Setting the scene with agents

[Fungus]

They'll still try and BS you. For the most part it appears they know nothing else.

Yup. It's in their DNA. Just as a duck will quack, and a dog will shag a leg, so an agent will BS. Telling the truth is considered as professional miconduct and a sackable offence.

[bfg]

I generally say that it's classified... if I told them I'd then have to kill them...

The temptation, oh the temptation.

you can have fun with agents asking if you are security cleared.

First make sure you have a full name and telephone contact.

Then in a firm clear voice state:

"<insert agent name>, Section 1, disclosure of security and intelligence information of the 1989 Official Secrets Act applies to any such information.
I will need to contact the Ministry of Defence to confirm your clearance to be in possesion such sensitive information. I must inform you that attempting to procure such information WITHOUT clearance is also an offence under the 2001 Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Bill.".

[Joe Black.]

How do deal with those w@nkers JB? Tell them straight out to go jump or diplomatically tell them to go jump?

Nah I am just diplomatic with them. No point in being rude because you might actually need them one day.

[tim123]

Yep, I agree with Threaded (makes a change doesn't it).

When I get BS from them I say: look at my CV, how long have I been doing this contracting thing (20+ years), do you not think that I heard it all before. They still do it the next time they ring.

tim

[bennyboy]

Mate thats the way the contract market goes and thats the way agencies are. The BS sux, but it's part of the game, sumfink which we unfortunately have to deal with. I sometime get agencies calling me up with pretend jobs and then ask which companies have recently interviewed you etc etc

How do deal with those w@nkers JB? Tell them straight out to go jump or diplomatically tell them to go jump?

[Joe Black.]

Mate thats the way the contract market goes and thats the way agencies are. The BS sux, but it's part of the game, sumfink which we unfortunately have to deal with. I sometime get agencies calling me up with pretend jobs and then ask which companies have recently interviewed you etc etc

[bobsmithldn]

They'll still try and BS you. For the most part it appears they know nothing else.

the next one that tries is gonna get a big F.O.

[threaded]

They'll still try and BS you. For the most part it appears they know nothing else.

[bobsmithldn]

I'm exploring my options and back on the happy merry-go-round.

Due to a previous agent giving me loads of BS, I'm considering a new tactic - set the scene with the agent and tell them up front before embarking on anything that you've been in this business a while and will not tolerate any BS.

There's obviously a risk that they tell you to get lost, but, hey, not my problem.

Thoughts?