Hello
newbie to the forum so hello everyone. Been contracting about 7 years and have recently been on an 18+ month contract. I've always been pretty lucky and had back to back contracts but since rolling off this last one a couple of months ago I'm a bit shocked at the lack of success I'm having. Especially as the tools I was using on this last gig were the very latest for my specialisation. Without being big headed I know I'm pretty good at what I do plus coupled with 18 months on the latest tools I thought I'd be off the bench pretty quick. I know you can't trust many agencies as far as you can throw them but maybe I've always been relatively lucky in the past, or maybe something has changed.
I think the agencies I'm dealing with are 'at it'. Does this sound familiar ...
1. Job advertised with a very high rate and a 12month contract (just too good).
Get in contact and the post has just been filled but please send CV anyway
2. Job advertised with a decent rate band.
Get in touch but because of my experience I do ask for the top end (but not unrealistically high for the job spec). They say they will put the CV forward but nothing happens. When you chase them they say that its all gone quiet.
3. Job advertised with a mix of guru level skills you just wouldn't expect to find in a single individual.
4. Job advertised and it looks like a real goer. Agency very enthusiastic and get you to commit to only talking to them about it. Then it all goes quiet and if you chase them its a case of they are waiting for feedback or the requirements have changed.
Can any one fill me in one what tricks this lot get up to. I've got the feeling that my CV isn't even getting as far as the customer as if it did I'd be in with a good chance but because I want top whack the agencies margin will be smaller. I mean most customers just pay a flat rate don't they and its in the agencies interest to knock you down. I almost feel like I'm being 'taken out of the market' and cheaper (bigger margin alternatives) being put forward ... especially on the ones where they contact me.
Sorry for the 'war and peace' and maybe I'm just not as good as I think I am but I'd love to know what you guys think about agency 'sharp practices'.
Cheers
Jamie
newbie to the forum so hello everyone. Been contracting about 7 years and have recently been on an 18+ month contract. I've always been pretty lucky and had back to back contracts but since rolling off this last one a couple of months ago I'm a bit shocked at the lack of success I'm having. Especially as the tools I was using on this last gig were the very latest for my specialisation. Without being big headed I know I'm pretty good at what I do plus coupled with 18 months on the latest tools I thought I'd be off the bench pretty quick. I know you can't trust many agencies as far as you can throw them but maybe I've always been relatively lucky in the past, or maybe something has changed.
I think the agencies I'm dealing with are 'at it'. Does this sound familiar ...
1. Job advertised with a very high rate and a 12month contract (just too good).
Get in contact and the post has just been filled but please send CV anyway
2. Job advertised with a decent rate band.
Get in touch but because of my experience I do ask for the top end (but not unrealistically high for the job spec). They say they will put the CV forward but nothing happens. When you chase them they say that its all gone quiet.
3. Job advertised with a mix of guru level skills you just wouldn't expect to find in a single individual.
4. Job advertised and it looks like a real goer. Agency very enthusiastic and get you to commit to only talking to them about it. Then it all goes quiet and if you chase them its a case of they are waiting for feedback or the requirements have changed.
Can any one fill me in one what tricks this lot get up to. I've got the feeling that my CV isn't even getting as far as the customer as if it did I'd be in with a good chance but because I want top whack the agencies margin will be smaller. I mean most customers just pay a flat rate don't they and its in the agencies interest to knock you down. I almost feel like I'm being 'taken out of the market' and cheaper (bigger margin alternatives) being put forward ... especially on the ones where they contact me.
Sorry for the 'war and peace' and maybe I'm just not as good as I think I am but I'd love to know what you guys think about agency 'sharp practices'.
Cheers
Jamie
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