Reply to: How to avoid agencies

[2uk]

Nice one, Dodgy.

The OP could do worse than learn from pimps, as follows:
Put a fake ad on Jobserve that matches your own skills; get Contractors to ring you about the job; ask 'em where they work and their manager's name, email address & phone number; end the call at once (no time to waste on saying "thanks" or "goodbye"... that sort of thing's for losers); ring their manager, casually mention that the current bod is looking around for another gig, and then put yourself forward. Ta-da! You're well on your way, my son!

All together now:
"Put a pony in your pocket,
Take the suitacase from the van..."

Except that no contractor ever will tell you any names. Plus you might get sued.

[DodgyAgent]

That's what I did. Haven't used a Dodgy Agent for over 4 years now and making far more than I did as a contractor, but that's not to say I haven't burnt my bridges. Still a card-carrying member of the Dark side...

I cant help but laugh every time I see that avatar of yours

[hyperD]

Take a long term approach; work through agencies for a few years, attend conferences, seminars etc., and build up your network throughout your chosen sector. Then, when you're looking for your next engagement, before contacting agencies, work your network. Once the handcuff period has expired, there's nothing to stop you making contact with former clients directly. And you've already got an "in".

That's what I did. Haven't used a Dodgy Agent for over 4 years now and making far more than I did as a contractor, but that's not to say I haven't burnt my bridges. Still a card-carrying member of the Dark side...

[DodgyAgent]

Take a long term approach; work through agencies for a few years, attend conferences, seminars etc., and build up your network throughout your chosen sector. Then, when you're looking for your next engagement, before contacting agencies, work your network. Once the handcuff period has expired, there's nothing to stop you making contact with former clients directly. And you've already got an "in".

A bit too sensible for this board

[DodgyAgent]

Nice one, Dodgy.

The OP could do worse than learn from pimps, as follows:
Put a fake ad on Jobserve that matches your own skills; get Contractors to ring you about the job; ask 'em where they work and their manager's name, email address & phone number; end the call at once (no time to waste on saying "thanks" or "goodbye"... that sort of thing's for losers); ring their manager, casually mention that the current bod is looking around for another gig, and then put yourself forward. Ta-da! You're well on your way, my son!

All together now:
"Put a pony in your pocket,
Take the suitacase from the van..."

That was "lesson 2"

[alreadypacked]

Hello all,

Does anyone know where I can find jobs that aren't via agencies?

Put your C.V on jobserve, do not put a phone number on it, just email. (agents like to call) only reply to direct companies. Works for me.

Oh, and have a much in demand, niche skill set

[DBA_bloke]

You buy a thing called a telephone, and you acquire a list of companies in a business/geographical sector that suits your skills. You then find out what their technical environment is and you then need to find out who does what in each organisation...

Nice one, Dodgy.

The OP could do worse than learn from pimps, as follows:
Put a fake ad on Jobserve that matches your own skills; get Contractors to ring you about the job; ask 'em where they work and their manager's name, email address & phone number; end the call at once (no time to waste on saying "thanks" or "goodbye"... that sort of thing's for losers); ring their manager, casually mention that the current bod is looking around for another gig, and then put yourself forward. Ta-da! You're well on your way, my son!

All together now:
"Put a pony in your pocket,
Take the suitacase from the van..."

[Fran]

Nice!


Cheers all.

About what I expected!

[daviejones]

like you we are "worth" whatever someone is prepared to pay us.

From the Janet and John book of "business fundamentals".

And I thought all you did was skim off the top....

[NotAllThere]

Take a long term approach; work through agencies for a few years, attend conferences, seminars etc., and build up your network throughout your chosen sector. Then, when you're looking for your next engagement, before contacting agencies, work your network. Once the handcuff period has expired, there's nothing to stop you making contact with former clients directly. And you've already got an "in".

[DodgyAgent]

Sorry, I do not believe you can use the word "worth" when referring to a recruitment gimp!!!

like you we are "worth" whatever someone is prepared to pay us.

From the Janet and John book of "business fundamentals".

[daviejones]

Sorry, I do not believe you can use the word "worth" when referring to a recruitment gimp!!!

[DodgyAgent]

nothing like a monday morning defense of your worth is there?

DA

Got any better ideas?

[chef]

nothing like a monday morning defense of your worth is there?

DA

[kingshuk]

You buy a thing called a telephone, and you acquire a list of companies in a business/geographical sector that suits your skills. You then find out what their technical environment is and you then need to find out who does what in each organisation.

After you have done that then you need to speak to the business managers/HR/resourcing to see if they have any needs for contractors. These tasks will require a great deal of patience as these people have 2 billion people (like you) agencies, Indian software houses, Tom Dick and Harry doing the same thing, and if one of these doesnt beat you to it, they have a thing called a "PSL" that may finally slam the door in your face

Once you have found an interested punter you will then need to send your CV off and be prepared to wait up to 2 months for any feedback. Which means that it then becomes necessary for you to replicate this activity sufficiently in order to give yourself a wide enough spread to cover your market.

Once you have done this and successfully landed an interview you will need to realise that there will be other people available for interview. Even though you may be better than the rest you will need to prepare yourself for battle against the other 2 billion hopefuls eager to land the job themselves, or to have the work shipped out to outer mongolia.

Alternatively you could save yourself huge amounts of time and money and just tout yourself amongst the agencies, because you can bet your arse that if you do go direct the client is going to want to make the agency saving himself rather than let you have it.

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