Agency and References

[Briggers]

I've been in a permie position for some time now but have recently been applying for some contract roles through agencies. They all seem to be asking for the name contact details of references up front.

Is this normal or are they just trying to get leads out of me? I could reasonably assume that they want to vet me before sending off my CV to their client, but since I know what a load of scum bags they are, I'm a little defensive about giving this info out.

It didn't help when the last guy wanted to ring and check that I did actually have experience in "double zero Ds " (OOD) ??!

[DimPrawn]

Any agency that wants references upfront (i.e. before you get to have an interview) always get a simple from me. It is ALWAYS a scam to get leads and NEVER ends up in a contract in my experience.

Why would a client be interested in references for someone they haven't interviewed? Answer is agent wants to pass your bosses precious contact details to a dedicated team of spammers and cold callers who will hound the poor bastard to death.

[Not So Wise]

Funny i was noticing a drop in the old "references up front" lark over the last few years.

Maybe you are getting it more because hitting the bigger "agencys" (quotes because they act more like temping agencys and wannabe consultancys) who try ever fast one in the book? or because you are not only new but coming from a permie position (thus they sence money to be made getting your replacement)

Majority of experienced contractors tell them to sod off till they have an actual position to offer and it is the wise choice unless you want the people who will be providing the references to tell you to stop giving out their name because they got tired of the sales calls.

[Briggers]

Figured as much

Thanks guys. I thought this was the case, but needed a little reassurance that I wasn't just shooting myself in the foot. The last one actually said that it was now illegal for him to put through my CV without checking my references first!? Luckily I just said that I didn't have the details on me now...

God, I hate having to deal with these bl@@dy parasites!!

[DimPrawn]

Funny i was noticing a drop in the old "references up front" lark over the last few years.

Maybe you are getting it more because hitting the bigger "agencys" (quotes because they act more like temping agencys and wannabe consultancys) who try ever fast one in the book? or because you are not only new but coming from a permie position (thus they sence money to be made getting your replacement)

Majority of experienced contractors tell them to sod off till they have an actual position to offer and it is the wise choice unless you want the people who will be providing the references to tell you to stop giving out their name because they got tired of the sales calls.

agencies
consultancies
sense

Spelling my dear boy!

[boredsenseless]

I can understand the 'dislike' of agents, after all no-one really likes having to go through a middle-man to get what they want (think easyjet versus booking a scheduled carrier through a travel agent - which one is cheaper and why).

What I can't understand is why if you think they are so bad you continue to use them!

If you are unable to get your own work without them then just take their cut on the chin and forget about it, think of them like your own sales guy, and you'd have to pay him commission if you employed one and he got you work. Alternatively go on some sales courses, networking events and learn to use the phone as a sales tool and sooner or later the direct work will come.

I think you'll find the direct route is more lucrative, but if you actually look at the time (read lost revenue) it takes to build up the client list and contacts, it is usually more expensive than an agents cut for the first five years anyway.

[Not So Wise]

Actually my dislike for agents has nothing to do with them taking "a cut", hell bearly ever even bother to find out what percentage they are takeing because as long as i am getting what i want (and don't take the contract if i am not) i don't really care.

My dislike stems from the cheating, lieing, underhanded practices that the majority seem to engage in.

[Mailman]

The thing is though...if the agent isnt forthcoming with the name of the client who wants to have a look at you then they dont get nothing from me.

However if they tell me who the position is with then I give them one reference (a trusted friend) and let it go from there. I however will not give them any "vital" management type references until after the interview and only when an offer is on the table.

Mailman

[Reccon]

References

Have you ever stopped to think the reasons why the agents want to get the references from you. I know you will all say yes we know so that they can contact the hiring managers and pull the jobs. But I wonder how many of you guys are working in contracts at the moment that have been produced by another contractor giving an agent a lead!! Just food for thought!

[GWilliy]

Well I feel like very fresh meat to the market after just started looking for Contracts today after 10 years as a permie with one Co.

Sure enough I was surprised that the agents were asking me off hand questions about my ex Manager's name for references and did the company ever take on Contractors.

Now I know how they got my email address when I was a permie !!!

Other such Questions they seem to take undue interest in is, what was my final Salary and why have I decided to leave after such a long time.

And then it's a case of "do you realize how much this hourly rate is when worked out at 48weeks per year & you'll be netting 75% of that" & "well we've just placed a SQL Guru from the financial sector in London at 230 GBP per Day"

Can anyone enlighten us as to what tricks these guys get upto with Newbie's like me.

Twould B much appreciated.

GW
(Fresh Lamb to the Slaughter )