References

[Andy2]

Just got a call from an agent for a contract in the city.
He asked for references which I refused to provide before the interview
and his response was that client would not consider a cv without reference.

Is this true or another one of their damn lies ? Any insider info please.

[Lockhouse]

I just give the names and phone numbers of the two previous agencies I've been through...

[NotAllThere]

While normally I'm adverse to "me too" responses. I have to say "me too".

Actually, when I first went contracting, an agent asked me what other contacts I'd had. I naively reeled of the names and phone numbers of all the other agents I'd been talking to. Even though I told him the company names, he was too thick to notice they were all agencies.

[Turion]

Agent is trying to lure you with a non-existent job. It's called fishing for references. Tell him to sling his hook.

Only ever give references to the end client if they ask. That said, I've never known a client requesting them though in my 8 years of contracting.

[Orbit]

Tell the agent that you'll take the references to the interview with the client. What client would waste time following up references before they've decided if you're right for the gig or not? If he still insists, he's fishing - tell him to take a running jump.

[wendigo100]

Is this true or another one of their damn lies ?

The latter.

[Andy2]

Cheers guys
this reference thing seems like an infectious disease
out of all the calls I am getting , more than 50% are asking for references first.