Recruitment agencies asking if I have any interview comming up

**malvolio** · 28 September 2011, 07:59

Originally posted by acontractor View Post

Just want to know whats is a good answer.

The truth is usually a fairly good principle.

They could be trying to find out if you're worth taking forward by either having no interviews or by having so many you're likely to have an offer before they can get you in front of their client. They are agents, inhabitants of a sales target oriented netherworld and therefore simple people beyond human understanding. Don't try and second guess them, it's rarely worth the effort.

But make sure they know you don't have any firm offers under consideration.

Even if you have.

**Wanderer** · 28 September 2011, 08:16

Originally posted by acontractor View Post

Do you have any interview comming up or had any interview recently?

They are fishing for leads. Quite often they advertise bogus jobs to harvest CVs but more importantly get two references they can phone them up looking for leads and find out who is recruiting by casually asking who you have interviewed for. If you tell them then they will be straight on the phone to the client trying to get their people in there in front of you so only tell them if you've interviewed and didn't get the job.

Think of them as double glazing salesmen or estate agents and you are on the right track.

**acontractor** · 28 September 2011, 09:04

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

The truth is usually a fairly good principle.

They could be trying to find out if you're worth taking forward by either having no interviews or by having so many you're likely to have an offer before they can get you in front of their client. They are agents, inhabitants of a sales target oriented netherworld and therefore simple people beyond human understanding. Don't try and second guess them, it's rarely worth the effort.

But make sure they know you don't have any firm offers under consideration.

Even if you have.

I understand your point about being honest but would it be wise to be honest all the time with people whoes jobspec has "Telling lies to the candidates" as one of the skills

**Scrag Meister** · 28 September 2011, 09:07

It can have a dual meaning.
1. Are you so busy interviewing you'll have found a role before we can find you one.
OR
2. You are a sort after commodity who I'd like to work with.

Had an agency ring this morning, have a role, "Sorry but am signed up until March 2012 at the moment", and where are you, "back in the City".

They do try don't they.

**malvolio** · 28 September 2011, 09:09

Originally posted by acontractor View Post

I understand your point about being honest but would it be wise to be honest all the time with people whoes jobspec has "Telling lies to the candidates" as one of the skills

You need to be a contractor for a while begfore you will understand that one. Not all agents are stupid, you are running a business and in one sense they are your customers. There are no black and white rules

**acontractor** · 28 September 2011, 09:40

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

You need to be a contractor for a while begfore you will understand that one. Not all agents are stupid, you are running a business and in one sense they are your customers. There are no black and white rules

Good point.

Thanks

**BlasterBates** · 28 September 2011, 10:51

Just be honest, you don't have to give them names and telephone numbers. Telling them you're at RBS in Equities is no skin off your nose; you can ask them as well, what's happening how's the market etc. Have a chat, you're in it together, you want contracts and he wants you to be his contractor. If I know the manager is recruiting I'll point the agent to him, why not? the PM I've been working for is always happy to get a few good CV's from an agent. The market works much better when everyone knows what's going and who's available, than if everything is secretive. If that's the case projects will simply get canned because no-one knows whose available. A good PM needs good agents (ie agents with decent CV's) so he's always going to be happy to field a phone call, he can always say "no I'm not interested". Having sat right near the PM for a few months, made me realise how much they appreciate the calls being put through, they're not even going to mention your name.

Just think for a moment. Do you want your agent someone who just sits there waiting for telephone calls without asking anyone if there are opportunities?

If your agent is like that you won't get a contract.

**Robinho** · 28 September 2011, 13:49

Yeah just be honest, if they try to probe for names/contact just tell them "nice try".

**SueEllen** · 28 September 2011, 18:15

Originally posted by Robinho View Post

Yeah just be honest, if they try to probe for names/contact just tell them "nice try".

I tell them "You don't expect me to give out the names of the clients you put me forward for to other agencies do you?"

To which if they aren't fishing they always reply "No".

If they are fishing they start protesting so I suddenly just have to go and the call gets ended asap.

Recruitment agencies asking if I have any interview comming up