Agency blacklists?
 

Just wondering if these actually exist or not? A while ago I probably managed to annoy 2 agencies in one go and am now wondering if I am on a blacklist, because I don't seem to be having any luck in getting a new contract and no agencies are contacting me anymore.

At the time of it happening, one agency (agency 2) offered an excellent package that I just couldn't refuse, so I quit the contract (with agency 1) early to go to another job, annoying agency no1. I had to do a course before the start of the contract with agency 2, which they paid for, but then they changed the location of the contract 3 days before the start date, to a totally different country that wasn't convenient for me, so I didn't go and therefore annoyed them as well.

I'm really tempted to write my CV again, keeping the same experience and education details, but changing the name, just to see if I get a different response.

There is no black list that is circulated among agencies. If you annoy a particular agency then they will not use you. This'll probably just take the form of deleting your CV and the recruiter telling the other bods in the office not to use you. If you haven't been too big a problem they'll forget about you soon enough and you can bang your CV back in. I've had agencies call me up to offer me work; I've had to point out to them that I'm actually working for them at the time.

There is a myth amongst some connies that there's a blacklist, but why would there be? Business is competitive, if I were an agency and had a numpty working for me and blew him out, I'd actual WANT him to work for a competitor, making me look good!!!

He's right; the notion that agencies could co-operate with each other to run a blacklist is laughable. Mostly they won't even talk to each other.

And yes, I've known highly favourable references being given to connies who have totally screwed up and been dismissed on the spot, in the hope that another agency will take them on.

So there you go Lovegroove, you should be in for a sparkling reference!

...wait a minute, I've got glowing references from every agency I've ever been with...aw bugger....