References for agency

[sreed]

Agnecy I’ve not used before got me an interview for next week.

They are asking for my last 4 work places that seems excessive usually it’s the last 2 or 3 max…

Also asking for the Agnecy details for who got me each role…not come across that before either.

Had similar (last 5 years!) after starting my new contract at an Insurance co. recently and a few years ago when I did a contract for a fintech startup. Never at the interview stage, that's a bit much.

The form (third party background screening company) I did recently asked for agency details but I just put Paystream as the employer for the inside contracts and my ltd. Co. For outside contracts. I added a note clarifying that this was the case. Didn't hear anything back after that so assume it's gone through ok.

[edison]

I’ve not even got an offer yet just an interview.
I am used to dealing with agencies…but this one is asking for excessive info for a short term contract …

Even perm jobs don’t ask for your last 4 work place references.

Aside from that why do they need to know what Agencies got my my last 4 jobs and the names and contact number of these recruiters?! Eh?

Yes I can provide it but I think it’s a bit overkill and too much …I may not even get the job…

I had to give 10 years of references for a detailed background check for one interim role. That covered two perm roles and four contract ones. That was only after an offer though.

As others have said, it's just a fishing exercise. Judging by how quiet the market is, I'm sure it's more prevalent than usual at the moment.

[Cookielove]

The Agency have come back and said they require reference details etc when they secure an interview for candidates....

[WTFH]

The Agency have come back and said they require reference details etc when they secure an interview for candidates....

As mentioned a few times already - it may depend on the sector/role.

But if it's going to be a big issue for you, then the best thing to do is to laugh and walk away to find something that you are happier with.

[Cookielove]

My reason for posting that in my career spanning several decades I've never been asked this much info up front and wanted to see if it was now common place/practice...

[northernladuk]

My reason for posting that in my career spanning several decades I've never been asked this much info up front and wanted to see if it was now common place/practice...

It's a very strange world at the moment. I'm only 2 months off the bench and it's been two years since I was last on it and it's completely different. Just a crazy experience. Every step of it was different to days of old. I posted a quick summary of my experience and what's different so I'll see I can find that but my general advice was to expect the unexpected and just get on with it. It's just not the environment to rock the cart over a bit of extra work. Granted a bit of pushback to clarify what is a deal breaker or fishing trip as you have done but for me, making the agents route to me getting the gig as easy as possible was paramount. I couldn't afford to be telling agents where to stick their stupid suggestions in this climate.

Here is the link and a few people have confirmed similar experiences.
https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...ml#post2986369

[Eirikur]

I always say references will be provided on offer. If there is a genuine contrcat/job and it's not just fishing for leads, they will virtually always accept that.

[sreed]

My reason for posting that in my career spanning several decades I've never been asked this much info up front and wanted to see if it was now common place/practice...

IME, not common practice at this early stage.

But, like estate-agents towards buyers in red-hot property markets, the leeway that agents/employers have to be unreasonable is high when the market is as it is now.

If it’s a good gig and I really want it, I’d just go with what they’ve asked and take it from there.

[Cookielove]

I’ve just gone with it.

Things have changed a lot …thanks for the thread link northernladuk. I sometimes see on LinkedIn the number of applicants for jobs …where are all these people?

I had an interview for a role, I ticked all the boxes thought I’d get it.

The guy interviewing me was 20 years younger at least… I knew a lot more than him I was going through all the things to look out for etc…

I thought it was a dead cert told by agency it was splitting hairs between me an another and they took the other person.

I think 🤔 the interviewer sucked all my ideas and got someone cheaper !

[northernladuk]

I’ve just gone with it.

Things have changed a lot …thanks for the thread link northernladuk. I sometimes see on LinkedIn the number of applicants for jobs …where are all these people?

I had an interview for a role, I ticked all the boxes thought I’d get it.

The guy interviewing me was 20 years younger at least… I knew a lot more than him I was going through all the things to look out for etc…

I thought it was a dead cert told by agency it was splitting hairs between me an another and they took the other person.

I think 🤔 the interviewer sucked all my ideas and got someone cheaper !

Exactly what happened to me when I actually got passed the agent and in front of the client. I lost more roles in two weeks of interviewing than I have in the last 15 years. Every single reason didn't make any sense. Budget pulled, pipped by someone with the exact experience, client put on hold, you name it. I think the blaggers are getting more of an advantage then ever before due to clients picking the ones that sound best rather than most experienced.

I also wonder if my age and greater experience than most of the people interviewing me is becoming a problem. I put a shirt and tie on for the first interview as it's probably the first teams interview I've ever had and think that was a mistake looking back. It strikes me that even that can work against me, it's that finer line to getting a gig at the mo.

Strange times indeed.