Love this fishing trips

[original PM]

Do you think there may be an undercurrent here in that companies are moving away from using agencies because their usefulness is diminshing.

In that clients are now planning a bit more and so can place their own advert or recruit from an internal labour pool they have been building up from applicants sending in CV's on spec.

I just wonder because in my experience agencies are often so eager to fill any bookings they get (which are often short notice due to client incompetence) that they surely cannot get the best candidate becasue there simply is not time.

Maybe the agency bubble has burst - yes there is still a need for them but the market is not what it used to be not due to the crunch but more due to client attitutdes

[zara_backdog]

Preferred IT closed their leeds office couple of months ago anbd all the leeds staff went.

[Recruitment Agent]

What? They shafted 400 contractors?

Sounds about right.

400 recruitment consultants and back office staff

[BlueElise]

he he, could be both I suppose, now wouldn't that be a contractors dream?

[wurzel]

BlueElise -

Forgive me for asking but are you a girl who tells rude jokes or is this a refernce to your car?

[Gonzo]

Its commmon knowledge the S3 group laid 400 people last week(25% of their workforce)

What? They shafted 400 contractors?

Sounds about right.

[Recruitment Agent]

Basically because too many have sprung up over the last few years (been easy money) .

Current recession should start thinning the herd so expect to start to see many agency's going under this year

Hopefully it will affect the larger ones (S3) more than smaller ones due to overheads

Newbie Contractors: This means limit your financial exposure, no contracts with lead times over 45 calendar days from first work day to payment, which translates into a max of 2 weeks to payment on monthly invoice. Less is even better (not accepted more than 35 days exposure since the crash in 2001 burned me due to agency folding) . It does not matter if your client is blue chip because it is your agency that pays you and if they go under you are generally out of pocket for full amount and S.O.L.

]


Its commmon knowledge the S3 group laid 400 people last week(25% of their workforce)

[jmo21]

I'd rather the agents were as up front as his last 2 paragraphs.

the unstated is that obviously he will not necessarily help you any extra, but at least it's less cloak and dagger.

Or is he just a K UH NT?

[Not So Wise]

They're getting really desperate, these pimps.

Basically because too many have sprung up over the last few years (been easy money) .

Current recession should start thinning the herd so expect to start to see many agency's going under this year

Hopefully it will affect the larger ones (S3) more than smaller ones due to overheads

Newbie Contractors: This means limit your financial exposure, no contracts with lead times over 45 calendar days from first work day to payment, which translates into a max of 2 weeks to payment on monthly invoice. Less is even better (not accepted more than 35 days exposure since the crash in 2001 burned me due to agency folding) . It does not matter if your client is blue chip because it is your agency that pays you and if they go under you are generally out of pocket for full amount and S.O.L.

[chicane]

I had a pimp from Computer Fruiters get very stroppy with me on the phone the other day when I refused to provide him with references.

This was after the point in the conversation when we agreed the rate he had in mind was below my expectations and I would proceed no further with applying for it.

They're getting really desperate, these pimps.

[matei]

I received an almost identical e-mail and phone call...

The fella on the other end was quite pushy and was trying to come across as an important mover & shaker, but didn't know anything about the field I work in.

[BlueElise]

You have to give the agents credit for trying their best at fishing, got this as an eMail, he has the all the patter ...

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As you have registered your CV for “Development” contract vacancies over the last 2 Months, I am following up to establish some key information which will help me to find you the best possible role and as quickly as possible. I have a number of upcoming contract roles ranging from front-end website to software & database development. The information I require is outlined below: -

* Availability?
* Hourly / daily rates considered?
* Ideal role / type of project to work on?
* Ideal location/s?
* Availability?
* Details of any potential references & places you would consider working again? [hook]
* Names of competitors of companies you have previously worked at? [line]


You may feel that some, if not all, of the information I am asking for is confidential and / or me asking you to help me do my job and you'd probably be right. You may be thinking what's in it for me? Please allow me to answer..

With the current credit crunch less companies are recruiting and we all need more help finding where the vacancies are. If everyone I am sending this information to responds, it will help me to build a better client base, which in turn will help me find your next contract role. [sinker]

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I'll get my rod and line out for him.