Reply to: What is it with Agencies and...

[pault107]

Someone once told me never to sit down whilst doing a telephone interview, always stand. I can't remember why this is, although he did elaborate.

It has worked for me though although it may well be just coincidence though...

It's true, for me at least.

I have always naturally felt the urge to stand up and walk around as soon as a business call begins. I've tried staying sat down but the call is always more of a success if I stand.

[TheVoice]

I don't think Agencies are in business to be honest........ I think its to make money

Agencies don't want to do business. They want to enforce their will on both clients & contractors, screw them over & run.

[TheFaQQer]

Just because people are leaving the client, it doesn't mean that the client is cr*p. In this particular occasion, the client is a major outsourcing company in Bracknell. I'll leave you to guess who it is.

It's in Bracknell. That's why people are leaving, although Saturday night is "Date Rape Night" at Toxins night club...

[Svalbaard]

Someone once told me never to sit down whilst doing a telephone interview, always stand. I can't remember why this is, although he did elaborate.

It has worked for me though although it may well be just coincidence though...

I always make all of my important business calls on my feet with a headset or speakerphone.

[pmeswani]

I am asking myself why are they leaving?

Maybe you are more cost effect (Cheaper) then them?

Just because people are leaving the client, it doesn't mean that the client is cr*p. In this particular occasion, the client is a major outsourcing company in Bracknell. I'll leave you to guess who it is.

[pleomax]

The only good news I managed to squeeze out of them is that the client may consider taking me on next month when the other analyst leaves.

I am asking myself why are they leaving?

Maybe you are more cost effect (Cheaper) then them?

[expat]

Someone once told me never to sit down whilst doing a telephone interview, always stand. I can't remember why this is, although he did elaborate.

It has worked for me though although it may well be just coincidence though...

I find it so too. And have some useful phrases written down in front of you in case you dry up: especially if it's in another language. Plus your CV of course, and a very short precis of it, and any other stuff like a data model etc.

[norrahe]

Someone once told me never to sit down whilst doing a telephone interview, always stand. I can't remember why this is, although he did elaborate.

It has worked for me though although it may well be just coincidence though...

I do find it easier to talk business whilst standing up on the phone and tend to do it automatically.

I suppose it's a form of "thinking on your feet"

[Drewster]

I am actually surprised that they are still in business to be honest.

I don't think Agencies are in business to be honest........ I think its to make money

[TheBigD]

I had one agency sort me out with a phone interview, it was supposed to be the next day (wednesday), asking for for suitable times on that day, which I gave them.
I just happened to check my e-mail to find an e-mail sent about 20 mins prior, saying my interview was today (tuesday) at 12pm. It was 11.55 when I checked my e-mail.
So I had 5 mins to prep for a phone interview and I never had one of those before.

Someone once told me never to sit down whilst doing a telephone interview, always stand. I can't remember why this is, although he did elaborate.

It has worked for me though although it may well be just coincidence though...

[pmeswani]

I had one agency sort me out with a phone interview, it was supposed to be the next day (wednesday), asking for for suitable times on that day, which I gave them.
I just happened to check my e-mail to find an e-mail sent about 20 mins prior, saying my interview was today (tuesday) at 12pm. It was 11.55 when I checked my e-mail.
So I had 5 mins to prep for a phone interview and I never had one of those before.

I have one of those tomorrow. The agency was suppose to email me to confirm that the interview has been set up. But I had to chase them for an update. It goes to show that communication isn't an important thing for that agency.

[pmeswani]

You didn't wake them up did you?

The'll only be bothered to communicate if there's good news (for them that is - commission!!!).

Having said that, mine's ok. She takes me out to lunch every couple of months, sent me wine at Xmas.

The only good news I managed to squeeze out of them is that the client may consider taking me on next month when the other analyst leaves. So even though the current opportunity is dead, the fact that there is another opportunity that exists is possibly important. The chances are that I won't bother taking on the role as I can forsee working on behalf of the agency would be a nightmare, especially if I need to contact them for whatever reason.

[thelace]

And that money to pay for those "freebies" comes from the fat wedge they make out of you!

Stick your wine and lunch show me the money!

I'm getting the rate I negotiated for the job, they're getting whatever they negotiated. That's life.

Any extras that they choose to pass on to me is a bonus

[norrahe]

The problem is that the majority of agencies that arrange an interview for me tend to bite my hand off when it comes to me providing them with feedback. On this particular occasion, I could not get hold of the agent.

I resorted to sending them an email with feedback as I could not be bothered having the issue hanging over me for the whole weekend. If I hadn't chased the agency on Monday, they wouldn't have bothered calling me. I know what you are saying about wasting time, but the principle of problem is that the agency doesn't like to communicate properly. I am actually surprised that they are still in business to be honest.

I had one agency sort me out with a phone interview, it was supposed to be the next day (wednesday), asking for for suitable times on that day, which I gave them.
I just happened to check my e-mail to find an e-mail sent about 20 mins prior, saying my interview was today (tuesday) at 12pm. It was 11.55 when I checked my e-mail.
So I had 5 mins to prep for a phone interview and I never had one of those before.

[pmeswani]

You were lucky to have got feedback about that first failed interview. Agents only bother if there is a positive result and a chance of money in it for them. Never waste time chasing agents about interviews, or feedback etc. They will call you when there is a sniff of commision beckoning.

The problem is that the majority of agencies that arrange an interview for me tend to bite my hand off when it comes to me providing them with feedback. On this particular occasion, I could not get hold of the agent.

I resorted to sending them an email with feedback as I could not be bothered having the issue hanging over me for the whole weekend. If I hadn't chased the agency on Monday, they wouldn't have bothered calling me. I know what you are saying about wasting time, but the principle of problem is that the agency doesn't like to communicate properly. I am actually surprised that they are still in business to be honest.