• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

What to do when a role is advertised by many agents?

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    What to do when a role is advertised by many agents?

    I can see an interesting role on many agents... I keep getting the same thing over and over in my JS emails from different people. None of them are agents I've used before.

    Is there any better tactic than just picking one? I could contact several and try to haggle their cut down, but I figure they'd just put someone else forward instead.
    Originally posted by MaryPoppins
    I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
    Originally posted by vetran
    Urine is quite nourishing

    #2
    Originally posted by d000hg View Post
    I can see an interesting role on many agents... I keep getting the same thing over and over in my JS emails from different people. None of them are agents I've used before.

    Is there any better tactic than just picking one? I could contact several and try to haggle their cut down, but I figure they'd just put someone else forward instead.
    Apply via all of them. Some wont bother to contact you. The one who submits you and gets you an interview is the one you go with.

    You wont haggle their cut down unless the role has very job specific skills.
    I couldn't give two fornicators! Yes, really!

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by d000hg View Post
      I can see an interesting role on many agents... I keep getting the same thing over and over in my JS emails from different people. None of them are agents I've used before.

      Is there any better tactic than just picking one? I could contact several and try to haggle their cut down, but I figure they'd just put someone else forward instead.
      A couple of things could happen. They will all put you forward and when the client mentions it the agents will all try and claim you they were first and get very annoyed and pushy which can be uncomfortable. There is a high likelyhood they will also try and f up your application..

      It is also likely that one or possibly all will want you to mail them saying you choose them as your main contact. If you do and then play them off it will get even uglier.

      There is the distinct possibility you may not get put forward by one and will by the other so you might be edging your bets by multi-applying but I reckon this benefit is dwarfed by the tulip storm that will occur if you try and play them off.

      I did this with three once and it wasn't fun.

      Try find the main supplier and go with them is what I would do in your position. After playinging them off in the past and getting burnt I wouldn't recommend you try that.
      'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

      Comment


        #4
        On reflection another option could be to pick one agent and tell them you won't talk to anyone else for X days/weeks. Depending how long the process is likely to take, of course.
        Originally posted by MaryPoppins
        I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
        Originally posted by vetran
        Urine is quite nourishing

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by d000hg View Post
          On reflection another option could be to pick one agent and tell them you won't talk to anyone else for X days/weeks. Depending how long the process is likely to take, of course.
          Sounds reasonable but I would be surprised if they don't get you to sign up to that first anyway to be honest. Nearly all gigs that got to interview recently did and it appears other people have reported the same when this has been discussed in the past.
          'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

          Comment


            #6
            Yeah the first agent to contact me directly has this in their standard email:
            If you are interested please reply confirming:
            1. You are happy to be represented by <agent> solely for <client> - <role>
            2. Your current daily rate and your desired daily rate
            3. Your availability to start the role
            I might just not answer 1), or amend it myself to something more reasonable and see.
            I will pretty much damn well refuse to tell them my current rate because what I charge working on a generic technology from home compared to what I charge working on something specialist 300 miles away in the City is totally different. I'd take £300/day for the former but not much under double that to do the weekly commute to London while I have the former on offer.
            Originally posted by MaryPoppins
            I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
            Originally posted by vetran
            Urine is quite nourishing

            Comment


              #7
              If they do come back to you regarding the role and say they are putting you forward then go with them.

              In my market there's always 3 or 4 advertising the same role.

              They shouldn't submit your cv without asking your first (well that's my experience anyway).
              "Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch." - Orson Welles

              Norrahe's blog

              Comment


                #8
                New Agents to test

                Originally posted by d000hg View Post
                I can see an interesting role on many agents... I keep getting the same thing over and over in my JS emails from different people. None of them are agents I've used before.

                Is there any better tactic than just picking one? I could contact several and try to haggle their cut down, but I figure they'd just put someone else forward instead.
                If you have a good chance as the add is a perfect fit.
                Pick the agency you know and most likely to obtain the name of the client.

                If you only have a small chance or your contract will probabily be reniewed
                Pick the new agencies and test whether they are hunting for references.
                You can then eliminate them

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by d000hg View Post
                  Yeah the first agent to contact me directly has this in their standard email:
                  I might just not answer 1), or amend it myself to something more reasonable and see.
                  I will pretty much damn well refuse to tell them my current rate because what I charge working on a generic technology from home compared to what I charge working on something specialist 300 miles away in the City is totally different. I'd take £300/day for the former but not much under double that to do the weekly commute to London while I have the former on offer.
                  I can't believe they will bed to your idea about not answering or amending. You are their mercy and if they all shut up shop and say the same thing you can do nothing about it. They have the role, it is their client and you are after a slice of the money they earn. If you want to try change their standard procedures they just pick the next person. I can't believe you are in a position to bully unless you really are niche or the only person they have on the books can do that role.

                  Just agree to one and go with it. You have as much chance with one guy as you have with all of them, infact probably more. It's how they roll so roll with them I am afraid.
                  'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I guess you're right. But what happens if a similar role on the same team comes up at the same client later? Now what happens? And is an email saying "ok" something they can really follow up on in 6 months?
                    Originally posted by MaryPoppins
                    I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
                    Originally posted by vetran
                    Urine is quite nourishing

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X