I just need to get two references ...

[NigelJK]

Crikey I thought CUK had more than 100 pages of crap.

[clearedforlanding]

What's the resolution? Say no, sit on the bench and spend the rest of the year going "you know, most contractors only work 2 months a year"...

No. Get on the phone, find agents with real roles. Pitch them, send them your CV while you are on the phone (email is quick these days) so you can walk them through it.

Ask them about the client. Ask them what skills they believe the client would like highlighting. Send in your revised CV.

and so on & so on.

Repeat.

When on the bench you have a job. It's description is looking for roles 8 hours a day. It is not providing agents who have no roles sales leads.

[SlipTheJab]

No. Get on the phone, find agents with real roles. Pitch them, send them your CV while you are on the phone (email is quick these days) so you can walk them through it.

Ask them about the client. Ask them what skills they believe the client would like highlighting. Send in your revised CV.

and so on & so on.

Repeat.

When on the bench you have a job. It's description is looking for roles 8 hours a day. It is not providing agents who have no roles sales leads.

^^^This.

[FatLazyContractor]

When on the bench you have a job. It's description is looking for roles till you find one. It is not providing agents who have no roles sales leads.

FTFY

[matty]

Super excited! Had my very first 20min agent call that ended with "I just need to do the pre-screen for them, so just need" blah blah you know the rest!!

Wow, almost feel like I'm a real contractor now . Told him, yeah no worries have a look at my linkedin profile I have many strong personal recommendations on there from people I've worked with. Strangely he didn't go for that...!


disclaimer to the below: no, I'm really not being suckered into passing on contact details but...

I have to admit though, as he did tell me the client and some specifics about the role (previous contractor moving on, specific dates for a handover as I wouldn't be able to start until after they've left) it does feel like there's a real role. So will hold out and see if he changes his mind about needing ref's! Also, which is even more fun, I think I know someone that works there (and is reasonably senior) so I'm going to try and find out if the role is real *and* whether the client really does use agency to 'pre-screen' via references... that should make for an interesting follow up conversation with the agent (if he ever calls me back!!)

[LondonManc]

Or just get in touch with your contact, ask who is on the PSL and ring another agency about it.

[matty]

Or just get in touch with your contact, ask who is on the PSL and ring another agency about it.

good plan! nya nya nyaaaaa!

[imightbewrong]

So what's the summary here? I've been passed some job specs (at named banks) and they want to put me forward - they 'just need one reference' first. Legit or bobbins? Not been asked before. I have half a dozen written recommendations on linkedin but the didn't seem interested. Don't really want to give up a name to just be spammed if it is not a real thing.

[northernladuk]

Who cares. Just give them your last agents details and get on with it. It's really not worth trying to second guess them.

[LondonManc]

So what's the summary here? I've been passed some job specs (at named banks) and they want to put me forward - they 'just need one reference' first. Legit or bobbins? Not been asked before. I have half a dozen written recommendations on linkedin but the didn't seem interested. Don't really want to give up a name to just be spammed if it is not a real thing.

Your last agent will confirm your previous role and provide the reference required.
I've not been asked for references in banking until I'm undergoing the screening process once I've been offered the project.