Reply to: The Bench - Blog! How do some of you cope and bag an Interview?!

[FICO]

If you do that, I'd make sure it's only a 3 month (or shorter) just to get something on your CV. Don't let them screw you over for 6 mths.

I had a 20 mth break as was caring for someone, about 7 mths of that I was unemployed, couldn't get a job as didn't interview well.

A friend got me a dire contract for 5 weeks, I then got a really dire contract through an agent (who lied to me about everything involved in the contract... I was out of there within a week, the agent eventually offered me a fixed term contract when I was off but it was an awful place to work, the pay was bad, so I wasn't prepared to take a fixed term role with none of the benefits of being perm). But the next week I got a good contract somewhere else.

Anyway... point I'm making. It's worth getting something on your CV, but don't stay stuck there if they are totally shafting you. Once you've got a job, I think it becomes easier. Act as if you deserve something more. It's hard if you've had time out but keep thinking that. I was willing to take a low-paid contract for a few months, and when I got the job I wanted I also had another role that was paying a lot less offered to me... but I would have taken that as it was an okay role, nice people, and interesting work, and it was short-term. Unlike the one I couldn't stand, not good all round.

However, maybe some people can be totally together from "the off" but I couldn't. I had to get something on my CV (and get hypnotherapy).

You will get something, keep at it, and get interview advice or help to sell yourself if you need it.

thanks for the advice mate, I'm keeping at it

[northernrampage]

definitely I will make sure the client is getting a cut price agency cost too if thats how I am being marketed to them

at this moment I haven't got any other choice as when I apply for roles even though I say I will work for less I'm getting nowhere as I am sure the agents want to put forward their strongest candidates who can command the highest rates and therefore more profit for the agency?

If you do that, I'd make sure it's only a 3 month (or shorter) just to get something on your CV. Don't let them screw you over for 6 mths.

I had a 20 mth break as was caring for someone, about 7 mths of that I was unemployed, couldn't get a job as didn't interview well.

A friend got me a dire contract for 5 weeks, I then got a really dire contract through an agent (who lied to me about everything involved in the contract... I was out of there within a week, the agent eventually offered me a fixed term contract when I was off but it was an awful place to work, the pay was bad, so I wasn't prepared to take a fixed term role with none of the benefits of being perm). But the next week I got a good contract somewhere else.

Anyway... point I'm making. It's worth getting something on your CV, but don't stay stuck there if they are totally shafting you. Once you've got a job, I think it becomes easier. Act as if you deserve something more. It's hard if you've had time out but keep thinking that. I was willing to take a low-paid contract for a few months, and when I got the job I wanted I also had another role that was paying a lot less offered to me... but I would have taken that as it was an okay role, nice people, and interesting work, and it was short-term. Unlike the one I couldn't stand, not good all round.

However, maybe some people can be totally together from "the off" but I couldn't. I had to get something on my CV (and get hypnotherapy).

You will get something, keep at it, and get interview advice or help to sell yourself if you need it.

[FICO]

definitely I will make sure the client is getting a cut price agency cost too if thats how I am being marketed to them

at this moment I haven't got any other choice as when I apply for roles even though I say I will work for less I'm getting nowhere as I am sure the agents want to put forward their strongest candidates who can command the highest rates and therefore more profit for the agency?

[nomadd]

the agent contacted me again and said how about we cut your rate by 50%

No disrespect, but it sounds like you are going to get shafted. Make it clear to the agent that you *will* raise the rate with the client, that way you all know you are on the same page (and the agent isn't putting you forward 10% cheaper and pocketing the rest...)

[FICO]

thanks for the comments

I'm still applying and I'm open to perm roles also so applying for those too but there are not many roles around at the moment

but that agent actually replied back to me and we had a long talk and he said why don't you try your previous managers (which I have) and I said they are not hiring I mentioned they liked me and gave me an excellent reference.

he asked me to send this as he can attach it to my file to make my applications look better as they know me I have actually worked for them

after sending it the agent contacted me again and said how about we cut your rate by 50% to get your foot in the door as IT managers always like a bargain - he is going to contact his existing clients to see what they say

I agreed so lets see what happens

still applying for other roles too but happy I got another angle to my job search

[SueEllen]

I'm still applying here and got this response from an agent today, I asked him what advice can he give as not sure what I can do, I am regularly checking the job boards along with the IT volunteer sites and still no joy

"I put you forward for the role and got feedback this morning.

They want to interview two of my candidates that have been working continuously and can hit the ground running.

Technically nothing wrong with your CV, just the void between your last role."

Keep applying.

Richard Cranium had a long thread (do a search for it) where he was looking for a contract and then eventually applying for permanent roles. He eventually got a contract after over a years search.

[zemoxyl]

@FICO

Haven't read this whole thread, but if you're getting that attitude once, you'll get it again.
I think the only way round it is to go permie. They'll be a bit more open minded. After all it's not *that* unreasonable to ask for 37 current skills of a contractor.

You could always return to contracting in a couple of years, if it still appeals and there is a market.

Just a guess, but I'd say your skill set is not in huge demand right now ? Which is compounding your problem.

Failing that you should look at tooling up in I.T. skills that are in some demand.

Good Luck with that.

[theroyale]

I'm still applying here and got this response from an agent today, I asked him what advice can he give as not sure what I can do, I am regularly checking the job boards along with the IT volunteer sites and still no joy

"I put you forward for the role and got feedback this morning.

They want to interview two of my candidates that have been working continuously and can hit the ground running.

Technically nothing wrong with your CV, just the void between your last role."

