Reply to: Agent arranges instant phone interview without naming the client

[pmeswani]

Couldn't you have taken the call and then before it got started say "excuse me, the agent wouldn't tell me which company you are or what the role is"?

And when the "end company" can't answer the question... just tell them that you are going to put them through to a friend called Mr Up... first name Hang.

[SueEllen]

Couldn't you have taken the call and then before it got started say "excuse me, the agent wouldn't tell me which company you are or what the role is"?

Stop being sensible.

[d000hg]

Couldn't you have taken the call and then before it got started say "excuse me, the agent wouldn't tell me which company you are or what the role is"?

[NickNick]

Those who get their next contract without any rigorous contract hunting are really lucky.

I was talking to someone here the other day and realised that the last time I had to deal with an agent to get a job was 4 years ago. All the jobs between then and now have been through contacts and WoM.

NN

[SandyDown]

the agent mentioned that you applied for job XX, so he got your details from one of your applications, did you recognise the job he said you applied for? if so go back to wherever you so the job add, and you should see the agent contacts details....

[Ashwin2007]

copious free time of an idle layabout

From my experience, contract hunting appears to be a full time task, searching for contracts on web sites, responding to numerous calls (some from time wasters), traveling and attending meetings (interviews), with hardly any free time left.

Those who get their next contract without any rigorous contract hunting are really lucky.

Not sure how much is the average bench period for developers in London..

[NickFitz]

It is really frustrating someone should disturb and waste precious time of a job hunter.

copious free time of an idle layabout

Just kidding - it's over three years since I've had to deal with agents, so its useful to find out what their latest dodgy tricks are as I face the prospect of finding something to do for the winter

[thunderlizard]

It is really frustrating someone should disturb and waste precious time of a job hunter.

I hope you're joking there! If you're a contractor, you're selling, not job hunting. Nobody's obliged to be nice to you.

[Ashwin2007]

That should have set alarm bells ringing!

I have never heard of that before. By the way it was done, it sounds like you got out of something dodgy.

Yes, now I realise it is dodgy . Since the Agent didn't send his contact details, it is doubtful whether the names (his and Agency) he mentioned was true (while talking on phone). I don't know what is the motivation for the caller.

It is really frustrating someone should disturb and waste precious time of a job hunter.

[thunderlizard]

a popular recruitment company

That should have set alarm bells ringing!

I have never heard of that before. By the way it was done, it sounds like you got out of something dodgy.
But as a principle (i.e. client wants to check out some people without revealing who he is) I can understand that it would be desirable in certain circumstances. I've even had some bits of software developed by subcontractors who didn't know who the end client was, just because they never needed to.

[ft101]

I agree.. from now on, all dodgy agent behaviour should be noted publicly on this website.

[aceboy]

Name them, someone on here may know the person?

[Torran]

The Agent gave a name of large recruitment Agency with branches all over UK. During the conversation I asked him to send Email with his contact details. He never sent any Email. I was not sure which branch of the Agency I should call to confirm the identity of the Agent.

google him

[StuntManMike]

Dodgy, dodgy, dodgy......

[original PM]

he will just put you through to a mate in the next room posing as a client to try and get details of previous companies

just an extension of the usual "need two reference" ploy to try to get leads I guess