Comments on: Mr Angry’s rules for contractors

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:02:59 +0000

Thanks for the advice Mr Angry, that’s what I expected – I’ll be sure to never divulge what they’re after!

By: Mr Angry

Mr Angry — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:17:47 +0000

Mark: They’re lying to you. What they want to know is who’s hiring so they can run off and call them and try to get their foot in the door. NEVER answer this question. Say you signed a confidentiality agreement. NEVER allow an agency to put you forward for a job without consulting you first. Tell them is you’ve already been put forward for somewhere they are suggesting. Anyone who tries to force you to break these rules is a fucking cowboy – have nothing to do with them!

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:52:40 +0000

Hi there,

I stumbled across you blog whilst looking for tips on how to deal with recruitment agencies, and have enjoyed what I have read thus far. I’ve contracted within the IT industry in London for the last few years, and would be interested to hear your view on my question. When a recruitment agent asks which companies you have had your CV sent down by other agencies so they don’t “double up” your CV, I always try to avoid telling the agent where my CV has been sent, often at the request of the agency that has sent my CV to their client. Is this necessary?

I’ve found some agencies claim to approach their clients proactively on your behalf so they need to know if you have had your CV sent anywhere, and they can often refuse to work with you if you don’t divulge where your CV has been put forward. I generally say that I can appreciate their position, but I’d prefer not to tell you which companies/roles I have been put forward for. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this and how to deal with agents when they get pushy on this issue.

Thanks
Mark

By: Jx

Jx — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 09:51:43 +0000

hi Mr.Angry,

May I ask some contracting questions privately ? could you please mail me if you don’t mind, thanks a lot.

By: Mr Angry

Mr Angry — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 23:07:54 +0000

PCGB: see what your job market is like, check the classifieds and talk to agencies. If work you want is out there, go for it!

By: PC Geeg Blog

PC Geeg Blog — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 20:06:51 +0000

I just want to break into contracting. I own and operate a PC Repair business here in Texas but, want to do more…

By: Mr Angry

Mr Angry — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 02:24:24 +0000

Retro: very true. A lot of the times when I say specific things they’re applicable to a much broader range of circumstances. I’m just trying to maintain some focus I probably ramble on too much as it is.

By: Retrospector

Retrospector — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 23:12:45 +0000

I’m a permanent type of guy, but I’m somewhat familiar w/ the contracting environment. I really like what you have here with Apoch’s addition. Surprisingly, there’s a lot of permanent positions that work very similar to contracting and require many of the same “rules of thumb” you mention here. I think a lot of what’s here applies appropriately outside of contracting as well.

By: cgot

cgot — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 01:24:40 +0000

Yep. Contracts can’t be verbal.

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By: Mr Angry

Mr Angry — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:35:03 +0000

Apoch: absolutely, I should have specified that, never enter into a contract that isn’t a WRITTEN contract

Tom: I’m with you, I see myself as number 3 as well

Range: Yep, you’re my man for financial advice!