I think I've been conned by an agent! - Contractor UK Bulletin Board

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Recruitment Agent replied

9 April 2009, 11:06
Originally posted by chris79 View Post

They were interviews I had 2-3 months ago... doubt they are still 'live' in the current climate.

The project has proberly been filled and pulled by now
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chris79 replied

9 April 2009, 10:56
Originally posted by Recruitment Agent View Post

Thats worse as you have told the agent there is a live vacancy which is ultimately the goal.

They were interviews I had 2-3 months ago... doubt they are still 'live' in the current climate.
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Recruitment Agent replied

9 April 2009, 10:54
Originally posted by chris79 View Post

It's ok he didn't get any references from me, and the convo was around interviews I'd had at a few places recently.. no big deal he'll probably go off chasing after them.

Thats worse as you have told the agent there is a live vacancy which is ultimately the goal.
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chris79 replied

9 April 2009, 10:54
Originally posted by Zippy View Post

What was the little oik after this time?

He started asking for info about my situation so I said "Sorry I don't want to sound rude but I had a call from one of your chaps yesterday and it turned out to be a bogus call, can you email me the job spec over?"... the call lasted another 30 secs with assurances, etc.. and that was it.

"Private number" calling on mobile.. tempted to just leave my answerphone on now for those calls, if it's important they'll leave contact details.
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KentPhilip replied

9 April 2009, 10:47
I have been getting a lot of calls like that. They talk to you, tell you about a good role, ask how you are getting on, say that they'll email you their details, then nothing. No email.

I tell them nothing.

The worst was one who was on the phone for 17 minutes FFS. Then outright asked for 2 references. What an idiot.

The golden rule is tell them nothing, but say you would be happy to provide their clients with reference details at interview. Normally gets rid of them.
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Zippy replied

9 April 2009, 10:46
Originally posted by chris79 View Post

Had another call late last night again supposedly from Hays IT. Was told a job had come up and it was advertised a few weeks ago and that they were still looking (oh really?)... Apparently the rate had gone up from £200 to £350 a day (oh really???)....

Asked the chap to send over a job spec so I could consider it, assured it would be with me asap.

Still nothing today! Devastated!

What was the little oik after this time?
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chris79 replied

9 April 2009, 10:41
Had another call late last night again supposedly from Hays IT. Was told a job had come up and it was advertised a few weeks ago and that they were still looking (oh really?)... Apparently the rate had gone up from £200 to £350 a day (oh really???)....

Asked the chap to send over a job spec so I could consider it, assured it would be with me asap.

Still nothing today! Devastated!
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Epiphone replied

9 April 2009, 10:37
It's not a mistake as long as you learn from it.
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jmo21 replied

8 April 2009, 16:49
a friend of mine a couple of years back was sick of his job (engineer on fighter jets), and wanted a career change.

He mentioned to me he was thinking of giving recruitment a go. I slagged him into the ground for it, and he's working as a salesman for HP now.
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ba55meister replied

8 April 2009, 16:01
i had similar calls as well. they say the role has just become availabe (again maybe) and just read stuff from your CV saying that's what the client needs! Perfect match, eh?
Beware you agents out there, if I meet anyone down the pub on friday night you better not tell me you work in it rectuitment or that friday will be really memorable
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The Agents View replied

8 April 2009, 15:15
Can I suggest you find a specialist in what you do, and invest time in them (and them in you) before you divulge such information again?

I don't like to slate the competition, but companies such as the one above are more prone to fishing for business than those of us who take time to build specialist niche areas, and meaningful, long term relationships with each individual client....... They're driven by numbers - the theory being the higher your numbers, the more likely you are to place people - My personal opinion is that if you check, double check and triple check each person is right, and only work on one role in a month, with one candidate put forwards, that will take the same amount of time and effort, and bring about the same result without all the headbanging, and bad blood between agency and contractor.

But what would I know - many appear to believe everyone who works in this industry is the same......
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smiff replied

8 April 2009, 15:02
It's an easy test. An agent is lying if they are speaking.
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chris79 replied

8 April 2009, 12:29
Originally posted by Flopsy View Post

You may be able to find out who it is (I did when it happened to me). The agent then rang some of my old contacts and touted for business. He even used my name.

If you are on friendly terms with some of your old workmates (the ones you mentioned to "Luke"), they may be able to tell you the name of the agent who has just rung them out of the blue....

It's ok he didn't get any references from me, and the convo was around interviews I'd had at a few places recently.. no big deal he'll probably go off chasing after them.
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PaulCD replied

8 April 2009, 12:04
Sadly this is an all too common sign of the times it seems.
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Flopsy replied

8 April 2009, 11:59
You may be able to find out who it is (I did when it happened to me). The agent then rang some of my old contacts and touted for business. He even used my name.

If you are on friendly terms with some of your old workmates (the ones you mentioned to "Luke"), they may be able to tell you the name of the agent who has just rung them out of the blue....
Leave a comment: