I just need to get two references ...

[jmo21]

References are exactly what they say on the tin - they show possible employers whether what you're true to your word.

Do they, aye?

I'm not sure whether all companies use references in their recruitment process, however it can help you decide between equally good candidates. And I don't think people can be sued for giving references - you choose the people, not what they say.

You don't have the first clue what this thread is actually about do you?

[petergriffin]

References are exactly what they say on the tin - they show possible employers whether what you're true to your word.

I'm not sure whether all companies use references in their recruitment process, however it can help you decide between equally good candidates. And I don't think people can be sued for giving references - you choose the people, not what they say.

This is the kind of language you can expect from a bottom-of-the range pimp: FirstCallCS

[malvolio]

References are exactly what they say on the tin - they show possible employers whether what you're true to your word.

I'm not sure whether all companies use references in their recruitment process, however it can help you decide between equally good candidates. And I don't think people can be sued for giving references - you choose the people, not what they say.

"Dear Optimistic reference-seeker

I can confirm Mr Jones worked for us for three months, ending on Tuesday last week by mutual agreement. I am confident he will deliver the same level of commitment and professionalism for you that he did for us

Regards

HR Exec"

Is that really helpful?

[Eirikur]

My answer to the reference question is always the same. References will be given on offer.

They will always come with the BS argument that hey are a quality agency who check their candidates before putting them forward to their clients blah blah blah
But in the end their are two options the agency will say:

1. I can't take you further (which often means they had no job in the first place and were just on a fishing expedition) and I say ok goodbye
2. OK I will put you forward and see what happens, which sometimes means the role is genuine.

[PEEL]

In the world of being a perm, references aren't gathered till after an offer is made. As such there is zero reason to give a recruiter references before starting a job. For contracting, references should be LESS important (it is much easier to get rid of a contractor as compared to a perm) but they aren't because agents are largely a bunch of tulip-heads and want someone to do their work for them. Perhaps this post is irrelevant.

[Wanderer]

"Dear Optimistic reference-seeker

I can confirm Mr Jones worked for us for three months, ending on Tuesday last week by mutual agreement. I am confident he will deliver the same level of commitment and professionalism for you that he did for us

Regards

HR Exec"

Is that really helpful?

Nope, it's almost no use at all but except for that last line which means the agency now have the name of an Exec in HR and an excuse to try a line of banter with them to see if they are recruiting at the moment.

[jimbo45]

My HUGE problem with the whole idea of references is how can the HR dept or whoever wants the reference be sure that the person giving them is more trustworthy or honest or even more qualified to give an opinion than the Candidate himself -- especially say you are an older 60 year old contractor whose been in the business for say 40 years and your last gig was managed by a 25 year old who had only been in the business two years or so. !!!

The latin quote ("Who Guards the Guards") to me always seems appropriate in these cases.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers
jimbo

[TheFaQQer]

My HUGE problem with the whole idea of references is how can the HR dept or whoever wants the reference be sure that the person giving them is more trustworthy or honest or even more qualified to give an opinion than the Candidate himself -- especially say you are an older 60 year old contractor whose been in the business for say 40 years and your last gig was managed by a 25 year old who had only been in the business two years or so. !!!

The latin quote ("Who Guards the Guards") to me always seems appropriate in these cases.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cheers
jimbo

Have you just heard the phrase? It's the second time in two days that you've felt the need to quote it, and also to put a link in to Wikipedia to explain it.

How very Juvenal.

[psychocandy]

Had it yesterday. Please provide 3 references but I promise I don't use them to generate leads. I'm too professional for that.

[northernladuk]

Had it yesterday. Please provide 3 references but I promise I don't use them to generate leads. I'm too professional for that.

Why would the job centre want to generate leads?