Reply to: Newbie to this game and beginning to loathe recruitment agents..

[PropertyCrashUK]

Only once have I had the "cv from two agencies" thing happen, and the client was quite OK about it. They just chose to go with the one I recommended.

As regards the confirmation email, I make it quite clear in my reply that the "offer to forward" is based on the fact the cv is immediately submitted to the client - and at the agreed rate. That way, there is no comeback from an agent if the cv "didn't arrive for some reason" or "there was some confusion earlier over the rate I quoted you, the client now tells me the role is paying XXX less..."

Thanks for the info.

I will certainly use this tact with agencies from now on and also tell any others that they can check with the end client to see if my CV has been submitted and, if not, to then put mine forward.

Have a gut feeling that I was not submitted for that contract I mentioned but won't allow that to happen again.

[nomadd]

I had a situation about 7 or 8 years back when 2 agencies submitted my CV - one with my knowledge the other without - to the same client and the client blew me out completely so I always have that on the back of my mind.

How do you get around the 'first' agency wanting an email confirmation from your that you want them to act as sole agents? Do you word your reply saying you are happy as long as the CV is forwarded? What exactly?

Only once have I had the "cv from two agencies" thing happen, and the client was quite OK about it. They just chose to go with the one I recommended.

As regards the confirmation email, I make it quite clear in my reply that the "offer to forward" is based on the fact the cv is immediately submitted to the client - and at the agreed rate. That way, there is no comeback from an agent if the cv "didn't arrive for some reason" or "there was some confusion earlier over the rate I quoted you, the client now tells me the role is paying XXX less..."

[PropertyCrashUK]

I always let the folllow-up agents know that another agency claims to have put forward my cv. I always leave them the option of checking with the client and getting back to me if my cv hasn't gone forward. Many of them do actually go ahead and check, and then phone me back to confirm that the client has actually got my cv. At least that way you know for sure.

And if the client doesn't have your cv, then allow another agency to forward and forget about the first one - they had their chance and blew it. Too many dodgy agents around to take the risk of your cv simply having been "removed from the market" so they can put forward other contractors they can rape on margin.

Yes, I had a feeling that, IMPO, my CV had been removed from the market.

I had a situation about 7 or 8 years back when 2 agencies submitted my CV - one with my knowledge the other without - to the same client and the client blew me out completely so I always have that on the back of my mind.

But I wish I had done what you do now as it was a peach of a contract. Oh well, I will know for the future.

How do you get around the 'first' agency wanting an email confirmation from your that you want them to act as sole agents? Do you word your reply saying you are happy as long as the CV is forwarded? What exactly?

[nomadd]

So he sends email agreeing to forward my CV asking me to send one back that I am prepared to allow him and agree that no other agent will forward my CV.

Within the hour 3 other agents, far more dynamic and far more interested ring me wanting to put forward my CV. Alas, by then it was too late.

Never heard from the Spring guy again and could not get hold of him. Never got to an interview stage despite the job being 5 miles down the road from me and the fact that I live in a very remote part of the UK. Really peeved off as I could have seen that contract lasting years. No idea if my CV even went forward to the end client - Public Sector.

Any advice - positive advice - on what to do in that situation guys?

I always let the folllow-up agents know that another agency claims to have put forward my cv. I always leave them the option of checking with the client and getting back to me if my cv hasn't gone forward. Many of them do actually go ahead and check, and then phone me back to confirm that the client has actually got my cv. At least that way you know for sure.

And if the client doesn't have your cv, then allow another agency to forward and forget about the first one - they had their chance and blew it. Too many dodgy agents around to take the risk of your cv simply having been "removed from the market" so they can put forward other contractors they can rape on margin.

[PropertyCrashUK]

I fell to the dilemma of which agency to go with a fortnight ago for a contract in my home town paying London wages.

Saw the job advertised on jobserve, rang up several agents, left my contact details for them to call me back and waited. Eventually a guy rang me from Spring and he seemed OK but IMPO he did not seem that dynamic - anyhow, he was the first agent to call me back and, after looking at my CV, wanted to put me forward.

So he sends email agreeing to forward my CV asking me to send one back that I am prepared to allow him and agree that no other agent will forward my CV.

