Have you been apprearing for any interviews?

[oversteer]

Yeah, I always do that. Get a burner email address too.

Two phones is a bit drug-dealer ish.

I got a number from voiptalk which forwards to my mobile (when I'm jobhunting) or forwards to voicemail when I'm not, or unavailable. Works nicely, it also confuses agents massively.

I've cancelled it now, but for my next role I will reactivate it with a new number then put that number on my CV.

[Wanderer]

I have a burn phone that I put a new PAYG sim card in everytime I start looking for a new contract, once on the gig I throw the sim card away

Yeah, I always do that. Get a burner email address too.

[SueEllen]

I've had a few calls lately, that have obviously been training calls for newbie agents (latest ones claimed to be from Hudson and Reed). You know they're just fishing because they start by asking "And what kind of role would you be interested in?".... followed by other standard time-wasters... I really really want to give them a nice time-wasting diversion, as retaliation for their lies* and time-wasting. But C.Lyon at London Zoo is too obvious; I need something that's a bit more plausible.

* They nearly always claim they'll be sending me the job spec by email. I tell them that "I look forward to seeing it, if it arrives" but I suspect they think I haven't cottoned on to their lies.

If you really want to be evil pair up with a contractor mate who works through a limited company, and give each other as references.

[MrMark]

The charitable view is they're trying to guage if you will be available for the role they're resourcing.

The realistic view is they're fishing for info on which companies are actively looking for resource and if they can extract an interviewers name all the better.

I've had a few calls lately, that have obviously been training calls for newbie agents (latest ones claimed to be from Hudson and Reed). You know they're just fishing because they start by asking "And what kind of role would you be interested in?".... followed by other standard time-wasters... I really really want to give them a nice time-wasting diversion, as retaliation for their lies* and time-wasting. But C.Lyon at London Zoo is too obvious; I need something that's a bit more plausible.

* They nearly always claim they'll be sending me the job spec by email. I tell them that "I look forward to seeing it, if it arrives" but I suspect they think I haven't cottoned on to their lies.

[TykeMerc]

I suppose I will just stop picking up calls from "private numbers"....

Not really practical that.

I simply deflect the question with something along the lines of being sure that they wouldn't appreciate me discussing opportunities they're putting me forwards for with other agencies so I extend that courtesy to them. If they bog off then you know they were just fishing and it's not worth talking to them.

[EngDesigner]

I suppose I will just stop picking up calls from "private numbers"....

I keep getting these calls, got 2 this morning, about 5 yesterday and some the day before that. When they first started phoning I was well chuffed, I thought I would have a new contract in no time, but then I realised that they were just fishing for info. Now I've just stopped answering them.

[SimonMac]

I suppose I will just stop picking up calls from "private numbers"....

I have a burn phone that I put a new PAYG sim card in everytime I start looking for a new contract, once on the gig I throw the sim card away

[Sid]

Recruiters calling from "private numbers"

I suppose I will just stop picking up calls from "private numbers"....

[thunderlizard]

It is mainly a case of them trying to get leads out of you, so don't get too hung up on this one.

I like to taunt them with "a couple of things, but I wouldn't want to bore you with the details at this early stage".

[jmo21]

Just say: "I've only just started my job search so nothing as yet".

WCS.

Every time.

And if they follow with "but I need to know so that I don't submit you for a role with the same company", tell them "Do not submit me without telling me. Tell me first about the role."

[Clippy]

Just say: "I've only just started my job search so nothing as yet".

[TykeMerc]

The charitable view is they're trying to guage if you will be available for the role they're resourcing.

The realistic view is they're fishing for info on which companies are actively looking for resource and if they can extract an interviewers name all the better.

[stek]

What do recruitment consultants want to hear when they ask "Have you been apprearing for any interviews?", or "How has been your job search going on so far?"
What answer will make me sound enthusiastic about the opportunity they have?

They want the name of a hiring manager they can pester with calls.

[Sid]

What do recruitment consultants want to hear when they ask "Have you been apprearing for any interviews?", or "How has been your job search going on so far?"
What answer will make me sound enthusiastic about the opportunity they have?