Familiar phrase?

[Codejock]

Agent phones contractor...

"Hello, I was calling to see what your availability is as I have a number of opportunities coming up in..."

Often you would reply that you are in a contract, gainfully employed etc. which generally solicits the question, "oh, where are you working?".

If you are either a) too slow thinking (lack of coffee, distracted by work etc.) or b) unlucky enough to have sent the pimp your CV with your current role, you will often hear those immortal words..

"And who is your manager there...."

Why oh why do agents do it to themselves? Personally, I would have more respect (or better said, less disrespect) for them if they simply said,

"Listen CodeJock, it's a bit strapped right now and me Porsche needs an MOT. Help an old pimp out and give us a lead or two..."

[Codejock]

Leading questions

Oh and the other one...

Agent phones about an opportunity and you explain that you are in a contract or otherwise not interested (for whatever reason).

Then comes the question, "Do you know anybody who is currently looking with the same skills as you?"

Yeah, tell you what Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Pimp/Pimpette, you come over here and do my job, and I'll come over there and do yours. How does that sound???

Come on agents, if a contractor was looking for a new gig, then chances are they have both eyes glued to Jobserve, Monster etc., and one ear to the telephone.

Where do they breed these people? (and I bet at least half of them are ginger!)

[jmo21]

Why oh why do agents do it to themselves? Personally, I would have more respect (or better said, less disrespect) for them if they simply said,

I honestly don't think they see it like that.

I think they see it as all part of the game, and actually enjoy trying to sneakily (in their eyes anyway) get info out of us.

[pmeswani]

I honestly don't think they see it like that.

I think they see it as all part of the game, and actually enjoy trying to sneakily (in their eyes anyway) get info out of us.

[Partial lie mode]

A lot of agents are pressured by management to find leads or face the axe / loss of commission. A lot of them don't want to do it... honest.

[/Partial lie mode]

[moorfield]

"And who is your manager there...."

I usually give them the CEOs name and office number, often freely available on most company intranets these days. Stupid pimps fall for it every time.

[moorfield]

Then comes the question, "Do you know anybody who is currently looking with the same skills as you?"

As per previous post.