Reply to: Headhunted and clueless

[BrilloPad]

The agent might not have a position and want your CV. Or be gathering information on your current role to see if he can place other candidates in there.

[expat]

The world is choc full of lying scumbags who will do anything to make a buck out of you....and most of them are agents.

The choice is yours but you have been warned.

FTFY

[SunnyInHades]

So what is the difference between being "headhunted" and being "contacted by an agent"?

I've only seen people headhunted from-to perm roles:

Headhunted:
Agent: XXX know of you from project YYY and they want to take you on immediately, subject to your notice period. They'll willing to offer you xxx. Do you want to join them ??

Contacted:
Agent: I'm recruiting for a new position, seen you details on <jobboard> and there seems to be a good match between the skills required and your experience.

[original PM]

If you want to start contracting and if you can actually live without having a wage coming in then go for it.

You will probably find

1) If you have a notice period you will struggle to get the gig - it is only 6 months work so clients tend to not want to wait 3 or even 1 month.

2) As others have said the agent is only interested in getting the commission they will lie to you and get you to hand your notice period in even when no job is available - this just gives them backup if the role does come off and also they then have you over a barrel and so will probably dump your rate down as they know you need to be earning.

The world is choc full of lying scumbags who will do anything to make a buck out of you....

The choice is yours but you have been warned.

[northernladuk]

Fair point but looks positive

Agents always make it look positive. They're sales people. There will be a few hundred other people going for the role depending on client and how many agents are working it. Nearly all of them will be experienced contractors, many on the bench so can interview Wednesday and start Monday. Contractors generally can apply for many roles before they secure one. If we thought everyone looked positive and got upset if we didn't get it we'd all be suicidal by now. It's just about managing the churn. Am guessing you've got a notice period as well?

[northernladuk]

I'm not doing anything yet, hence my request for advice.

Start by reading them links to the right, as many threads as you can on here and start googling any question you have at this stage is the best advice... And forget this role for now.

[northernladuk]

So what is the difference between being "headhunted" and being "contacted by an agent"?

You let me know and maybe I'll be able to "catch myself on"

Thanks for your input

Headhunters tend to be specialists that are engaged by clients to go out and find high level people for particular roles, normally perm roles. Agents are just sales people fill random temporary assignments. One is a specialist, the other just deals with churn not caring a hoot about anything but his commission.

[McrSfd71]

Turn it down, you are just not ready.

Highly likely agent is just chancing his arm so the chance of getting the gig are still slim. If you are going to go contracting do it when you are ready and are in control, not when you are being lead in to an abyss by an agent. There are plenty of gigs out there, this isn't the only one.

I'm not doing anything yet, hence my request for advice.

[McrSfd71]

Offering you a position, or offering you the chance to interview for a position, as the two are different kettles of fish

Fair point but looks positive

[McrSfd71]

That's not being headhunted, it's just being contacted by an agent.....

If that's being headhunted I've headhunted at least 14,000 times about 13,970 being fruitless agent time wasting....

Really OP, catch yourself on....

So what is the difference between being "headhunted" and being "contacted by an agent"?

You let me know and maybe I'll be able to "catch myself on"

Thanks for your input

[SimonMac]

Hi, brand new here and while I have read through quite a few posts I haven't been able to find the answers to my specific questions so I thought someone here may be able to answer. I'm currently working as a permanent employee but have been contacted by a recruitment company offering a 6 month position on a day rate considerably larger than what I am earning. My question is, do I have to pay PAYE and NI through the recruitment company or can I set up my own limited company as soon as I have my feet under the desk or is there a middle ground? I guess this is both a legal and moral question. Thanks

Offering you a position, or offering you the chance to interview for a position, as the two are different kettles of fish

[stek]

That's not being headhunted, it's just being contacted by an agent.....

If that's being headhunted I've headhunted at least 14,000 times about 13,970 being fruitless agent time wasting....

Really OP, catch yourself on....

[northernladuk]

Turn it down, you are just not ready.

Highly likely agent is just chancing his arm so the chance of getting the gig are still slim. If you are going to go contracting do it when you are ready and are in control, not when you are being lead in to an abyss by an agent. There are plenty of gigs out there, this isn't the only one.

[McrSfd71]

Yes, I have

[NotAllThere]

Have you read the first times guide over there ------------------>