Contractors' Questions How to tell good agencies from bad?

Contractor’s Question: How are IT contractors meant to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to IT recruitment agencies?

Expert’s Answer: Poor agencies are characterised by:

• high staff turnover
• inexperienced consultants
• visibly being under pressure from their manager
• overselling the opportunities they have
• shamelessly plugging you for leads
• ringing you every five minutes if you have received an offer
• offering you poorly written or clearly ‘inside IR35’ contracts
• rule-breaking, such as by inserting ‘pay when paid’ clauses.

By contrast, a good agency will be able to give you independent data on the current market; have a working knowledge of relevant employment law, give good advice on your CV and be honest with you throughout the hiring process. They will also:

• acknowledge applications from all candidates
• tell you who the client is if they are putting you forward
• confirm in writing they are putting you forward
• have a decent/comprehensive job description or contract spec
• have visited the client so they can describe to you the working environment including how you can travel to or access the site
• let you decide if you want the contract / job in an unpressured way
• offer impartial advice on contracting options for the future (and to first-timers)
• resolve any pay issues quickly and keep you informed at all times.

The expert was Les Berridge of IT & Telecommunications jobs specialist Networkers.

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