Thanks! I must admit, I'm a little paranoid that they conveniently "dropped the ball" by not setting up my interview today like they promised they would via email to me, because they didn't want to include me in the pool of candidates. I tend to be very outspoken and blunt with recruiters (because of how much I abhor them in general). So, I probably exclude myself from getting assignments, based on my bad attitude towards recruiters. I mean, I take responsibility for the consequences that I set up with my snarky attitude towards recruiters, that I choose not to hide. I'm not helping myself in that way, I get it.

But today I was on my best behavior on the phone when I called to check in. No snarky attitude. I wasn't rude. But I could tell by the lack of care with the forwarded email string to me from the "director of communication," revealing the other two candidates I"m up against for this admin role, and the lack of follow through on their part in setting me up with the client for the Google Meets interview, that it was all intentional. They went through the motions with me today, I think, b/c I set up the circumstances for them to view me as a rude person on the phone (because I have been with them in the past).

But I took a chance anyway, contacting the client myself and got an interview set up that way. I am dreading the consequences tomorrow if I get offered the role. Will the recruiter even tell me, or pass me off as "not interested" to the client, and present one of the other two candidates instead? As retaliation against me. See how my mind works? This is my biggest fear with the temp agency and why I hate them so much, as middle men. They are so divisive and manipulative. And they are unapologetic about being divisive and manipulative. It's astounding to me sometimes, when I think about it. I will circumvent any bull they pull, by sending a follow up email after my Google Meet interview to reiterate my interest in the job, and will ask them to contact me directly with a job offer. Hopefully, that will work in my favor. I have the client's phone number too.