I just need to get two references ...

[flipFlop]

Troll.

It's a real role (i applied for it on jobserve)

No, there is no role and you have applied for nothing.

[PerfectStorm]

A little late to this thread but... why are people here so reluctant to give references? I'd much prefer a new employer speak to a trusted and praising former colleague or manager.

[cojak]

A little late to this thread but... why are people here so reluctant to give references? I'd much prefer a new employer speak to a trusted and praising former colleague or manager.

You're new to this lark, aren't you?

There is no 'new employer' - there is only an agent hoping to pick up new business from you're old client (note, not employer) and peeing them off in the process with unsolicited cold calls.

[Eirikur]

A little late to this thread but... why are people here so reluctant to give references? I'd much prefer a new employer speak to a trusted and praising former colleague or manager.

As you're new.
1. they are not looking for a reference, they are looking for a saleslead
2. They will spam your referee with questions about potential vacancies, in some cases they may even mention your name, I got your name from PerfectStorm and I understand you are manager of xyz, do you have any vacancies as we are specialised in <whatever the industry is>
3. Your referee will be pissed off with you if s/he finds out it was you who gave his name, whic is not good for you in case you need a real reference

[psychocandy]

A little late to this thread but... why are people here so reluctant to give references? I'd much prefer a new employer speak to a trusted and praising former colleague or manager.

and of course it wont be the new employer that gets the reference. Chances are new CLIENT aint even asked for reference.

Happens a lot if you're in contract or just coming to end. Ideal situation for pimp is to get you new gig AND get name of manager of place you're leaving and get someone in there.

And dont believe them when they say they really do need a reference and they absolutely wont use it for sales leads. They're lying. Same if they say the client wont look at your CV without reference - this means there is no role mostly.

I did it once for a laugh. Friendly with one of the permies at one place, so gave his name as an experiment. Every time I gave his name out, 5 mins later the pimps were on the phone to him. Never even asked for reference just hassled him for business.

A lot of pimps try it on. A lot, if you email them and say no references given at this stage will just drop it. Played the game, got called out, won't mention it again.

[eek]

My references are my direct contacts of the company that employ me.

I'm happy to give out the names of those agents to other agents.

Now if they ask me for clientco details I may depending on how much I dislike people there provide the details... There are a couple who I always provide details for exactly that reason....

[raphal]

In discussion with an agency for a contract role. After first conversation over phone it seemed a genuine gig, but then on the next conversation realized he is fishing. I will entertain him for some time.

[matei]

Just had a very glib pimp contact me about a role that sounded believable. Ticking all the right boxes, then asked me up front for two references before he could submit my CV to his big important client.

Explained that I would gladly provide them as soon as a second interview or face-to-face was scheduled, explained that I was burned twice providing them beforehand - in spite of the other pimp's promises not to contact my current employer etc.

He didn't like this, started accusing me of either lying about my current role (big financial entity) and/or about my actual experience.

Advised him he'd get more cooperation if he were a little more polite, told him to get real and ended the call. What a twit.

[psychocandy]

Just had a very glib pimp contact me about a role that sounded believable. Ticking all the right boxes, then asked me up front for two references before he could submit my CV to his big important client.

Explained that I would gladly provide them as soon as a second interview or face-to-face was scheduled, explained that I was burned twice providing them beforehand - in spite of the other pimp's promises not to contact my current employer etc.

He didn't like this, started accusing me of either lying about my current role (big financial entity) and/or about my actual experience.

Advised him he'd get more cooperation if he were a little more polite, told him to get real and ended the call. What a twit.

Nah. No role there.

IMHO if the role is real pimps will still try the old references malarky as a bit of a bonus for them. If you say no, they just drop it because they still want you for the real role.

[Hireonomy]

I cant believe there are so many Agencies out there who have the time to speak to Contractors about fictional jobs and fish for leads