Former manager won't provide a reference

[CalamityJane]

Sounds like the voice of experience

Haha! Yes, I'd like to hear more about this apparently random example...

[MrMarkyMark]

Haha! Yes, I'd like to hear more about this apparently random example...

He has a few of these, hence the concern

[LondonManc]

I am resourceful as a contractor. I measure this by my contracts being renewed and always being asked back.

I am not dishonest though. I wouldn't want to get this illegally. And - I shouldn't have to.

Thanks though, it does explain to me how contractors get round this. I just...can't do it.

Have you told your agent that you're worried that your current boss won't give you a reference because he wants to keep you? I'm sure they'll have come across this situation before. They can be, ahem, quite resourceful.

[CalamityJane]

Have you told your agent that you're worried that your current boss won't give you a reference because he wants to keep you? I'm sure they'll have come across this situation before. They can be, ahem, quite resourceful.

What? Confide in an agent? It sounds weird, but I never even thought about it.

I sort of assume that they're there to look after the client, not the consultant.

Maybe you're right though. Maybe they'd take an educated guess - if I showed them my emails from my two last companies, asking me to come back to do new contracts - maybe they'd take a risk on me?

Although I guess I'd need to block out the names on the emails or they might go ahead and pester them anyway?

[MrMarkyMark]

I sort of assume that they're there to look after the client, not the consultant.

Where there's £££'s involved, I can assure you they are not fussy about who they "look after".

[BrilloPad]

I sort of assume that they're there to look after the client, not the consultant.

They look after themselves!

That comment, combined with your refusal to lie, means I have to ask :-

AYCOTBAC?

You might want to find out how many others the agency are representing. And if any others have been offered the gig. And bear in mind that if you use the wrong words they will beat you down on your rate to increase their margin.

And carry on looking/interviewing elsewhere. Or you could invent another gig which are desperate for you without checking references?

[LondonManc]

What? Confide in an agent? It sounds weird, but I never even thought about it.

I sort of assume that they're there to look after the client, not the consultant.

Maybe you're right though. Maybe they'd take an educated guess - if I showed them my emails from my two last companies, asking me to come back to do new contracts - maybe they'd take a risk on me?

Although I guess I'd need to block out the names on the emails or they might go ahead and pester them anyway?

If you're the best candidate for the Client, AgentCo won't want to lose the gig to another agency. While you're the star turn and not yet through the door, you're their highest priority and lowest-hanging fruit. Ring agent, explain situation and they'll get resourceful with ClientCo.

[CalamityJane]

They look after themselves!

That comment, combined with your refusal to lie, means I have to ask :-

AYCOTBAC?

You might want to find out how many others the agency are representing. And if any others have been offered the gig. And bear in mind that if you use the wrong words they will beat you down on your rate to increase their margin.

And carry on looking/interviewing elsewhere. Or you could invent another gig which are desperate for you without checking references?

I'm definitely continuing to look - I never stopped. I don't with conditional offers. Maybe I can actually find a company that is desperate for me to work there, and mention it. I've done that before with success.

It would be hard to just walk away from this without a fight.

It's a big brand and the people I'd be working with seem great- very likeable and very professional. The programme is also pretty straightforward - I've led on very similar programmes that were far bigger in scope and found it rewarding, yet the rate is really good.

In short - it's the perfect gig.

I've got to ask....what is AYCOTBAC?

[LondonManc]

I'm definitely continuing to look - I never stopped. I don't with conditional offers. Maybe I can actually find a company that is desperate for me to work there, and mention it. I've done that before with success.

It would be hard to just walk away from this without a fight.

It's a big brand and the people I'd be working with seem great- very likeable and very professional. The programme is also pretty straightforward - I've led on very similar programmes that were far bigger in scope and found it rewarding, yet the rate is really good.

In short - it's the perfect gig.

I've got to ask....what is AYCOTBAC?

Are You Cut Out To Be A Contractor

[JRCT]

What? Confide in an agent? It sounds weird, but I never even thought about it.

I sort of assume that they're there to look after the client, not the consultant.

Here's a list of most agents' priorities

1. Agent
2. Agent
3. Agent
4. Agency
5. Client
6. Contractor.

That said, they can't keep 1 - 5 happy without a 6. If the only thing stopping you being their 6 is something they can fix, then tell them and let them sort it out.