While we look towards the Stakeholders involved in utilizing the VMS tool including the Client and the Agency, should the Contractor have any involvement? For example, if I were a candidate represented by an Agency to a Client that includes setting a “candidate profile” via a VMS tool, should I the Contractor have any involvement? Although the Agency is doing their job in representing myself to the highest degree, however how much control am I willing to give when it comes to my future. The Agency’s concern is to earn commission, and my concern is to land a job, so really we are on the same side. However if there is another candidate that could possibly out rank me do to the carelessness of each submission, would I want to take that ownership?

Traditionally speaking, candidates have no involvement in applying to the Client directly which are simply the rules of the game. Although, if an agency were to create a candidate profile in my name with my qualifications, I would believe that I would best to highlight those myself. I would understand if others would prefer to have Agencies create their profiles as agencies are the “experts” in highlighting qualifications. However my question is geared towards the level of control that could either promote or hinder my career. At the end of the day, is it possible for a VMS tool to allow candidates to apply via Agencies?

We so far have clients that present their own applicant portal which the candidates are responsible for creating. However if there is a way to highlight a role that is represented by an Agency, this could work hand in hand for both the agency and the candidate. Clients would not necessarily want to pay the Agency fee if it were this open, however how about after the Agency found me and directed me to the appropriate portal where I could highlight the representing agency?

This could work one of two ways:

1. Disastrous: having too many hands in one system could cause great confusion
2. More success for the Contractor’s ability to understand the role and highlight those skills.

This takes me to my next point where the screening process of candidates has become very intense where landing an interview is extremely difficult as getting a job itself. Therefore having the ability to highlight my skills directly for the Hiring Manager prior the interview stage would possibly increase my changes of success.

Would this become the next direction for our industry?

Thanks for reading and your comments are most welcome.

Neha