I just need to get two references ...

[amanwhoisquiet]

Just had this email. Very good stuff..

"Dear [amanwhoisquiet]

We are currently searching for a JOB TITLE to work in CITY, COUNTRY for DURATION plus extensions."

Sign me up!! Some outfit called M B A

[psychocandy]

Really.

It's not really references though is it? Much of the time it's just lead generation for the pimp and no job offer for the contractor.

When you've been repeatedly lied to and suckered, that 'wariness' (yes, let's be polite) has been hard earned.

If recruiters want respect, they have to earn that too. Once earned they stay on my LinkedIn network; the others can 'jog on'.

Im with Cojak on this one. Give up names of ex-managers to agents and all you'll get is the agent hassling them for business. You're ex-manager wont thank you for that one!

So yes it is about relationships. The ones that matter - your clients. Not so much the agents whos business model is all about sales.

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

This might sound sexist but I was benched for around 4 months and the only people that asked me for references were women. 99% sure they were all fake jobs, never heard from them again whether I provided or not.

Didn't get a single call from a guy trying to pull that trick.

Maybe a coincidence, not sure.

[MyUserName]

Maybe a coincidence, not sure.

It was

[Contractor101101]

It was

Yeah, I had one yesterday. He pretended he had a contract for me but was sadly too far from my location, I pretended I wasn't able to help him with previous client's contact details.

[LondonManc]

Yeah, I had one yesterday. He pretended he had a contract for me but was sadly too far from my location, I pretended I wasn't able to help him with previous client's contact details.

I wouldn't pretend, I'd be quite blunt. I've earned those contacts, he hasn't. If he secures me a contract and there are places I'm not bothered about going back to, I'll chuck em a few scraps.

[hgllgh]

teksystems references

I am being hassled by a female recruitment agent at TekSystems for two references as part of the 'screening' process. The script is:-

We are responsible for all of the placements at X company (a well know education sector Giant) without the X company actually having to do any interviews at all. We conduct a telephone interview and then meet you in person before placing you on site. By the way, your CV is better than the others, so the screening is pretty much a formality. Its part of out agreement with X company that we take the references as part of the screening as they don't interview.

Is this just complete BS or is there a chance that this is true?

[Eirikur]

I am being hassled by a female recruitment agent at TekSystems for two references as part of the 'screening' process. The script is:-

We are responsible for all of the placements at X company (a well know education sector Giant) without the X company actually having to do any interviews at all. We conduct a telephone interview and then meet you in person before placing you on site. By the way, your CV is better than the others, so the screening is pretty much a formality. Its part of out agreement with X company that we take the references as part of the screening as they don't interview.

Is this just complete BS or is there a chance that this is true?

If they actually mention a name of a company it might be true, but most likely BS.

[BR14]

I might be true, but most likely BS.

well said!

[DaveB]

Just give them the contact details for the agent for your last gig. After all, the contract was with them and not the end client....