Agents advertise contract roles but ask you if you will take permanent roles

[BrandNewOne]

Hi, im currently on the third month of my first contract and I am looking for potential opportunities because I don't want to be stuck if they don't extend

I applied for a role on Jobserve and the agent from Randsand called me. He said the role in contract and asked if I would be interested in permanent roles. This was odd to me when clearly the role was posted as contract. He did not send me the job spec so I was not sure if this was a trick or some sort of agency/recruitment scam.

Keen to get thoughts from the more experienced contractors

[WTFH]

Welcome to the murky world of agents.

[LondonManc]

Hi, im currently on the third month of my first contract and I am looking for potential opportunities because I don't want to be stuck if they don't extend

I applied for a role on Jobserve and the agent from Randsand called me. He said the role in contract and asked if I would be interested in permanent roles. This was odd to me when clearly the role was posted as contract. He did not send me the job spec so I was not sure if this was a trick or some sort of agency/recruitment scam.

Keen to get thoughts from the more experienced contractors

Agents lie. End of story.

[vwdan]

If you just imagine that every agent has just gotten out of their convertible Escort XR3i, having just told a 95 year old Mrs Jones that she absolutely needs brand new triple glazing and a new roof, you'll understand your interactions with them much more.

They're sales people through and through. And as sales people go, the barrier to entry is non-existent and some are shady ****s.

Some are excellent at their job, understand the market they work in and will help both candidates and businesses - the vast majority are not.

They are, however, part of being a contractor - so best not to worry about it too much. Dan's top tips for spotting a time waster:

- Has spoken more than 20 seconds without telling you about the role
- Hasn't even tried to read your CV
- Asks questions beyond "Are you looking? Do you want this role?"

Every single role I've got through an agent has been a short, sharp, detailed call

[jmo21]

And believe it or not, they think they are being incredibly clever by being able to get to talk to you, as they hope they can convince a contractor to go permie.

They think if they can just get to talk to you, it's worth the little white lie (as they see it) with no regard to how it wastes your time.

Same goes for the "I'd like to talk to you about a role, and I need 2 references trick".

They will do anything to generate leads of people they can talk to, again with no regard to your time they are wasting.

[malvolio]

Contract recruitment earns the agency 10-15% of your rate spread over three months.

Permie recruitment earns 10-15% of your annual salary immediately.

Agents get paid on monthly generated income.

Simple, isn't it...

[Lance]

tell them you'll consider a perm role if the salary is 6 figures. That closes that conversation sharpish.
And if it doesn't then perhaps it might be worth considering, for a few seconds anyway.

[LondonManc]

Contract recruitment earns the agency 10-15% of your rate spread over three months.

Permie recruitment earns 10-15% of your annual salary immediately.

Agents get paid on monthly generated income.

Simple, isn't it...

Half isn't actually realised until you've been perm 3 or 6 months/passed your probation.

[WTFH]

tell them you'll consider a perm role if the salary is 6 figures. That closes that conversation sharpish.
And if it doesn't then perhaps it might be worth considering, for a few seconds anyway.

I prefer to come up with a figure - base it on how much permits think I earn. Easiest way to do that is take your daily rate and multiply it by 300. (that's daily rate + 20% agent's commission * 250 days), so £667 per day is £200k, £1000 per day is £300k etc.

[LondonManc]

I prefer to come up with a figure - base it on how much permits think I earn. Easiest way to do that is take your daily rate and multiply it by 300. (that's daily rate + 20% agent's commission * 250 days), so £667 per day is £200k, £1000 per day is £300k etc.

250 days? To quote your good self.... WTFH????