I have posted my CV on totaljobs...i get phone calls to register my cv with these companies...they all seem to want to know where i have applied (understandable so they dont send my cv to companies i have already sent my cv) and who i have been speaking to. Is there any reason i should tell them? I really think they are just trying to get info out of me for names they can contact for further business for themselves!? What do u thnk?

I don't think you really know either way.What you can do is create an honest dialogue with people that might help you to find your next role. Explain to them that you are taking your approach to finding your next role very seriously, but that you realise that the competition is intense. As such you do not want to give out names of companies that you have already applied to yourself, for obvious reasons. However you should make it totally clear to them that i) they let you know beforehand if they are going to send your details to a firm ii) in return you will always let them know at this point if you have already applied to them, to avoid duplication. Use your softer skills to make these points in conversation sound clear and honest, reword my points if necessary, but you will find it is generally effective.Also logically it seems impossible to tell the 'idea thiefs' from the 'honest professionals who want to avoid duplication', but in reality you can use your instincts. For example agents that have lots of typo's in their ads, have an unpleasant manner and come from an agency with a poor reputation, tend to fit into the first group. Agents that are approachable, have good people skills and come from agencies with good reputations tend to fit into the second category. Why should this be? Not really sure, but I suppose generally the good agencies do not have to resort to underhand tactics.

As a recruitment agent myself, it is always handy to know where candidates are interviewing, not just so we can approach those companies ourselves. As I'm sure you know, certain firms can be notoriously slow in feeding back on CV's & it tends to speed things up a little bit if they know a candidate is interviewing with their competitors. It can also sometimes swing things in your favour. If you're interviewing with a number of good companies, particularly if you're at second or third stage, it gives your CV that extra bit of backing.

Thanks for your replies. I think i will let recruiters know where i have already applied but not let them know the people i am dealing with as i dont think it is necessary for them to know that.

Hey!Been speaking to more people and now dont think it is a good idea to give names of companies applied to until they have a opportunity and that company is one that you have already aplied to. Because blatently an agency is going to put forward other CVs to that company if they have suitable candidates that could fill that space and gain a commision! Thus increase my competition. So I agree with anon...dont tell, dont tell....unless they have a opportunity that u have already applied to.(PS: Agencies do the same...they dont tell us who the opportunity is with until the last moment or they dont like to tell at all! So bit of give and take will work!)Any other views?Cheers mr anon and mr agency for replying! :)

Mr Agency gave a good response for scenarios when you are dealing with a reputable agency and you get the job. However your point is really - what do you do before this when you are not sure?The agent did not really answer all the scenarios. We all make mistakes (like my deliberate typo!) but slotting in the phrase 'not just so we can approach them ourselves', did not help to put my mind at ease. What might help is the following: - Be less open with cheeky agents. Either tell them nothing or very little about other current or recent applications.- Be fairly open with those that you think are honest and professional. You cannot blame them for not wanting to duplicate, or trying to help you compete.- If you are still uncertain with a particular agency you could say something like 'I'm waiting to hear back from one of the Big firms' instead of, for example 'I'm waiting to hear back from the Big firm called ACME'.Look out for the 'other views' from the Top Consultant survey on recruitment agents (when it's published!) - I don't work for them but I doubt they mind me saying that you should fill it in. Your views are interesting. This will help us to understand who the professional and honest agents are.Cheers thinking person !

Thanks for the reply Anon! Some great advice! I have filled in the survey :)