Tricks used by recruitment agencies

[Sandy rocks]

Many unwary contractors, and even some very wary ones, have been caught out by some very devious agency tricks. To be forewarned is to be forearmed though. Here are ten agency tricks that you should look out for.


1. They phone you up saying that they have several jobs that you are suitable for. They need you, however, first to supply them with references. Is this true? No, it isn’t. They do not have any jobs for you. They are just trying to find out people who take on contractors and want to know the names and phone numbers of your old bosses.

2. They’ll say, “Who did you work for at BT. Was it Graham Sutherlandâ€

[nshar1]

Great thoughts and a good post !!

[rsathish]

Hi Sandy,

Thanks very much for this post.

I had exactly been through all the above points. I find it very difficult to move in to a permanent position...looks like I would be temping all my life thanks to these agencies.

Will be more wary of this in future.

[neeraj_chennai]

Sandy,

very good post. i am in the process of applying for jobs from India. Have planned to shift to UK in one month anyway.

my experience is that wherever i have applied through my friends / past collegues / company websites / known contacts, things have progressed and i have either got an interview call or a rejection note. but most of the public job posts have resulted in no response. perhaps most of them are fake and they don't want to waste money by calling international.

~ Neeraj

[niharshiplu]

Hi Neeraj,

I am applying for Jobs in UK from India like you and started very recently.

It may sound silly but I am a bit curious,how you are planning to move to UK within 1 month even if you don't get a job offer and Sponsorship by then?

As per my understanding,you must have Valid Sponsorship as well as Job offer to proceed with your Tier 2 General Visa from India or are you going to travel on Tourist visa and look for job in UK?

I am also in a doubt whether the Sponsorship and Job Offer needs to be from the Same Agency/ Employer or they can be different?

If you can give us a clue on what are the Job Interviews modes (Telephonic,Skype for a Candidate like me who are applying fro India and not UK)if the Employer or Agency is interested in your profile and would agree to offer you Sponsorship along with Job offer after successful interview.

Your Response and experience would be highly appreciated.

Warm Regards,
Nihar

[CR001]

Hi Neeraj,

I am applying for Jobs in UK from India like you and started very recently.

It may sound silly but I am a bit curious,how you are planning to move to UK within 1 month even if you don't get a job offer and Sponsorship by then?

As per my understanding,you must have Valid Sponsorship as well as Job offer to proceed with your Tier 2 General Visa from India or are you going to travel on Tourist visa and look for job in UK?

I am also in a doubt whether the Sponsorship and Job Offer needs to be from the Same Agency/ Employer or they can be different?

If you can give us a clue on what are the Job Interviews modes (Telephonic,Skype for a Candidate like me who are applying fro India and not UK)if the Employer or Agency is interested in your profile and would agree to offer you Sponsorship along with Job offer after successful interview.

Your Response and experience would be highly appreciated.

Warm Regards,
Nihar

You have posted in a topic that is 8 years old. Back in 2008, there were visas that DID NOT require a company sponsorship which allowed a migrant to work. These visa categories are no longer available to new migrants.

You now have to have a sponsor on the Home Office approved Tier 2 General sponsor list. Agencies CANNOT sponsor a visa and you are NOT ALLOWED to do contract work on a Tier 2 General visa, you can only work for the sponsoring company/employer. Only the sponsor can offer you a job.