Reply to: Do seasoned contractors follow up on applications

[Spacecadet]

I've not even had to bother with the jobsites for over a year now.

Most of the decent agents have my CV and I'm connected to them on Linkedin.
As other have said, a quick email and Linkedin status update 4-5 weeks before contract end date is sufficient.

[Rabotnik]

I've done it a handful of times, but I don't think I ever actually got through to the agent so I gave up

They were always "in meetings" or something, so I view it as a waste of time now. I just carpet bomb jobserve throughout the day and wait for the phone to ring.

[Ketchup]

I think it depends on your approach. I know a few contractors who go for the "scattergun approach" and apply for every role they feel they are even loosely suited for.

I prefer to be more selective, i wait for one that matches the following criteria:
1) Pays a decent daily rate
2) In an industry sector i like working in (i personally love retail)
3) Decent match for my skillset - (possibility oflearnig something new)

I then email the agent and phone them a few hours later. I try and build a decent relationship with the agents, as there are actually a fair few decent ones out there. If they know you well, they are more likely to put you forward for roles.

I would rather spend an extra few weeks on the bench than take a role i didn't think was a perfect fit. Being a developer, it is important to stay current, i know a few devs who have jumped at a 12 month gig using older technologies who have struggled to find the next gig as their skills weren't "current"

[nomadd]

I never call to chase them, not because I don't think it's a good idea (it probably is in a small %age of cases) but simply because I can't be arsed with getting passed around and fobbed off. Fire and forget for me, which keeps me sane too.

+1 (times 10 to the power 100)

[lukemg]

I never call to chase them, not because I don't think it's a good idea (it probably is in a small %age of cases) but simply because I can't be arsed with getting passed around and fobbed off. Fire and forget for me, which keeps me sane too.

[nomadd]

I never ring them. If they're interested, and if they're competent, they'll get back to you.

This^

[Hot Mess]

I think it's a bit of a lottery.

Your best bet is to try and build some relationships with pimps you trust, (bit of a leap of faith there, and assumes they haven't been sacked or bailed to find another job) who will give you an honest assessment of whether you're in with a shout or just being a little too enthusiastic / optimistic re. your chances

Cast out your bait and let them come to you, would be my advice .

[d000hg]

I'd follow up with a quick call for 3 reasons:
1)They might not have the application (it happens)
2)To get myself in their head in case they're swamped with applications
3)To maybe see if anything else is known about the role

[psychocandy]

Difficult one. Usually I find that the agent will call you back within minutes of you sending them a CV if they think you're a good fit.

If they dont call you back, its usually a waste of time calling back because they aint interested.

Sometimes, just sometimes, it might make a difference but I reckon in 90% of the time its a waste of time calling them.

[Scrag Meister]

I only follow up on the ones that I really like the sound of, good ClientCo to have on CV, great rate or whatever.

[Support Monkey]

If its something i think looks interesting and i want it i bung in the Cv and then give them a couple of hours and call them and say "i just wanted to check you received my CV" that is normally enough to start a conversation about the role,

Works for me

[SueEllen]

I don't bother even with agents/direct clients I've dealt with before.

An email is generally enough as if they are interested they will contact you.

[Sockpuppet]

I call agents but usually when I'm still in a role. Give them 4 or 5 weeks head start to let them know I'm coming back on the market. Send an CV just missing out latest role on it. A few days later send the latest CV with the latest role in it and then again if you get to the end of the contract with some more additions.

Touch wood not been out of a contract for 6 years doing it like that and looking like I'm in this role for another year at least.

[centurian]

Generally no - I think it is a waste of time.

However, I did make an exception once when I was trying to break into finance - there was a role where I really thought I was a good fit for.

Agent said he hadn't received my CV (yeah right) - promptly posed some telephone technical questions to weed me out. Answered them all correctly which suddenly raised his interest level. He then said the advertised role was no longer available, but e-mailed me a list of other roles with the same IB. Picked another interesting one - landed the gig 48 hours later - and never looked back

[aa2006]

I can see a lot of pro and cons on whether to follow up on applications.

I have been looking for a new gig now for only 1.5 weeks in which I have made around 19 applications. So far i have had around 8-9 agents call me back about the role. 1 interview sorted for start of next week and another being arranged for end of this week.

It might be the fact I am being too lazy to follow up on the role, even for the dream roles I find I don't follow up as well.

But the reasons given for and against following up are reasonable. I suppose its a personal preference.