Reply to: Agency mis-use of 'representation'

[TykeMerc]

The simplest way for the client to sort out which agency they need to contract with is to say "I can't be bothered with this mess, I'll pick someone else"

Indeed, the reality being that we as contractors can do the square root of shag all on this issue. It's always been that way and there's nothing likely to happen that can change it.

Get over it, deal with it or get upset about it, it doesn't matter what you do.

[northernladuk]

The simplest way for the client to sort out which agency they need to contract with is to say "I can't be bothered with this mess, I'll pick someone else"

Which is exactly what happened to me. Applied to a bank in Cheshire and a financial services client in Manchester. Turned out to be the same client. Managed to secure two interviews in the same day unfortunately and it all kicked off and I didn't get to either as the client washed their hands of it.

Don't play agents off. You are the end of the chain so the one that will cop the fall out.

[TheFaQQer]

Then when I'm successful, someone else can sort-out which CV arrived first.

The simplest way for the client to sort out which agency they need to contract with is to say "I can't be bothered with this mess, I'll pick someone else"

[richard101]

Paying Devils advocate - How about I let every agent represent me for every role at every customer?

(... "as far as I recall I have not been put forward for this role already").

(... "they already have my CV? sorry about that, I must have forgotten")

After all - my objective is to get the gig - not stick to imaginary rules, that don't benefit me (as in this case).

Then when I'm successful, someone else can sort-out which CV arrived first.

(just asking)

Richard

[LondonManc]

Agents like a contractor with a track record of extensions - effort-free commission churn for them.

[Dactylion]

Been there myself. It's not often you can trust an agency to find the best 2 or 3 CVs from a batch of, let's face it, possibly several hundred.

That sums it up nicely.

[Eirikur]

And if you think they will pay any attention to that clause, best of luck to you...

That's their problem. It gives me the freedom to go to another agency.

[Mordac]

This. I always add the sentence "provided my CV will be forwarded to the end customer within 3 working days"

And if you think they will pay any attention to that clause, best of luck to you...

[Eirikur]

Easy, tell them they have your permission to represent yor for a period of (say) 48 hours.

Then if no feedback go with another agent under same terms.

This. I always add the sentence "provided my CV will be forwarded to the end customer within 3 working days"

[Mordac]

Time-box it as stek said and also make sure it's exclusive for an individual role too - you don't want to be tied to one agent for big clients with multiple relevant roles/departments.



Bit harsh. I've been part of interview processes (on the interviewer side) where the boss (I was a perm NLUK before you start flapping ) asked for the best three cvs from an agent; presumably the client has two agents so wants to go with 3 from 4 for interview. Saves time sifting so many, especially when it's a contractor and you don't give a toss about the corporate face-fitting side of things.

Been there myself. It's not often you can trust an agency to find the best 2 or 3 CVs from a batch of, let's face it, possibly several hundred.

[LondonManc]

When this happens to me I generally go with the most well known agency (most likely on clientco PSL) if I can be arsed, or do some research to find out who is on clientco PSL, and not go with the bottom-feeder agency.

A lot of these agencies you've never heard of are hoping to sell you on to agents on the PSL I suspect.

They're probably hoping to worm their way on to the reserve PSL if not the main PSL if they can (depending upon the size of the agency and client).

[Mordac]

Tell them they are granted exclusivity from the time your CV is received by the client, but if they don't put your CV forward you reserve the right to be represented by another agency.

Yes, but unfortunately, you will never know whether you were put forward / considered / you get the piccie.

[stek]

When this happens to me I generally go with the most well known agency (most likely on clientco PSL) if I can be arsed, or do some research to find out who is on clientco PSL, and not go with the bottom-feeder agency.

A lot of these agencies you've never heard of are hoping to sell you on to agents on the PSL I suspect.

[LondonManc]

How can I avoid the situation where an agency will get my emailed permission to exclusively "represent" me with a customer. But then will then not forward my CV to them, (possibly) because they can only submit two CV's? Subsequently other agencies cannot submit me either.

Time-box it as stek said and also make sure it's exclusive for an individual role too - you don't want to be tied to one agent for big clients with multiple relevant roles/departments.

Honestly? Tell them to do one, and feck right off, they are playing you for an idiot. Which I presume you are not. Only submit 2 CVs? Yeah, I just fell off the stupid tree as well...Name & shame the agency. Chancers. And that's being nice.

Bit harsh. I've been part of interview processes (on the interviewer side) where the boss (I was a perm NLUK before you start flapping ) asked for the best three cvs from an agent; presumably the client has two agents so wants to go with 3 from 4 for interview. Saves time sifting so many, especially when it's a contractor and you don't give a toss about the corporate face-fitting side of things.

[TykeMerc]

Easy, tell them they have your permission to represent yor for a period of (say) 48 hours.

Then if no feedback go with another agent under same terms.

This.

However if your CV isn't submitted in the first day (first few hours in reality) you can forget being seriously in contention for the role so it's meaningless to add that to the email trail. The only exception is if the initial batch of CV's are all totally unsuitable, but odds are remote on that, it does happen, but not frequently.

In reality there's bugger all any of us can do about this particular piece of Agent behaviour, as contractors it's just par for the quite crappy course.