Originally posted by Denny
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Previously on "Shall I Tell the agent about the previous company who interviewed me?"
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Originally posted by privateeyeWhere shall I start and how long can a post be before it is truncated?
In the past both of them have submitted my CV without permission, and both said they have submitted my CV as a preferred supplier when they were not. .
I always get recruiters who want to represent me to state in writing by return e-mail that they are preferred suppliers and that they've sent my CV to the client. Most wouldn't dare confirm this in writing if it wasn't true. Without this information I won't allow them to claim to their client that they are exclusively representing me and make it clear that the first agency that does confirm in writing will be able to claim genuine representation with my backing if I then get the gig and a dispute arises later.
That puts all recruiters in a catch 22 situation of telling me the truth about what they've done or else forgoing my candidature.
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Originally posted by rashmitambe>Unfortunately for you you got caught in the middle of cross-fire between two of the most abusive agencies I have ever come across.
Abusive agencies? Can you share your experience with them and what has made this strong opinion?
Where shall I start and how long can a post be before it is truncated?
These agencies call me up even though they have been instructed under the DPA to remove my details as I don't do business with either of them - blatant disregard for the law. In the past both of them have submitted my CV without permission, and both said they have submitted my CV as a preferred supplier when they were not. They are a danger to me finding contracts with acts like that. They call me evenings and weekends and I have had to resort to asking the Information Commissioner to take action. Progressive actually emailed me today saying they could not not take me off their mail distribution list because they didn't know my email address. Whilst I was working abroad a few years ago Computer People kept calling me on my mobile which then was costing about £1 a minute for being abroad - I told the guy not to keep calling me because of the cost and I was already in a contract. I was bombarded with phone calls from these guys all the time after that - they did not care about the cost/inconvenience to me. With withheld numbers it was costing a £1 just to hang up.
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Originally posted by MordacNot when I was at M&S via CP. More like 24% . I was happy with my rate, but I imagine M&S weren't happy with theirs. That was the last time I had anything to do with CP, they're now basically selling themselves as a body shop.
We had a "tilt" at them last year with no success, they also use Parity. Most of their IT is in India now, so they seem to be a no go area for agencies looking to make some profit.
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>Unfortunately for you you got caught in the middle of cross-fire between two of the most abusive agencies I have ever come across.
Abusive agencies? Can you share your experience with them and what has made this strong opinion?
>You will find that certain agencies will take advantage of you because you are new to the country - they will do the same to anyone who hasn't researched contracting properly. The majority are OK but the few spoil it for everyone.
Yeah, being new to the country is a big disadvantage, because people dont seem to consider your application even though you have a strong experience. It took me two months to get my first interview. Agents dont out forward your CV if you dont have experience of working in UK. So its really depressing.
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Originally posted by MordacFirstly I would recommend 2 things. 1, Stay away from Progressive. And 2, stay away from Computer People. That's not just me saying this, I can confidently predict a steady stream of fellow veteran contractors voicing similar opinions.
Don't feel too bad, all of us have been stiffed by an unscrupulous agency in the past, but usually only once.
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OP
You have learned about these agencies the same way we all have.
I take it you now have a folder for 'Never contact again!'
Get a confirmation from them that they have removed your details then add the agencies you mentioned to this folder.
Dont worry about this policy reducing your 'opportunities', as these agencies are not going to do your reputation any good. By now any previous employers mentioned on your CV are shouting 'F*** O** stop bothering me!' down the phone at some gel smelling coc*ring trying to sell cheap but unwelcome idiots to them.
2c
error
ps there is a contract out there but it seems you have to kiss frogs to get it! dont kiss any frogs twice though or the industry will think you like it!
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Originally posted by DodgyAgentcomputer people supply into M&S @ 4% margins
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You may not realise it, but you don't have to talk to people if you don't want to!
If an agent has phoned and you don't like the way the conversation is going, just say "I'm busy at the moment - thank you for your interest" and put the phone down.
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Originally posted by tim123Personally, I see this as a client realising that the margin is actually an important factor in getting (and keeping) the *best* people for the job and realising that this agent mantra of "the margin is irrelevent" is the bollux that it is.
Unfortunately, in this case, by selecting CP as preferred supplier they are probably not going to get the best people as they have limited their supply in an unpredictable way
tim
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Originally posted by privateeyeBut I know somewhere where it is nearer 40% All the guys from CP were on far lower rates than from any other agency. They will go for as much as they can get but seems M&S were much too good for them and 4% is all they got.
Unfortunately, in this case, by selecting CP as preferred supplier they are probably not going to get the best people as they have limited their supply in an unpredictable way
tim
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Originally posted by DodgyAgentcomputer people supply into M&S @ 4% margins
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Originally posted by privateeyeYou got caught but one of the oldest tricks in the book - like most of us have in the early days of contracting. You have learnt a lesson and you will not be caught again.
Unfortunately for you you got caught in the middle of cross-fire between two of the most abusive agencies I have ever come across. My advice would always be if an agent is only interested where you have been and puts no emphasis on where they would like you to go then they are after sales leads.
You will find that certain agencies will take advantage of you because you are new to the country - they will do the same to anyone who hasn't researched contracting properly. The majority are OK but the few spoil it for everyone.
You will find that Progressive and Computer People also work on as high a commission as possible and best avoided.
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You got caught but one of the oldest tricks in the book - like most of us have in the early days of contracting. You have learnt a lesson and you will not be caught again.
Unfortunately for you you got caught in the middle of cross-fire between two of the most abusive agencies I have ever come across. My advice would always be if an agent is only interested where you have been and puts no emphasis on where they would like you to go then they are after sales leads.
You will find that certain agencies will take advantage of you because you are new to the country - they will do the same to anyone who hasn't researched contracting properly. The majority are OK but the few spoil it for everyone.
You will find that Progressive and Computer People also work on as high a commission as possible and best avoided.
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I like the line of, "We don't want to put you forward for a job you have already been interviewed for. Could you tell us ....."
Live and learn.
Even better when you get blamed for wasting they time when they actually called you. If only you could put hand down the telephone wire.
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