed contract, they can pull out any second so why not you?

[ladymuck]

Because we're in a genuine B2B relationship, right? By asking such things, the client in no way thinks that they're hiring you, personally, do they? Oh no siree.

There's a number of industries where the checks are against the person, not the company. Banking, anything requiring security clearance for example. At some point, the person doing the work has to be checked. You could say that the company the person works for should do the checks and confirm to the agency/client that they pass. What evidence would they accept?

I completely understand where you're coming from; it's just not an easily resolvable situation. Companies that have tried to set up portable validated profiles have failed to get the companies asking for this information to buy into it. That could be a way forward but the likes of Capita make lots of money by continually reconfirming the same people.

This literally happened to me - they vetted me for a role at some energy company, Haywards Heath/Three Bridges way I can't remember the name now, and I pulled out and instead went to Heathrow just as the contract was issued. Capita then started vetting me again despite me saying that they'd already done it. I didn't care if they charged both clients, I just didn't see why they should delay my start date due to vetting when they already had the information they needed.

[billybiro]

Until on site, passed all stupid agency screening requirements (can we see your high school ograde certificates for geography or we can’t pay your invoice)

Yes I’ve had that


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Because we're in a genuine B2B relationship, right? By asking such things, the client in no way thinks that they're hiring you, personally, do they? Oh no siree.

[BlasterBates]

My experience is that the written contract is sent within a couple of days of the verbal offer, if not then chase up and continue looking.

[GhostofTarbera]

Until on site, passed all stupid agency screening requirements (can we see your high school ograde certificates for geography or we can’t pay your invoice)

Yes I’ve had that


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[ladymuck]

Not my intention to play games.

Another way to re-phrase, how long does it normally to receive the written contract after the agent has verbally confirmed you have won the role?

That varies according to the client and industry. One client did a telephone interview on Thursday, contract issued Friday, started Monday. Another fart-arsed around for 3 weeks doing background checks.

The sensible thing is, as others have said, to not consider it a done deal until you've got a signed contract and you actually get started. It would be silly to stop looking/interviewing as you could end up with no work and bench time looming. If you end up with another offer you at least have options.

[PerfectStorm]

Keep looking with the same intensity you were before. If it all falls through no one will make up the lost time/money for you.

This also goes for promised extensions - get to work hard a month before it's "meant" to happen as a few times I've been told on the Friday it isn't.

[Paralytic]

Keep looking. I once got offered a role and was just waiting on the contract coming through. After chasing for a couple of weeks ("its being processed") I got an email (not even a call) from the agency saying their client hadn't won the contract that was providing the work so the offer was revoked.

Don't trust anything until you're on site.

[simes]

Oh Cr@p. Sorry!

[SimonMac]

I would whole heartedly disagree with this.

Nothing is confirmed until a contract is signed and legs are under tables.

There are enough threads here citing people's upset that that which had been verbally offered, agreed, and confirmed is then at the 11th hour, retracted.

If deprivation is indeed anything to be considered, the bloody contractor will only (likely) take on the one role, so the one not taken goes back into the pot. And anyway, if a contractor Can swing two roles, this is called the Nature of Business. Not Uncharitable Deprivation.

Grief!

[simes]

Why would you look and possibly deprive another contractor a role, you are a selfish bar steward if you do keep looking

I would whole heartedly disagree with this.

Nothing is confirmed until a contract is signed and legs are under tables.

There are enough threads here citing people's upset that that which had been verbally offered, agreed, and confirmed is then at the 11th hour, retracted.

If deprivation is indeed anything to be considered, the bloody contractor will only (likely) take on the one role, so the one not taken goes back into the pot. And anyway, if a contractor Can swing two roles, this is called the Nature of Business. Not Uncharitable Deprivation.

Grief!

[Lance]

Keep looking until the first invoice is signed.

you sign invoices? How quaint.

[Plonitus]

Not Intentiona

Not my intention to play games.

Another way to re-phrase, how long does it normally to receive the written contract after the agent has verbally confirmed you have won the role?

[BrilloPad]

Hi all,

The background is that I have verbally accepted a contract, but I am still waiting for the contract to be sent to me.

In this situation, would other contractors continue to apply for other roles, or wait based on a verbal confirmation?

Kind regards,

Nick

Keep looking until the first invoice is signed.

[WordIsBond]

Why would you look and possibly deprive another contractor a role, you are a selfish bar steward if you do keep looking

If he found another role, he would be kindly and generously making the verbally-agreed role available to another contractor. What a guy.

Keep looking, you don't have a contract until you have a contract. Actually, you don't even have it until you've started. Anything can go wrong and sometimes does. If you get another interview and then the contract comes along, you can always cancel that interview. If you get another offer WITH A CONTRACT you can accept that offer and tell them you've had another offer and they've fiddled around too long getting you the contract, sorry. Or, if you still prefer the first offer, you can phone and say, 'I've had another offer and they've given me the contract. I'd rather go with this one I've agreed, are you intending to get me the contract today?'

If they get you the contract in a timely fashion they'll be in ahead of anything you might pursue today. So looking for something else today is just insurance in case they jerk you around by dragging out the contract.