Agents can be your best friends... Or your worst enemies!
Many things have been said about contract agencies
Most of them are negative - Contractors regularly complain about agencies that 'rip you off' or don't call you when you send them your CV.
I call it as I see it!
Treat them with a little respect and they will usually treat you with the same
Without them, most of the IT contracting fraternity would be sitting at home waiting for work.
Think of it this way:
- Agencies find the contracts.
- They introduce you to the client - Arrange the interview.
- They get a good commission for doing that - Why else would they do it?
- Suprisingly, most of them work hard for their money!
There are lots of techniques for getting an agency to put your CV forward to the client:
- The 1st thing is that it must be appropriate for the job!
- The second thing is the agent must see it (not always so easy)
- The third thing is they must speak to you about it (again not always that easy)
- The forth thing is they must like it (and you ) enough to put it to the client.
So ...
How do you do it?
Know your strengths and weaknesses .. if the contract calls for a UNIX guru and you are a MS guru .. don't bother applying..
That said.. there are times when companies are willing to train you in specific areas of their business if you are the kind of guy they are looking for in all other respects.
Call the agent as soon as you have sent your cv and ask if they recieved it yet and if so what do they think?
Be VERY professional.. a lot of contractors aren't.. like I said .. show some respect and it will be returned.
|
|