Reply to: Speaking to the client directly, after the interview

[thunderlizard]

It's all in the execution. A phone call saying "why didn't you hire me?" will annoy them. A compliments slip through the post saying "Nice to meet you. If you have any further questions please feel free to call" won't.


Just think of all the sales approaches you probably turn down in an average week, without feeling any obligation to explain why.

[BrilloPad]

Its very difficult as you dont have the job : but you want feedback on if/where you went wrong so you can improve!

If you go direct to the client and they thought you were good, but not for that role, then you have probably burnt your bridges for good. I would think it odd if someone went direct to me not via the agency : maybe it is just me?

Hence I would leave it.

[thunderlizard]

(probably other reasons too)

...one of the more polite ones being: agents as a breed are just unrealistically positive people. If they weren't, they'd never get through the day. Hence candidates and contracts are always "superb", interviews are "just a formality" and telling people they are rubbish isn't in their nature.

[OwlHoot]

My agent is avoiding me(nothing surprising there) after the interview. However, I want to know how I did in the interview.

Is it wrong or will it upset client if I speak to them direct for an interview feedback or result?

There should be a CUK FAQ, as this question is always being asked.

Agents hardly ever provide negative feedback, and there are several reasons:

1. The chosen candidate may pull out, and you may be second in line

2. If the client gave them positive feedback about you (without offering you the role) the agent would rather wait for something else to turn up which you may be suitable for and interested in (1 being a special case of this).

3. They don't want to waste time or their phone bill talking to you, or be the bearer of bad news.

(probably other reasons too)

[TykeMerc]

What they all said.

Most agents are just sales spivs who consider candidates to be a commodity and nothing more, if the answer is negative 1 in 10 might bother to let you know. They would far rather not spend the time on a dead prospect that won't result in a notch on their sales figures.

The Client engaged the Agencies specifically to avoid having to deal with CV's, candidates, contracts and payments directly, calling them will get you absolutely nowhere apart from in their bad books should they need another contractor in the future.

[chris79]

If I have not got the job why dont they just say it in my face, all it would take them is just a minute.

meanwhile I will just shut up and wont bother the agent or the client again and continue refreshing Jobserve

Imagine you are an agent who has had 150 candidates apply for a job. Now out of those you put 8 forward, and 1 person gets the job.

Following this you have to call or email all of the 7 other candidates and ending up in a discussion with them about the ins/outs of why they didn't get the job.

Ignoring the other 7 makes you 7 times more productive (for this particular process), more money for your business, far less hassle.

Welcome to the slimy world of agency contracting.

[expat]

If I have not got the job why dont they just say it in my face, all it would take them is just a minute.

If you didn't get the job, that's more than you're worth to them.

Remember that every time you start feeling like agents are possibly not all the scum of the earth.

[jmo21]

If you didn't get it, a lot of agents will not waste time doing this.

In a market not flooded with applicants and so few jobs, some agents might be more keen to keep you happy by being more polite in the aftermath.

[threaded]

My agent is avoiding me(nothing surprising there) after the interview. However, I want to know how I did in the interview.

Is it wrong or will it upset client if I speak to them direct for an interview feedback or result?

If the agent is avoiding you then you didn't get it. If the client was prevaricating the agent would be on the phone every few minutes updating you. Also as you've failed an interview the agent probably won't bother putting you forward for anything else either.

So, I see no problem calling the client, you haven't got it, and you're not likely to upset the agent.

[bullseye]

If I have not got the job why dont they just say it in my face, all it would take them is just a minute.

meanwhile I will just shut up and wont bother the agent or the client again and continue refreshing Jobserve

[chris79]

Personally I would just move on with the job hunting, if you have the job the agent will be in contact.

I've had a few interviews recently where they've offered to give me feedback and I've never heard from them again after that. Don't waste your time chasing it, after all it's only someones opinion, you could perform the same in front of a different set of people and get a completely different response.

Onward and upward as they say!

[Rookie]

In most (if not all) cases I'd say it would. As a general rule of thumb, if you did well at the interview then you'll probably hear back soon enough. No news is usually bad news. Move on and keep applying.

[Ravello]

My agent is avoiding me(nothing surprising there) after the interview. However, I want to know how I did in the interview.

Is it wrong or will it upset client if I speak to them direct for an interview feedback or result?

Sadly, the chances are that if the agent is avoiding you, you didn't get the gig... Personally I'd forget about it and concentrate on the next gig, but if that is the scenario you're probably not going to lose much by contacting the client (though you may find they also avoid the call!)

[minestrone]

Something I would never do.

If you never got the job you did not do well, I just leave it at that.

[Chugnut]

Wait for the agent, they arranged the interview.

Besides they might be on the phone to the client now...