Reply to: CV in at client from 2 agencies

[achilles]

I don't see a problem with a CV being submitted by two different agencies. If the client likes your CV they will use the first agency that send it to them.

I know that some clients inform the second agency that they already have your CV, but this is just a nuisance for the duplicate agency and not for the contractor.

[Dow Jones]

PSL agreements

As we often have said here, agencies should be paid commission due to the fact that they offer a pre-screening service and shortlist and vet candidates before the client sees or talks to them. If someone sends a 100 CV's for a position, surely that's not pre-screening. Also from my exp on both sides of the interview process, usually there is a limit of 2-3 CVs that an agency on a PSL can submit, hence a client will see only a dozen or so from a handful of agencies.

[brianbetter]

Unscrupulous agencies

I am a pimp and this is something we find quite a lot.

There are a lot of clients who use multiple agencies. I like to think that i work for a reputable company and we speak to all candidates about the role and gain their agreement before sending out their cv (it is illegal to do otherwise). However a lot of agencies (normally the huge "highstreet" type ones with a branch in every town in the country) tend to pillage the job boards, rip out all the CVs and just send them in to all their clients then try to claim ownership retrospectively in the hope that the candidate is interested and if the candidate says no they just tell the client that the candidate has now got another role. This approach is very unprofessional and extremely annnoying to those of us who think that a good agency should find 1 or 2 good candidates and take the time to discuss the role properly.

What i suggest is that the candidate should accept the interview when offered but when they meet the client tell them which agency actually took the time to speak to you and that you think that the "imposter" was sending your CV without your permission. In fact, if you have a proper relationship with the agency you think submitted you, they can tell the client if you will back them up.

With a little co-operation i am sure that the cv spraying, machine gun approach agencies can be put back in their box and those of us who try to do their job properly can continue to work properly with contractors.

One last example, my company was 2nd tiered by another agency (not our choice) , the company "running" the recruitment was owned by the wife of one of the end clients directors (surprise, surprise). The company in question downloaded about 2 or 3 cv databases and put all the names on file as "submitted" even though they had never spoken to them. When we sctually did speak to them and submitted them, hey, guess what, they were already on their database. Dodgy, very dodgy.

[noob]

If the client liked you in the 1st place surely they'd have rang the 1st agency. The fact they've seen your CV again - now modified - can only make matters worse. They are using the double agency as an excuse not to bother. Carry on fighting if you wish (sure you'll get a lot to egg you on here) or get over it and try elsewhere. Up to you.

Not exactly fighting, but worth a punt surely..

[Ruprect]

WHS - They are all possibilities

True, but get a reference number each time, then its a hell of a lot easier to manage. I've been in to the same company, via 2 difference agencies but with 2 difference references - then you're not screwing anybody over.

[Turion]

Maybe the client likes the new CV. . After all this will 'correct' all the defects in the old one. Probably amazed that the guy has learnt so many new things in 2 months, and that all those bench time gaps did not actually happen

Also, after 3 months of nothing he would have cut his rate big time. Now that might make a difference!

[oracleslave]

Maybe the client wants the guy with the 2nd CV, but doesn't want the guy with the 1st CV? Maybe the 1st agent didn't put you forward at all? Maybe the client was thinking about someone 3 months ago but wasn't moved to take you, but now they are looking again and they do like you - different people will have different opinions about whether you are still obliged to go via the first agent.

Or maybe the 1st agent put you forward but you didn't get it, and now the 2nd agent is telling you that you're wanted but actually you're not....

WHS - They are all possibilities

[expat]

... if the client has had your CV and not called Agent 1 back, then have you even got the interview?! Agent 1 would have been straight on the phone if the client wanted you in....

Maybe the client wants the guy with the 2nd CV, but doesn't want the guy with the 1st CV? Maybe the 1st agent didn't put you forward at all? Maybe the client was thinking about someone 3 months ago but wasn't moved to take you, but now they are looking again and they do like you - different people will have different opinions about whether you are still obliged to go via the first agent.

Or maybe the 1st agent put you forward but you didn't get it, and now the 2nd agent is telling you that you're wanted but actually you're not....

[Ruprect]

DJ is probably right....

[Dow Jones]

Geddit?

If the client liked you in the 1st place surely they'd have rang the 1st agency. The fact they've seen your CV again - now modified - can only make matters worse. They are using the double agency as an excuse not to bother. Carry on fighting if you wish (sure you'll get a lot to egg you on here) or get over it and try elsewhere. Up to you.

[Ruprect]

I'm a LOT more organised now, but this was actually the first contract I applied for and all I can find in reference is an email from the original agency with job details & my own spreadsheet notes on rate/contacts etc. I've got nothing that suggests I was put forward to the client, so the original agency is at fault anyway.

Tip 2. Always get a definitive yes/no as to whether or not you have been put forward. That way it makes it easier to manage the situation above, also you know which agents are worth calling to follow up on the role. As long as you're candid about it the agent will tell you if you have(n't) been put forward - and if you haven't just tell them that you have another agency willing to do it.

[Turion]

'Previous applicants need not bother applying'?

There is no harm in going for this role again. However as the client has already seen your profile and nothing came of it, the outcome will be same as before - nowt. And you probably won't hear from this agent again either.

[noob]

ALWAYS get a reference number for the role. That way when Agent 2 calls you can cross reference, then call Agent 1 back and state the position. Agent 1 will not be happy that you are fliping him over, and may make your life with the client difficult. Besides, if the client has had your CV and not called Agent 1 back, then have you even got the interview?! Agent 1 would have been straight on the phone if the client wanted you in....

I'm a LOT more organised now, but this was actually the first contract I applied for and all I can find in reference is an email from the original agency with job details & my own spreadsheet notes on rate/contacts etc. I've got nothing that suggests I was put forward to the client, so the original agency is at fault anyway.

[Ruprect]

ALWAYS get a reference number for the role. That way when Agent 2 calls you can cross reference, then call Agent 1 back and state the position. Agent 1 will not be happy that you are fecking him over, and may make your life with the client difficult. Besides, if the client has had your CV and not called Agent 1 back, then have you even got the interview?! Agent 1 would have been straight on the phone if the client wanted you in....

[MickeyP]

'Previous applicants need not bother applying'?

Cue Malv