About your cv we submitted last week...

[EddieNambulous]

No, I think he's wasting his (and my, but that's irrelevant when looking for his motivations) time by doing something he knows will have nothing to gain from.

I sometimes wonder if it is because it is better for them to look (and sound) in their office as though they are doing something (even if it is deliberately wasting time) by being on the phone than not appearing to be doing anything.

[MrMark]

I never understood the latter, maybe someone can wisen me up.

Why would an agent tell me that he'll be sending the job-description over and then not bother to do so?

What is he going to gain from that? Is it only in cases when the client is quicker to reject my CV than he can send it over or is there something more sinister at play?

There is a scenario that may apply here. The role actually exists, but it's with a client you've worked with before.
The agent realises this after (or during) your conversation. He doesn't want you to find this out (as he knows you can go direct and negotiate a better deal) so he conveniently forgets to forward you the spec.

Not a totally convincing explanation, but I can;t think of a more logical one.

[BarbarianAtTheDoor]

So you think he's your bestest friend in the whole wide world and will always turn to him first....

No, I think he's wasting his (and my, but that's irrelevant when looking for his motivations) time by doing something he knows will have nothing to gain from.

If he can't find the skill on my CV, why call me? If he doesn't like my nationality (or something else), why call me? If he thinks the client wouldn't be happy about my skills why call me?

Are you implying (obviously being way too pompous to say it) that he considered sending my CV through but changed his mind based on the phone-conversation?

[vfr_rider]

And the sooner the better

+1.

[thelace]

I never understood the latter, maybe someone can wisen me up.

Why would an agent tell me that he'll be sending the job-description over and then not bother to do so?

What is he going to gain from that? Is it only in cases when the client is quicker to reject my CV than he can send it over or is there something more sinister at play?

So you think he's your bestest friend in the whole wide world and will always turn to him first....

[Sysman]

I never understood the latter, maybe someone can wisen me up.

Why would an agent tell me that he'll be sending the job-description over and then not bother to do so?

What is he going to gain from that? Is it only in cases when the client is quicker to reject my CV than he can send it over or is there something more sinister at play?

Part of the sales patter? So ingrained they don't realise they are saying it?

[BarbarianAtTheDoor]

I never understood the latter, maybe someone can wisen me up.

Why would an agent tell me that he'll be sending the job-description over and then not bother to do so?

What is he going to gain from that? Is it only in cases when the client is quicker to reject my CV than he can send it over or is there something more sinister at play?

[Stolly]

Oddly i've had 2 calls recently for roles that i've not even applied for.

Seems like pimps are going out and finding people again rather than just sticking adverts on jobserve and waiting for the flood. Admittedly they were both rather niche.

[Zippy]

Agents, salt of the earth, bless 'em.

Nomadd

And the sooner the better

[nomadd]

Today's comedy phone call number 1:

"Hi there. About your cv we submitted last week... Well, we don't have ANY feedback. I've just spoken to HR and they want more cv's. Still, would you be prepared to cut your rate by £50 per day..?"

That one got a swift Gordon Ramsey: F. off!

Today's comedy phone call number 2:

"You are a great fit. I'll send your cv RIGHT NOW. I'll also send you the job spec. RIGHT NOW and a confirmation email that I've sent your cv to the client."

That was at 9:00 a.m. And now, 8.5 hours later, nothing in the Inbox. Must be that same old broken email server that all agencies are using these days...

Agents, salt of the earth, bless 'em.

Nomadd