Within the hour 3 other agents, far more dynamic and far more interested ring me wanting to put forward my CV. Alas, by then it was too late.

Never heard from the Spring guy again and could not get hold of him. Never got to an interview stage despite the job being 5 miles down the road from me and the fact that I live in a very remote part of the UK. Really peeved off as I could have seen that contract lasting years. No idea if my CV even went forward to the end client - Public Sector.

Any advice - positive advice - on what to do in that situation guys?

Why the Public Sector continues to go through IT agencies in this Vince Cabble and David Cameron age of austerity is beyond me.

[RichardCranium]

Anyway a certain agency called me up today offering me a CV review and other services if I wanted to pay them some cash. I resisted the temptation to tell them to F O and politely declined.

Well done. As far as I am concerned, ALL these CV review outfits are cowboys. And they use it as a means to sell you £500+ "placement services". It's all a scam.

I have had ru-ins with 2 or 3 of them online in the past and managed to prove it every time. They change their domain names regularly, spam anyone uploading CVs to the likes of Monster, and frequently attract Trading Standards with their working practices.

You can get your CV reviewed for free on here, by asking the friendlier agents, asking colleagues or just follow the online advice which is always consistent about CV length (3 pages is fine for an IT CV since we need the extra page to list the techie stuff; don;t go back more than 10 years; be sure to include key words.)

Insanity Level on a scale of 1 -10 now a low 3, I'm resisting being sectioned right now, but not sure how long this will last...

Pah! You're slipping too soon. You're not allowed below 6 until you've been on the bench at least 3 months.

You're getting interviews. It is mid-December. Everything is fine.

[Cata1yst]

IT

Nice to know the threads been a hive of activity since last visited

Well seems I have a interview for the expected one, and today I got another one for a position in Zurich, what's going on. I think someone's telling me to move back to CH.

Anyway a certain agency called me up today offering me a CV review and other services if I wanted to pay them some cash. I resisted the temptation to tell them to F O and politely declined.

Insanity Level on a scale of 1 -10 now a low 3, I'm resisting being sectioned right now, but not sure how long this will last...

[d000hg]

IT

[Lolas Cat]

How's that different from any other industry...

It does differ a lot.
What industry you are in?

[Cata1yst]

How's that different from any other industry...

Unfortunately so true..

[d000hg]

I must state I have faith that there are good agents out there that earn their money but I'd say in my current experience 95% dont!

How's that different from any other industry...

[Cata1yst]

Looking at the previous few posts there are a few interesting comments.

I'm not sure why companies don't directly advertise or via job boards on places like linked in. I will look anyway try that rather than jobserve for a few days thanks for the suggestion.

The agents at the moment could be on very shaky ground, 400 applicants for each position, so tell me why if I was an employer looking for an employee would I need an agent?

To read a few CV's? Don't think so, years ago agents had to work for their money, I'm not sure exactly what they are doing in the form of recruitment, more like the candidates are falling in their laps.

Yes less positions, but perhaps this is a good thing and may thin out some of the useless agents? From the other side of the fence I was laughing at the crap some recruitment agents send to someone hiring. Constant battles against agents who just don't understand the positions they advertise is another annoyance

I must state I have faith that there are good agents out there that earn their money but I'd say in my current experience 95% dont!

Time to poke around linked in I reckon.

[Cata1yst]

I am not sure what planet you live on but the only response ftse job boards give is "dont call us we'll call you"

Well at least that's a response, the vermin I deal with usually haven't the balls or morals to call/e-mail someone.

[monobrow]

I am not sure what planet you live on but the only response ftse job boards give is "dont call us we'll call you"

My planet is called Earth. How about you?

And prior to getting this conract (thru an agency at 11% MARK UP), I applied for 4 or 5 roles in ftse job boards and got a response from all of them. Guess you'd prefer everyone used leeches ? Hmm, wonder whym

[DodgyAgent]

^This

Great advice

My tips.

Most employers DON'T want to be using agencies either.

All my positions go on internal boards first, then intranet, then internal recruiters search linked-in, then networks, last resorts are the leeches. In short, don't underestimate linked in, keep your profile up to date and search all FTSE 100 job boards if that's your thing, at least you will get a response from them

I am not sure what planet you live on but the only response ftse job boards give is "dont call us we'll call you"