Another 'they have already filled the position' phone call

[Peter Loew]

I think the point he was trying to make, however poorly, is that there are loads and loads of people out there who call themselves PMs, and apply for anything with the words "project manager" in the title.

In my experience though there are very few who can actually do the job, and still fewer who have actually done it and can back that up at an interview....so keep your chin up, you'll be fine.

I agree completely. I have worked with permies who wanted to take their PM career to the contract market. Of course I could never be completely honest with them and tell them they would not stand a chance.

On the flip side I've worked with some damn good permie PMs, who want to contract but don't have the balls to go out there and do it.

C'est la vie.

[PM-Junkie]

Exactly. So the trick is to build a relationship with a core set of agencies so that when a client contacts them with a role they phone you first...

Or better still go further up the food chain so that the client goes to you first. It's all about networking...really REALLY important these days.

[Peter Loew]

Just spoke to my ex girlfriend who funnily enough used to work for Hays in Australia. She said another reason this happens is because:

• When these roles hit the agencies the client is filled with CVs from the agencies databases and in all probability one of these CVs is chosen and the candidate[s] interviewed.
  
• However whilst this process is happening, agencies advertise the role on jobsites and call up other candidates in the (unlikely?) event that the current database CVs were not successful.
  
• As a result of this your CV was probably NOT put forward to the client, but simply used as contingency / collateral for the agent who knew very well from the start that you were part of his / her backup plan and nothing more, but of course doesn't tell you any of this and lets you think you have been genuinely put forward for a role.

[PM-Junkie]

So every PM on the bench right now is crap? Take a hike.

I think the point he was trying to make, however poorly, is that there are loads and loads of people out there who call themselves PMs, and apply for anything with the words "project manager" in the title.

In my experience though there are very few who can actually do the job, and still fewer who have actually done it and can back that up at an interview....so keep your chin up, you'll be fine.

[Peter Loew]

I tend to stick with just two large agencies now who have gotten me the last
6 contracts, I tried the approach of just applying for anything on jobserve
was a waste of time but I learnt a lot about tulip agents throw at you!.

This is what I am going to look for now as well. Can you recommend any good PM specific agencies who actually have clients and understand what we do?

[Peter Loew]

The market is only flooded with crap PMs. All the good ones are gainfully employed thank you very much.

And no, I've not had this happen to me. But then I'm very careful about who I let have my CV.

So every PM on the bench right now is crap? Take a hike.

[Bright Spark]

I tend to stick with just two large agencies now who have gotten me the last
6 contracts, I tried the approach of just applying for anything on jobserve
was a waste of time but I learnt a lot about tulip agents throw at you!.

[Diver]

WHS

WHS about WHS

[BrilloPad]

No, they're just f***ing with your career.

Sometimes Agents act like this to stop competition. They have their preferred candidate, probably someone who will work for far less and give them a bigger slice, and then "represent" you to stop others putting your C.V. forward.

WHS

[Svalbaard]

The market is only flooded with crap PMs. All the good ones are gainfully employed thank you very much.

And no, I've not had this happen to me. But then I'm very careful about who I let have my CV.

[Cheshire Cat]

On a related note. Does anyone on here turn down the "offer" of being put forward to a client for a role, when it sounds similar to a role you've already been put forward for, by another agent?
i.e. what is it to you if you tell 5 agencies to represent you for a particular role.
If the agents get shirty, you can always claim ignorance, and that the other agency described the role differently, so you genuinely thought there was more than one position.

I wouldn't take the agents word when they say they've forwarded my cv to the client, as there may be several advantages to them letting me believe that I'm being considered for a contract when I'm not. A prime example given by scotchpie.

[Scotchpie]

Or is it simply because the contract market is flooded with PMs or something?

No, they're just f***ing with your career.

Sometimes Agents act like this to stop competition. They have their preferred candidate, probably someone who will work for far less and give them a bigger slice, and then "represent" you to stop others putting your C.V. forward.

[Peter Loew]

This has happened a few time to me now; does anyone else get the following scenario?:

1. I get a call from an agent about a role which I know exists
2. They want to put me forward and I tell them yes do it
3. No reply for a week
4. I chase up and they tell me that the client has already filled the role a couple of days ago without me even getting an interview

• - I know my CV is strong and I've been told this many times
• - For some of these roles my CV seems to be a very close fit and I find it hard to believe I would not get even an interview
• - I have doubt in my mind that I was actually put forward for any of these roles
• - These agents are f***ing with my career

Anyone else have similar experiences? Or is it simply because the contract market is flooded with PMs or something?