I just need to get two references ...

[skipjack]

The agents are not god. Seeking references even before shortlisting is a cheap trick and does not have any bearing in knowing who I am. I can understand if I am asked for the references when offered the role. Whatever it is, I don't think the client ever asks the agent to seek references even before considering whether to call the candidates for an interview or not. That way they are showing that they are more interested in references than looking at the skills and experience of the candidate.
All I can say is that in times like these, all the agents are rusting in peace.

And what good would that do you? I guess you are trying to be clever or coy or something but bearing in mind it is the agent you have your contract with it is them that want to check you are who you are. The client employs the service of the agent to do this for them. Giving that line to an agent will just make you look like you don't have a clue.

You even back this up by your own comment...



I believe this thread give this advice more than enough times.

[AussieDigger]

Yeah, Emp-eric Solutions are like that. Better ones out there - the small ones. These guys used to be small and nimble and contractor focused but like all the others have grown too big for booties.

[petergriffin]

They're getting lazier and lazier. One agency (guess which) is sending me this same email every month:

from: some bimbo
to: PG
subject: Availability

Good Afternoon,

You previously responded to one of our advertised jobs [which one?]. I hope you don’t mind, but we kept your details on file. We currently have a few jobs coming up that might match your skills and experiences [oh yeah?].
Can you simply reply to this email confirming your availability (or not) and attach a copy of your updated CV.

Thanks,

Bimbo @ agency

[quackhandle]

Role posted last night that I sent my CV to pimp a few weeks ago, so I send an email to enquire if there's any feedback.

Response: 'Oh it was filled weeks ago, not sure why it's still showing.'

Blatant CV fishing.

qh

[jmo21]

This thread makes me want to HULK SMASH every time I dip into it!



f'ckin agents!

[GillsMan]

I had a phone call last week from an agent recruiting for a role. What I do is fairly niche, and what she described seemed to fit broadly/fairly well into the sorts of work I have done before. It didn't seem like she was just reading from my CV, and I must admit, it did seem like there was a genuine role at the end of it.

She then needed the two references and I said I would get them for her while she arranged the meeting with the client. After chasing me for the references, I advised that I would pass on their references by the end of the week, to which she replied that she would need to speak to them directly. At this point I said:

"I’m afraid I can’t provide you with those details unless I have had at least a conversation/meeting with your client first. My references are very important to me and I value their time and so I can only ask them to speak to people on my behalf if I’ve at least got a chance of some work coming through following a discussion of some description with a potential client. I understand that you have made a promise to your client with regards to obtaining my references before we can have a meeting, and if that’s the case, then I assume that means we won’t be able to proceed. I’ll understand if that’s the situation, and if so I would be grateful if you could confirm so that I can advise my references that there is no need to provide any information after all."

She has come back and said that this is indeed the case and therefore we won't be able to proceed. Now, I know that most people on here say that if it is a genuine role, the agent will back down if you refuse to provide references. I am convinced that this is a genuine role, (the work she described her client as wanting is very niche and her requirements couldn't have been lifted from my CV, and I can't find this job advertised elsewhere), but equally I am more than happy to walk away from this one. I am happy to provide references before a formal offer of work, but only after I have at least had a chance to talk to the client.

Bit of a strange one really, but happy with my decision in the end.

[jmo21]

I had a phone call last week from an agent recruiting for a role. What I do is fairly niche, and what she described seemed to fit broadly/fairly well into the sorts of work I have done before. It didn't seem like she was just reading from my CV, and I must admit, it did seem like there was a genuine role at the end of it.

She then needed the two references and I said I would get them for her while she arranged the meeting with the client. After chasing me for the references, I advised that I would pass on their references by the end of the week, to which she replied that she would need to speak to them directly. At this point I said:

"I’m afraid I can’t provide you with those details unless I have had at least a conversation/meeting with your client first. My references are very important to me and I value their time and so I can only ask them to speak to people on my behalf if I’ve at least got a chance of some work coming through following a discussion of some description with a potential client. I understand that you have made a promise to your client with regards to obtaining my references before we can have a meeting, and if that’s the case, then I assume that means we won’t be able to proceed. I’ll understand if that’s the situation, and if so I would be grateful if you could confirm so that I can advise my references that there is no need to provide any information after all."

She has come back and said that this is indeed the case and therefore we won't be able to proceed. Now, I know that most people on here say that if it is a genuine role, the agent will back down if you refuse to provide references. I am convinced that this is a genuine role, (the work she described her client as wanting is very niche and her requirements couldn't have been lifted from my CV, and I can't find this job advertised elsewhere), but equally I am more than happy to walk away from this one. I am happy to provide references before a formal offer of work, but only after I have at least had a chance to talk to the client.

Bit of a strange one really, but happy with my decision in the end.

You seem to have forgotten that an agents 2 best skills are talking and lying

[Dominic Connor]

Its a lie, interviewers never ask for references up front .. never ever in City / Banking jobs not even after Sep 11th etc.

Its a trick, I'm telling you straight its a TRICK !

As a recruiter I can share that this is not a lie, it is a damned lie. Never not once has a client asked that we find two referees before submitting a candidate.
One reason is the sheer volume of tulip that would require them to shovel.

Unless you're absurdly specialist (we once had to get someone who'd worked on the internals of a obscure Java package), at the point where CVs are being assembled there may be a dozen, maybe 20 CVs. That's 40 references. To get referees to actually give references, and discover that some have changed job, can't be arsed to reply etc is pretty much a man week of work for the client and since they're only engaging one contractor, 99% of that is wasted.

I know many people here think some clients are dumb, but very very few are *that* clueless.

[kevpuk]

I have been asked just once for 2 references or similar - one of the first agents I spoke to when starting out on the Life of Contractor. I now know to give them short shrift......
Thing is, in my current gig for example, not a soul has asked any kind of reference or similar - neither Agency or Client - pretty much accepting I am who I say I am, do what I say I do, without any co-oboration - well, there was a 'technical test to run through at interview......
So, Client has someone that can do what they need and I guess that is all anyone is really fussed about

[BolshieBastard]

I have been asked just once for 2 references or similar - one of the first agents I spoke to when starting out on the Life of Contractor. I now know to give them short shrift......
Thing is, in my current gig for example, not a soul has asked any kind of reference or similar - neither Agency or Client - pretty much accepting I am who I say I am, do what I say I do, without any co-oboration - well, there was a 'technical test to run through at interview......
So, Client has someone that can do what they need and I guess that is all anyone is really fussed about

In the last few weeks, I've had FruitionIT and Tek Systems 'demand' two references else they 'cannot proceed' any application and me supplying them 'helps speed up the contract acceptance procedure.'

I politely declined.