Agents need to be first.
It's in their DNA.
If they do not introduce your talents first, they don't get credit for finding you.
When they introduce your talents to an employer first, there's an implied non-compete agreement created.
This agreement prevents the employer from directly securing your services.
Are you thinking about securing an agent?
Realize that when you reach out to agents, if you're talented, they will all start sending off your name to every employer in their book. They do this to be first. They need to be first. More often than not, they do this work before you've signed a representation contract with them. After all, who wants to sign an exclusive representation agreement with someone when they haven't found them a job yet?
No one.
No one wants to sign an exclusive agreement with an agent before they've found us a job.
No one wants to close out opportunities.
Everyone has a fear of missing out.
But, because we don't sign these agreements;
Because we have these fears; and
Because we don't trust people, who promise us things,
We now find ourselves with fewer options.
We have fewer options because an agent might have sent your name out to several employers and - they were first. They were there before you, and now you've lost that opportunity.
Agents need to be first.
Here's what you can do:
Do you need an agent?
Tell any new agent where you've applied and have introduced yourself.
If you have an idea of where you'd like to work, let the agent know only to focus your efforts on that employer.
Use your agent the way they are designed, to sell.
An Example of Someone Did Something Different
While I love and respect Mike Suman, he hasn't paid me for this mention and I don’t gain anything from plugging him. I've gone to him for work a few times. He's always been upfront, asked me to sign a representation agreement (in advance), and only submitted me to the lines we had agreed on. If other agents do this, they're doing good work. My only experience is with Mike.
Here’s how Mike racked up against the check list:
I needed an agent I trust to be first.
I leveraged Mike the right way, and he was able to secure offers.
I worked with Mike in a way that made him useful, and I received options.
Mike asked me to first sign a representation agreement - I did not ask.
(most agents don’t ask you to sign until they’ve found you work - wrong order!)Mike clearly stated the cruise line was the customer - they paid.
For me, Mike was first.
Agents: If you are providing these types of services - share!
Let the others know that you’re doing something to change the industry.
At the time, I wanted a dedicated and exclusive sales force. Mike did that for me. At this time, I don't.
If you need an agent, they're good to have, but if you don't need one, an agent is probably not for you.
