5 years worth of references

[Untouchable1]

Hi,

Client for my latest gig want 5 years worth of references. I know this is uncommon, but given the role, it's a legitimate request. I feel uncomfortable about it, but am going to have to do it.

What is best practice for approaching this?

Thanks,
Untouchable1

[ShandyDrinker]

Hi,

Client for my latest gig want 5 years worth of references. I know this is uncommon, but given the role, it's a legitimate request. I feel uncomfortable about it, but am going to have to do it.

What is best practice for approaching this?

Thanks,
Untouchable1

It depends on how much you're prepared to argue and how long you've been trading.

Over the last few years I've tended to only provide a reference from my accountants.

[BlackCountryContractor]

Hi,

Client for my latest gig want 5 years worth of references. I know this is uncommon, but given the role, it's a legitimate request. I feel uncomfortable about it, but am going to have to do it.

What is best practice for approaching this?

Thanks,
Untouchable1

You'll find in this thread some of the monkey business agencies with regards to references.

If you are going for SC with MoD or the banking sector then different story, I'd personally and sternly ask why they want such a detailed reference of 5 years. My personal favourite: Point them to the agencies you gigged with and watch and they stop dead on the bat on references (Agencies hate speaking to each other ).

[GhostofTarbera]

Hi,

Client for my latest gig want 5 years worth of references. I know this is uncommon, but given the role, it's a legitimate request. I feel uncomfortable about it, but am going to have to do it.

What is best practice for approaching this?

Thanks,
Untouchable1

If banking, you can provide the references or forget the contract and some do 10 years

[LondonManc]

For references, they want to confirm that you weren't holidaying in HMP Manchester or another of her maj's chain of hotels.

Provide dates and agency details.
If direct, provide accountant details.
Other end clients need not be involved.

[MrButton]

I feel uncomfortable about it, but am going to have to do it.

Why do you feel uncomfortable?

[kaiser78]

It depends on how much you're prepared to argue and how long you've been trading.

Over the last few years I've tended to only provide a reference from my accountants.

Depends what type of reference they are asking for - normally (IME) it is to prove confirmation of previous contracts, in which case agency references are more applicable.

[Untouchable1]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses. Given the contract this is a legitimate request.

I decided just to send a note to all my contacts asking them if they would be happy to provide references. They all were, so I just sent their email addresses to the recruiter.

All good in the hood.

Untouchable1

[Untouchable1]

Why do you feel uncomfortable?

Because I've built great relationships with these people and I'm sure a bad recruiter could find things to say to them that would on some level be weird / damaging!

To be fair, in this case the recruiter is a sound chap and v. professional.

[LondonManc]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses. Given the contract this is a legitimate request.

I decided just to send a note to all my contacts asking them if they would be happy to provide references. They all were, so I just sent their email addresses to the recruiter.

All good in the hood.

Untouchable1

Oh dear.

You don't need to give references like the old sense of "was he any good".

References these days are simply to prove that you were there. Just give the agency details. They deal with these sort of things every day.