Reply to: Why do agencies ask how I'm finding the market?

[Brussels Slumdog]

The market is great BUT

I always tell them that the market is great but most of the gigs are in places where I dont want to work like Beerse in Belgium.

[AnonAgent]

I would recommend you say that you have had interviews and what stage you are at. But offer no further details than that. Dont lie to an agent, just hide the details. Candidates that lie to me invariably get a worse service from me. In this market you want every stakeholder in the process to be your friend, I genuinely didnt put a candidate forward for a role just this week because I didnt like him. And I will likely do it again many times again this year.

[SandyD]

When they ask me how are you finding the market, I reply to their question with the same question lol... so reply with something like: to be honest I haven't thought about it, you tell me how are you finding the market?

I use the same strategy when they ask me about the rate, I answer a question with a question

[GB9]

From experience, as long as you are polite and business like, not taking a gig or not being overly helpful may pee them off in the short-term, but if they think they can make money out of you then they will be back.

[norrahe]

I always say that I am not actively looking as I am enjoying time off so I have not interviewed or really spoken to agents but I would be intereated in a contract if it was particularly good.

Same here, always appear nonchalant and it depends on the role.

[MyUserName]

I always say that I am not actively looking as I am enjoying time off so I have not interviewed or really spoken to agents but I would be intereated in a contract if it was particularly good.

[kingcook]

I tell them I just started looking more actively during the last two weeks and that I am getting calls, but I have not found the right contract yet. I wish...

I say a similar thing. Just keep it polite without given any information away. Don't be afraid to tell them to mind their own business (in a polite way of course)

[heyya99]

Yes you do, we explained it last time someone pointed this out...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...ml#post1691352

I can't see how you cannot be new to this game looking at the questions you have asked and that you only have 4 years permie experience under your belt and are saving up to go to college... even though you have an MSc...

I meant that I'm not a first timer, that I've now have contracts under my belt. The return to college is to get into the music field, separate to IT.

Have you ever considered that what you are accusing me of is not true? I'm just using this forum as a resource toi help my contracting career. Every post I make seems to attract abuse and accusations. I don't get it.

[northernladuk]

When I said a number of years I meant I'm not new to this game.

I'm sorry if I'm using this forum wrong. I have no idea what a sockie is.

Yes you do, we explained it last time someone pointed this out...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...ml#post1691352

I can't see how you cannot be new to this game looking at the questions you have asked and that you only have 4 years permie experience under your belt and are saving up to go to college... even though you have an MSc...

[heyya99]

Just another day in sockie land hey....

According to your posts requesting an accountant and business bank less than 15 months ago you haven't been contracting for years...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ml#post1448161

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ught-ir35.html

After 14 months you still feel the need to ask for resources to read to be a contractor and then admit at that point you read the SJD spreadsheet, which you said you were going to get over a year ago.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...books-etc.html

And if you can't work out the answer to these questions after you have been (supposedly) a contractor for years then there is something wrong with you.

Either are a crap sockie, or just crap full stop.

When I said a number of years I meant I'm not new to this game.

I'm sorry if I'm using this forum wrong. I have no idea what a sockie is.

[northernladuk]

That's what I've been doing...

Can you tell me this.. I have been contracting for a number of years and only now am I out of work. I updated my CV and got multiple calls and about 4 interviews - got none of the roles. Then I went away for a few weeks and when I returned, I re-updated my CV with new skills and have had no any calls. Any idea why this would be? Is my CV blacklisted with agencies because they've either sent it to hiring managers before and didn't progress or I got interviews but failed to get the job?

Don't understand how my CV was great one week and now it's seems like it's invisible.

Just another day in sockie land hey....

According to your posts requesting an accountant and business bank less than 15 months ago you haven't been contracting for years...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ml#post1448161

http://forums.contractoruk.com/accou...ught-ir35.html

After 14 months you still feel the need to ask for resources to read to be a contractor and then admit at that point you read the SJD spreadsheet, which you said you were going to get over a year ago.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...books-etc.html

And if you can't work out the answer to these questions after you have been (supposedly) a contractor for years then there is something wrong with you.

Something is just not right here....

[heyya99]

I tell them I just started looking more actively during the last two weeks and that I am getting calls, but I have not found the right contract yet. I wish...

That's what I've been doing...

Can you tell me this.. I have been contracting for a number of years and only now am I out of work. I updated my CV and got multiple calls and about 4 interviews - got none of the roles. Then I went away for a few weeks and when I returned, I re-updated my CV with new skills and have had no any calls. Any idea why this would be? Is my CV blacklisted with agencies because they've either sent it to hiring managers before and didn't progress or I got interviews but failed to get the job?

Don't understand how my CV was great one week and now it's seems like it's invisible.

[istvan]

I thought that but if I lie and say I have had interviews, he'll think 'this dude must have a good CV but is crap at interviews, no $$$ for me out of this chump'.

I tell them I just started looking more actively during the last two weeks and that I am getting calls, but I have not found the right contract yet. I wish...

[heyya99]

If you have had many interviews lately, you're less likely to accept the gig he is offering e.g. if you get offered one of those gigs and/or have bargaining power for more £££.

If you've had NO interviews lately, you're likely desperate for a gig (see previous post )

I thought that but if I lie and say I have had interviews, he'll think 'this dude must have a good CV but is crap at interviews, no $$$ for me out of this chump'.

[northernladuk]

You sure you are cut out for this?