Two dilemmas...what would you do? Advice please.......

Ellechim

Hiya,

Two dilemmas:
Number1 :
Last Wednesday had a call from an agent about a role - not my normal thing - I know the agent of old, have used him when I was recruiting, we had a quick chat and I said I didn't think i'd be interested. He was going to be out of office on the Thursday, not back until friday. Anyway, I thought about it again and rang up on Friday to find out more info. There were certain conditions with this job and I asked if I took the weekend to think about applying would that be an issue. The agent said he'd be out until Wednesday, but that probably wouldn't be too late to let him know then.

Anyway, had a think, discussed with other half and decided to apply. Redid my CV to make it most relevant and emailed the agent this morning asking for my CV to be put forward.

Got a voicemail later to say that his boss had actually submitted cvs on Friday and they wouldn't be submitting any more for now, but if those weren't accepted then they would submit me.

Now, what should I do? I would really like to go for this job - should I just let it go or what?

I have dealt with this particular agent a lot in the past and I'm disappointed he didn't check with his boss last Friday. As I said there are some particular requirements with this job which make it quite unusual so it was right of me to delay applying until I was entirely sure I'd be able to do it..........

Anyway, am a bit unsure of what to do - do I
a) try to persuade the agent to send in my cv
b) send it in directly myself now?
c) use a distant contact in the company I have to send it in 'on spec'........

NUMBER TWO:
Applied for a job online with a large multinational: got automated email back from the HR person confirming receipt: now, application is in my married name and my CV makes no reference to my very small home town. HR person is from my home town and her mother was my mother's best friend. I haven't seen this girl in years, she probably doesn't know it's me. Should I tell her who I am or should I not draw attention to it? I wouldn't want to put her in an awkward position (I've applied for this role but am very aware I'm not entirely suited to it).

I am not sure what to do on either of these: I've been jobhunting since Xmas and have applied for about 25 things and am getting 2 - 3 PFOs per week......and only 2 interviews so far both which lead to nothing......

thanks in advance

ntlbell

1. send the CV directly to the company.

2. not worth worrying about, address it if it ever comes up it probably won't.

herya

ntlbell wrote: »

1. send the CV directly to the company.

+1, but inform the agent that you're doing this. If they send your CV later and it's already in you'll both come across as unprofessional (they'll understand that either your agent didn't check if you applied already or you lied to him to hide this).

mrpink6789

herya wrote: »

+1, but inform the agent that you're doing this. If they send your CV later and it's already in you'll both come across as unprofessional (they'll understand that either your agent didn't check if you applied already or you lied to him to hide this).

if you ring up and tell the agent that you are going to send it in direct he will probably tell you he will send it in now for you, but he probably won't!

I'd send it in yourself direct however i would try and find out the relevant person rather then sending it to one of those stupid hr@jobs.com emails. chances are the agent is dealing direct with the hiring manager so you will be put to the end of the queue.

do tell the agenct after you send it in but be prepared to get a bit of an earful. No matter how you spin it he will just take it as you went behind his back.

Also on a side note, in this climate I wouldn't take too long to think about thing's, especially the weekend. Employers are getting so much advert response that they are picking the first 10 that came in sometimes so you don't want to be bottom of the pile.

universe777

Re: Number 2, canvassing usually disqualifies in most job applications. What woud you think if you heard that someone else applying for the same job had the unfair advantage of knowing the HR person and you didn't? You'd be annoyed..
Number 1: If the recruitment person says no more cv's there's really nothing you can do, they are not going to throw a spanner in the works, make themselves look incompetent and offer the client another cv.

Ellechim

Thanks everyone.

Re No1: this job has not been advertised anywhere, it is quite confidential and I was only told the company name on strict instruction of keeping it confidential. I had a chat with the agent about the cvs they did submit and they have just submitted three and by the sounds of it the three they've sent in are more suited than I and so that is fair enough.

MrPink, I know what you mean, in this instance I actually did ask the agent if Wednesday would be too late and got caught. Next time it won't happen.

Re No2: I have sent the HR person's sister a mail confirming it was her and then I mailed her and asked it not to mention it as I wouldn't want to put her in an awkward position........

So, have had a think today about sticking by my principles or being ruthless: in both cases ruthless would have been to send my CV in directly and not tell the agent and contact that HR person and plamas her.......and I've done neither. I am however wondering whether I'm a bit too nice............oh well, onwards and upwards......