Reply to: Contract has gone ?? Maybe.

[ratewhore]

Contractors don't communicate other than to say hello (or f** off) as the case maybe.

And my question re pimps database of contractors was a rhetorical one but thanks for the answers...

[Angela_D]

Didn't you used to edit Mixmag ?

[Dan Prince]

Angela, I might be able to help you out. PM me to discuss.

[Angela_D]

Ha ha ha ... CHEEK ! I've never held a perm job.


So what so you call Contract BAs ? Business Continuity Specialists ? etc ?


I mean translating biz requirements into technical specifications, capacity planning etc.

[BlasterBates]

working closer with the business

permie alarm.

Contractors don't communicate other than to say hello (or f** off) as the case maybe.

I'm afraid "working close" thing is a definite no no.

[Angela_D]

Meant to add: Mailman.... that's what I've always believed (unless you've done something really truly terrible like launch DOS against jobserve)


But when it is me, myself and I in the headlights ... not so sure. Easier to think more clearly when it ain't yourself ! I always find anyway.

[Mordac]

Do you really think agencies hold a database of contractors that p1ss them off? I've often wondered as I've p1ssed off a few in my time and I haven't had any problems with 'blackballing' (oo-er missus!)...

Course they don't. The only place you'll ever be blacklisted is in the pimp's memory. They'll have forgotten about you by next weekend.

[Angela_D]

BlasterBates .... you are very perceptive. I'm suited based on past experience but there would be good very good elements for me (working closer with the business and talk about good tech coming on board.)

I totally agree about how repeating your work becomes dull very quickly.

Not taken any action yet today as I've been swamped with work and errrr ... tax ... issues.

A.

[Mailman]

Do you really think agencies hold a database of contractors that p1ss them off? I've often wondered as I've p1ssed off a few in my time and I haven't had any problems with 'blackballing' (oo-er missus!)...

Of course they dont. If you can make them money they will try and pimp you. Its as simple as that.

Mailman

[BlasterBates]

Well basically the client isn't going to tell them and the competing agency isn't either and even if they did, the agency probably wouldn't care any more, because they're too busy trying place other contractors.

Something did cross my mind Angela_D, you said the contract would be interesting and exciting, this is usually the case when it is something you haven't done before, where you'd ve learning and gaining new experience ....correct ?

Usually contracts for which you're well suited are pretty boring because you've done it all before.

Perhaps that's the problem.

[ratewhore]

I am quite wary about going 'behind the back' of the agency as they are huge across Europe and I would really not like my name to have negative comments against it.

Do you really think agencies hold a database of contractors that p1ss them off? I've often wondered as I've p1ssed off a few in my time and I haven't had any problems with 'blackballing' (oo-er missus!)...

[decode]

Angela D-I would definitely go direct to the person who interviewed you. I inteviewed through a large agency and felt the interview went very well and was offered the position. The deal then fell through because the agency and the client couldn't agree terms and the agent told me that becuase of this the position had been offered to another candidate. I rang the person who interviewed me and he said that the position had not been offered to anyone else and it was still mine if I worked through one of their preffered suppliers.

Botton line is if we go for interviews then we should recieve feedback. If barrow boy can't provide this then go direct. Hope it works out for you.

[BlasterBates]

It is definitely worth trying to go through the other agents, but to be prefectly honest this sounds like a "no no". Clients don't usually reject outright if the position hasn't been filled, they just say nothing. Very occasionally they might even get back to you for another role if it crops up. If the client really wanted you he would probably have gone through the agency even if the agent was amateurish. Now the client's obviously dropped them. The preferred supplier list is just that, a preferred list but not a must.

Still you have nothing to lose by applying through other agencies, in fact I would recommend you try, they just need to phone and ask the project manager, whether they would be interested. But if I were you I'd focus on other opportunities.

[lukemg]

Something not right here, ok agents don't call you to say it's a no but if you phone them up they will normally give you the news along with an 'I was just about to call you' thrown in for effect.
Could be :
- Asking agencies to do one more trawl to see if someone else comes out.
- After the interviews they sometimes think of slightly different requirements or emphasis (when you look at houses to buy you change your mind about what you want)
Having said that, whenever I have been anywhere near getting a contract or being on a reserve list in case the preferred chap turns it down, the agent has always been all over me like a rash and in very regular contact to make sure I don't go elsewhere etc.
I think you are out of luck but would have no qualms contacting the company direct (I have even guessed email id's before) to confirm your situation if the agent can't or won't.
Just got a contract I would have sworn I had no chance after a terrible technical interview and have lost ones I thought I had done brilliantly on, sometimes they just prefer someone else or they have a bit more skills/experience.
Good luck

[The Master]

I am quite wary about going 'behind the back' of the agency as they are huge across Europe and I would really not like my name to have negative comments against it. If such things happen.

Don't worry about it. These things don't happen. The agent will tell you that they do but that is just a lot of horse dung.