Ever Asked this by Agent??

[northernrampage]

I'd assumed this was standard practice for all contractors? I can't say in 21 years of contracting I've ever let anyone put my cv forward for a role when a) I don't know who the client is, b) exactly where they are located c) exactly what the job description states and finally d) what the rate is.

The type of PM work I do all the jobs sound the same. For a short time-frame I had loads of agencies call me (a rare occurrence). One guy, think it was James, rung me up and said "good news, we've got you an interview at that mobile company you were interested in".

Me, "Great". Only realised when I got the email confirmation back that I'd never had a decent conversation with this guy, it was another James and another mobile company. He just sounded the same.

[nomadd]

If the agent wants to put me forward for a position then they have to tell me who it's for first and I'll tell them if I've already been put forward. Simples.

I'd assumed this was standard practice for all contractors? I can't say in 21 years of contracting I've ever let anyone put my cv forward for a role when a) I don't know who the client is, b) exactly where they are located c) exactly what the job description states and finally d) what the rate is.

If you don't know all the above, what's the point in even taking things any further? You just seem to be opening yourself up to all sorts of time-wasting and trouble, as well as being ripped off. All IMHO, of course.

[SuperZ]

They may moan about client confidentiality (really they are just trying to protect their business) but since my policy is to not tell agents which jobs I've been put forward for, they have nothing to fear.

There is no such thing as maintaining client confidentiality when they put you forward for a position, agency regulations apparently state that the person applying has to be told who client co is, was told this by a respectable agency (some do exist). So if an agency tells you they're putting you forward and they withhold the name of the client co they are in breach of agency regs.

[Wanderer]

Never, ever, lose your cool.

Agreed. They will always try it on, it's their business model, they do it to dozens of people every day. Don't let them get to you, you've got to play the game, understand how they work and get on with doing business with them.

Yes, the ones who are purely on a phishing trip really piss you off but that's business. You will get time wasters like that come along so you've just got to deal with them as best you can.

As for this "dont want to put you through to the same client twice" nonsense, there is a simple solution to that. If the agent wants to put me forward for a position then they have to tell me who it's for first and I'll tell them if I've already been put forward. Simples. I don't allow them to put me forward for a position unless they tell me who it is. They may moan about client confidentiality (really they are just trying to protect their business) but since my policy is to not tell agents which jobs I've been put forward for, they have nothing to fear. On the other hand, if I did tell them which ones I went forward for then they would be straight on the phone trying to get their people in there too.

I guess agents must get other unscrupulous agents ringing up and posing as a contractor to get leads. It's a dog eat dog world out there.

[Fred Bloggs]

These kinds of games do mildly annoy me though. It's why I really prefer to deal with a few agents that I have known and done business with before even if they move to a different agency. Often with the few agents that I do like to do business with, these conversations are then mutually informative when they happen and we both know why we're talking that way.

[AnthonyQuinn]

Yes. But I've always got interviews lined up. Don't worry about it. Now, let's talk about the role you phoned me over...

Never, ever, lose your cool. If necessary, just say, "Sorry, my other phone is ringing - probably an agent with a live role. I have to go." Then simply put the phone down.

one of the best posts on this forum ever. thanks so much.

[nomadd]

Do you have any interviews lined up?

Yes. But I've always got interviews lined up. Don't worry about it. Now, let's talk about the role you phoned me over...

Who with?

Sorry, agreed with the other agents request for confidentiality. I'm sure you understand. I'm happy to provide you with the same level of confidentiality.

Who is conducting this interview for XXX client??

Sorry, agreed with the other agents request for confidentiality. I'm sure you understand. I'm happy to provide you with the same level of confidentiality.

You lose your cool at this point. Should you just bite the agent's head off? Or should you be more polite and keep on good terms with them?

Never, ever, lose your cool. If necessary, just say, "Sorry, my other phone is ringing - probably an agent with a live role. I have to go." Then simply put the phone down.

[Zippy]

Why would you get angry at him for doing his job? So he is digging for info, you politely refuse. Simple as that. When agents put me forward I do as much digging about the client so I might get enough information to identify them e.g. is it in Cheshire, large banking outfit... pretty obvious who that might be. I also tend to ask about other applicants and their suitability, granted it might not all be the truth but you would be surprised the level of info the pimps will give you sometimes. I would be very disappointed if they got annoyed at me of digging so why should I?

WHS. We are playing a game and the agent knows it. No offence should be taken by your refusal to supply details.
Now I have had agents getting the hump with my 'attitude' and that is a fairly reliable indication that there is no real job. Most of them just laugh though.

[northernladuk]

Do you have any interviews lined up? Who with?
Who is conducting this interview for XXX client??

You lose your cool at this point. Should you just bite the agent's head off? Or should you be more polite and keep on good terms with them?

Why would you get angry at him for doing his job? So he is digging for info, you politely refuse. Simple as that. When agents put me forward I do as much digging about the client so I might get enough information to identify them e.g. is it in Cheshire, large banking outfit... pretty obvious who that might be. I also tend to ask about other applicants and their suitability, granted it might not all be the truth but you would be surprised the level of info the pimps will give you sometimes. I would be very disappointed if they got annoyed at me of digging so why should I?

[AnthonyQuinn]

Just laugh and say "We both know I can't discuss that, but I'll make sure you don't put me forward to the same place twice. Now who is your client?"

If he gets arsey supply him with some comedy names.

Understood. Funny bit is I had told him the client's name because I understand they dont want to put you through twice. Its when they asked for the name of the interviewing person that really ticked me off. I somehow contained my anger and said that I dont know. But sometimes a piece of our minds should deter these questions.

[Zippy]

Do you have any interviews lined up? Who with?
Who is conducting this interview for XXX client??

You lose your cool at this point. Should you just bite the agent's head off? Or should you be more polite and keep on good terms with them?

Just laugh and say "We both know I can't discuss that, but I'll make sure you don't put me forward to the same place twice. Now who is your client?"

If he gets arsey supply him with some comedy names.

[AnthonyQuinn]

Do you have any interviews lined up? Who with?
Who is conducting this interview for XXX client??

You lose your cool at this point. Should you just bite the agent's head off? Or should you be more polite and keep on good terms with them?