Reply to: Urgent answer needed...

[tim123]

Its not what it starts with that counts, its how many zeroes are after it

The same number as from the agents who are offering jobs starting with a 4.

tim

[expat]

The old Sandersons was very good, exactly what an agency should be (although in 25 years they've only ever found me one job!). Now they've gone all corporate (they're the biggest independent agency out there), the market has changed and become much more competitive, and the guys on the phones are commodity brokers and salesmen, not people shifters. Result across the board is you are no longer a person, you're a collection of skills with a malleable market cost. We need a better model...

How about this?
You have one agent. He is an agent for you. He takes 10%.
He places you well, because he knows you. He knows you're good, he wouldn't take you on otherwise.
You and he know each other, and your interests largely coincide; or at least, do not clash as they usually do with the current model. More for you is more for him.

[malvolio]

You talking about sanderson's there? It's just that you're not the first person I've heard say that the Directors are a decent bunch of chaps and that they used to be very good and are now not the same.

Nick

The old Sandersons was very good, exactly what an agency should be (although in 25 years they've only ever found me one job!). Now they've gone all corporate (they're the biggest independent agency out there), the market has changed and become much more competitive, and the guys on the phones are commodity brokers and salesmen, not people shifters. Result across the board is you are no longer a person, you're a collection of skills with a malleable market cost. We need a better model...

[NickNick]

I'll admit a bias, since I've known their Ops Director since the early 80s when they were really good - but they are falling into the big corporate habits these days. They do offer good contracts though.

You talking about sanderson's there? It's just that you're not the first person I've heard say that the Directors are a decent bunch of chaps and that they used to be very good and are now not the same.

Nick

[basshead]

Whenever Sanderson ring me about a job, the rate always starts with a 2. I laugh and hang up.

tim

Its not what it starts with that counts, its how many zeroes are after it

[malvolio]

I'll admit a bias, since I've known their Ops Director since the early 80s when they were really good - but they are falling into the big corporate habits these days. They do offer good contracts though.

Someone mentioned somewhere that it all started to go wrong when the web took over from Freelance Informer and we stopped being able to talk to, and be known by, the agents. I think they have a point.

[tim123]

Sandersons in Brizzol, always been good place for me.

Simon Mundy would be a good contact, although think he now looks after the Gov SC contract side of things, but a good contact all the same

Whenever Sanderson ring me about a job, the rate always starts with a 2. I laugh and hang up.

tim

[downsouth]

so 1990's to have a splash page. Obv they think it makes them look good!! how foolish of them looking at the rest of the site

[scooterscot]

My last contract was with Timothy James
http://www.timothyjamesconsulting.com/

Why do I have to press 'enter' to view a website? I never understood it - makes me think I've got to verify my age before I'm allowed to view the content or something.

[realityhack]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn OK what do you want?

Too late Dodgy! They couldn't afford you anyway.

Thanks guys - have put in my recommendations and we'll see what happens.

[VectraMan]

My last contract was with Timothy James
http://www.timothyjamesconsulting.com/

I've worked for them too. I did suspect they were taking a rather large cut though, something that's been confirmed when I was recently approached by another agent for virtually the same position at the same client for substantially more.

[downsouth]

Sandersons in Brizzol, always been good place for me.

Simon Mundy would be a good contact, although think he now looks after the Gov SC contract side of things, but a good contact all the same

[NickNick]

Computer People and Sandersons are both in Bristol and I can't offer recommendations about either. Sorry.

[DodgyAgent]

I take it agents and contractors from around Bristol don't get out of bed before 9 then?

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn OK what do you want?

[Spacecadet]

My last contract was with Timothy James
http://www.timothyjamesconsulting.com/

From a contractor POV they were fantastic. They even chased me for timesheets and invoices to make sure they could pay me on time.

And they are Bristol based

If you are going to contact them, then PM me... I might as well try and get some commission out of them :P