Blacklisted with Agency, Never worked with them. With evidence!
Subject: Seeking Advice on a Disturbing Situation
Hello, throwaway account here.
I’m currently dealing with a strange situation involving someone with a similar name in the IT sector. We both have experience at the same company and have worked in UK Finance. A recruiter recently mentioned that there was some “overlap,” and the tone of the conversation suggested he was quite uncomfortable. It made me wonder if actions taken by someone else might be mistakenly attributed to me, or perhaps I inadvertently upset someone in my career—though I can’t recall any specific incidents related to this.
Recently, I was being considered for a new role when the recruiter suddenly informed me that the position was no longer available. He then shared a story about someone he knew who had been “blacklisted” from job opportunities. When I suggested that he recommend this person anyway, arguing that blacklisting is inherently unfair, he expressed that he couldn’t do so and abruptly ended the conversation, stating his bosses wouldn’t allow it.
This agency was completely unfamiliar to me, and I had no prior interactions with them. It appears that, for reasons I can’t understand, I’m being overlooked for job opportunities. This isn’t the first time I’ve experienced something like this in the IT sector since 2019. It raises several questions: Who is behind this? Why am I being held back? As a candidate, I find myself at a loss, only aware that I’m facing limitations.
I’ve also received calls from other agencies who seem to know more than they’re willing to disclose, hinting at information they can’t share. The IT sector can be extremely cutthroat; I’ve witnessed talented individuals lose their jobs due to jealousy or personal vendettas. In my own experience, a Programme Director once attempted to meet with me after hours, and when I turned her down—despite our good rapport—my contract was terminated the next day.
Additionally, I managed team members who were unqualified, and when I raised concerns about project delivery, I faced accusations of bullying from that same Programme Director. She misrepresented my work and attempted to shift blame. Later on, I discovered that one of the individuals on my team had a side deal with her, and my actions inadvertently disrupted that arrangement.
I’ve also been involved in projects that veered into regulatory violations. When I alerted the Data Protection Officer about potential consequences, my contract was again terminated. Any of these situations could have led to me being viewed as a problematic candidate, even though I acted ethically—something that seems to be optional in our industry.
I recognize the toxicity in this sector. Honesty can be a revolutionary act, which is why issues like the Post Office scandal arise, but as a candidate, I want to know how I can stop being blacklisted without resorting to hiring a private investigator or involving legal action. This situation is financially crippling. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
