Recruitment agent asking for managers name (not to be contacted)?

zazou

I've had a few agents ask me lately about my line managers name 'just for referrals' or put more gravity to my application for a role.

My employer is unaware of that I'm actively looking for a new role and the agents know that.

I'm puzzled, is this just a new form of head hunting, i.e. the agent then calling the manager to see if he is available?
What could be the reason for this? Is there a valid reason for questions like that?

My job is highly technical and those agents I'm talking about have really spent time to analyse my CV and they know what they are talking about.

anamenottaken

So, when they find you a new position, they have the name of the person in your current organisation who they should contact to sell their services in finding a replacement.

They may even contact them ahead of that if there is even a small likelihood of your current organisation having staff vacancies.

CCFC_80

A lot of recruitment consultants will ask this. Do not tell them especially as you do not want to let your employers know you are looking for another job. They do not need to know this. no-one should contact your present employers unless you give them permission to do so.

As the previous poster has stated, they are just fishing for information. They will want to try and fill your old role when you leave that job.

hcb42

Happened to me once, switched companies, then they offered a job to my old boss!

ladylouise62

Same here, my boss was offered a job after recruiting someone. They like to collect as much info as they can from a company.

out_of_cash

they also play the game of usingthat person as a spring board for new business,they promise you some work maybe on that basis of you supplying them a contact name.Theyve screwed me over a few time s with this and wont again.

will never use agencys unless there is a particular reason why i have to, so far i have managed to get 5 interviews compared with their zero result.

They just play the game of canvassing and supplying the lowest hourly rate to the person whos been out of work the longest,their like preying mantis and especially in this market so they can take advantage of profits on what would have been your hourly rate of pay.Unfortunately many companies are using them as to avoid loopholes in employment law just short term contracts etc,my area is totally saturated with jobs offering hourly rates of pay £6.08 -£8 an hr.

speedfreek1000

It's called fishing!

There is no job!

When there are no jobs agencies revert to building databases of contacts.

Roles applied for recently, references and managers names to assist your application for the non existent job are all little ruses to get information from you.

CCFC_80

speedfreek1000 wrote: »

It's called fishing!

There is no job!

When there are no jobs agencies revert to building databases of contacts.

Roles applied for recently, references and managers names to assist your application for the non existent job are all little ruses to get information from you.

You need to be play your cards very close to your chest when dealing with recruitment consultants. It is not a good idea to tell them of any current/pending applications or interviews that you have.

They will almost certainly want to put their own candidates forward for the role by approaching the company if you tell them, so reducing your chances of getting the job.

zazou

CCFC_80 wrote: »

You need to be play your cards very close to your chest when dealing with recruitment consultants. It is not a good idea to tell them of any current/pending applications or interviews that you have.

They will almost certainly want to put their own candidates forward for the role by approaching the company if you tell them, so reducing your chances of getting the job.

Yes, I had read about that trick (on MSE!).
I wasn't sure why the manager question was asked but now it sort of makes sense.

What do you guys think is the best non-answer to enquiries about the manager?
Something that is an answer without being one :cool2:

hcb42

just give his name. If you are working with a decent firm of headhunters, then they understand discretion

MrSnuggles

hcb42 wrote: »

just give his name. If you are working with a decent firm of headhunters, then they understand discretion

You're obviously a recruitment consultant! OP, whatever you do do NOT give out any names or contact details of your current employer, any interviews, or future employer!