Reply to: How should I answer... "Do you have any other interview processes?"

[Naruto1]

Give a very vague answer.
Yes, I have submitted my CV and my application is in progress for a number of roles. However, the agencies have not made it known who their clients are and I have still waiting for a first interview.

[elsergiovolador]

CV... interview...? I thought this is a contractor forum.

But on a serious note, speak the truth. If you talk with multiple clients and discussing your portfolio, then it may get potential client to make up their mind quicker.
Just don't mention who it is with as this is your trade secret and your other potential clients wouldn't like to be mentioned either.

Unless you are going to get yourself into some strange exclusive inside IR35 kind of deal, be on the lookout for new clients all the time and be open about it, so there are no surprises.

[quackhandle]

Of course if you're bored you could say you have an interview with another company however give them details of a mate and see if they ring up...

qh

[PerfectStorm]

Don't play hard to get, don't be snotty, always answer what THEY want to hear

"No, you're the first one!"

They want a dead cert candidate, saying anything else harms you.

And don't ever feel guilty about working two or more leads together to ultimately pick from one and disappoint the other. They would - and probably are - doing the same with you.

[eek]

Where a "Yes" is tricky is where an agency can only put forward a fixed number of CVs for a role in competition with other agencies. They may not want to "waste" a CV where a contractor may not take up the role. But maybe this is outdated - I've not applied for a role via an agency in the last 10 years or so.

An agency is always going to restrict the number of CVs they send to a role (send me more than the CVs I've asked for and the agency better have a great explanation) - so only tell agencies you are interviewing if they are the people who have sent you to interview.

[BlueSharp]

My standard answer is no but I am going to continue looking for other opportunities if this application turns out unsuccessful.

[Old Greg]

The ideal answer is yes because they will know they have competition, but don't give them the details otherwise they'll pinch your contracts.
If they push then point out that they wouldn't give you details of their other contacts either.

Where a "Yes" is tricky is where an agency can only put forward a fixed number of CVs for a role in competition with other agencies. They may not want to "waste" a CV where a contractor may not take up the role. But maybe this is outdated - I've not applied for a role via an agency in the last 10 years or so.

[BlasterBates]

The ideal answer is yes because they will know they have competition, but don't give them the details otherwise they'll pinch your contracts.
If they push then point out that they wouldn't give you details of their other contacts either.

[simes]

I always went "I've only just started looking" unless the interviews were via different agents at the same agency.

Exactly. Me too.

Much better for the client than a worrying Yes, and an unimpressive No.

[mjcp]

Agency - No, you don't need to give them any reason to send someone else instead of you.

Client Co during negotiations (interview) - Yes, you want them to move quickly and not mess around. If they want you, they need to offer. this is a std. sales technique - cars, houses etc etc

M

[Old Greg]

No until you have accepted the offer.

Once they are trying to stiff you on rates, you have other irons in the fire.

[jayn200]

Answer no.

But you may as well hang up at this point. This not a real recruiter with a real job, it's a sales call.

[eek]

I always went I've only just started looking unless the interviews were via different agents at the same agency.

[BigDataPro]

The answer is always No. You are running a business, these details are confidential.

[NotAllThere]

If they ask you which companies, you give the name and number of the agency. Much fun to be had.