I heard this a fair bit as well from agents (had a 16-month gap in my CV, was looking for work for the last 9 of those), things like "It's not a showstopper but if there is another candidate with similar skills as you but with more recent experience he might be preferred" and similar.

I'd say the only thing is to keep trying -- I had 6 interviews and countless applications/leads before I cracked one last month, and finally when I got it neither the agent nor my interviewer asked about my gap. After my experience it seems to me the biggest factor in a successful jobhunt is very often simply "right place right time" - and that's something we have to wait for.

For weeks - months really - I applied during the day and worked as a waiter and in hotel kitchens in the evenings because that's how short of cash I was -- I don't know what your situation is but I even tried to enjoy the challenge of living on minimum wage (hoping of course it wouldn't last for too long). Still there were many times when I thought I was never going to land a contract, but I finally did and everything's sweet now, even going into Sainsbury's and buying a box of fruit and a bottle of wine because for a long time earlier this year I couldn't afford to.

[FICO]

I'm still applying here and got this response from an agent today, I asked him what advice can he give as not sure what I can do, I am regularly checking the job boards along with the IT volunteer sites and still no joy

"I put you forward for the role and got feedback this morning.

They want to interview two of my candidates that have been working continuously and can hit the ground running.

Technically nothing wrong with your CV, just the void between your last role."

[FICO]

God I'm so competitive I even get upset when I see someone has been on the bench longer than me!

It's 17th months for me as of yesterday.

FICO - Sounds you have been a similar situ as me. Are you able to re-format your CV so that it looks like you have been working for your Ltd. I have done this recently and that way you are not lying. If the agent assumes you have been working for your ltd - not knowing it is you and you only then so be it. Its not a number game anymore - its being selective and being lucky I believe.

I have just updated my CV and have added travel to cover the gap as I did not have a limited

Agents are now asking if they I see the gap as a problem, I just try to say positive things, mention I am keeping upto date with my work my reading books and using a test system.

[MrHelpful]

Last 2 days has been manic - 3 interviews. I turned up late to the last one but I was shattered having driven 500 miles! Now the outcome 2 offers... One I'm ruling out as it's perm. The 2nd is a good day rate based working in dales truly for the people but I'm from the midlands and role is isolated in a niche market. Not telco. The 3rd is in banking, the rate is decent and even though I was late 30mins good vibes. Should I go for the dales and help the people or be a capitalist and open the doors of contracting in the lucrative world of banking. The agents are fighting to get hold of me and running out of holding statements....

[HeadOfTesting]

I've been on the bench for 18 months now!

God I'm so competitive I even get upset when I see someone has been on the bench longer than me!

It's 17th months for me as of yesterday.

[Spacecadet]

In a similar vein to how do you cope, how do people repeatedly deal with agents without loosing their cool/giving them grief.
After all the usual tricks, not real roles, never returning calls etc and as i come to understand these tricks/stories more and more I'm finding it hard to keep shtoom when i start hearing bs coming from their mouths.

Yesterday I found myself insinuating that the agent was lying (i'm convinced he was). This morning i was openly speculating that it was improbable that a (new) role which agent posted and i applied to yesterday had already been filled.

How does everyone else deal with this or is it fair game (and without consequence) to hold them accountable?

Whenever you're selling anything you'll have to deal with time wasters and bulltulipters. And the higher the value of what you're trying to sell then the greater the ratio of time wasters to genuine enquiries.

Problem is you really can't tell and it's simpler to be polite to both sets and hopefully not burn any bridges. Try and keep call times down to a minimum, you can do this by leading the conversation from the start (AKA a sales pitch).

I also have a general rule of not calling agents. I'm not going to waste time making calls to people who, if they wanted to buy, would be on the phone to me immediately.
Instead I spend my time trying to generate new leads.

As for lying agents... forget about them. The faster you can move on the faster you can get on with securing that next contract. Calling them out or proving them as liars is not going to force them to give you a contract or really benefit you in any way.

[MrHelpful]

FICO - Sounds you have been a similar situ as me. Are you able to re-format your CV so that it looks like you have been working for your Ltd. I have done this recently and that way you are not lying. If the agent assumes you have been working for your ltd - not knowing it is you and you only then so be it. Its not a number game anymore - its being selective and being lucky I believe.

Worzel - point taken. I've just holidaying for the last 4 months - and now am skint - living on beans and bread from ALDI.

Managed to secure another "dark side" permie interview today for next week.... I really hope one of the contract leads come through! Otherwise - I am off to be intereviewed for permie land. Would it be cheeky for me to ask the agent to pay travel expenses considering its a perm position - its a 2hr+ drive.

[FICO]

I'm really stuck

I've been on the bench for 18 months now! Have been looking for work almost daily via the jobsites like monster, jobserve, indeed etc and have not had any luck some days I just feel like it will never happen

I have 3 years of good experience in my field and my CV is really good according to my old colleagues and agents!

I have had 7 interviews during this time and they have gone well as the agents have said there hasn't been any problem with me its just that they have hired someone with twice as much experience as me.

I have applied for both perm and contract roles and not sure what I can do next. Agents have been calling me and putting me forward for roles aswell as me applying for some as some as they appear online but now some agents are telling me they are only looking for people with recent experience.

One agent even modified my CV so much that my last role said that I was still working but I do not want to go down that road with lies on my CV

I got some good adivce from one agent to explain the gap he mentioned add your travelling as I did goto a few places during my time off.

Looking for any help as I am open to working anywhere including europe and how I can get accross postively when I speak to agents