Reply to: The hell that is representation emails.....

[psychocandy]

And what did they say? Confirm what?

Client had taken my CV from an agency, interviewed me, and then got them to make me an offer then realised this agency were no longer on the supplier list and they weren't allowed to use them.

[virtualm]

This happened on my last gig.

Pimp 1 asked for rep email, gave them 7 days notice blah blah. Heard nothing back, then Pimp 2 contacts me about the same role put me forward. Then client says they already have my CV. Then there was a massive argument about who was representing me. Pimp 2 got me an interview and I got the gig. 18 months I was there.

I have a feeling Pimp 1 put me forward at an inflated rate to 'take me off the market' as such and probably knew the client would reject me, and he 'maybe' had more junior candidates that he thought would get placed and he would make higher commission.

A major cock up from Pimp 1 as 18 months would have been huge commission for him.

[ladymuck]

And what did they say? Confirm what?

That PC is a plonker?

[northernladuk]

Client actually called me directly to confirm.... Bit of a mess....

And what did they say? Confirm what?

[psychocandy]

Hell no. Pestering the client is the last thing you want to be doing just at the moment. If you haven't already, tell agent 1 everything and let them sort it with the client. Nothing to be gained by keeping Agent 1 in the dark as it's them you are dealing with. If you are concerned about the situation ask agent 1 for evidence it's progressing. I don't see why they won't provide some documentation to prove everything is on track if they are legit.

Even if the two agents are fighting over representation there is nothing you can do about it at this point. It's already on the clients table and I am sure he will be in discourse with both agents at this point. Continue with agent 1 until you have concrete proof they aren't eligible.

Client actually called me directly to confirm.... Bit of a mess....

[northernladuk]

Think the only thing is to contact the client directly and ask them?

Hell no. Pestering the client is the last thing you want to be doing just at the moment. If you haven't already, tell agent 1 everything and let them sort it with the client. Nothing to be gained by keeping Agent 1 in the dark as it's them you are dealing with. If you are concerned about the situation ask agent 1 for evidence it's progressing. I don't see why they won't provide some documentation to prove everything is on track if they are legit.

Even if the two agents are fighting over representation there is nothing you can do about it at this point. It's already on the clients table and I am sure he will be in discourse with both agents at this point. Continue with agent 1 until you have concrete proof they aren't eligible.

[psychocandy]

FFS this is turning into a nightmare....

As I said, got an offer. All looking good. To be fair, the agency in question have been good....

I've had the 2nd place phone me again. Telling me hes got an email from the guy who interviewed me, saying hes sorry he did it wrong, he can't use the original agency but hes happy to contract me via them. (the 2nd lot) Of course, the 2nd lot are well up for this. They did none of the work, arranging interviews etc so they're obviously happy to put up with the flak from the first place......

The 1st place are none the wiser. They updated me this am telling me its all under control and contract is on its way. Can't imagine them just standing aside.... I've got a bad feeling about this.

Think the only thing is to contact the client directly and ask them?

[psychocandy]

What I try to do is in representation emails state its for a fixed period of 7 days and if a CV is not submitted it becomes void, no idea how much clout it carries but makes me feel a bit better

Not a bad idea....

[jmo21]

Thinking about it further, you could ask the agent when they will be submitting CVs and then when doing the email set the expiry to the day after that date, on the assumption that your CV should have been submitted by then.

"I agree to Fleecing Recruitment Ltd to have sole representation on the proviso that my CV will be presented to the client on or before 11 October 2021. This agreement will end on 12 October 2021 if confirmation of CV submission is not received."

This is exactly what I do.

It's a good idea, problem is agents can be such slimey tossers it won't make a bean of difference if they want to screw it up for you. Legally and procedurally a great idea, make a difference with a low life agent chasing their own commission? I doubt it. Still worth doing of course.

And as NLUK says, it may not make much difference, but it hopefully lets the agent know you are aware of the sh!te they like to try and pull.

[FMCG]

So, how do you know?

I was once on the receiving end of being being frozen out, as the recruiter had their preferred candidates that would be presented/shortlisted to the client.

20 years as an interim - you live and learn.

[NotAllThere]

So, how do you know?

[FMCG]

Also an advocate of stating duration period of consent on the authorisation email.

If ever you get into a multi-agency bidding war.......... candidate generally gets scorched.

There is also a tactic that recruiters use - sign you up, in order to block your application! (Ask me how I know).

[Eirikur]

In at least 80% of cases where the agency says they have sole rights, they lie. Why would an agency who have no rights do any work at all if they know it will be very likely all for nothing.
There are a handful of cases where the agencies have the sole rights, you can sometimes recognize them when the pimp is embedded in the client organisation

[ladymuck]

It's a good idea, problem is agents can be such slimey tossers it won't make a bean of difference if they want to screw it up for you. Legally and procedurally a great idea, make a different with a low life agent chasing their own commission? I doubt it. Still worth doing of course.

I might give it a try next time I'm asked to do such a thing and see how it goes.

It's good for a laugh at the very least.

[northernladuk]

That's a good suggestion.

Thinking about it further, you could ask the agent when they will be submitting CVs and then when doing the email set the expiry to the day after that date, on the assumption that your CV should have been submitted by then.

"I agree to Fleecing Recruitment Ltd to have sole representation on the proviso that my CV will be presented to the client on or before 11 October 2021. This agreement will end on 12 October 2021 if confirmation of CV submission is not received."

It's a good idea, problem is agents can be such slimey tossers it won't make a bean of difference if they want to screw it up for you. Legally and procedurally a great idea, make a difference with a low life agent chasing their own commission? I doubt it. Still worth doing of course.